News September, 2012

DEATH NOTICE
--Mary Jendro, age 66 of Brainerd formerly of Little Falls
--Christine Jurgens, age 56 of Onamia

WEATHER
TODAY= partly cloudy, unseasonably mild, high around 80. 
TONIGHT= clear skies, low around 45. 
SATURDAY= sunny and mild, high 75 to 80, clear night low 50. 
SUNDAY= sunny skies, high 75, partly cloudy night, low 50. 
MONDAY= sunny skies, high around 70.

SPORTS
FB= Mora at Little Falls (homecoming) 7pm on AM960 KLTF
FB= Eden Valley Watkins at Pierz (homecoming) 7pm on FM94. 
FB= LPGE at Upsala vs. USA (homecoming) 3:30pm on Q92. 
TWINS= The Twins are at home for one more series this season when they host Detroit tonight at 7:10, tomorrow 3:05pm and Sunday at 1:10pm. They wrap up the season at Toronto next week. All games can be heard on 92.1 WYRQ.
GOPHERS= 4-0 Gophers @ Iowa 11:00am Saturday on KLTF
NFL= Vikings at Detroit Sunday at noon.
NFL= the official NFL referees will be back on the field Sunday after an agreement reached late Wednesday night. No more replacements.
WNBA= Lynx host Seattle tonight in WNBA playoffs, game 2 Sunday

“North Star Entertainment” tonight and Saturday at West Side Bar

Thursday- September 27th, 2012

NEWS
--A one vehicle accident Tuesday night in Morrison County sent two Upsala women to the hospital. Authorities say just before 10pm, 32-year-old Kimberly Van Heel was south on Balcony Road when the vehicle crossed over the oncoming lane, left the roadway and struck an approach just south of 60th Street in Elmdale Township. Van Heel and her passenger, 29-year-old Michelle Fleischhacker were taken to St. Gabriel’s Hospital in Little Falls for treatment of injuries. The Sheriff’s Office stated that the case is still under investigation.

--The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce will hold candidate forums in October leading up to the November elections. From 3-4pm October 5th there will be a candidate forum for Senate District 9 between Senator Paul Gazelka and former Representative Al Doty. October 8th will be a forum with all candidates vying for the 3 Districts up for election for the Morrison County Commissioners, this will be from 3-4:30pm and October 9th from 9-10am there will be a House District 9B forum between Ron Kresha and Adrian Welle. Questions on any of the forums call 632-5155.

--A court date has been set for the 32-year-old Royalton man who led authorities on a chase with speeds up to 80 miles per hour. Court documents stated that Joshua Zoccoli admitted he saw the squad car’s red lights and knew that law enforcement was chasing him. He also allegedly admitted that he was carrying a loaded weapon. The judge set a court date of October 8th for Joshua Zoccoli.

--An Omnibus hearing was set October 26th for 44-year-old Warren Okerman on 3rd-degree murder charges in Morrison County District Court. Okerman is charged in connection with a death of Leslie Peterson on June 2nd in Little Falls Township. Okerman confessed to providing methamphetamines to Peterson on the night that she died.

--Little Falls police Tuesday arrested a 24-year-old man on Riverwood Drive for fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle and second-degree driving under the influence. The police report stated that authorities attempted to stop Zachary Barthel but he sped off. Police were able to apprehend him a short time later and take him into custody.

--Retiring Bishop John Kinney spoke Tuesday to a crowd in St. Cloud about his career, upcoming retirement and the challenges facing the Catholic Church. Kinney was ordained an auxiliary bishop in 1977 in Minneapolis, served in North Dakota and then became Bishop of the St. Cloud Diocese in 1995. Kinney said the challenge here is the shortage of priests in the Catholic faith and also the diminishing number of students attending Catholic schools. Kinney was asked about the sex scandal that continues to rock the church, he stated that he chaired a committee on sexual abuse of minors in the church and has sat down with a number of victims who came forward. Kinney feels the major issue is how the church can maintain the care it does now and protecting the young people in today’s society. The 75-year-old Bishop Kinney submitted his letter of resignation June 11th. The letter was accepted by the Catholic Church but they asked Kinney to stay on until a replacement Bishop could be found and this could take up to a year or more before one is announced.

--The Tailgate Party is scheduled for Friday 5-7pm at the entrance of Flyer Field at the Middle School parking lot prior to the Little Falls Flyer Homecoming Game against Mora. Purchase a hamburger or brat, chips and pop for $2.50 or a piece of pizza and a pop for $2.50. All proceeds go to help Flyer Activities.

--Search and Like Little Falls Radio on Facebook.

--A reminder to the public of two events at the same residence of 209 North Main Street in Upsala. The Morrison County CIRT team will be completing some training today at the home. Area residents should expect emergency personnel and sirens throughout the day. The second event at the same house will begin at 8:00am on Saturday with more training and the burning of the home after. Again the public should not be alarmed of large amounts of smoke and emergency personnel on hand Saturday. Both Upsala and Bowlus Fire Departments will be assisting with the control burn on the Saturday in conjunction with the St. Cloud Technical College.

--A 47-year-old St. Cloud woman who was found unconscious Sunday night on a road in east St. Cloud has died. The woman was identified as 47-year old Linette Brown from St. Cloud. She was found unconscious at about 9:15pm Sunday in the 1200 block of East St. Germain Street. Officers are trying to determine what caused the injuries that led to the woman’s death.

--A 40-year-old Hillman man was injured Saturday around 8:30pm when his vehicle left Crow Wing County Road 8 near Pine Center and rolled. Bryan Schoenecker was taken to the Onamia Hospital then transferred to another facility that was not disclosed.

--An 84-year-old Nisswa woman was injured Tuesday when her vehicle ran off of Highway 371 north of Baxter, striking a camper and a pole at an RV lot. The State Patrol said Luverne Niemi had a medical issue that caused her to leave the road around 2pm that afternoon. She was treated at an area hospital. The State Patrol said there were no other injuries reported from the accident.

--Utility officials say they are investigating an automatic shutdown of the Minnesota Nuclear Plant at Monticello. Xcel Energy says the plant shut down at 11am Tuesday for a few minutes. Xcel says the plant’s safety systems worked as designed and there was no safety risk. The plant was hoping to be back on their regular system Tuesday but as a precaution they ran on another source of electricity produced by the plant until the problem was resolved.

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
--Legendary singer Andy Williams died Wednesday at age 84. Famed for this TV show from 1959-1971 and his famous song “Moon River”.

DEATH NOTICES
--Virginia Ringwelski, age 71 of Little Falls. 
--Stanley A. ‘Stan’ Andersen, age 75 of Little Falls.

