NEWS --On Saturday night the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a fatal ATV accident on the Soo-Line Trail, near 280th Avenue in Pierz Township, east of Genola. Around 8:17pm a side-by-side ATV driven by 45-year old Eric Scholl of Royalton was traveling west on the Soo-Line Trail. After crossing the intersection of 280th Avenue the ATV rolled. A passenger of the ATV, 37-year old Karla Scheel of Rice was ejected and trapped underneath the ATV. Scheel was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, Eric Scholl of Royalton was taken into custody and is being held in the Morrison County Jail pending charges for Criminal Vehicular Operation. The crash is under investigation by the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office and the Minnesota State Patrol.
--Shortly before 8:00am Monday, a utility pole caught fire and snapped which caused a power outage at Little Falls Community Middle School. Students were dismissed for pickup if possible while some waited out the day at the high school while the power pole was being fixed. Power was restored yesterday afternoon. No injuries.
--The Little Falls Fire Department responded to an electrical fire at Coborns on Sunday morning 6:00am. A light fixture was shorting out and the flames dripped down into a waste basket in the bathroom. An individual on scene put out the fire with a fire extinguisher before authorities arrived. 15-firefighters were on scene for around 30 minutes to help with ventilation. Damage from the electrical fire was limited to the area in the bathroom. No one was injured. 17-Little Falls firefighters also helped secure the area around the snapped power pole at the Little Falls Community Middle School listed above.
--Around 2:20pm Saturday the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a combine vs. vehicle accident with possible injuries on 120th Avenue in the city of Bowlus. 48-year old Scott Welle of Pierz was traveling south on 120th Avenue as 41-year old Philip Rudolph of Royalton was traveling west on 40th Street in a John Deere Combine. Rudolph entered the intersection with the combine and was struck by Welle’s vehicle. Welle’s passenger, 45-year old Tracy Moga of Royalton had minor injuries but declined medical attention at the scene.
--This is 4H Week. It is a time to remember all members, past and present of the 4H Organization for youth members who excel with a number of projects reflected mostly to agriculture and animals. The Morrison County 4H will be the recipient of the monies raised Thursday at the annual Kiwanis night at Great River Arts in Little Falls. Get more information on 4-H by calling Becky 632-0161.
--St. John's University football coaching legend John Gagliardi has died at the age of 91. His family released a statement of facebook saying he was a winner in so many ways, but mostly in his ability to connect with others. His appreciation of others ran so deep that it was the core of who John was. Gagliardi retired from coaching in 2012, as the winning coach in college football history with 489 wins at SJU. He coached football for 64 years. He was the first active head coach to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006.
--The Minnesota State Patrol released the name of the bicyclist killed in Wadena County last Thursday night as 39-year-old Daniel Cermack of Detroit Lakes. Reports stated that Cermack went through the red light on Highway 10 and was struck by a pickup truck. Cermack died at the scene. The pickup driver and passenger were not hurt.
--Pierz Schools will be holding a groundbreaking ceremony on tonight at 5:00pm. Back on April 10th the Pierz School District bond referendum passed by a tally of 993 yes votes to 816 no votes. The referendum question was to support $9,995,000 for school building bonds to provide funds for the construction of elementary classrooms, elementary physical education space; the construction of a band room and improvements to the high school kitchen and cafeteria; and elementary school parking lot. A large portion of the referendum was to add eight classrooms for 5th and 6th graders, a science lab, and a preschool classroom for early childhood special education. The groundbreaking is tonight at 5:00pm.
--A 59-year-old man died in a house fire Sunday at 6:10pm near Foley. Firefighters were called to a home 3 miles east of Foley and found heavy smoke coming from the 2nd floor of the home. One man jumped from a 2nd story window to safety and told firefighters someone else was on the first floor. Authorities found the body of the other man and he was taken for an autopsy for cause of death and proper identification. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
--Two men were arrested and may face charges after a dispute Sunday night in the St. Cloud Walmart store where one pulled a gun on the other. Around 5:30pm 60-year old Mark Daniel Gibbs of Luverne was shopping when he got a call from his 33-year old daughter who had dropped him off outside the store. Gibbs said a man later identified as 50-year old Richard Allen Waagen of Randall walked up to the car she was in, yelled at her for being in a no-parking zone and struck her side-view mirror. Waagen then went inside the store, where Gibbs confronted him by grabbing his shoulder and yelling at him. Waagen then pulled a handgun from his waist and pointed it at Gibbs. Employees intervened, but Waagen continued to point the weapon at Gibbs and a 21-year old store employee who was standing between the men. No shots were fired and Waagen put his gun away before police arrived. Gibbs was also believed to be in possession of a loaded handgun. After the incident, before police arrived, he hid it in a bathroom garbage can. It does not appear Gibbs ever displayed his handgun during the incident. Both men were arrested. Waagen does have a permit to carry and said he was defending himself. Gibbs does not have a permit to carry. Waagen was arrested on suspicion of second-degree assault with a firearm and Gibbs was arrested on suspicion of threats of violence, disorderly conduct, negligent storage of a firearm and carrying a handgun without a permit. A charging decision is pending.
--The Pierz City Council meets tonight at 7:00pm at Pierz City Hall, due to city offices being closed on Monday for Columbus Day.
DEATH NOTICES --Audrey J. Cyrus, age 83 of Motley. --Matthew Stephen Sobania, age 56 of Randall.
WEATHER TODAY= rain, winds pick up, high 45. TONIGHT= more rain and gusty winds, low 40. WEDNESDAY= more rain and gusty winds, high 43, WED NITE= rain changes to wet snow, dusting possible, low 30. THURSDAY= sunny, cold and windy, high 36, low 26.
Cash Cube Thursday 11am-1pm at Fallsnet in Little Falls.