NEWS
--Minnesota Department of Public Safety says that driving while impaired (DWI) related arrests are up by nearly 10% compared to last summer. During the DWI campaign held this year between August 19th through September 5th officers, deputies and troopers arrested over 1,200 impaired drivers, compared to the 1,145 arrested in the same time in 2021. According to a press release, DPS says agencies participating in the campaign in the Twin Cities metro area netted over one-third (38.8%) of DWI arrests. In the greater Minnesota area, those with the most arrests include: Hubbard County which along had 35 arrests in that time period, followed by Rochester, Red Lake Tribal, St. Cloud and Wright County Sheriff's Office. Highest alcohol contest from those arrested showed the highest amounts in a number of southern Minnesota counties. The HEAT enforcement project by the State Patrol continues through the end of the year watching for many violations along with DWI.
--An Apple Valley woman has pleaded guilty to 2nd-degree assault with a dangerous weapon after trying to stab a Waite Park man. Twenty-eight-year-old Awar Omot Talian entered a Norgaard plea in Stearns County District Court Monday. A Norgaard plea is a guilty plea where the defendant is unable to recall the facts due to intoxication or amnesia. A man told police he was cooking dinner when Talian entered his apartment last April. Court records show he told her to wait outside, but she forced her way in, grabbed a knife, and tried to stab the man in the back of the head. The victim said he tried to grab the knife away from Talian and she cut his hand in the process. Court records show Talian tried to stab the man again and he ran out the door with her chasing after him. When officers arrived at the scene, they noticed a blood trail leading from the apartment, down the stairwell, and out the front door of the complex. The victim was found at a nearby apartment and was taken to the hospital by ambulance. He said he yelled for someone to call the police because he thought she was going to kill him. Talian has previous convictions of violating a no-contact order in both Stearns and Dakota counties last year. She'll be sentenced on December 12th.
--A Stearns County jury has convicted a Richmond man for a series of crimes against a bi-racial family in Cold Spring. Thirty-three-year-old Benton Beyer has been found guilty of stalking, violations of harassment restraining orders, 1st-degree criminal damage to property, theft of a motor vehicle, and multiple counts of 2nd-degree assault. The jury also found the charges were motivated by bias and there were aggravating factors because the crimes happened at the family's home and children were witnesses to the offenses. Beyer was charged with intentionally crashing a vehicle into the family's home because his girlfriend had cheated on him with a black man. Court records show Beyer was paranoid that she was continuing to cheat on him and became angry and used racial slurs repeatedly.
--The final run for fun challenge of 2022 is this Saturday the 5.5 mile run or walk starts at Lincoln Elementary School on the west side of Little Falls, registration is at 7:30am and race begins at 8:52am. You can just show up Saturday to register or go to the raceroster website if you have raced in 3 of the 5 races you are eligible to win prizes.
--Country singers Sherwin and Pam Linton stopped by Monday on Party Line on KLTF along with playing their music announced they will have a Grand Ole Opry style show with their band The Cotton Kings at Great River Arts on September 23rd at 6:30pm. Tickets are being sold at greatart.org or call GRA at 320-632-0960 today.
--Applications for the "Randall Area Flood Recovery Fund" are due by 4:00pm this Friday, September 16th, at the City of Randall city hall. Donations will continue to be received at the Initiative Foundation office at 405 First Street S.E. in Little Falls and online at: https://www.givemn.org/Randall-Flood through Thursday, September 15th. Any donation received after 9/15 will be disbursed to the City of Randall and added to the disaster infrastructure rebuild account.
--A 65-year-old Brainerd man was injured Monday night after he fell into a bonfire on the 1400 block of South Seventh Street in Brainerd. The Brainerd Police Department responded to the call, reported at 11:12pm. According to the report, officers assisted North Memorial Health Ambulance with a man who fell into a fire and suffered burns to his hands and face. North Memorial Health Ambulance transported the man toward Hennepin Healthcare hospital in Minneapolis until he was transported to an air ambulance.
--Governor Tim Walz has authorized emergency assistance for thirteen Minnesota counties due to damage caused by severe thunderstorms in two weather events which occurred in June and July. On June 20-24, Morrison, Aitkin, Becker, Cass, Crow Wing, Itasca, Lac qui Parle, Mahnomen, Norman, St. Louis, and Todd counties experienced severe thunderstorms, which included damaging winds, heavy rain, and flooding. On July 23, Houston and Renville counties experienced damages caused by severe thunderstorms with damaging winds, heavy rain, and flooding. As climate change increases the frequency of extreme weather events, impacts to outdated infrastructure and roadways have caused millions of dollars in damages statewide. Collaborative emergency planning at all levels of government and investments in infrastructure are critical to safeguarding against future damages.
--Albany Pioneer Days begin tomorrow in Albany. Join AM960 KLTF Party Line Live at 10:05am Thursday.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Caleb and Tessa Gosiak, a boy born September 9th.
DEATH NOTICES
--Richard “Dick” F. Meyer, age 82 of Zimmerman.
--Selma M. Gohl, age 89 of Pierz.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, turning breezy, high 76.
TONIGHT= clouds increase, showers after 4am, low 62.
THURSDAY= showers likely early, storms in evening, high 81, low 60.
FRIDAY= cloudy skies, showers & storms likely, high 73, low 52.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins bet back in the win column with a 6-3 victory last night over Kansas City to get back to 500 at 70-70. The Twins and Kansas City Royals have game 2 tonight 6pm on Q92 WYRQ.
HS FB= Little Falls hosts Princeton Friday 7pm on AM960 KLTF.
HS FB= Pierz hosts Montevideo Friday 7pm on 94ROCKS
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1716= first lighthouse lit in United States at Boston Harbor.
IN 1814= Francis Scott Key during a battle of War of 1812 is inspired to write “Star Spangled Banner” as bombs burst in the air.
IN 1847= U.S. Marines enter Mexico City to the Halls of Montezuma.
IN 1968= first episode of 60 Minutes airs on CBS TV.