WEATHER
TODAY= frost early, then mostly sunny, high near 70.
TONIGHT= mostly clear, low around 40. 
FRIDAY= mostly sunny, high 76, clear skies at night low 44. 
SATURDAY= sunny skies, high 75, low of 46. 
SUNDAY= sunny skies, high near 75, low around 45.

SPORTS
TWINS= Twins fall to the Yankees yesterday 8-2 at Target Field. Twins are off today, host Detroit Friday night.
NFL= Cleveland at Baltimore tonight, Vikings at Detroit Sunday.
CC= Coaches Corner Saturday at 9am on AM960 KLTF
HS= get local sports scores online at www.fallsradio.com

“North Star Entertainment” tonight through Saturday at WS Bar

DEATH NOTICES
--Dorothy Rush, age 80 of Little Falls.
--Herbert G. Schmidtbauer, age 78 of Little Falls.

WEATHER 
TODAY= sunny, high 60 to 65. 
TONIGHT= clear and cool, low around 35. 
THURSDAY= sunny, high near 70, clear at night low 45. 
FRIDAY= partly cloudy, high 75, low 45.

SPORTS
TWINS= Denard Span hit a 2 run double to help the Twins beat New York 5-4 last night. Twins wrap up series with the Yankees today with an 11:40am pregame on Q92 WYRQ. 
COL FB= 4-0 Gophers at Iowa Saturday 11am on AM960 KLTF.

TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1957= “West Side Story” opened on Broadway ran for 732 shows.
IN 1962= The Beverly Hillbillies first aired on CBS TV.
IN 1964= Gilligan’s Island debuted on CBS TV.
IN 1986= the infamous shower/dream scene occurred on TV’s Dallas when Bobby was in the shower, after being dead the season before.

 “North Star Entertainment” Thurs through Sat at West Side Bar.

Tuesday- September 25th, 2012

NEWS
--Camp Ripley was a site of a protest and counter-protest Friday on the International Day of Peace. The Little Falls Partners for Peace and Occupy Little Falls held demonstration outside the main gates stating they were against war and were supporting the troops only that they are supporting finding ways to end disputes peacefully and also stop unmanned aerial system attacks known as drone attacks from the sky. This also comes the same time that Camp Ripley is constructing a new 3.9-million dollar unmanned aerial systems training facility. The U.S. Military says the drones perform tasks that once fell to manned aircrafts saving soldier’s lives and significant expense in the process. However, some rule the means unethical and controversial and feel that this will lead the U.S. into uncharted territory. While one group protested the use of drones, another group of Veterans and others formed on the other side of Highway 115 showing their support for the soldiers playing patriotic songs and instead of signs showing their protest, they were armed with American flags showing their thankfulness for the soldiers who continue to do their jobs for our Nation. Camp Ripley reported that no arrests were made and as in the past the demonstrations were mostly in a peaceful nature.

--On Saturday, Camp Ripley held a ceremony as U.S. Secretary of the Army Joseph Westphal presented congratulations and gratitude to Staff Sgt. Nicholas Purkat, Sgt. Shawn Schmidt and Specialist Christopher Edwards of the National Guard’s 1st Brigade Infantry Division for their heroic actions back on November 11th during a two car accident between civilians in Iraq. The three soldiers helped the hurt people involved and kept the crowd at ease during a large traffic jam that ensued from the accident. The three soldiers on Saturday informed Secretary Westphal they were doing their jobs. The three were awarded the Army Soldier’s Medal, which is the highest noncombat medal awarded for heroism.

--The Royalton School Board gave more information on the operating levy they hope will pass on November 6th during the general election. For the 5th time since 2001, Royalton School District is hoping for voters to OK the levy which has failed the last 4 times it was brought up for a general election including one failing last year. The question will appear on the ballot asking voters to vote for a 4-year levy providing the district an additional 1.2-million dollars which generates $311,000 a year. In the past five years the school district has had to cut over 1-million dollars from their budget and the district due to the past levies not passing. If passed those owning a $100,000 home would see a tax increase of just over $73 and those owning a $200,000 home would see a tax increase of just over $147 a year.

--A 20-year-old man in St. Cloud died from injuries of an assault late Thursday night. Around 11:20pm, authorities reported that Colton Gleason of Greenfield was assaulted by several men on the 600 block between 8th and 9th Avenue South. Gleason was taken to St. Cloud Hospital where he died Friday night. All witnesses stated is that Gleason was walking with friends when a vehicle stopped, a man got out and started punching Gleason. No arrests have been made in the case and police are urging anyone to call with information.

--Reminders again that staff from Congressman Chip Cravaack’s office will be at Scandia Valley Town Hall near Cushing Thursday 9:30 to 11am and the Carnegie Library in Little Falls from 1-2:30pm. Also Senator Paul Gazelka and Ron Kresha will host a town hall meeting on Saturday morning at 10am at the library in Little Falls.

--Congratulations to the Little Falls Homecoming Royalty crowned last night. They are King Nathan Masog and Queen Lexy Zawatske, Little Falls hosts Mora Friday night for Homecoming, game live on AM960. The Swanville Royalty of 2012, Paul Fruechte and Abby Schultz were crowned King and Queen Sunday at the coronation Sunday night in Swanville. Monday night Upsala crowned their royalty for 2012. King is Eric Frieler and Queen Tracy Herzog.  The Upsala/Swanville homecoming game is Friday afternoon at 3:30pm in Upsala against Long Prairie Grey Eagle and heard live on Q92 WYRQ. The Pierz Royalty was crowned yesterday afternoon. The Pioneer King is Jon Fuhrman and their Queen is Sara Schlegel. Pierz plays Eden Valley Watkins Friday at 7pm and the game can be heard on FM94.

--The Todd County Sheriff’s Office stated that one person was hurt Saturday afternoon in Birchdale Township when the motorcycle he was riding lost control and struck the ditch. Aaron Beek of Marshall sustained moderate injuries and was taken to a local hospital.

--An 11-year-old from Sartell has a Morrison County fish story for the ages. Katelyn Hammer was fishing with her cousin Joe on Lake Shamineau near Motley when she first caught a small sunfish but then a 50-inch Muskie jumped up, ate the littler fish then got hooked on Katelyn’s line. With the help of her cousin, they reeled in the giant Muskie, took some photos then released it back into the lake. The girl was using a broken fishing rod that had been glued back together by her father making the story one to tell the family for years to come.

--17-soldiers from the Minnesota National Guard Agribusiness Development Team (ADT) will return today from southern Afghanistan following their one-year deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

DEATH NOTICES
--Marcian ‘Marcy’ Broschofsky, age 71 of Pierz.

