NEWS
--The Benton County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in solving recent illegal dumping incidents. On two occasions in the last month, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office received the report of numerous tires having been dumped in road ditches near the city limits of St. Cloud and Sauk Rapids. On October 20th, 2023, about 25 tires were found dumped along Townhall Road just north of the intersection with Golden Spike Rd NE. On November 15th about 25 more tires were found dumped along 14th Ave NE near the intersection with Mayhew Lake Road. A suspicious vehicle was noted by a citizen near the area of 10th St NE and Mayhew Lake Rd NE on or about November 8th, 2023. This vehicle was described as a silver Chevy Silverado that was loaded to the top of the cab with used tires. The pickup is believed to be a 2003 to 2007 model year with an extended cab and a short box. The pickup has a yellow sticker in the rear window. Anyone with information about these crimes, the suspects, or the suspicious vehicle is asked to contact the Benton County Sheriff’s Office at (320) 968-7201 or Tri-County Crime Stoppers at (800) 255-1301, www.tricountycrimestoppers.org.
--Two drivers were killed and two passengers were seriously hurt in a head-on collision. The Minnesota State Patrol says the crash happened at about 6:30pm on Saturday on Highway 7 near Silver Lake. Thirty-four-year-old Chad Guzinksi of Mayer died. His passenger 27-year-old Grant Guzinksi of Mayer was taken to HCMC with life-threatening injuries. Sixty-eight-year-old Thomas Burns of Watertown, South Dakota Died. His passenger 64-year-old Carolyn Burns of Watertown, South Dakota was taken to HCMC with life-threatening injuries. The Minnesota State Patrol says all four people were wearing their seat belts and alcohol was not a factor.
--Several people had to be rescued from the roof of a group home in St. Cloud, and one person was taken to the hospital after a fire broke out. Firefighters were called around 11:00am on Friday to the 300 block of 15th Avenue North. First responders saw heavy flames and dark smoke coming from the third floor of the building. Water was sprayed on the flames to get them under control. The fire department needed a ladder truck to rescue the trapped residents off the roof. The rest of the home then was searched. One person was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The house is used as a group home for people living with mental health issues. It’s licensed to serve up to 18 people. A cause wasn’t immediately determined. It is under investigation by the fire marshal.
--Minnesota’s one day fund-raising holiday, Give to the Max Day, was another record setter last Thursday. According to organizers, the final tally was $34.2 million for 6,615 nonprofits – the most to receive gifts for Give to the Max Day. This year marked the 15th anniversary of the one day giving holiday, and organizers asked for donors to play around with that number, either giving to 15 organizations, giving $15, or increasing the gift to a favorite charity by 15%. The Alexandra House Inc. in Blaine won the Super Sized Golden Ticket, earning an extra $10,000 on top of what they took in. Alexandra House works to end domestic and sexual violence while also empowering victim survivors. This year’s total was slightly above what they took in last year, which was $34 million for 6,439 organizations. The first Give to the Max Day was in 2009, when $14.5 million was given to 3,434 organizations. This also included many local charities and Catholic Schools and other items in our area.
--The Minnesota State Veterans Memorial Association is hosting an All Veteran's Meeting tonight at 5pm social with food and refreshments followed by the meeting at 6pm. Any veteran and spouse who is eligible for Military funeral honors are welcome to attend. The meeting will include annual reports and election of officers. The meeting tonight is at the American Legion Post #46 in Little Falls.
--The Brainerd Police Department responded to a motor vehicle crash on Saturday at 8:24am on Washington Street and 3rd Street North in Brainerd. A 45-year-old from Staples was eastbound on Washington Street when the vehicle crossed over the westbound traffic lanes and crashed into a fire hydrant, light pole, street sign and a commercial sign all on the north side of Washington Street. The driver sustained injuries and was taken to the Brainerd Hospital for treatment. There were no others injured from the accident that is under investigation.
--One of two people charged with breaking into the Islamic Center in St. Cloud and vandalizing the property was sentenced to house arrest, community service, and probation in Stearns County District Court. According to the criminal complaint, an employee arrived at the Islamic Center just before 4am September 8th, 2022, and noticed the front window was broken and discovered beer cans and cigarette butts lying around, plus other damage, including slashed furniture and damaged ceiling tiles. Police arrived and found a key card for a local hotel where 26-year-old Victoria Veliz and 24-year-old Logan Smith were staying. Inside their room, investigators said they found marijuana, two copies of the Koran, and three cassette tapes with what is believed to be Arabic writing on them. In a sworn statement, Veliz told police she and Smith went out at night to explore, thinking it would be funny. She said they saw a “scary church” and decided to go inside, but she couldn’t remember how they got in or what they did. The two both pleaded guilty to second degree burglary charges in February. In June, Smith was sentenced to 180 days in jail.
--The 2nd and final of the Little Falls Indoor Marching Band Concert at the Little Falls Community High School is tonight at 7pm. Tickets will be hold at the door which will open tonight at 6:30pm. Also this the final day to purchase tickets for the Madrigal Dinner on December 3rd by contacting the Activities Office at the High School at 616-2207.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Wayne Schmidt and Acacia Smith of Little Falls, a girl Nov 16th.
DEATH NOTICES
--Kevin R. Burt, age 74 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= becoming sunny and breezy, high 37.
TONIGHT= increasing clouds, lighter winds, low near 19.
WEDNESDAY= sunny skies, warmer, high 47, low around 22.
THANKSGIVING= sunny and windy, high 28, low near 10.
BLACK FRIDAY= sunny and windy, high 27, low around 14.
SPORTS
NFL= Lots of NFL action for the holiday weekend, a triple header on Thursday, a game Friday, more games on Sunday and the Vikings play on Monday night 6:30pm. Catch the action on AM960 KLTF.
Listen today for the next Ho Ho Dough Qualifiers on LF Radio