NEWS --Today is Halloween. Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen had a safety message for local citizens. Halloween can be an exciting time for everyone involved, but safety needs to come first. Their office wants to remind motorists to slow down in residential areas, remain vigilant and alert for children darting out onto the roadway, and avoid wearing a mask that obstructs your vision while driving. Additionally, they ask that trick or treaters wear bright or reflective costumes, refrain from cutting across other people's yards and walk only on sidewalks if provided. Avoid entering a strangers house and only visit residences with their outside lights on. If you witness suspicious activity, report it to the Morrison County Sheriff's Office at 632-9233. There are businesses in Little Falls and Pierz hosting trick or treating events today. Pierz is 3-5:30pm at sponsored businesses and Little Falls is 3:30-5pm at Chamber businesses including Little Falls Radio. Also Corey Fink from FM94 will be live at Drelleck Insurance today from 3-5 playing Halloween songs.
--Sartell police used surveillance video at St. Cloud area businesses to arrest a Rice man on theft charges. The incident started with a call to police about a vehicle break-in in the 1400 block of 5th Avenue North in Sartell. The victim called just after 7:30am Friday to alert authorities someone had gone through their unlocked vehicle overnight and took two hunting knives and a wallet. The wallet contained credit cards which were used at several area businesses totaling more than $1,000. Surveillance video at the businesses helped police get a vehicle description, license plate number and ultimately identify 26-year old Scott Cody as the suspect. Cody was interviewed and allegedly admitted to the burglary and the illegal purchases. He’s being held in the Stearns County Jail on suspicion of financial transaction card fraud and theft of a vehicle charges.
--A Farwell farmer died in a farming accident while he was chisel plowing. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office received a call reporting a farm accident in Moe Township just after 7:30am Sunday. Once on scene, deputies found the victim, 58-year old Steven James Anderson deceased in the farm field. A report from the sheriff's office said Anderson was chisel plowing and was driven over by the chisel plow and dragged. He was working alone in the field at the time of the accident. His body was transported to the Midwest Medical Examiner's Office in Anoka County and the incident remains under investigation by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.
--This Friday, November 3rd, marks a sad day in the history of the Stearns County Sheriff's Office, yet one that needs to be remembered. On that day 30 years ago, Deputy Sheriff Edwin “Eddie” Arendt gave the ultimate sacrifice when he was killed in the line of duty as the result of a head-on collision. The crash occurred on County Road 2 north of Cold Spring. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office will hold a remembrance ceremony on Friday, November 3rd at 3:15pm in the Stearns County Law Enforcement Center. This ceremony is open to the public.
--A World War II veteran missing in action has been identified and will be buried in the grave made for him in Pine River. Kenneth Degroot only had a grave marker in the Pine Ridge Cemetery and a group worked on finding his remains. New information and DNA research located the remains of DeGroot in Europe and he will have his remains returned for a property military burial.
--Two suspects involved in a Rockville burglary have been found. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office says 28-year old Benton Beyer and 25-year old Brittney Taylor, both of Cold Spring, were arrested Friday. The duo is accused of breaking into a home between October 20th and October 23rd and taking a number of items inside. Police say they also charged about $1,200 to several credit cards at various stores in St. Cloud. Both Beyer and Taylor were taken to the Stearns County Jail awaiting formal charges.
--One person has life threatening injuries after a crash west of Richmond. The Minnesota State Patrol says the crash happened on Highway 23 just west of Richmond around 3:00pm Saturday. Authorities say an SUV driven by 35-year old Eric Stein of Willmar was going east on Highway 23 when he drifted over the center line and crashed head on with another SUV driven by 52-year old Pamela Gregor of Minneota. Gregor’s SUV went over the guard rail and rolled into the ditch. Gregor was taken to a Twin Cities hospital with life threatening injuries. Her passenger, 48-year old James Klug of Minneota was taken to St. Cloud with non-life threatening injuries. Stein and his passenger, 35-year old Crystal Stein of Willmar were also taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
--An 8-year-old girl remains at the Minneapolis burn unit after she and two other children were burned by a bonfire last month in Menahga of Wadena County. 8-year old Arionna Matteson sustained burns to 75% of her body. Her 10-year old brother Drake had burns to his face and neck and a 9-year old friend, Libby Havnes suffered burns to 12% of her body. On September 29th, the three were in the backyard at a bonfire when suddenly there was a loud bang as the fire quickly exploded onto the children. 8-year old Arionna remains at the HCMC burn unit and was put in a medically induced coma. She is expected to undergo another three months of treatment before hopefully being able to return home. Her 9-year old brother was released from the hospital after a week and her friend continues treatments from burns received in the blast. The cause of the explosion from the bonfire was not determined.
--A reminder that the Morrison County Soo Line Trail will be closed November 1st through November 30th. For questions, call Morrison County Public Works (320) 632-0121.
--The 57th Annual Upsala Book Fair begins November 6th through November 13th at various times. Details at fallsradio.com.
DEATH NOTICE --Roger Schmidt, age 83 of Holdingford
WEATHER TODAY= partly sunny, high 32, but less windy. TONIGHT= mostly cloudy, snow after midnight, low 25. WEDNESDAY= snow likely 1-3 inches by noon, then rain, high 38. WED NITE/THURS= rain/snow mix low 30, cloudy day, high 38.
SPORTS HS FB= Royalton vs. Moose Lake Willow River from Esko in section finals will be Thursday 7pm on Q92 WYRQ and fallsradio.com. HS FB= Pierz vs. New London Spicer Friday at 8pm at St. Cloud State in section finals on FM94 KFML and fallsradio.com. HS FB= Upsala/Swanville takes on Mayer Lutheran Saturday at 1pm at St. Cloud State University in section finals on Q92 WYRQ.