WEATHER
TODAY=mostly sunny, cooler, high near 65. 
TONIGHT= clear, patchy frost late, low 34. 
WEDNESDAY= sunny skies, high around 60, low near 40.
THURSDAY= mostly sunny, high near 70, low around 45.

SPORTS
TWINS= Yankees beat up the Twins 6-3 last night at Target Field. Yankees at Twins game 2 tonight 6:40pm on Q92 WYRQ.
NFL= a very controversial ending to last night’s Monday night football game as Seattle scored the winning touchdown on the final play though many replays showed that Green Bay intercepted the pass but the receiver grabbed it as the players were coming down to the field, causing a tie that goes to receiver, replay was inconclusive and Seattle was awarded the 14-12 win over the Packers. 
WNBA= Lynx open playoffs at home Friday against Seattle 8pm.

TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1513= Spanish explorer Balboa discovered Pacific Ocean.
IN 1890= U.S. Congress establishes Sequoia National Park.
IN 1979= Andrew Lloyd Weber’s “Evita” opened on Broadway.
IN 1981= Sandra Day O’Connor sworn in as the first female Supreme Court Justice to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court.

“North Star Entertainment” Thurs through Saturday at West Side Bar

DEATH NOTICES
--Lorraine A. Molitor, age 86 of Sauk Rapids.

WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and warmer, high around 75. 
TONIGHT= clear skies, cool, low around 35. 
TUESDAY= sunny skies, high 65, low around 35. 
WEDNESDAY=partly cloudy, high near 60, low around 40.

SPORTS
TWINS= Twins rained out Friday with Tigers, moved to a double-header Sunday. Tigers shut out Twins on Saturday 8-0. Twins win both games of a double-header Sunday, 10-4 in game 1 then 2-1 in 10 innings in the nightcap. Twins host The New York Yankees starting tonight at Target Field, pregame at 6:40pm on Q92 WYRQ.
GOPHERS= Gophers wins 17-10 Saturday to go to 4-0 on the season, the first time starting with 4 wins since 2008. Gophers open Big 10 play Saturday at Iowa, 11am kickoff live on AM960 KLTF. 
VIKINGS= Christian Ponder threw 2 touchdowns to Kyle Rudolph and ran another in himself as the Vikings defeated San Francisco Sunday 24-13 at the Dome. The 2-1 Vikings at Detroit this Sunday 
LYNX= The Lynx wrapped up the WNBA season with a loss to L.A. Thursday, a win Friday at Phoenix then losing yesterday to San Antonio all on the road. The Lynx finished the season 27-7 and will open the playoffs at home Friday night against Seattle at 8pm.
HS= get local scores from weekend at www.fallsradio.com.

Lunch, Happy Hour, Live Bands and lots of fun at West Side Bar

Friday- September 21st, 2012

NEWS
--A St. Cloud man was killed Wednesday night in an accident north of Sauk Rapids on Highway 10. Around 8:30pm, 45-year-old John Mihlbauer was on his motorcycle just south of Little Rock Lake when he struck a tractor’s rear mower blade causing the cycle to spin out and leave the road. Mihlbauer was dead at the scene when the Minnesota State Patrol, Benton County deputies and Sauk Rapids police arrived. The tractor driver, 56-year-old Charles Ertl of St. Joseph was not injured. The State Patrol stated that Ertl was traveling at about 20 miles per hour and did have two flashing lights and a rotating amber light going on his tractor at the time.

--Motorists travelling between the Twin Cities Metro Area and St. Cloud will encounter delays beginning this Monday, September 24th, when both directions of Interstate 94 are reduced to a single lane between Highway 24 in Clearwater and County Road 75 in St. Cloud. The lane closures will occur intermittently from sunrise to sunset Mondays through Saturdays through December 1st. No closures are currently planned for Sundays. The closures are needed as crews begin preparatory work for a major project to resurface 7.5 miles of I-94 between Clearwater and St. Cloud next spring and summer. Delays are expected so motorists are advised to plan travel carefully. For real-time travel information in Minnesota, visit 511mn.org.

--The Randall City Council met Wednesday night. At the meeting the 2013 preliminary tax levy was set at $140,040.00 which is a 4% increase from 2012. The Randall Truth in Taxation meeting to set the final levy was scheduled for December 19th. The finalized tax levy can still be decreased but cannot be increased. The council approved the purchase of 2 20-mph speed limit signs to install in front of the school. Brought up at the meeting was a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning to rezone property on Pacific Avenue from Commercial 1 to Residential 2. A community member Dan Noss stated that Randall needs more businesses and rezoning property on Main Street would be a step backwards. The measure failed on a 3-2 vote. Finally the council agreed to stop the monthly payment for a squad car which currently has $30,000 in the account and devote the monthly $625 to the purchase of another zero turn mower that will be necessary in a couple of years.

--The Pierz City Council will meet at 7:00pm on Monday, September 24th. Items on the agenda include Ronald Avenue Interfund Loan Closure, Building Permit Approvals, and a Dog Licensing Proposal.

--Todd County is investigating an accident on the 15th where a vehicle went off of Highway 287 into Dairy Ridge’s Property and damaged two signs. The vehicle is believed to have sustained front end damage. Anyone with information on the accident should contact Todd County. Deputies also are investigating wooden posts stolen from the Lion’s Club Park at Fairy Lake. The posts were painted white with red tops on them. Again if you have info call Todd County.

--The Minnesota Department of Health has verified a claim of abuse at Centra Care Health Systems in Melrose. The investigation substantiated that a lap tray was used to restrain a resident in the nursing home facility. The facility stated that the woman was left for 2 hours in the restraint position but did not suffer any injuries. The individual in question behind the incident is no longer working there.

--Saturday is Kids Day at the Morrison County Fairgrounds. The event is free from 9-11:30am with a number of items for the kids. More weekend events are available at www.fallsradio.com then calendar.

--A Minnesota Court of Appeals judge has affirmed the decision to try a Riverton teenager as an adult for the murder of his father. Karsen King was 15 when he was charged just over a year ago, with second degree intentional murder of his 57-year-old father at their Riverton home in Crow Wing County. Crow Wing County Attorney ordered that Karsen be certified as an adult and for his detention to be maintained in an adult facility. In January, the District Court announced King would stand trial as an adult, King’s attorney asked the judge to reconsider. When he didn’t the attorney appealed the ruling and the Court of Appeals this week agreed with the judge’s ruling for now 16-year-old Karsen King to stand trial as an adult in the murder case.

