[fullwidth background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”underline solid” sep_color=”#000000″ margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Newsletter: Wednesday, April 13th 2016[/title][fusion_text]
NEWS
–The Little Falls Fire Department responded to a house fire Monday night shortly before 10:00pm in Fort Ripley Township. 22-Little Falls firefighters received mutual aid from 12-Pierz firefighters and two tanker trucks to a house fire at the address of 23800 185th Avenue just north of Little Falls. The home owned by George and Kathy St. Onge was basically engulfed by flames as firefighters arrived on scene and was ruled a total loss. George and Kathy were home and awake when the fire started. They escaped unharmed and there were no injuries battling the fire. Officially the cause is under investigation but there are early indicators the fire may have been caused by an outdoor wood burner.
–Police arrested a 26-year-old Little Falls man on Monday following a year and a half long investigation by the Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force into the sale of a large amount of methamphetamine in central Minnesota. Jose Eduardo Torres-Ortiz was arrested at the home of a relative at 200 5th Street SW in Little Falls and booked at Morrison County Jail. Officers found 1.5 pounds of methamphetamine and $9,000 in cash at the home, as well as 14 empty bags they believe once contained up to 15 pounds of methamphetamine. Officers investigated Torres-Ortiz for several months prior to making the arrest. Torres-Ortiz could face first degree drug charges and additional charges in Stearns County.
–A man accused of killing his mother more than two years ago in St. Cloud was determined incompetent to stand trial on Tuesday. 54-year old Dean Friese is accused of stabbing his mother, 72-year-old Lois Arlene Omeara, in September 2013. According to court records, Friese stabbed Omeara in an apartment complex where they each lived in separate apartments. Court records accuse Friese of luring his mother to his apartment by pulling a medical alarm. In February, Stearns County District Court Judge Frank Kundrat ordered another mental competency examination after multiple previous examinations had shown differing results on Friese’s competency. A trial was set to begin on May 10th, but that will be postponed while Friese attends a competency restoration program in St. Peter. Friese already attended the program once last year. Friese has a history of mental illness that has led to several commitments and court-ordered administration of medication.
–A St. Cloud girl was injured Monday night in a rollover in Morrison County. 11-year old Abigail McPherson was taken to St. Gabriel’s Hospital in Little Falls after the vehicle she was riding in drove off Minnesota Highway 27 and rolled at 9:00pm. 52-year old John McPherson of St. Cloud was driving the vehicle as it approached Centennial Drive near Pierz. John McPherson and two other passengers in the car did not report injuries. The State Patrol did not consider Abigail McPherson’s injuries life-threatening.
–A vehicle fire Monday evening in the parking of Brainerd Medical Supply was called in to Brainerd firefighters. There were no flames visibile by firefighters but smoke from the under the hood was coming out of the engine compartment. Water was dumped on the engine area without much damage. No injuries were reported.
–Morrison County Public Works announced that spring load restrictions will be removed on all Morrison County Highways effective at 12:01am next Monday April 18th.
–FM94’s Ladies Night Out LF Style April 28th, details fallsradio.com
–A grass fire in Cass County Monday in Wikinson Township burned a swamp and trees. Firefighters were called out around 4:00pm and had to use a helicopter to help with the blaze that burned over 2 acres. No cause was given for the fire. Another reminder from firefighters that burning restrictions are in place. With warm, windy and dry conditions this week fires can spark quickly.
–A Sauk Centre man was seriously injured in a collision involving a semitrailer on U.S. Highway 71. A vehicle driven by 80-year old Eugene Yarke was southbound on Highway 71 when he attempted to turn left into a gas station in front of a semi driven by 51-year old Juan Hernandez Mendoza of Long Prairie. The semi then collided with Yarke’s vehicle before entering a ditch and rolling over. Yarke suffered serious injuries. Mendoza did not appear to be injured.
–Two people were injured Monday night in St. Cloud in a three-vehicle collision involving a semitrailer. One vehicle driven by 36-year old Daniel Franck of St. Cloud, another driven by 71-year old Gary Bock of Brainerd, and a semi driven by 64-year old Rodney Meyer of Montevideo were all eastbound on Division Street, near 25th Avenue South. The first vehicle stopped quickly after a sudden traffic light change causing the second vehicle to stop quickly and the semi crashed into the second vehicle causing a chain reaction. Bock and his passenger, 75-year old Charlotte Bock of Brainerd suffered injuries the state patrol didn’t consider life-threatening. Rodney suffered no apparent injury. Franck’s injuries were not documented.
–One person was injured in a Tuesday morning collision in St. Cloud that caused a vehicle to crash into a home. The release said a van driven by 38-year old Carrieann Jonas was westbound on 8th Street North where she entered the intersection on a green light at 9th Avenue North. A vehicle driven by 77-year old Lewis Olson of Clear Lake was southbound on 9th Avenue North. The report said Olson’s vehicle entered the intersection during a red light, and collided with Jonas’ vehicle. After impact, Olson’s vehicle continued into an electrical pole and then into the corner of a home. The home received minor damage to the foundation. Jonas was taken to St. Cloud Hospital for injuries that are not considered life-threatening.
DEATH NOTICE
–Delphine Ann Psick, age 67 of Florida formerly of Little Falls
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, high near 60.
TONIGHT= clear skies, low 45.
THURSDAY= sunny and windy, 30mph gusts, high 73, low 50.
FRIDAY= sunny and continued breezy, high 71, low 52.
SPORTS
TWINS= after a day off, Twins and White Sox continue series tonight at Target Field, 6:30pm pregame on Q92 WYRQ.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1796= reports of first elephant brought into U.S. from India
IN 1860= The Pony Express began operations.
IN 1902= J.C. Penney opens first store in Wyoming.
IN 1943= The Jefferson Memorial decidated in Washington D.C. coming on the 200 birthday of President Thomas Jefferson.
IN 1984= Pete Rose hit #4,000 with Montreal Expos at the time.
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