NEWS --Due to the wintry weather this morning, Little Falls, Pierz, Royalton, Upsala, Swanville and Pillager Schools are starting two hours late today. Listen to LF Radio for further details.
--At 2:32pm Monday the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office reports that their office received a report of a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of 93rd Street and 260th Avenue, west of Buckman. According to the Sheriff’s Office, 29-year old Brian Dukowitz Jr. from Little Falls was traveling southbound on 260th Avenue and a 16-year old juvenile driver from Randall, was traveling eastbound on 93rd Street, when a collision occurred at the intersection. Dukowitz slowed down for the stop sign, but never came to a complete stop before proceeding through the intersection. The 16-year-old juvenile driver could not stop in time and collided with Dukowitz’s vehicle. The 16-year old juvenile and her 14-year old male passenger were transported to the hospital in Little Falls with unknown injuries.
--A message from the Morrison County Sheriff's Office that the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory in effect until 9am today which went into effect at midnight this morning. Rain on Tuesday turned to snow early this morning. Very strong winds gusting as high as 40-55 mph. Plan on slippery road conditions. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches. A flash freeze may occur as temps are near 30 early and drop to near 0 by tonight and whiteout conditions are possible at times. Slow down and use caution while traveling. Make sure your headlights are on. For the latest road conditions for Minnesota go to 511mn.org or by dialing 5-1-1.
--A woman was killed after getting run over by a semi-truck Monday. Just after 6pm St. Cloud Police were sent to the 4100 block of Roosevelt Road on reports of a woman who had been run over by a tractor-trailer. Officials say a 43-year-old woman from California was walking through a parking lot when she was run over by a truck backing into a parking space. The truck driver, a 47-year-old from Comfrey, Minnesota, was not aware he hit anyone until a bystander told him. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene, and her name is being withheld until relatives are notified. Drugs or alcohol are not believed to be a factor but does remains under investigation.
--A Sauk Centre man has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a teenage girl. Twenty-two-year-old William Boyes pleaded guilty to 5th degree criminal sexual conduct. As part of the plea agreement, six other criminal sexual conduct charges were dropped. According to the criminal complaint, the sexual assault took place multiple times at a home in Stearns County during the summer and fall of 2019. The girl was 15-years-old at the time. Records show the girl underwent a forensic interview at the Child Advocacy Center and recounted multiple instances where Boyes touched her sexually. Boyes will be sentenced on the crimes June 2nd.
--Yesterday on Little Falls Radio's KLTF Up Front Minnesota's U.S. 7th District Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach stopped in to discuss some current items. Morrison County moved back into the 7th District last year with redistricting. Then on KLTF Party Line the guests were two Colonel's first one of the Norwegian Home Guard and then from Camp Ripley's to discuss the training of the two sides during the 50th Anniversary of the Norwegian Exchange Program with Camp Ripley and Home Guard and their recent celebrations they had. A photo of all was taken and is on the LF Radio Facebook Page.
--Little Falls Community Schools want to congratulate the students who competed at Ridgewater College Skills Fest. A competition on technical skills. Eleven students competed and from those Ryan Kloeckl finished second place in Auto Body/Auto Tech Painting and Timed Skill. Paige Zehr finished in first place for Nature Photography and also received multiple other photography awards. Colt Gregoire took first place in digital imaging and also received multiple photography awards from the recent event.
--A 29-year-old from Onamia was injured in a one vehicle accident on Highway 27 at 160th Avenue in Kathio Township of Mille Lacs County. Around 9:07am Tuesday, Katie Firanek left the roadway and struck the ditch. She was taken to the hospital for non serious injuries.
–At 7:08am Tuesday a 24-year old was injured when his vehicle went into the ditch. James Waite of Pequot Lakes was eastbound on Highway 371 in Cass County when he lost control and went into the ditch. Waite was treated for non life threatening injuries at St. Joseph's in Park Rapids. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, alcohol was listed as a factor for the driver James Waite. A passenger, 20-year old Kaylynn Rindahl of Brainerd was not injured.
--A Waite Park man is charged with assault after spitting and threatening police officers and hospital staff. 24-year-old Bobby Barela is charged with 4th degree assault of a police officer, 4th-degree assault of correctional staff and threats of violence. According to the criminal complaint, St. Cloud police were called to a home near Cathedral High School after the homeowner said someone was in his backyard attempting to break into his truck. An officer arrived and found Barela walking out of the alley, and his hand was bleeding. A second officer arrived on scene and recognized Barela as the man who ran away from him earlier that day. Records show as police attempted to walk Barela into the hospital, Barela asked the officer if he wanted to see his genitals and attempted to pull down his pants. Things became physical and Barela spat in the officer's face and attempted to head butt him. Police were able to restrain Barela by using a WRAP device. Court records show Barela was yelling multiple times he was going to rape the officer's daughter. He continued to threaten hospital staff saying he was going to burn down their houses, rape their family members and kill them. When Barela was medically cleared, he was taken to jail. He is next in court in March.
--Three finalists have advanced to the next round of interviews to become superintendent of the ROCORI School District. During Monday night's special meeting, the board selected their finalists from a group of four candidates who applied for the position. The finalists are Kristen Doebel, Director of Secondary Education for Fort Dodge Community School in Iowa, Pipestone Superintendent Kevin Enerson and Executive Director of Beacon Academy Sean Koster. All three finalists will be brought back Tuesday for a second round of interviews. If all goes well the board hopes to offering the position to one of the finalists by March.
WEATHER
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 9AM.
TODAY= snow early, gusty winds to 45mph, falling temps into teens.
TONIGHT= falling temps, winds die down, low -4, wind chill -15.
THURSDAY= sunny and chilly, high near 20, low around -10.
FRIDAY= cloudy skies, turning breezy, high 26, temps rise overnight
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins Hot Stove tonight 6pm on Q92 WYRQ.