--The Minnesota Supreme Court denied a Crow Wing County man a new trial in a court case. Steven Radke, who was convicted of first-degree murder in Crow Wing County for the shooting and killing of his father in law Darrell Buesgens, is not eligible for a new trial. The Minnesota Supreme Court concluded each of Radke’s claims to be either without merit or that they didn’t result in prejudice to Radke and thus it affirmed both Radke’s conviction and the post-conviction court’s denial of post-conviction relief. Because Radke could not show the trial outcome would have been different, the court ruled his ineffective assistance of counsel claim also failed.

--Staff from the office of 8th District Congressman Chip Cravaack will be at both the Scandia Valley Town Hall in Cushing from 9:30-11:00am and at the Little Falls Carnegie Library from 1:00-2:30pm on Thursday, September 27th to meet with area constituents.

--The Under Secretary of the Army Dr. Joseph W. Westphal will visit Camp Ripley Regional Training Center this Saturday. The Under Secretary of the Army is the second-highest ranking official of the United States Department of the Army, serving directly under the United States Secretary of the Army.

--Another fall Friday night means more high school football games. Tonight Little Falls hosts Princeton and it is “Tackle Cancer” night at Flyer field. Donations will be accepted this evening and all funds will benefit the Randy Shaver Cancer Research Fund. Brainerd is also hosting “Tackle Cancer” night at their home football game.

DEATH NOTICE
--Mathilda “Tillie” M. Lampert, age 91 of Pierz

WEATHER
TODAY= sunshine early, then a chance of PM showers, high 60. 
TONIGHT= showers likely, cool and breezy, low near 35. 
SATURDAY= a shower early then mostly sunny, breezy, high 52. 
SUNDAY= frost early then mostly sunny, low 30, high near 60. 
MONDAY= sunny and warmer, high 71, low around 40.

SPORTS
TWINS= The Twins lost in 10 innings yesterday afternoon to Cleveland 4-3. Twins are in Detroit this weekend, pregame tonight at 5:35pm, Saturday at 2:35pm and Sunday at 11:35am on WYRQ.
COL FB= Gophers host Syracuse Saturday 6pm on AM960 KLTF
NFL= Vikings host San Francisco Sunday at noon.
HS FB= Princeton at Little Falls tonight 7pm on AM960 KLTF
HS FB= Pierz at Kimball tonight at 7pm on FM94 KFML.
CC= Coaches Corners Saturday 9am on AM960 KLTF.

“Class Act” tonight, Saturday “Contention” at the West Side Bar

NEWS
--An explosion injured two boys in Deerwood last Friday. Crow Wing County officials released the information Tuesday that around 6:22pm the Crow Wing County Bomb Squad was called to city property on Broadway in Deerwood where two explosive devices were found, one had exploded and the other one was intact and removed for storage with the bomb squad. Deerwood and Crosby police were first called to the situation after hearing of two juveniles in the city property with the explosive items. A police report stated both were taken to the Crosby Hospital and then on to the Twin Cities with chemical burns from the explosion. The incident is still under investigation by the local police departments.

--The general election is November 6th but in-person absentee ballot voting begins Friday in Minnesota. You will need to check with your local government center or the Secretary of State’s website to see if the in-person voting booths will be in your area. In Minnesota, a voter qualifies for voting by absentee if: they are not going to be in their precinct on Election Day; are sick or disabled; serving as an election judge or have a religious reason.

--Foreclosures continue to be a problem in central Minnesota. Crow Wing County alone saw 33 foreclosures in August and 194 in the county to date this year, with 290 pending foreclosures. Last year there were 369 total foreclosures just down from 388 in 2010. August was the second highest number of foreclosures this year, as there were 41 foreclosures reported back in April.

--The Minnesota Military Museum inside Camp Ripley now has the 2013 Minnesota Fallen Heroes Remembered Calendar available to the public. This is the fourth year the calendar has been published. It honors and remembers 12 Minnesota service members each year who have been killed in the global war on terrorism, with photos and stories provided by their families. Cost of the calendar is $10 and all proceeds from the calendar go to the Bryan McDonough Military Heroes Foundation. For more information on the museum or volunteering there go to www.militarymuseum.org.

--One person was injured Tuesday afternoon in a two-vehicle accident at Charles Street and Northwest Fourth Street. Authorities say both drivers were not hurt. A passenger in one of the vehicles, 18-year-old Karen Moses of Brainerd was treated for injuries at the Brainerd hospital. Brainerd firefighters had to use their equipment to help the injured passenger get out of the vehicle.

--More reminders to be mindful of scams in the area. In the past week, Crosby police were alerted of a construction scam of someone calling and asking to do construction work in the area for a small fee, information would be sent to them with pricing, this is a scam. Also reports of a man calling residents saying he had a large amount of money and new car for the caller if they would help them, he used the name ‘Rusty Love’ to one of the callers, again a scam, the man asked for the caller to send a money order to get the items. Also a large number of ‘romance’ scams are being reported through the internet where mainly college students are tricked to help a man who is very flirtatious with the women to send them money to help him with a sick loved one. Again when you are called or given an e-mail that asked for any personal information, money or items to be sent to them, this is a SCAM and best to contact your local law enforcement to investigate the calls or e-mails before you do anything with them.

--One final opportunity tonight for auditions for the renewed Hole In the Day Players in Little Falls. The theatrical group has been resurrected after not having a performance since 1993. Many members of the community have requested the return of the group and they will perform “Lie, Cheat, and Genuflect” on consecutive Fridays and Saturdays (November 23rd-24th and November 30th-December 1st) at the Falls Ballroom. The cast includes four males and four females of various ages. Rehearsals will take place 3 times a week for five weeks and actors are requested to bring their personal schedules to coordinate rehearsal schedules. Besides actors more volunteers are always needed for these ventures, find out how you can help by calling Jill at (320) 632-0960. There was an open audition back on Tuesday and one more audition tonight from 7:00-9:00pm at the Great River Arts Building in Little Falls.

--Around 5:30pm Tuesday authorities responded to a fatal accident on County Road 1, near the address 21492 County Road 1, Emily. Emergency personnel arrived at the scene and found a single vehicle rolled over. Evidence at the scene indicates the vehicle was traveling eastbound on Crow Wing County Road 1 pulling a trailer. The vehicle failed to navigate a curve in the roadway, entered the right side ditch, and rolled over. The driver, 38-year old Brent Owen LeBlanc of Emily appeared to have been ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of the crash is being investigated by the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnesota State Patrol, and the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS
--Eric Lindstrom and Jennifer Warner of Little Falls, a boy on 9-18
  
DEATH NOTICES
--David M. Lindner, age 70 of Spicer.
--Joseph R. (Pete) Stiegel, age 86 of Pierz. 
--Doris A. Harrison, age 86 of Little Falls.
--John E. Hynes, age 59 of Little Falls.

