NEWS
--The Little Falls Fire Department was dispatched to 1335 South Koering Road in Fort Ripley Township in Crow Wing County on a report of a house fire Sunday at 11:33am. A Minnesota DNR Officer arrived on scene first and reported via radio that the fire was burning on the exterior of the house and had extended up into the attic. Firefighters arrived and put the fire out in a short time, but extensive overhaul of the attic area was required. The fire was contained to the exterior of the house and the attic, but there was water damage and some debris that fell into the living space. There were no injuries to residents or firefighters. The Little Falls Fire Department was assisted at the scene by the Camp Ripley Fire Department, North Memorial Ambulance, Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office, and a MN DNR Conservation Officer. The residents are being assisted by the American Red Cross. The cause of the fire was cooking related.
--The Morrison County Emergency Management announced that SKYWARN is holding severe weather spotter training for Morrison County which will be held from 1-3pm this Sunday at St. Mary’s Church in Upsala. Note that Sunday is the first day of Daylight Saving Time, so be sure to “spring ahead” one hour. Peace officers can receive two credit hours of continuing education. SKYWARN is a program of the National Weather Service (NWS). Spotter reports of severe weather about to take place are key inputs to weather alerts. Spotters are not “storm chasers” and safety is a primary concern. Spotters’ eyes on the ground provide a valuable service to the NWS and the Morrison County community. Anyone with an interest in serving their community are welcome to attend. There is no charge for this training session. All can come and take part.
--A Bowlus man has been charged with stealing more than $260,000 from a Morrison County nonprofit. 74-year-old Arnold Benusa of Bowlus, was charged in Morrison County District Court with one felony count of theft by swindle. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine. According to the criminal complaint, a special agent with the Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) received a referral from the Minnesota Gambling Control Board, which alleged a possible theft occurred involving the Bowlus Fire Department Charitable Gambling funds. The gambling manager for the organization was listed as Benusa. The Board stated that members of the fire department had discovered missing money. An investigator with the agency was allegedly told that Benusa was the gambling manager. During a review of bank records, they noted that there were missing deposits. According to the complaint, a review of the organization’s bank statements shows that there was in excess of $260,000 unaccounted for over the past 11 years, $75,000 of that went missing just within the last three years. Several witnesses allegedly confirmed having conversations with Benusa in which he admitted to taking large amounts of cash, A search warrant at Benusa’s residence located items used to cash fraudulent checks written on the gambling account, bank records for Benusa’s personal bank account and approximately $30,000. The cash was located in two places around the house. Benusa is scheduled to appear for a first court appearance at 9am Monday, April 10th.
--Lieutenant Gordon Shank of the Minnesota State Patrol will be the guest on Wednesday at 10:05am on KLTF Party Line. Any questions for the State Trooper can be asked during the program tomorrow by calling 320-632-2306. Also heard at fallsradio.com.
--The Pierz City Council in a special meeting at 5:30pm tonight will interview 4 candidates for an opening on the Pierz City Council. Earlier this year Pierz Mayor Toby Egan stepped down, and the mayor position was filled in by council member John Perleberg. That left an opening on the council. The four candidates interviewing tonight are Gary Berg, Mark Hoheisel, Rick Sczublewski and Barb Tretter. A decision could come at next Monday's regular scheduled meeting.
--A North Dakota woman was hurt in a Stearns County crash Monday morning. The Minnesota State Patrol says it happened on Interstate 94 near Sauk Centre. The patrol says 37-year-old Comfort Sayonkon of Mandan, North Dakota crashed her SUV at around 5:45am. Sayonkon was westbound in Ashley Township when she lost control and went into the ditch. She was taken to Sauk Centre Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The patrol says the interstate was snow and ice covered at the time of the crash.
--A man formerly of Eden Valley has been sentenced for sexually molesting three young girls over multiple years. A Stearns County judge has sentenced 43-year-old Casimiro Sosa Saavedra of Las Vegas, Nevada to 24 years in prison. He gets credit for having already served approximately one year and seven months in the county jail. Sosa Saavedra was found guilty of three counts of 1st-degree criminal sexual conduct with victims under 16 and involving multiple acts over time on January 11, 2023. According to the criminal complaint, the girls, ages 12, 10, and 7 were brought to St. Cloud Hospital for sexual assault exams in August of 2021. The mother believed Sosa Saavedra had been abusing them. Court records show the two older girls tested positive for a sexually transmitted disease and all three recounted events when Sosa Saavedra performed various sex acts on them when they were as young as seven-years-old. The oldest girl said the abuse started with her in 2015 and had taken place at two separate homes, one in Waite Park and one in Eden Valley.
--The Upsala City Council announced they have moved their meeting from Monday night to tonight at Upsala City Hall. The Mayor said members of the city council were unable to make the meeting Monday night. So they decided to move it one day. Again the Upsala City Council have moved their meeting to tonight at 7pm.
DEATH NOTICES
--Frances C. Norr, age 93 of Little Falls.
--Marlene Scepaniak, age 88 of Upsala.
WEATHER
TODAY= partly to mostly cloudy skies, high 32.
TONIGHT= snow after midnight, low around 27.
WEDNESDAY= snow early, then cloudy, high 33, more snow develops at night into overnight hours 1-2 inches during day, low near 28.
THURSDAY= snow early, then snow late day 2-4 inches, high 32.
SPORTS
HS BBB= Pierz at Moose-Lake Willow River to open the boys basketball playoffs tonight at 6pm on 94ROCKS KFML.
HS BBB= Little Falls at Rocori in boys playoffs tonight at 7pm, hear the Flyer playoff action on Q92 WYRQ and fallsradio.com.
NFL= The Minnesota Vikings announced they have released Pro-Bowl Linebacker Eric Kendricks. The 2015 Draft Pick has been a pro-bowler, Walter Payton Man of the Year candidate and team captain. It is believed that being over the salary cap in 2023 was the issue.