NEWS
--Yesterday was the filing deadline for all races without primaries. Little Falls City Council Ward 1 (southeast side of Little Falls) has three candidates, Loren Boyum, Robin Hensel, and Raquel Lundberg. Little Falls City Council Ward two (northeast side of Little Falls) has two candidates Catherine Van Risseghem and Gerald Knafla. Little Falls City Council Ward 3 (west side of Little Falls) had only the incumbent Frank Gosiak file. In other races according to the Minnesota Secretery of State's website, Danny Noss and Bob Riitters filed for Randall Mayor. Meanwhile four have filed for Randall City Council where voters will elect the top two. The four include James Chyba, Andrew Haider, Rick Turner and Brian Zilka. In Pierz Township Alan Hoheisel and Dean Rochleau have both filed for Town Supervisor Seat C. Kyle Bednar and Don Bujalski both filed for Pierz City Council. In Morrill Township Supervisor Seat C three filed including Richard (Dick) Kieffer, Craig Melby, and Joe Novotny. In Motley both Amy Hutchison and Al Yoder filed for Mayor. These names are all according to the Minnesota Secretery of State's website but it may be a few days before all names are on the site. According to the site there were numerous local positions where less people filed than voters will vote in this November.
--An Albany man pleaded guilty Monday to sexually abusing a girl, avoiding a trial that was supposed to start this week. 47-year old Gerald Lawrence Schleppenbach had been charged with two counts of first- and three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. He pleaded guilty Monday to one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. He is scheduled to be sentenced November 10th in Stearns County District Court. According to court records, a sheriff's department investigator interviewed the victim, who said that Schleppenbach had sexually abused her multiple times starting in early 2015 and continuing until Schleppenbach was arrested in mid-March 2015. The complaint indicates that Schleppenbach told investigators that the girl initiated contact with him.
--The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office was approached by a local business; SignMax who offered to donate “We Support Law Enforcement” yard signs and sell them for a law enforcement fundraiser. The Sheriff’s Office accepted the offer and has designated that any raised funds will be applied to the purchase of bullet-proof vests for the uniformed non-licensed staff. The Sheriff’s Office employs approximately 80 uniformed staff that have jail, court security and transport duties. These positions are not provided bullet-proof vests and the Sheriff’s Office would like to increase their level of safety. The vests individually cost $800-$1,000 and all funds raised will be applied to these purchases. SignMax is donating all proceeds. Bumper stickers and banners are also available. The yard signs are $5, banners $10 and bumper stickers $1. These items may be purchased at the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office and at a booth at the remaining Summertime by George concerts.
--The Sons of The American Legion (SAL), Squadron #46 recently awarded “Continuous Membership Certificates” to six members. Receiving the awards for 25 years of continued membership were John Balaski, Wayne Diebel, Jerry Waldvogel, Steven White and Darren Tillman. A 20-year award was presented to Ken Reinhart. The Squadron also donated a new kitchen fryer to the Legion Club for everyday kitchen usage. The next regular SAL meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 21st at 7:00pm at the Little Falls Legion.
--Another round of heavy rains pummelled the area Tuesday afternoon and evening. Storms dropped ½ inch to 2 inch amounts of rain in a very quick time through Morrison County and other areas of central and eastern Minnesota. A dry day today before another round of heavy rains and severe storms move into the area late Thursday. This weekend will feel much cooler as highs will be in the 60s.
--A Princeton man was charged last week with one felony count of making terroristic threats and one misdemeanor count of stalking in Morrison County District Court. The charges stem from a May 24 incident in which a victim reported being threatened by 59-year old Bruce Duane Anderson. According to the criminal complaint, the victim stated that Anderson allegedly threatened him after he did not like a furnace that the victim sold him, which was installed by a subcontractor. Anderson allegedly admitted to threatening the victim, but only threatened to beat him up. The victim said he was worried for his family. If convicted, Anderson faces up to five years in prison and/or $10,000 in fines for the felony, and a maximum of one year in jail and/or $3,000 in fines for the misdemeanor.
--A 57-year-old from Crystal was injured Sunday around 5:30pm in Stearns County. Sonnu Heittola was westbound on 94 when the motorcycle front tire locked up causing it to spin out. Heittola was taken to St. Cloud Hospital for treatment of injuries.
--A 21-year-old Minneapolis man was charged Tuesday with beating his 4-month-old daughter to death after admitting to police that he punched her more than 20 times and squeezed her chest because the infant was making noises while he watched television. Cory Morris was charged with second-degree murder in Hennepin County District Court in the death of his daughter, Emersyn. Morris was arrested Saturday afternoon when police found the girl dead inside their duplex. Morris remains in custody on $2 million bail and is scheduled to have his first hearing Wednesday.
--A male was assaulted with a hatchet in Cass County, prompting a search for suspects during the early morning hours Sunday. The victim was transported to Bemidji Sanford for his injuries. Cass County Sheriff Tom Burch reported a call came in at around 1:00am Sunday of an assault with a weapon near the Oak Point area of Leech Lake in rural Cass Lake. Officers arrived to find the male victim, who according to the police scanner had been hit in the head with a hatchet. A search of the area was conducted for suspects. The sheriff's department reported the suspects left the area prior to arrival of officers. There is an ongoing investigation.
DEATH NOTICE
--Donald G. Luke, age 80 of Little Falls
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and warm, high 83, clear night tonight, low 61.
THURSDAY= sunny and warm early, storms late, high 86
THURS NITE= severe storms likely, heavy rains, low 65.
FRIDAY= storms in morning, cloudy, and breezy in PM hours, high 75
SPORTS
TWINS= Joe Mauer and Trevor Plouffe key hits in Twins 4-2 win last night over Atlanta. Twins and Braves tonight 5:30 on Q92 WYRQ.
OLY= U.S. Women's Basketball 110-64 rolls over Japan, Men take on Argentina later today, the U.S. leads the medal count with 84 total.