WEATHER
TODAY= mostly sunny, breezy, high 63. 
TONIGHT= showers develop, mostly cloudy, low 38. 
FRIDAY= showers early, sunny, late day showers, high 57, low 34.  
SATURDAY= mostly sunny, cool, high 52, low 29 frost late night.
SUNDAY= sunny, high near 60, low around 40.

SPORTS
TWINS= Josh Willingham became first Twin to hit 35 homeruns in a season since Harmon Killebrew last night, Josh also had 4 RBIs as the Twins beat Cleveland 6-4. Twins wrap up with Cleveland with an early game today, pregame at 10:35am on Q92 WYRQ.
NFL= New York Giants vs. Carolina tonight. Vikings/49ers Sunday

TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1973= Billie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs in 3 straight sets to win the Battle of the Sexes event at the Houston Astrodome.
IN 1973= singer Jim Croce and 5 others were killed in a plane crash when their plane crashed into a tree in Louisiana. 
IN 1984= The Cosby Show debuted on NBC TV.

“Hot Hits” tonight, “Class Act” Fri, “Contention” Saturday at WS Bar

Wednesday- September 19th, 2012

NEWS
--North Memorial Medical Center reported Monday that the 35-year-old Randall man ran over by a Burlington Northern Santa Fe train remains hospitalized at the Robbinsdale facility. Lance L. Lacroix was found lying on the tracks back on September 11th by Morrison County deputies and airlifted to North Memorial. He was initially reported in critical condition but upgraded Monday to serious condition.

--The Todd County Sheriff’s Office received a call of a family disturbance Monday evening where one of the people involved was in possession of a rifle and threatening another female in the house. The call was placed from a rural Grey Eagle residence around 7:30pm. When deputies arrived the situation had escalated and moved outside the residence. Deputies were able to secure the unarmed woman 44-year old Christine Rohde of rural Grey Eagle and she was taken to safety. Two other deputies continued to talk to the other suspect 55-year old Brenda Baker of Rural Grey Eagle diverting her attention from Rohde and also for other deputies to subdue her and take her into custody. No one was injured in the incident and formal charges are pending against both through Todd County.

--The Cass County Sheriff’s Office has released information on a fatal motorcycle crash near East Gull Lake last Friday. Authorities say 42-year-old Clayton Houff of Lakeshore was on Cass County Road 70 when the motorcycle left the roadway. Cass County said they received a call of a motorcycle off the roadway around 7:30pm Friday night and when they arrived at the scene, Houff was pronounced dead. Cass County stated it is unclear what caused Houff to leave the roadway and how long the cycle was in the ditch before it was found.

--Congressman Collin Peterson says it’s doubtful the House will take up the Farm Bill before the session ends next week. He says Republicans led by fellow Agriculture Committee member Frank Lucas of Oklahoma are pushing an extension through the House which Congressman Peterson says isn’t necessary since the Farm and Nutrition programs won’t be affected until January 1st. That’s when federal law requires price supports to begin rolling back to 1949 levels. Peterson predicts that could mean significant food price hikes. He adds the extension would also leave farmers in limbo as far as planning is concerned. The current Farm Bill expires September 30th.

--Upsala Fire Chief Jay Baggenstoss would like to inform the public of two events next week at the same residence. The address is 209 North Main Street in Upsala. The Morrison County CIRT team will be completing some training on Thursday, September 27th. Area residents should expect to see some emergency personnel and sirens on that day/evening. For more information on this event, call the Morrison County Sheriffs Office at (320) 632-9233. The second event at the same house will begin at 8:00am on Saturday, September 29th with more training and the burning of the home after the training. Again the public should not be alarmed of large amounts of smoke and emergency personnel on hand that Saturday. Both Upsala and Bowlus Fire Departments will be assisting with the control burn on the 29th. The training on the 29th will be in conjunction with the St. Cloud Technical College.

--Congratulations to Jack Nelsen of Staples who received the Future Farmers of America award from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during a ceremony last month at the state fair. .The DNR Commissioner’s Youth Award is given annually to a FFA student who has demonstrated initiative, leadership, creativity and achievement in the conservation and wise use of natural and agricultural resources.

--The Healthy Communities Collaborative (HCC) of Morrison County was recently awarded a Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) Mission and Ministry fund project grant in the amount of $114,526. The award will support a three-year project as part of the “Live Better! Live Longer!” initiative. The project, called “Start Strong,” aims to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates and build awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and child. The goal of the LBLL Start Strong project is to implement interventions that encourage and support breastfeeding throughout Morrison County by a) incorporating breastfeeding-friendly policies in the medical community b) providing breastfeeding training to physicians, nurses and home visitors who work with pre- and post-natal mothers and babies c) increasing the number of worksites in Morrison County that support breastfeeding employees and d) conducting a social marketing campaign to promote the benefits of breastfeeding.
The purpose of the initiative is to inspire Morrison County residents to live better and live longer through healthy eating, moving and belonging. To learn more about the project, contact Kate Bjorge at the HCC office (320) 631-5675. The HCC is a community outreach program of St. Gabriel’s Hospital.

--Senator Paul Gazelka and 9B House Candidate Ron Kresha will hold a town hall meeting to discuss the upcoming legislative session and hear from residents in Senate District 9 which includes Morrison, Todd, Wadena and Cass Counties. The townhall meeting will be at 10:00am on Saturday, September 29th at the Little Falls City Library.

DEATH NOTICE
--Mary Hanson, age 93 of Little Falls
--John Hynes, age 59 of Little Falls.

WEATHER
TODAY= mostly cloudy, windy, scattered showers, high 65. 
TONIGHT= clearing skies, breezy, low around 40. 
THURSDAY= partly cloudy, high in the 60s, showers in late night. 
FRIDAY= showers early and late, partly cloudy, high near 55.

SPORTS
WNBA= The 2011 WNBA Champion Minnesota Lynx were welcomed and saluted by President Barack Obama Tuesday in Washington D.C. The President told team members they are great ambassadors for the game and strong role models for his own daughters. Lynx Coach Cheryl Reeve thanked President Obama for his support of the WNBA and told him the selflessness of her players along with leadership are behind their success. The Lynx currently hold the best record this year in the WNBA at 25-5 with only a few games left in the regular season before the playoffs begin where Lynx have the #1 seed. 
TWINS= Twins win 6-5 in 12 innings last night over Indians. Twins at Cleveland again tonight at 5:35pm on Q92 WYRQ

TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1819= John Keats inked his poem “Ode to Autumn”.
IN 1876= Melvin Bissell patented the carpet sweeper. 
IN 1970= The Mary Tyler Moore Show debuted on CBS TV.
IN 1974= Eric Clapton hit #1 with “I Shot the Sheriff”
IN 1988= Olympic diver Greg Louganis strikes head on diving board.

