NEWS
--Due to a disabled hunt, Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge southeast of Little Falls was closed yesterday to the public and will be closed today also to the public use for the disabled hunt.
--Stearns County is warning users of the Lake Wobegon Trail about construction near the Schwinghammer Bridge. Beginning today, repairs are planned to the retaining wall, steps and nearby dock. The project’s scope is still uncertain and officials say until they can confirm how much work is needed, there remains a possibility that the trail would need to be closed in the area. As of now, the trail is still slated to stay open but caution is urged around the crews and equipment and please watch for signs if closures are to be needed. The Schwinghammer Bridge is located just east of Albany.
--Two people were hospitalized early Monday morning following a shooting incident on the Iron Range. The Itasca County Sheriff’s Office says the shooting happened in the city of Calumet, which is about 15 miles northeast of Grand Rapids. Three suspects have been apprehended and are in custody. Deputies also recovered a firearm believed to have been used in the incident, and authorities say there is no risk to the public at this time. One of the shooting victims is being treated at a hospital in Grand Rapids, while the other has been transferred to a medical facility in Duluth. Police are investigating a tie to the Brainerd area from this incident. No names have been released, and the investigation is ongoing.
--A portion of Northwest Brainerd was plunged into darkness late Monday after a loud crack or explosion. The sound, which happened about 10:40pm, was followed immediately by the power outage affecting homes on Tyrol Drive, the Creekside Community, Westwood Mobile Home Park along with apartment buildings off Jackson Street and off James Street behind Walgreens. Street lights and business lights were out, including most of the Westgate Mall. And the signal lights were inoperable at Northwest Fourth and Washington Streets.
Brainerd Public Utilities vehicles swept through northwest Brainerd checking light poles and running searchlights on the Essentia Health Sports Center building. Later, a BPU crew worked on the electrical pole behind Walgreens near the intersection of James and Northwest Third streets. Electricity came back on to some places in northwest Brainerd around 1 hour later however Crow Wing Power stated that all power was still not restored by 8am Tuesday morning. No word has been given on what caused the explosion leading to an outage.
--Governor Tim Walz has ordered all United States and Minnesota flags to be flown at half-staff at state buildings across Minnesota, effective immediately, in honor of Law Enforcement Park Ranger Kevin Grossheim, who tragically lost his life while responding to a call at Voyageurs National Park. The 55-year-old Grossheim was called to help out a family stranded on an island on Namakan Lake. Their boat had been pushed across the lake as eight foot waves rolled in. Grossheim got to them with a Park Service boat, but it took on water and capsized. He and the family went into the water. The family, a man and his two sons swam to shore, but Grossheim, who was wearing a lifejacket, never resurfaced. Frossheim was also a member of the Kabetogema Fire Department. Businesses, individuals, and organizations are also encouraged to lower their flags in tribute.
--Pine Grove Zoo Boo Fest is October 19th 2-5pm at the Zoo.
--Authorities have released the names of the two people found dead Sunday in Crow Wing County. The deceased were identified as Brett Shelstad and Jodi Lynn Lysne both of Minneapolis. They were engaged to be married. The bodies were sent to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office and the investigation remains open and active. There was no threat deemed to public safety. The sheriff’s office also said the cause of the deaths was possibly related to drug use, but that detail has not been confirmed by the medical examiner's office.
--A man has died after a single-car crash near Willmar on Tuesday morning. The Minnesota State Patrol says at about 11:45am, a Ford F-150 pickup driven by 71-year-old David Hermel of New Ulm was going north on Highway 4 outside of Cosmos. The patrol says Hermel went off the highway and into a drainage ditch. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The Meeker County Sheriff's Office and Cosmos Fire and Ambulance assisted at the crash site.
--The recent DNR Fall Guide is showing most of the northern half of Minnesota already 50-75% peak, some parts of west-central Minnesota from Wadena, Otter Tail County to the north at full peak for fall colors. Morrison County shows 50% peak at this time, while most of the southern half of the state is still less than 50% peak. For the latest fall color guide can be found on the DNR website.
--St. Stanislaus Church in Sobieski will host a Polish Harvest Meal on October 20th at 12:30pm, social at 12pm at the church basement in Sobieski. Price is $20, children 5-10 are $10 and under 5 are free. There will be 100 tickets sold so you must reserve your seat, no tickets sold at the event. For tickets call, Janet at 320-630-4245.
--There will be a Trunk or Treat this Friday from 5-6:30pm at the Morrison County Fairgrounds. This year they are using the livestock barns and other parts of the fair to expand the event and use inside in case of any bad weather. This is a free event for kids to come and get items from trunks of cars, they can dress up if they have their Halloween costumes already. Donations are excepted and all money raised go to the local school district.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, high near 70.
TONIGHT= clear night, low around 40.
THURSDAY= partly sunny, warmer, high 83, cloudy night, low 54.
FRIDAY= partly sunny, cooler, high 66, low near 37.
SPORTS
LYNX= Napheesa Collier scored 27 points and had 11 rebounds as the Lynx beat Connecticut 88-77 to win the semi-final series 3-2. The Lynx will take on New York in the WNBA Finals Thursday night. The Lynx are in the WNBA finals for the first time since 2017.
NHL= The Wild open the regular season Thursday vs. Columbus.
HS FB= Detroit Lakes at Little Falls Thursday 7pm on AM960 KLTF.
HS FB= Benson at Upsala vs. USA Patriots Friday 1:30pm on Q92.
HS FB= Pierz at Montevideo Friday 7pm on 94ROCKS KFML.
HS FB= Royalton at Osakis Friday 7pm on Q92 WYRQ.
HS SOC= the Little Falls girls soccer opens the playoffs today against Fergus Falls in Little Falls at 4pm, the winner moves on to Saturday. Th Flyer Boys soccer team will open the playoffs tomorrow night when they travel to St. Cloud Tech in the opening round.