NEWS
--The Minnesota State Patrol has released the names of those killed and injured from a Monday morning crash south of Little Falls. A vehicle carrying 21-year old Logan Dewitz of Wanamingo and 19-year old Hunter Burow of Wanamingo was travelling west on Highway 10 and crossed the median colliding with four other vehicles at 7:13am. Because both of them were unbelted authorities are unsure who was driving. The crash killed Logan Dewitz and a passenger in another vehicle 61-year old Marie Majaski of Little Falls. The driver of that vehicle 65-year old Alan Majaski of Little Falls and Hunter Burow suffered life threatening injuries and were taken to St. Cloud Hospital. Two other drivers, 43-year old Nova Larson of Baxter and 73-year old Jerome Barrett of Nisswa suffered what the State Patrol report deemed as non life threatening injuries and were treated at area hospitals. A 5th driver Brooke Phillips of Iola Wisconsin was not injured. Besides the first vehicle everyone was wearing their seatbelts. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor.
--Brainerd police reported that around 7pm Monday night the department was called to a vehicle striking a pedestrian on Oak and SE 28th Street in Brainerd. When they arrived on scene, the pedestrian, later identified at 65-year-old Paula Macarthur of Brainerd, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said she was jogging southbound cross Oak Street and she was struck by a vehicle driven by 18-year-old Hayden Cunningham of rural Brainerd. Cunningham was not hurt. The crash remains under investigation.
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office reported late Tuesday of being overwhelmed with the amount of vehicle rollovers and vehicles sliding in the ditch throughout Morrison County. Please slow down and drive for the conditions. Plows have been out overnight but slippery roadways, intersections, and compacted roads that have not been plowed are still an issue. Have your headlights and seatbelts and slow down for the conditions still this morning to get your destination.
--Three people were hurt Monday night at 7:41pm on Highway 169 just north of Princeton in Mille Lacs County. 64-year-old James Cowell of Brainerd was on 169 when his vehicle left the highway and rolled. Cowell and his 2 passengers, 17-year-old Hailey Norman of North Branch and 64-year-old Karen Peterson of Mora were all taken to the Princeton hospital and treated for non life threatening injuries.
--Three people were hurt Monday at 11:31am on Interstate 94 in Melrose Township. MNDOT had the left lane of Interstate 94 westbound closed near Highway 4, for work being done on the median side of the bridge guard rail. A vehicle driven by 77-year-old Edward Friedt of Eagle, Idaho slowed to travel through the work zone and was rear-ended by 26-year-old Jacob Cotter of Clear Lake causing the first vehicle then to strike the MNDOT truck working at the scene. Friedt and his passenger 73-year-old Charlotte Friedt both of Idaho were taken to Melrose Hospital and Cotter was taken to a hospital in Sauk Centre for treatment of their injuries.
--The Minnesota State Patrol also released injury information from an accident last Thrusday at 1:33pm on Highway 25 at Thiesse Road in Crow Wing County. 49-year-old Joseph Norman of Brainerd was on 25 when a vehicle driven by 19-year-old Terri Tretter of Pierz turned in front of the Norman vehicle and they collided in the intersection. Norman was taken to Brainerd hospital for his injuries while Tretter was taken to St. Cloud with reported non life threatening injuries.
--Farmers Market today at Boys and Girls Club is cancelled.
--Morrison County Website Tuesday reported 629 cases of COVID-19 with 240 of those active cases from the past 14 days. The rate of 72.5 per the 10,000 in the county is the one of the many reasons of the announcement that Little Falls Schools will go to distance learning next Monday. 30 of the total cases were hospitalized. As of the report Tuesday, Little Falls at 126, Bowlus 22, Pierz 18, Motley 15, Hillman is at 14 and Royalton at 13 cases on the report, rest are under 10. The Department of Health reported 1,120 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday's report, with 7 newly reported deaths which included 1 each in Stearns, Todd and Mille Lacs County. Morrison County reported 20 confirmed cases with 1 more probable case of COVID-19 on Tuesday.
--As Little Falls Community Schools transitions to Distance Learning beginning on Monday, the school will be offering breakfast and lunch for children ages 3-18. All meals for the week are free, and will be available for pickup on Mondays. Forms are available through the school or on their facebook page or call 632-2029.
--Royalton Public Schools was notified of two confirmed cases of COVID-19, affecting the Middle and Elementary Schools. Upsala Area Schools also announced a confirmed case in their district in the previous days. The schools have worked with MDH to identify those people that were in close contact with the cases and have communicated with those affected directly by phone. The risk of exposure for other individuals poses no greater risk of contracting the virus in the general community at any other gathering or function.
--A Sartell man was booked into the Benton County Jail early Monday morning after allegedly leading police on a foot chase. St. Cloud Police initiated a traffic stop just before 12:30am after the officers recognized a driver who had an active felony arrest warrant for drugs. Police say the driver pulled over near the intersection of 1st Street Northeast and Columbia Avenue Northeast, but immediately got out and fled on foot. Officers lost contact with the suspect and called in the police dog team with the Benton County Sheriff's Office. The dog was able to track the scent and police found 35-year-old Jonathan Schneider hiding under a trailer in the 100-block of Franklin Avenue Northeast. Schneider is being held for court on the arrest warrant and for fleeing police.
--Little Falls Rifle and Pistol Club has canceled their sight in days scheduled for October 24th – 25th and October 31st and November 1st.
DEATH NOTICES
--Marie Majaski, age 61 of Little Falls formerly of Royalton.
--John Doroff, age 78 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
WINTER STORM WATCH 4AM TO 10PM THURSDAY
TODAY= partly sunny, high 36.
TONIGHT= snow after midnight, low around 28.
THURSDAY= snow likely, 2-4 inches, gusty winds 30mph, high 33.
THURS NIGHT= snow ending late, another inch, clearing, low 21.
FRIDAY= sunny and colder, high near 30, low around 10.
SPORTS
MLB= Dodgers win game 1 of World Series over Rays last night 8-3.
COL HK= The National Collegiate Hockey Conference has announced a December 1st start date for the 2020-21 season. The season will start with a 'pod' format and conclude on March 6th. St. Cloud State and UMD will start in the pod playing in Omaha, Nebraska.