“Hot Hits” Thurs, “Class Act” Fri, “Contention” Sat at WS Bar.

NEWS
--The Morrison County Commissioners last week approved the 2013 preliminary levy and budget with a 2.89% levy increase. The county board wanted to remind residents that this is only the preliminary budget and more work will be done before it is finalized in December. County Administrator Deb Gruber stated that now there is net-zero for the taxpayers. The Regional Rail Authority levy is now included in the general county levy but county taxpayers will not see the Regional Rail Authority on their tax statement. Gruber also stated there is net-zero for the taxpayer under the preliminary county levy but that could change when the levy is finalized in December.

--A free business seminar called Business Insights 2012 will be held at the Initiative Foundation in Little Falls from 8am to 12pm on Wednesday, October 3rd sponsored by the Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, Little Falls Business Association, Morrison County Record and Little Falls Radio. The three speakers will be David Horsager, author of “The Trust Edge” who will talk about trust being the single uniqueness of the greatest leaders in business. Jason Bernick from Bernick’s in Waite Park will discuss being part of the fourth generation of a family owned business in Waite Park. Tom Smude, a Pierz High School graduate will discuss his sunflower oil company and how diversifying his farm and business investments pushed his company forward. There will also be a free luncheon that day provided by the Initiative Foundation. For more information or to register call 632-5155, the registration deadline is September 26th.

--The Minnesota State Patrol stated one person was killed in a rollover accident Sunday night in Cass County. Authorities say the vehicle driven by 32-year-old Robert King of Hilly City ran off Highway 200 east of Remer just after 10:30pm. King died at scene.

--An Army Sergeant who previously attended Minnesota State-Mankato died last week on duty in Afghanistan. The Department of Defense reports 26-year-old Kyle Osborne of Lafayette, Indiana was killed when his unit was attacked. Osborne was based in Italy with the First Battalion, 503rd Regiment. He attended college in Mankato and still has a number of family members in Minnesota. Osborne’s funeral will be held in Indiana.

--The trial of a Freeport farmer accused of distributing raw milk started yesterday in Minneapolis. Alvin Schlangen faces four charges of violating the food safety code of being in possession of unpasteurized milk products and selling them. Schlangen does not have a dairy farm but signed a contract with a private Freedom Farms Co-op, whose members purchase the farm products from farms that provide them raw milk and delivers them to consumers mainly in the Twin Cities. The jury trial is expected to last 3 days. Raw Milk Advocates plan on protesting at the trial to show that raw milk is easier to digest and contains beneficial enzymes that pasteurization destroys but public heath officials dispute that claim.

--A 13-year-old Winthrop boy died after being struck by a semi while riding his bike. Jacob Weber and several other children attempted to cross Highway 15 in Sibley County Saturday when Weber was struck.

--The annual Kids Day Event is Saturday at the Morrison County Fairgrounds. Families with children ages preschool through middle school are invited to come out to the fairgrounds from 9-11:30am. A variety of groups, programs, businesses and organizations will have booths, games and activities for the kids. The event is free and open to the public. For more information contact Aaron at 632-8806.

--State Senator Paul Gazelka and District 9B Republican candidate Ron Kresha will be at the Grey Eagle City Hall for a town hall meeting on Saturday, September 29th at 1pm. Senator Gazelka and Ron Kresha will also be hosting town meetings on October 13th in Little Falls and Pierz, though site and time has yet to be determined.

--This is Child Passenger Safety Week and The Department of Public Safety is emphasizing the importance of correct child safety restraint and booster seat use to keep children safe while riding in a vehicle. In Minnesota, three out of four child restraints are used incorrectly — meaning children are riding in the wrong restraint or it is not properly secured. Parents and caregivers may visitwww.buckleupkids.mn.gov for instructional videos for installing and using various car seats, and to find a local car seat check location. Sgt. Curt Mowers of the Minnesota State Patrol will discuss more on this topic at 8:45am this morning on AM960 KLTF Community Events.

--Around 6:00am Monday a fatal fire was reported at 19503 293rd Avenue in Paynesville Township. When authorities arrived the mobile home was fully engulfed in flames. When the fire was extinguished a body was found inside. It was determined the deceased was homeowner 47-year old Scott Vogelpohl of Paynesville. The incident is currently under investigation.

--The Morrison County Animal Humane Society is hosting their 5th Annual Bark-a-Thon event Saturday from 10am-12pm at Belle Prairie Park north of Little Falls. The event is open to anyone who wants to walk their canine friends and even if you don’t have a dog, you can pledge one or make donations to the Humane Society. For more information on the event, log on to www.mcpets.org.

--Two men were injured in a rollover accident Saturday morning on Highway 169 south of Milaca. 59-year-old John Necklace of Brooklyn Park and his passenger 65-year-old Perry Necklace of Minneapolis crashed their vehicle just before 3am. Both were taken to an area hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries.

--Anoka County deputies are reconstructing a fatal accident Sunday that killed two and has an SUV driver in jail. The accident happened around 8pm in East Bethel when an SUV collided with a motorcycle. A 48-year-old from St. Francis and 46 year-old from Big Lake were killed in the crash. The 42-year-old female driver of the SUV was found to be intoxicated and taken into custody. The names of the victims are being withheld pending notification of relatives.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Bruce Baker and Sara Rush of Little Falls, a girl born Sept. 14th
--Richard and Monique Sobania of Little Falls, a girl born Sept. 14th

WEATHER
TODAY= mostly sunny, some frost early, high near 60. 
TONIGHT= partly cloudy, not as cold, low 48. 
WEDNESDAY= partly cloudy, breezy, chance of showers, high 70. 
THURSDAY= partly cloudy, breezy, cooler, high 63, low near 40.

SPORTS
TWINS= After being swept by the White Sox over the weekend and having Monday off, the Twins travel to Cleveland tonight to open up a 3 game series. It’s a 5:35pm pregame on WYRQ.
MNF= Atlanta defeated Denver last night 27-21 in Georgia.

“Hot Hits” Thurs. “Class Act” Friday, lunch daily at West Side Bar

Monday- September 17th, 2012

NEWS
--On Friday, Little Falls Police and the Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force conducted an investigation in Little Falls on a male subject known to investigators for being on probation for controlled substances. A traffic stop was performed and a large amount of methamphetamine was found inside the vehicle. The vehicle was impounded and male subject, who police have not released the name of, was arrested on 1st degree possession of a controlled substance. Packaging and paraphernalia found during the stop lead agents to believe that the subject was selling the drug within the city of Little Falls. The investigation continues. Little Falls Police are asking residents to be aware of issues surrounding the possession sale and consumption of controlled substances which have been increasing at alarming rates around the area. Residents are urged to call police when they suspect criminal activity.

