Newsletter: Wednesday, May 24th 2017

NEWS
--On Monday, the Pierz School Referendum was voted down by the district voters 1, 012 no to 628 yes. On Tuesday, Little Falls Radio received tallies from the area by each polling place, however, all results are preliminary until canvassed by the school board. According to the report abesntee votes were 178 yes to 71 no, those that voted at Pierz City Hall, 296 yes to 382 no, those that voted at Buckman City Hall voted 42 yes to 135 no, those that voted at the Lastrup City Hall, 79 yes to 293 no and those that voted at Harding Community Center, 33 yes to 131 no. Again the referendum in Pierz failed.

–The Stearns County Board of Commissioners is going with an outsider to take over as sheriff. During yesterday's board meeting, commissioners voted three-to-two to hire former Dakota County Sheriff Don Gudmundson. He takes over for former Sheriff John Sanner who retired last month. The Stearns County Sheriff's position will be up for election again in November of next year.

--A collision at Interstate 94 and Opportunity Drive in St. Cloud disrupted traffic and closed westbound I-94 for over two hours Monday afternoon. Just before 1:15pm the patrol reported a semi-truck traveling west on I-94 rear ended another semi that was slowing down for a roadwork lane reduction. Another vehicle was damaged by debris from the crash. Debris included concrete mix carried by one semi-truck that had spilled onto the road during the collision. The other semi-truck contained fertilizer. The patrol also reported via Twitter that there were "no serious injuries." Both westbound lanes of I-94 were closed until about 6:10pm Monday.

--Criminal charges have been filed against a Crosby woman who is accused of mistreating 30 cats on her property in February. Three of the cats were found dead. Diane Maalis was charged in Crow Wing County District Court for mistreating animals along with other charges in the case. Her next court appearance is scheduled for June 26th.

--Thousands of documents related to the Jacob Wetterling abduction case will go public early next month. The Stearns County Attorney’s Office is announcing the law enforcement investigation related to Wetterling and Danny Heinrich will be available Monday, June 5th at 11am. You’ll be able to access the files through the Stearns County website. You will have the option to search and view the documents online or download them. Heinrich admitted he abducted, sexually assaulted and killed Jacob in the fall of 1989. Heinrich’s admission solved a mystery that spanned 27 years. He is serving a 20-year prison sentence on child pornography charges.

--Motorists on Highway 18 between Highway 25 in Brainerd and Highway 169 in Garrison will encounter daytime delays while segments of the road are reduced to a single lane beginning next Tuesday. The lane closures will occur from sunrise to sunset, up to seven days per week. Flaggers and a pilot car will allow one-way, alternating traffic through each day's work zone. Motorists must obey the flagger and follow the pilot car through the daily work zone. Also, drivers entering a work zone from roads or driveways that intersect Highway 18 must wait for the pilot car to pass, then follow it through the work zone. The lane closures are scheduled to be complete by June 15; the schedule is weather dependent. Check www.511mn.org for real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota.

--The Little Falls School Board has moved their June school board meeting to June 15th instead of June 19th from an earlier calendar.

--After a denied appeal in the state court, a writ of habeas corpus, and both sides responding to the petitions for a possible new trial, the fate of Byron Smith of Little Falls in now in a federal magistrate judge to look over the summary from the petitions and if Smith should be granted a new trial. Smith was convicted for the murders of Haile Kifer and Nick Brady who had broken into Smith's home in Little Falls on Thanskgiving, 2012. Smith is currently serving two life sentences in their deaths without the possbility of parole. The case has received national attention including being featured last week on the ID channel's program “Hear no Evil”. The judge will report back with the findings and decision if the appeals procress moves forward.

--The Brainerd and Nisswa fire departments responded to a fire at an apartment complex on the 100 block of Gillis Avenue Tuesday afternoon. At about 3pm the structure was described as fully engulfed before firefighters arrived. Firefighters stated that the home sustained extensive damage and has been ruled suspicious in nature. The State Fire Marshal has been called in to help investigate the fire. The house was being used as apartments and all tenants inside were able to get out safely.

--The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office says 25-year-old Todd Denzer Junior was sleeping just before 4:00am when he heard the horn of his pickup in his driveway. Denzer went outside and opened the driver’s side door and saw smoke had filled the cab. The inside of the pick-up was soon engulfed in flames and spread to the entire vehicle. The Cold Spring fire department put out the fire. The vehicle is a total loss. The fire is under investigation, but authorities say it doesn’t appear to be suspicious.

--A St. Joseph man pled guilty Tuesday to sexually abusing a child. 34-year-old Ryan Ritter pled guilty to 2nd Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct. He also pled guilty to a second charge of fleeing police in a motor vehicle. In June of last year Ritter was arrested after a girl told investigators that he had touched her inappropriately while they were taking a bath together at a home.

--The Highway 24 road closure project for this week has been postponed until further notice. Get travel info at 511.mn.org.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
--Sir Roger Moore, actor who portayed James Bond in film and The Saint on television died Tuesday at age 89 after a battle with cancer.

DEATH NOTICES
--Larry J. Allen, age 71 of Little Falls
--Wayne Anderson, age 71 Randall

WEATHER
TODAY= partly sunny, high 63.
TONIGHT= mostly clear, low 43.
THURSDAY= sunny early, afternoon showers, high 68, low 48.
FRIDAY= sunny and warmer, high 76, low around 50.

SPORTS
TWINS= Ervin Santana pitched a 2 hit complete game shutout last night as Twins beat Baltimore 2-0. Twins try for the sweep today with Orioles, pregame this morning at 11:05am on Q92 WYRQ.
LYNX= Lynx hold off a late surge by Connecticut to win 80-78 last night. Sylvia Fowles 21 points. Lynx are now 4-0 to start the season.