NEWS
--31-year-old Jonathan Greyblood was found guilty, Tuesday in Morrison County District Court, on one of two counts of second degree murder. A jury of 10 men and two women and after about five hours of deliberation also found him guilty of a lesser charge of second degree manslaughter. The decision was delivered at about 5:15pm Tuesday. The jury found him not guilty on the count of second degree murder, a homicide that was committed with intent but without premeditation and guilty of the second count, second degree murder while committing a felony. The felony was defined by the court as domestic abuse by strangulation. Court will be back in session today, for a Blakely hearing. The jury will hear arguments on whether aggravating factors should be applied to the case during the sentencing process. Greyblood will be remanded to the Morrison County Jail until a sentence is delivered.
--Upsala Schools Superintendent Vern Capelle is reminding the public if you have not yet attended a public meeting on the upcoming bond referendum for the school district in the past week, please attend the final meetings tonight at 6pm at the Upsala media center prior to the Upsala School Board Meeting at 7pm. The meeting again will discuss in detail what the referendum entails and impact to the school and the district. Absentee ballots are available by calling Upsala schools at 573-2174 and talk to Shari Soltis. The combined voting place in Stearns Bank/Upsala City Hall and will open at 10am and stay open until 8pm next Tuesday. Capelle also stated that this is a very busy week for Upsala activities and athletics as Upsala hosts a volleyball playoff game Friday night, hosts the USA playoff football game on Saturday afternoon and they are hosting a large Robotics Event this Friday and Saturday which is open to the public to come and attend. The robotics event was made possible from getting a grant over the last year and a half to bring in a number of teams for the event and bring a large group showing off robotics to the Upsala schools.
--The following is the exact wording of the Upsala School District Bond Issue that will appear on Tuesday's ballot of Upsala School District residents: Shall the school board of Independent School District No. 487 (Upsala Area Schools) be authorized to issue its general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $7,630,000 to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including the construction of secure entrances and security and safety improvements, the construction, remodeling and equipping of an early childhood classroom, elementary classrooms, a career technical education classroom, administrative offices, fitness classroom facilities, storage facilities, upgrades to accessibility, HVAC, electrical systems and roofing, the installation of dehumidification improvements, upgrades to the bus garage, the construction, remodeling and equipping of a van/equipment garage, and the construction and equipping of a grandstand, press box and concession areas?
--The Minnesota Department of Public Safety announced they will have extra DWI enforcement troopers out on Minnesota roadways this weekend for Halloween. With Halloween falling on a Sunday many parties will start Friday and Saturday with others on Sunday so extra law enforcement will be out Thursday night through Monday morning watching for impaired drivers. So please ahead for your Halloween fun and remember “Don't Drink and Drive”.
--Trick or treating at LF Businesses 3:30pm-5pm on Friday.
--An invite to community members from Little Falls Community Schools that you are welcome to the high school gym on Thursday, November 11th at 9am with students and staff to honor all Veterans during the Veterans Day Program at the High School. All Veterans are invited to come and be recognized for their service by all who attend.
--A 25-year-old Pillager man who pleaded guilty to criminal sexual conduct with a minor, two counts of felony animal torture and domestic assault by strangulation appeared in person for his sentencing Monday, October 25, in Crow Wing County District Court in Brainerd. Jonathan Nevarez was given three years in prison for the most serious charge of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor victim along with a 21-month sentence for the strangulation felony and 12-month sentences for each of the two animal torture offenses. Aanes issued each of the sentences under a stay of execution, meaning Nevarez will not serve prison time as long as he complies with the lengthy list of conditions of probation, on which he will remain for 15 years. The sentences fall within the state’s sentencing guidelines from criminal history and severity of crimes.
--After not being able to happen last year the Holiday season will be kicking off in Little Falls again this year. The Christmas Tours will be returning November 26th through December 5th with four fabulous tours. The Rosenmeier Home will have Nutcracker Suite Monday thorugh Saturday 1-7pm, Sunday 11am-6pm a self guided tour for $2 admission and kinds under 18 are free. Charles A. Lindbergh House nad Museum will have Christmas on the Lindbergh Farm Friday and Saturday 10am-4pm and Sundays 11am-4pm step back into time with costumed interpeters and experience the holidays from 100 years ago. Adults $10, Seniors/Veterans/College students $8 also ages 5-17 are $8 and 4 and under are free. Linden Hill Historic Site will have Christmas at the Mansions “Believe”. Monday through Saturday from 1-7pm and Sundays 11am-6pm. Enjoy a self guided tour of the Musser and Weyerhauser mansions with Christmas décor in every room. Laura Jane's Gift Shoppe will be open and adults are $15, those 12-17 are $5 and 11 and under are free. The Minnesota Fishing Museum and Hall of Fame will have Christmas Tree Lane with special displays over 100+ items, silent auction, over 75 Christmas Trees, wreaths and gift baskets and the gift shop has holiday ideas for shopping. Hours are 12-7pm daily during the event with adults $5 and all under 11 are free and come and see Santa on the weekends. For more information call the Visit Little Falls MN office at 616-4959.
DEATH NOTICE
--Randall (Randy) Panek, age 61 of Plains, Montana.
WEATHER
TODAY= showers at times, breezy, high 48.
TONIGHT= showers likely, some heavy rains, low 41.
THURSDAY= showers likely, cloudy, high 51, clearing late, low 35.
FRIDAY= sunny skies, pleasant day, high 54, cooler night, low 28.
SPORTS
HS FB= Pierz advanced to Saturday with a win last night, Little Falls, Holdingford, Staples-Motley, Pillager and Long Prairie-Grey Eagle lost first round games. Foley and Browerville advanced on to Saturday.
HS VB= Little Falls at ROCORI in playoffs Thurs 7pm Q92 WYRQ
HS VB= Pierz at Melrose in playoffs Thursday 7pm on 94ROCKS.
MLB= Atlanta beats Houston 6-2 in Game 1 of the World Series.