--Little Falls Fire Chief Mike Nieman reported that 22 firefighters were called to Highland Assisted Living Wednesday around 5:30pm for a cooking stove fire. Nieman stated that the stove fire did some smoke damage to the area but not much other damage and there were no injuries. Firefighters had cleared the scene 20 minutes after arriving.

--Fire destroyed about 75 hay bales in Iona Township near Clarissa Thursday night. Firefighters reported the hay bales were on fire on Todd County Road 84 around 8pm. There were no injuries. Firefighters were at the scene for 6 hours. The cause is unknown.

--US Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood was in St. Cloud on Friday announced Granite City will receive $3.3 million dollars in federal funds to help the Transit Commission renovate its Bus Operations Center. The facility will house a fleet fueled by compressed natural gas and a fueling station. The project is one of 27 across the country selected to receive $59.3 million dollars through the Clean Fuels Grant Program that is ran through the Transportation Department.

--The Little Falls City Council meets tonight at 7:30 at City Hall. Agenda items include receive police and fire department reports, fireworks license for the Lions Club, a public hearing on final resolutions assessments for public improvements, the council will hear recommendations from the Airport Commission on the environmental assessment at the airport and a number of rezoning recommendations from the Little Falls planning commission. 

--Stearns County deputies and St. Cloud Police were involved in a vehicle pursuit Friday afternoon in St. Augusta. Deputies were assisting police in finding 41-year-old Jason Abel of St. Cloud for a violation of order of protection. He was identified near the St. Augusta Fire Hall but fled in a vehicle after officers attempted to make contact. Abel went into a residential area of St. Augusta and deputies halted their pursuit due to safety reasons. Moments later St. Cloud Police spotted Abel and followed him to an area near South Junior High School in St. Cloud where Abel fled on foot and was found hiding under a deck and taken into custody. Formal charges are pending through the Stearns County Attorney’s Office.

--Al and Linda Larson of Pillager were awarded the John Peck Volunteer Award by the Minnesota Land Trust at the organizations celebration earlier this month in Duluth. The Larson’s have volunteered for the nonprofit conservation organization for more than 10 years as conservation easements monitors. For more information on the organization and the award go to www.mnland.org

--Little Falls School Board meets tonight at 5:30 at the Morrison County Government Center’s boardroom.

--The Minnesota National Guard conducted a change of responsibility for the position of Camp Ripley Post Command Sgt. Major between Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Smith and Incoming Sgt. Maj. Michael Worden Saturday afternoon at Camp Ripley.

--A 50-year-old Outing man was sentenced to 5 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree criminal sexual conduct in Cass County District Court. The judge committed Roger Knode to the Commissioner of Corrections immediately and ordered him to pay over $10,000 in fines. Knode will be on a supervised program for 10 years and must register as a predatory offender. Knode pleaded guilty to have sexual contact with a child under the age of 13, he was also convicted of two prior sexual conduct charges and was ruled to be a sexually dangerous person with a psychopathic personality.

--Crow Wing County Republicans will hold an open house Sunday, September 23rd in Baxter at 14039 Edgewood just west of Highway 371 and Excelsior Road. The open house will be from 4-7 pm, area candidates will attend, and everyone is welcome.

--Minnesota TV personality Jason Davis, host of “On the Road” for KSTP TV in St. Paul will be the grand marshal for the 22nd Annual Fish House Parade on November 23rd in Aitkin. The unconventional parade takes place the day after Thanksgiving in Aitkin’s downtown area and consists of ice fishing houses loaded on trailers, in pickup trucks or by any means of conveyance and then paraded down main street. Aitkin has nearly 365 lakes in their surrounding area and has been a huge attraction for tourists and community members each year. The parade starts at 1pm again on November 23rd.

--A 38-year-old Brainerd man was injured Thursday when the four-wheeler he was on rolled at the intersection of 110th Street and Bear Path Road in Crow Wing Township. Brian M. Doucette was airlifted to St. Cloud Hospital and listed Friday in good condition.

DEATH NOTICES
--Jerome ‘Jerry’ Lentner, age 80 of Little Falls formerly Gilman. 
--Clayton Houff, age 42 of Lakeshore.
--Howard Strahl, age 90 of Little Falls. 
--Laura Pankratz of Staples

WEATHER
TODAY= partly cloudy, cooler, high 55 to 60. 
TONIGHT= mostly clear, frost likely, low 30 to 35. 
TUESDAY= partly cloudy, patchy frost early, high near 60. 
WEDNESDAY= occasional showers, a bit warmer, high 65 to 70.

SPORTS
TWINS= White Sox shut out Twins Friday 6-0. Francisco Liriano no hit the Twins for over 6 innings Saturday as the White Sox won 5-3. White Sox get the sweep Sunday winning 9-2. Twins are off today. 
GOPHERS= Gophers go to 3-0 on Saturday with a 28-23 win over Western Michigan. Marquis Gray suffered a high ankle sprain and could miss 2-4 weeks. Gophers host Syracuse Saturday night.
VIKINGS= Indianapolis got a last second field-goal to beat the Vikings 23-20 Sunday. Vikings battled back down 20-6 to tie the game in the 4th. Vikings host San Francisco Sunday at Dome.
HS FB= check out the local sports scores page at www.fallsradio.com for last Friday’s football scores.

“Hot Hits” Thurs. “Class Act” Friday at West Side Bar.

NEWS
--Arts and Craft goers may have noticed the controversial “We Support Our Troops” sign is back up again in Little Falls. The banner was removed as the result of a complaint made by Robin Hensel, who said the sign was hanging illegally. She was right. Hensel had been asked to remove signs in her yard in Little Falls because they did not comply with the city’s sign ordinance. She filed a lawsuit against the city citing the unconstitutionality of the ordinance, among other things. The suit is still pending. Once the banner was removed, Marvin Hoheisel and Tom Scherling who own the former National Bank building where the banner was hung began working with the American Legion Post 46 to put the sign back into place. The Legion voted on September 5th at a general meeting to sponsor the banner, paying the $30 lifetime permit fee as well as the $80 fee for the city to hang the banner. The sign was put back up at the same location on Friday, September 7th and this time legally.

--Road closures begin Monday on Highway 371 in Nisswa. The closure will be on Main Street and Merrill Avenue as crews will relocate underground utilities as part of the Highway 371 Improvement Project. The project is to take motorist and pedestrian traffic safer and more mobile by reconstructing four lanes of highway and creating new county road connections. The closure in Nisswa will last through September 21st. MN Dot stated that local roads and alleys will be used as alternate routes to get to local businesses affected by the closure on Main Street and Merrill Avenue.

