NEWS
--A Motley man accused of killing his live-in girlfriend is now facing life in prison, after his case was reviewed by a grand jury, August 19th. 61-year old Harold Arvid Wassather of Motley, was initially charged in Morrison County District Court with one count of second-degree murder and one count of third-degree murder related to the death of 66-year old Christine Kaja Nygard of Motley. On August 8, the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office informed the court that the case would be presented to a grand jury, due to Wassather’s previous criminal record. Wassather has a previous conviction in 2010 first-degree criminal sexual conduct committed with force or violence. Upon review, the grand jury included three additional charges. One of those is murder in the first degree while committing domestic violence, which is punishable by life imprisonment without the possibility of release. According to the indictment, Wassather is charged with “wrongfully and unlawfully” causing Nygard’s death while committing domestic abuse. The grand jury also added two more counts of second-degree murder, one with intent but without premeditation, and another assault in the third degree without intent while committing a felony. Both of those two charges carry a mandatory penalty of 40 years in prison. Wassather is being held in the Morrison County Jail on $1 million bond with no conditions and $500,000 with conditions. Wassather’s next court appearance will be an omnibus hearing for all charges, which is scheduled for 1:00pm Monday, September 26th in Morrison County District Court.
–State officials have determined about 214-thousand people were not eligible for COVID "hero bonuses". Those who were denied were notified via email last week with the reasons behind their denial. The Department of Labor and Industry says if you did not receive an email last week denying your application, there is nothing more you need to do. All applicants that applied for frontline worker pay were notified via email that no further action is required or that their application was denied and they are eligible to submit an appeal by 5pm August 31st. The Department of Labor and Industry, DEED and Department of Revenue are processing the appeals as quickly as possible. They'll decide on the final list after reviewing the appeals, then issue checks this fall. After all the submitted appeals are processed and reviewed then all the applicants will receive an email about final decisions this fall. If you have any questions about your denial or appeal they have a list of frequently asked questions on the Department of Labor's website. The legislature appropriated 500-million dollars for "hero pay" checks. Depending on how many appeals are approved or denied, each person will receive a check in the four-to-five-hundred-dollar range.
--Horizon Health in Pierz is hosting their 5K Run For Hospice Saturday morning starting and ending at Horizon Health in Pierz. Registration begins at 7:30am there is a free kids run and the 5K run which you can register for $30 at the raceroster website or call Horizon Health at 320-468-6451. The event is a fundraiser as the proceeds go toward hospice care at Horizon Health Services. The event is also part of the 5 races in the Morrison County Run for Fun races this year which wraps up on September 17th for the Lucky Lindy Trail Run. Any questions on the Run for Fun challenge this year or to get involved Saturday in Pierz or September 17th in Little Falls call Jacki 632-5796.
--Continue to listen to for the Pierz Oktoberfest Clues today on Little Falls Radio as the 2nd hunt is for $400 in Pierz Bucks.
--Get news, weather and community calendar at fallsradio.com
--Logan Klooster of Randall was charged with two counts of criminal vehicular homicide recently had his appearance in Morrison County District Court moved to a later date. The 33-year-old is charged with operating a motor vehicle in a grossly negligent manner, and the other count is for doing the same, but also under the influence of a controlled substance. The charges stem from a July 12th motor vehicle accident that resulted in the death of 79-year old Shirley Emma Friebe of Eagle Bend. Klooster was scheduled to appear for an omnibus hearing, Monday. However, that was rescheduled for 1pm October 10th due to Klooster retaining new counsel in the case.
--St. Cloud Police is reporting an arson that happened on the 1000 block 6th Avenue South where a fire was started in a truck under garage in an apartment complex. The Benton County Sheriff's Department is also seeking information in regards to a camper being stolen from a storage facility on Frost Road in Watab Township. The suspect's vehicle is a 2007 to 2014 Chevy Tahoe. If you have information on any unsolved crimes in the Stearns, Benton or Sherburne County area please report information by calling Crimestoppers at 1-800-255-1301, online at tricountycrimestoppers.org and click on submit a tip or use the P3 mobile app and submit your information that way.
--Fire crews were called to a house fire in Sartell early Tuesday morning. The call came in at around 3:30am in the 1900 block of 4th Street North. Authorities says police were able to force their way inside to alert the homeowner. Fire crews worked quickly to extinguish the blaze, which was found in the attic. No one was hurt and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
--A message was sent out by members of Law Enforcement to students and parents and was posted by some local school districts including Pierz and Foley that With school right around the corner…
Think before you share Back to school photos which can often reveal personal information about your child. School name, grade, age, and identifying features, etc. and these can all be used by predators and scammers. No matter your privacy setting or friends, it’s best to keep personal information to a minimum. Have a fun and safe school year.
WEATHER
TODAY= increasing clouds, chance of PM showers/t-storms high 79.
TONIGHT= shower/t-storm early then clearing, low 59.
THURSDAY= becoming sunny, high 75, low around 54.
FRIDAY= sunny skies, high 76, storms overnight, low 58.
SPORTS
TWINS= Houston hands the Twins their fourth straight loss, as Astros win 4-2 last night. Twins continue series with Houston tonight at 6:30pm with the pregame on Q92 WYRQ.
CLASS C= listen to Class C State Tournament Baseball Saturday as Nisswa at 11am, Buckman at 4:30pm and Avon at 7pm on KLTF.
Tomorrow is Markets and Music on the Mississippi with music from Charlie Roth and the Range Wheelers at 6pm at LeBourget Park. Markets start at 3pm. Tune in tomorrow morning at 8:30am on AM960 KLTF for an update on the events at the park and Charlie Roth speaking about the show. Then at 3:30pm on Q92 WYRQ Charlie Roth and members of his band will be live with Al Windsperger to get us ready more for the show Thursday night at the park. For more information contact the Visitors Bureau 320-616-4959.