NEWS
--Today is Halloween, there will be trick or treating events in Little Falls at area businesses from 3:30-5pm for the younger kids to enjoy during the daylight hours. Pierz will also hold trick or treating at area businesses from 3-5:30 today. Other communities such as Brainerd and more also hold Trick or Treating style events today. Area Law Enforcement including Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larson reminds those that safety needs to come first, motorists are to be watchful for trick or treaters tonight, those trick or treating need to be respectful of the yards and residences they go too, make sure the kids can see through masks properly, wear bright or reflective items after dark so that is easier to see you when going across roadways and backyards. Have a fun and safe Halloween today and tonight.
--The Highway 71 project that was scheduled near Sauk Centre and traveling to south of Long Prairie has been postponed until further notice, no reason was given by MN Dot on the postponement.
--Police are searching for the suspect in a burglary and attempted sexual assault near St. Cloud State University Monday morning. St. Cloud Police say they responded to the 700 block of 7th Avenue South on a burglary and attempted sexual assault call around 7:30am the victim, a 20-year-old woman woke up to find a man in her bedroom, naked from the waist down. Police say the suspect grabbed the woman by her ankles, she was able to alert her roommates and force the suspect off her, who fled the scene. The suspect is described as a man, mixed race with darker skin, in his 20's. Authorities say he's around 5'7" to 5'8" with very short hair, lean build and possible facial hair on his chin. Police say this is similar to an incident that happened on the same block on October 19th. They're reminding you to keep your doors and windows locked. If you have information on the incidents, you're asked to call the St. Cloud Police at 320-251-1200.
--Benton County stated Tuesday that the case involving the reported assault of Minnesota House of Representatives candidate Shane Mekeland was forwarded to the Benton County Attorney’s Office for the consideration of criminal charges. Minnesota law continues to classify our investigative report as confidential information until the Benton County Attorney’s Office either declines charges or until the prosecution against a person charged in this matter has been completed in the courts. Mekeland reported to the sheriff's office that on October 12th he had been assaulted the previous day at an establishment in St. George Township. The incident described by Mekeland constituted, at the least, a misdemeanor assault under Minnesota law. The injuries Mekeland reported suffering as a result of this alleged assault indicated that this incident had the potential to be a felony level assault. For the assault to qualify as a felony, the investigation would need to prove that Mekeland suffered “substantial bodily harm.” Proving this level of harm in this case required obtaining medical records documenting the extent of Mekeland’s injuries. Now that this investigation has been completed, the County Attorney’s Office will review the information and determine the proper course for this prosecution.
--Sunday ends Daylight Saving Time meaning we will fall back to Central Standard Time. Remember to turn your clocks back one hour before 2am Sunday morning. This is also a good time to change batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
--Yesterday Todd Kosovich appeared on KLTF's Up Front and Party Line programs. Todd has been doing history inserts on Party Line since 2006 but has taken a position in Blue Earth County and is leaving effective today. He wish Todd all the best and thank him for the great history he has provided to the KLTF listeners.
--The Minnesota DNR in the past days first announced that starting December 1st, winter anglers will be allowed one walleye due to the recent survey done on walleye population. Also they announced a number of area lakes that have been infested with zebra mussels. They include Koetter Lake in the Cedar Island basin which is connected to the Sauk River. Becker, Melrose Horseshoe, Zumwalde, Schneider, Great Northern, Cedar Island, East Lake, Little Lake and Mud Lake are all lakes effected with the recent infestation of the invasive species. More information can be found at DNR website. Plus the DNR is reminding motorists and others that Minnesota’s firearms deer season begins a half-hour before sunrise on Saturday, November 3rd and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources expects half a million hunters to participate. Hunters will have additional deer hunting opportunities because deer numbers continue to rebound across the state. Many areas now have populations at or above goal levels. The DNR reminds hunters that mandatory CWD testing also will occur in much of southeast Minnesota during the opening weekend of the 3B season, Saturday, November 17, and Sunday, November 18th. During both periods, stations will be open from 9am to 8pm. Hunters can find information about CWD testing locations and procedures at mndnr.gov/cwd and in the 2018 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet. Hunters can find deer hunting information at mndnr. gov/hunting/deer.
--A Becker man has been killed in a crash. Just before 5:30am Monday 87-year-old Leslie Torkkola was pronounced dead at the scene. The initial investigation suggests Torkkola's vehicle pulled out from Edgewood Street onto Sherburne Avenue and was struck on the side from a vehicle that was southbound on Sherburne Avenue.
The name of the driver of the second vehicle has not been released. They were treated and released at the scene.
DEATH NOTICES
--Melodie “Mooj” Sam, age 34 of Onamia.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, high 47.
TONIGHT= clear night, low around 29.
THURSDAY= sunny early, clouds in afternoon, high 47.
THURS NITE= rain after midnight, some snow by morning, low 31.
FRIDAY= early flurries/drizzle then cloudy, high 42, low around 30.
HALLOWEEN HISTORY
--Halloween dates back to Ancient times of Celtic Festivals before then what was the new year in the UK and parts of western Europe on November 1st. The name later became All Hallows Eve after 609AD the creation of the religious observance falling the night before All Saints Day on November 1st and All Souls Day on November 2nd. Later current traditions took place in Europe of early forms of costumes, masks, apple bobbing, autumn dances for a good harvest, but it was the good old USA that turned Halloween into trick or treating for candy, haunted houses and plenty of Halloween parties.