NEWS
--An update from Tim Sumner on the Community Thanksgiving Meal next Thursday at the Falls Ballroom. Sumner stated that they appreciate all of the support that those have given to us to make the Thanksgiving Day meal come together again this year. They have pretty much reached their capacity for volunteers but have a few slots available for helping with preparations on the day before Thanksgiving. The main need is to peel about 250 pounds of potatoes along with some other preparations. If there is someone who would like to assist on the day before Thanksgiving then call Sumner at 320-632-2540. Also, the big thing they are looking forward is to see about 600 show up on Thanksgiving and eat the food. Real turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, cranberries, and a thanksgiving dessert. Come to the Falls Ballroom. Doors open at 10. Serving starts at 11am. Please come and eat and if you need a ride to the meal that day call Tim also at 320-632-2540.
--Several people stopped to help pull two elderly people from their vehicle as it started on fire. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office says the incident happened at about 4:45pm Monday south of Alexandria.
Deputies got a call of a crash on County Road 4 after witnesses reported a vehicle left the road and struck a large pine tree. Before emergency crews arrived on the scene, several individuals stopped to help and pulled both occupants from the vehicle as it had started on fire. Ninety-two-year-old John Plus and his wife 86-year-old Mary Plus of rural Alexandria were taken to Salome Hospital and later transferred to St. Cloud Hospital, both are in stable condition.
--Police are once again asking for the public's help as the investigation into a fatal shooting in St. Cloud continues. The St. Cloud Police Department is asking for more photos and videos from a house party that turned deadly last month. Back on October 22nd, officers responded to a shooting at a home in the 700 block of 6th Avenue South just before 4am. Authorities say a disagreement during a gathering at the home led to the shooting. Three people were shot, including 34-year-old Antonio Harris Jr. of Buffalo who died at the scene. Two others, a 26-year-old man and a 52-year-old man, were treated at and released from St. Cloud Hospital. A suspect in the shooting is in custody. Police say 26-year-old Deionte Parker of St. Cloud was arrested on October 27th and is facing charges that include 2nd Degree Murder with Intent, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and 2nd Degree Assault with a dangerous weapon. According to the criminal complaint, the shooting is believed to be in retaliation for a stabbing that took place in July. Anyone with information could contact the St. Cloud Police Department.
--The Minnesota Department of Transportation will start sending text messages this winter to alert drivers to closed roads and other weather-related driving problems. Officials say MnDOT will send an emergency alert, much like an Amber Alert, when roads are expected to be closed for more than four hours due to a weather-related problem like snow, ice, flooding, or a major crash. MnDOT says the extra tool will be useful in helping minimize the number of cars on the road during an emergency.
--Congratulations to Cathy Waytashek the first $100 Ho Ho Dough winner from the qualifiers picked yesterday on LF Radio. Cathy now can use the bucks back at the participating sponsors of Ho Ho Dough. See the list of qualifiers at fallsradio.com who are now in the grand prize drawing next month. Register again for next week for the $100 Ho Ho Dough prize at the participating sponsors also listed at fallsradio.com.
--Authorities are investigating after a pedestrian was killed by a hit-and-run driver. The Minnesota State Patrol says the incident happened just before 5pm Monday on Highway 169 near Onamia in Mille Lacs County. Fifty-six-year-old Cathy Donovan of Onamia was walking along the highway when she was struck by a northbound vehicle. Donovan was a doctor for the past 27 years at Mille Lacs Health Systems in Onamia. The State Patrol stated that the driver fled the scene. Anyone who may have witnessed the accident on Highway 169 is asked to contact local law enforcement.
--Officials in Beltrami County say the bright flash and loud boom heard Monday night was probably a meteor. According to a release, County Emergency Management says they received numerous calls around 6:40. Initially, it was concentrated on Nymore and Bemidji, but additional reports started coming in that it was seen, heard, and felt across much of southern Beltrami County and even adjacent counties. One official says the boom shook their walls and rattled dishes in the cupboard, and they weren’t alone. EM reported it heard from many people across the region who saw the bright flash followed by a violent boom that shook houses, rattled windows and set car alarms off. Reports of hearing the boom have come from a large area from Blackduck, Bagley and Bemidji. Law enforcement checked the area as well as power substations and didn’t find anything out of the ordinary; there haven’t been any power outages reported. A video of the loud boom is available on their website.
--One of the suspects accused of shooting an Albertville teen to death over a pair of expensive shoes has pled guilty. Twenty-year-old Augustus Sirleaf Junior pled guilty to one count of second degree murder on Monday. Police say 17-year-old Yaseen Johnson was found dead in a car at an apartment complex parking lot in Plymouth in November of 2022 after meeting up with Sirleaf to buy a pair of high end Balenciaga brand designer sneakers. Prosecutors say Johnson went with a friend to the apartment. Nineteen-year-old Hans Madave and Sirleaf got into an SUV with Johnson. Johnson said he liked the shoes and wanted to buy them, so he handed over the money. Sirleaf then asked Johnson to give the shoe back. His friend said Johnson refused, and Sirleaf shot him. Madave pled guilty and agreed to testify against Sirleaf. He will be sentenced on December 12th. Sentencing for Sirleaf is set for January.
DEATH NOTICES
--Eugene “Gene” Gruber, age 92 of Genola.
--Dennis Biniek, age 71 of Bowlus.
--Robert A. Pryzbilla, age 77 of Little Falls.
--Arnold Czech, age 89 of Upsala.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, pleasant day, lighter winds, high 55.
TONIGHT= partly cloudy skies, low near 40.
THURSDAY= AM sun, high near 60, then temps drop, very windy.
THURS NIGHT= light sprinkles/flurries early, colder, low 22.
FRIDAY= sunny and windy, chilly day, high near 40, low 27.
SPORTS
HS SWIM= State Swimming and Diving begins Thursday.
HS FB= State Semi-Finals in Football begins Thursday.
DANCE= Lindy Dancers begin season at Brainerd on Saturday.