NEWS
--Forty-six local high school students have been selected by their respective school staff and will be celebrated at a special event from 5-8pm tonight. The Students of Character Celebration recognizes high school juniors and seniors throughout Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd, and Wadena counties for their quiet leadership, perseverance, and dedication to their community, school, and fellow students. This celebration is by invitation only; however, the event will be broadcast live on the Sourcewell Facebook for the general public. A recording of the complete event will also be shared the following day on the Sourcewell Facebook page. Locally Laci Maleski and Kilee Motzko of Little Falls Community High School, Kristen Rauch and Edward Westmoreland of Pierz Healy High School, Jasmine Beaudreau and Kaylee Mudgett of Pillager High School, Ezekiel Zwart, Cylie Brezinka and Ashton Oldakowski of Royalton High School, Hunter Miller and Trinity Seamann of Staples-Motley High School, Austin Hollerman and Logan Leyendecker of Swanville High School and Nicholas Kulla and Natalie Wensmann of Upsala Area Schools. Congratulations to all Students of Character.
--Several roads, trails and parks remain underwater as rivers remain above flood stage in Crow Wing, Cass and Aitkin Counties from the snow and rain this past weekend. The City of Brainerd Monday requests that homeowners along the riverbed in Brainerd continue to monitor the waters as they continue to rise with more rain and snow expected before Saturday. Morrison County saw some of the waters recede recently with the colder temperatures but the Mississippi River remains high with water expected from the north to flow down and continue to bring high water levels over the next few weeks. Many flooding advisories and warnings remain in effect through Friday and then expected to extend further with more precipitation in the forecast and rising temperatures with any remain snow to likely melt off in the days ahead with temps back in the 50s by Monday. Law enforcement asks that you please not drive around barricades or walked in parks and trails that have experienced flooded areas.
--Governor Tim Walz has ordered all Minnesota flags to be flown at half-staff at all state buildings in Minnesota from sunrise until sunset on Saturday in honor and remembrance of Deputy Josh Owen. “Deputy Owen was a dedicated law enforcement officer and a veteran of the Minnesota National Guard who was respected by his family, friends, and colleagues,” reads the proclamation issued by Governor Walz. “With its deepest gratitude, the State of Minnesota recognizes Deputy Josh Owen for his dedicated service to, and sacrifice for, his fellow Minnesotans, and our prayers are with his family, friends, and community.” Individuals, businesses, and other organizations are also encouraged to join in lowering their flags. Also Governor Tim Walz will give his State of the State Address tonight at 7pm.
--A Veterans Retiree Seminar for all branches of the Military is Thursday from 8am-11:30am at Camp Ripley Hangar. This is a free event (breakfast at optional cost) to learn about many items from Veterans organizations and services that are available to the retired Veterans. That is Thursday, and you will need a photo id to enter Camp Ripley. Also if you bring non perishable food items to help Veterans use the area food shelves you could win a prize or a free breakfast on Thursday. Questions call Kris at 320-632-0290.
--A list of late spring and summer events throughout Morrison County has been posted at fallsradio.com and on the community calendar for upcoming events June-August 2023 to prepare for this year.
--Little Falls Police Department has a reminder for those doing some spring cleaning. Stop by the Little Falls Police Department to pick up your FREE Deterra Drug Deactivation Pouch to use at home, or drop off your unused prescription drugs in their drop box which is located in the lobby, and 24/7 drop-off is available. There is a video posted on their Facebook page to show how the pouches work.
--A man is accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl and a woman with developmental delays in Stearns County. A 15-year-old girl from St. Cloud told investigators that she had met David Jovel Campos while shopping, and he asked for her phone number, but she didn’t give it to him. A month later, the girl says the 31-year-old found her on social media. He allegedly said he was 18, and the two met up, went to his apartment and had sex. The two allegedly had sex twice more over the next couple of months. At one point, Campos allegedly took the girl and her younger sister and cousin to a movie and exposed himself while asking the victim to perform a sex act. The officer found multiple conversations between the child and Campos between August 16th, 2022 and January 2023. In a separate case, police were called about a woman who said she had been sexually assaulted by “Alberto,” later identified as Campos. Investigators say Campos picked the woman up in October, and they were supposed to go to Lake George. The woman reported that Campos brought her to his place in the 600-block of 10th Avenue South in Waite Park and refused to take her home. According to the criminal complaint, Campos threatened to beat the woman if she didn’t lie on his bed. He then allegedly grabbed her hair and throat and raped her. Police recovered DNA evidence and sent the samples to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for analysis. Investigators say Campos admitted to knowing the victim and going to a park with her eight months to a year ago. He denied having sex with her. Campos accused the victim of always messaging and commenting on his Facebook page. He told the victim to stop because he had a girlfriend. The second victim does not have a Facebook account, according to court records. When Campos was arrested, officers say they found a Mexican driver’s license identifying him as Sebastian Talavera Alberto and a Wisconsin card identifying him as Campos. He has been charged with four felony counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and one gross misdemeanor for indecent exposure in the presence of a minor. Campos is being held on $200,000 bail. His next hearing is May 8th.
DEATH NOTICES
--Darrel Joseph VanDenheuvel, age 71 of Little Falls.
--Helen Andres, age 90 of Pierz.
WEATHER
TODAY= showers and T-storms at times, breezy, high 45.
TONIGHT= cloudy, showers off an on, low near 35.
THURSDAY= cloudy, rain develops late, changing to snow, high 41.
THURS NITE/FRI= snow showers 1-2 inches total, low 28, high 39.
SPORTS
TWINS= Boston walks off the Twins last night 5-4 in 10 innings. The Twins and Red Sox continue series today 5:30pm on Q92 WYRQ.
TWOLVES= Timberwolves and Denver game 2 tonight in Denver.
WILD= Wild at Dallas for playoff game #2 tonight in Dallas.