NEWS
--The Pierz Oktoberfest Medallion was found Tuesday morning by 10-year-old Carter Meyer. Meyer said around 8:45am he found the specially marked medallion hidden behind the concrete steps on the south side of the old Pierz Food Shelf building by the Pierz Fire Hall. As the lucky winner Carter wins $500 in Pierz Bucks and will be in the Oktoberfest parade Sunday at 11am. A second medallion hunt for Pierz Bucks will start today for $200 in Pierz Bucks, the first clue will not be released until 8am today. Listen for the clues on Little Falls Radio and on check out the Pierz Oktoberfest Facebook page.
--On Monday afternoon, the Morrison County Sheriff's Office posted that the Royalton Police Department initiated a pursuit with a white and green off road motorcycle. The incident occurred at approximately 2:27pm in the city of Royalton. At 6:30pm Monday night the sheriff's office posted that the motorcycle in question had been located and they thanked the public for the assistance in the case. No other details were released.
--A St. Cloud man drowned while swimming in Quarry Park over the weekend. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office says they received a call shortly after 5pm Saturday reporting a man had dived into the water at Quarry #2 and not returned to the surface. Emergency crews searched the area and a diver found and recovered the man, identified as 23-year-old Ahmed Jarso, 40 feet deep in the area where he went down. The sheriff's office says Jarso was brought to the shore where paramedics provided life-saving measures. He was taken to St. Cloud Hospital, where he later died.
--A St. Cloud man who pleaded guilty to trying to burn down his apartment has been sentenced. A Benton County judge has sentenced 20-year-old Hunter Hipp to four years in prison with credit for having served 198 days in the county jail. He must also pay $10,000 in restitution. Hipp pleaded guilty to 1st-degree arson in June. St. Cloud firefighters responded to 1212 2nd Street Northeast in April 2022 and discovered a second-floor apartment on fire. Crews evacuated the building and were able to put out the flames before they spread to other units. Police officers said they spoke to Hipp who admitted to starting the fire. Court records show Hipp said he lit the stove on fire, put a bunch of flammable items in the corner, and lit that on fire as well. When officers asked him why he did it, Hipp allegedly said he wanted to be arrested and thought arson was the quickest and easiest way. Records show Hipp acknowledged what he did was dangerous and that people could have gotten hurt, but did it anyway. A mental competency exam determined Hipp was competent to aid in his defense before the judge would make his ruling on it.
--The Minnesota State Fair begins tomorrow. The 70th Princess Kay of the Milky Way will be crowned Wednesday night on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Ten finalists were announced back in the spring including several young women from central Minnesota. Among the finalists are Megan Ratka of Cold Spring representing Stearns County, Gracie Ash of Milaca representing Mille Lacs County, and Jalyssa Beaudry of Otsego and Katherine Hills of Monticello both representing Wright County. The coronation is at 8pm tonight on the Leinie Lodge Bandshell stage. All ten women will have their likenesses carved in butter during the 2023 Minnesota State Fair. Princess Kay now gets her likeness during the first two days of fair with split times for her.
--Sister Julien reported that 68 units of blood was given at the Convent on Monday. Sister wants to thank all who gave blood.
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office posted that the National Weather Service has issued a HEAT ADVISORY FOR MORRISON COUNTY IN EFFECT NOW TO 10PM TONIGHT. Heat index values up to 107 degrees expected. Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses to occur. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. Be sure to stay aware and be safe. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors. Never leave young children or pets unattended in vehicles under any circumstance. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency, call 9-1-1. Monitor latest forecasts by listening to Little Falls Radio and get the forecasts at fallsradio.com click on weather.
--A 23-year-old Avon man is facing five felonies for allegedly killing one person and seriously injuring another early Saturday in a high speed crash. According to the criminal complaint filed in Sherburne County, just before 1:15, a Minnesota State Trooper saw a driver on westbound Highway 10 near County Road 8 in Becker traveling at a clocked speed at 132 miles an hour. He turned around and attempted to stop the car, but it kept pulling away until it disappeared. The trooper continued west, discovered debris on the road, and saw a woman frantically waving her arms. She told the trooper she was going the speed limit when a car came up behind her so fast she had no time to react. The crash caused the car to spin around and roll into the ditch. The trooper saw two people lying near the car and, about 200 yards away, saw another car with flames coming out from underneath it. When he got to the car, there was no one inside.
Thirty-four-year-old Jordan Kramer of Clarissa died at the scene. Another passenger, 38-year-old Candice Pooler, also of Clarissa, suffered life-threatening injuries and was rushed St. Cloud Hospital for treatment. Police learned that Hunter Buckenstine was the driver and was heavily under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. Buckentine has been charged with third degree murder in the case. He was also charged with one count of criminal vehicular homicide for operating a vehicle in a grossly negligent manner, one count of criminal vehicular homicide for causing a crash and leaving the scene, one count of criminal vehicular operation substantial bodily harm gross negligence, and one count of criminal vehicular operation substantial bodily harm for leaving the scene of a crash they caused. He is being held in the Sherburne County jail without bail.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and hot, becoming less humid late day, high 92.
TONIGHT= clear skies, low around 60.
THURSDAY= sunny skies, high 86, cooler night, low around 57.
FRIDAY= isolated T-storms possible, high 83, low around 58.
SPORTS
TWINS= Brewers beat Twins 7-3 last night in Milwaukee. Twins finish up with Brewers today, 12:30pm pregame on Q92 WYRQ.
CLASS C= tune in this weekend for Class C Baseball, Buckman on Saturday night, Nisswa Sunday morning and Avon Sunday afternoon. Hear the games live on AM960 KLTF and fallsradio.com.