NEWS
--At 8:38am Monday the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a two-vehicle accident with injuries at the intersection of Highway 10 and Bison Road, in the city of Cushing. According to the Sheriff’s Office, 39-year old Tracy Guck of Randall was traveling south on Bison Road as 46-year old Delayna Nitz of Bemidji was traveling east on Highway 10. Guck’s vehicle failed to yield and pulled out in front of Nitz’s vehicle causing the crash. Nitz was transported by Mayo Clinic Ambulance to St. Gabriel’s Hospital for treatment of unknown injuries.
--At 8:12pm Saturday Crow Wing County Sheriff office responded to a single vehicle rollover crash near the 24000 Block of County Road 11 in Crow Wing County. Upon arrival, deputies found that a 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe was traveling eastbound on County Road 11, left the roadway and rolled over. The driver of Chevrolet Tahoe, a 40-year old Crosby man, was pronounced dead at the scene. The name of the driver is being withheld, pending the notification of family. The crash is currently under investigation by the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office and the Minnesota State Patrol.
--A 38-year old from Little Falls was sentenced April 7th in Stearns County District Court to seven years in prison for felony criminal sexual conduct and lewd exhibition of a victim under the age of 16. Christopher Allen Hitchcock of Little Falls will serve the counts concurrently. Hitchcock was acquitted of another two felony counts of fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct with lewd exhibition in the presence of a child under 16.
--Morrison County Veterans Service Officer Kathy Marshik announced yesterday on KLTF that with April being Month of the Military Child Month, this Thursday April 15th is being declared Purple Up Day. You are encouraged to wear purple in honor of military children. Wear your purple and post pictures on military organizations social media sites. Also in honor of this starting Thursday and each weekday until April 30th, Kathy's office at the Government Center at the Veterans Service Office will let Military Kids accompanied by a parent, showing proof of military service, a chance to enter into a drawing for prizes, a certificate for a free ice cream cone from our local ice cream shops and a special Thank You certificate for being a military child in Morrison County. For more information on this or any veterans service information that is needed, reach out to Kathy Marshik at 632-0290.
--Ripley Township will be holding a Clean-Up Day for residents living outside city limits but within Ripley Township on Saturday at the Ripley Town Hall from 8:00am to Noon. Each household may deliver two (2) appliances or two (2) electronics, or a combination of both, plus ten (10) tire units free of charge. One car tire = one tire unit, one truck tire = five tire units, and one tractor tire = ten tire units. Additional items will be charged the following: Additional appliances and electronics - $15.00 each; additional car tires - $3.00 each, truck tires - $4.00 each, tractor tires - $12.00 each. The tire price is double if the rim is left on the tire. Residents are responsible for the unloading of their tires and appliances. This collection is intended for residentially generated items only. Persons with questions may call Norma Bjornson at 320-745-2512.
--Joetown Rocks will not happen again this year due to concerns related to COVID-19. The Church of St. Joseph in the town of St. Joseph had cancelled last year due to COVID-19 and announced this week they will have to do the same in 2021.
--At 6:26pm Monday the Minnesota State Patrol responded to a fatal head on crash on Highway 23 in Foley. According to the report from the Minnesota State Patrol 20-year old Amber Merten of Foley was heading east on Highway 23 as 57-year old Richard Theisen of Foley was heading west on Highway 23 when their vehicles collided head on in Foley near mile Post 222 in Benton County. Both Merten and Theisen died as a result of the crash. Road conditions were considered wet at the time of the incident and each driver was wearing their seatbelts. Alcohol was not a factor.
--The Stearns County Sheriff's Office says at about 11:30pm Saturday the Cold Spring police department and the Stearns County Sheriff's Office were called to a medical emergency at the Rock N River Event Center. The initial calls indicated a man was unconscious and not breathing. Officers found 26-year-old Saul Cano of Rockville inside the event center. They immediately began life-saving efforts including the use of an AED, however, their efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.There was a large crowd at the event center for a birthday party. Deputies learned that there was an altercation earlier between Cano and another man. Witnesses indicated some pushing and that Cano had fallen to the floor. It was about 20 to 40 minutes later that Cano had become unresponsive. Based on the initial investigation the other man involved in the altercation was taken into custody. Cano's body was sent to the Midwest Medical Examiner's office for an autopsy, which showed no evidence of any traumatic injury. The man who was arrested was released on Monday and was not charged. The investigation is still ongoing.
--Two boys who allegedly carjacked a vehicle at gunpoint last week have been formally charged. Big Lake Police say one of the boys is charged with felony 1st-degree aggravated robbery, vehicle theft, and fleeing police. Police say the other boy is also charged with felony 1st-degree aggravated robbery with the other charges being giving a false name to police and fleeing. Police say a gun, car keys, and some clothing were found near the Coborn's fence the boys had climbed over. Officers were called back to the area Monday morning where a lawn care worker spotted a handgun by a fence. An officer took the second gun and placed it into evidence. Because they are minors there names are not released on the official court report.
--A reminder that the state of Minnesota and the Federal Government has extended the income tax deadline to May 17th. The usual deadline would have been tomorrow but has been extended this year.
DEATH NOTICES
--Irene Hoeschen, age 97 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= rain/snow in morning, clouds in afternoon, high 41.
TONIGHT= mostly cloudy skies, few flurries possible, low 30.
THURSDAY= partly sunny skies, high 48, clearing late, low 27.
FRIDAY= sunny skies, high near 50, low around 32.
SPORTS
TWINS= Boston beat the Twins 4-2 on Tuesday. Twins will play a double-header (2 seven inning games) today to make up the postponment from Monday. First game has a pregame at 12:30pm with the second game to follow the first on Q92 WYRQ.
HS BAB= Little Falls at Pierz Thursday 5pm on 94 ROCKS.
HS SB= Pierz at Little Falls Thursday at 5pm on AM960 KLTF.