--A jury trail date has been set for 65-year-old Judith Mae Johnson of Brainerd. Johnson is accused of leading a half-dozen law enforcement officers on a high-speed chase March 30th after fleeing a domestic dispute when she rammed her estranged husband’s car. Johnson recently pleaded not-guilty to the charges against her and a jury trial is scheduled of November 13th in Brainerd. Johnson is charged with felony second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, felony fleeing a peace officer and misdemeanor domestic assault charges.

--The drought and dry conditions are expanding across Minnesota. Yesterday’s update from the US Drought Monitor shows that 83.5 percent of Minnesota is now rated abnormally dry. It also shows an area of moderate drought now extending into east-central Minnesota including the northern Twin Cities metro area. The only part of the state the Drought Monitor doesn’t rate as abnormally dry or worse is northeastern Minnesota, which has not been going unscathed. The Forest Service says it sent water-dropping aircraft and a ground crew to the new 75-acre Parley Lake Fire in the Boundary Waters north of Ely on Wednesday, while smoke from a couple fires across the border in Canada is blowing into Minnesota and causing some worries for residents east of Ely and along the Gunflint Trail.

--The Little Falls School Board meets Monday at 5:30 at the Morrison County Government Center boardroom. Agenda items include donations, reschedule the school board retreat, discussion on Little Falls Community Recreation Area and school board candidate forums, annual reports will be given on curriculum, instruction and student achievement, the board will certify the 2013 Maximum Property Tax Levy, have a budget addendum, a supplemental amendment for HEART and WRERA plans. Discuss reports from community services and MASA reports, announce an early release day for Wednesday, September 26th and make tentative dates for Meet and Confers.

--Search and like Little Falls Radio on Facebook.

--A Meet the Candidates event will be held on Thursday, September 20th at 8:30am at the Little Falls Senior Center. All are invited to meet the candidates running in the area and ask them questions.

--A statewide Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over DWI enforcement campaign ran August 17th-September 3rd and resulted in the arrest of 1,842 impaired drivers, according to Department of Public Safety. A similar DWI crackdown to close out summer in 2011 resulted in 1,787 DWI arrests. Each year, around 30,000 motorists are arrested for DWI in Minnesota. In Greater Minnesota, where 77 percent of the drunken driving deaths occur annually, agencies with the most arrests include Rochester Police-27 and St. Cloud Police-26. In the area Little Falls Police reported 2 DWI arrests, Morrison County Sheriffs Office 8, Todd County Sheriffs 3, Sherburne County 13 and in Crow Wing County there were 3.

--The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced yesterday $47.5 million in competitive business development grants that will fund nine economic development projects statewide. These targeted investments will put an estimated 2,000 Minnesotans to work on projects of regional and statewide significance. The grant winners were chosen from 90 applications, with requests totaling $288 million. The agency reviewed applications based on five criteria, including: project readiness, job creation, investment and leverage, regional impact, and public benefit. Projects were organized into three regions to achieve geographic balance, including: metro, north, and south. One of the projects is for a Wellness Center in Wadena. They requested funds to design, construct and furnish a 50,000 square foot public health and wellness facility to replace facilities destroyed in the June 2010 tornado. The project will create approximately 100 construction jobs and ten other fulltime jobs.

--Albany Pioneer Days is going on today through Sunday in Albany. Party Line will be live from Albany today at 10am on AM960 KLTF.

DEATH NOTICE
--Denise Dzieweczynski-Niedzielski, age 52 of St. Cloud & Swanville.
--Sister Mary Claudia Boras, age 95 of St. Francis Convent LF.
--Glinda Kieffer, age 69 of Pierz.
--Norris S. Anderson, age 85 of Little Falls. 
--Rose Schaffer, age 98 of New Hope formerly of Little Falls.

WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, high 75, clear at night low around 45. 
SATURDAY= sunny, high 80 to 85, clear at night low 55. 
SUNDAY= partly cloudy, PM showers develop, high 80, low 45. 
MONDAY= showers, breezy, much cooler, high 55, low near 30.

SPORTS
TWINS= Twins battled back to beat KC 4-3 in 10 inning last night. The Twins (60-84) host White Sox in a 3-game set starting tonight, pregame at 6:40 tonight, 11:40am Saturday and 12:40pm Sunday. Catch all the games live on Q92 WYRQ.
COL FB= Gophers host Western Michigan Saturday 11am on KLTF
NFL= Packers beat Bears 23-10 last night. Vikings at Colts Sunday
HS FB= Little Falls at Becker tonight 7pm on AM960 KLTF
  Howard Lake Waverly at Pierz tonight 7pm on FM94 KFML

“North Star Entertainment” tonight and Saturday at West Side Bar

Thursday- September 13th, 2012

NEWS
--Sherburne County Attorney, Kathleen Heaney, issued a letter Tuesday concluding the investigation of the allegations that Morrison County Commissioner Donald Meyer collected per diem payments that he was not entitled to receive. The investigation was conducted to determine whether charges were warranted for the theft of public funds or unauthorized compensation of a public officer. Heaney stated that there was a thorough and prompt investigation.  She concluded after reviewing the reports of the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office and the State Auditor that the evidence was not sufficient to proceed with any criminal prosecution. The case was investigated by Sherburne County to avoid a conflict of interest. Morrison County Administrator Deb Gruber stated “Now that the Sherburne County Attorney has issued her decision and declined criminal charges, the County Board can begin the process of reviewing the recommendations made by the State Auditor in her letter dated, July 13th”. The County Board has retained the services of an independent counsel to assist with this review and intends to address the issue at the October 2nd Planning Session.

--The USA Honor Squad, a military drill of students in the Upsala and Swanville Elementary Schools have commenced their eighth annual project to assist U.S. military personnel deployed in combat areas. This year, the focus is aiding U.S. military personnel who have been wounded and are recovering from those wounds in military hospitals in Afghanistan. The project has two parts—“Operation Bear a Hand for Wounded Warriors” and “Operation Sneaker.” Operation Bear a Hand will collect black, wrap-around sunglasses as it is so dusty in Afghanistan that it is not wise to step outside the hospital without some sort of eye protection. “Operation Sneaker” is a repeat project from two years ago which provided footwear for the wounded who frequently arrive at the medical facilities with all of their clothing and boots removed and all of their gear left behind at their forward operating base. As they recover from their wounds, they are not permitted outside the hospital without having something more than the flip-flops they're issued in the hospital on their feet because there are a lot of dangerous critters on the ground in Afghanistan. Sneakers needed for this project must be new or VERY GENTLY used. If they are dirty, worn or grubby, they're not suitable for this project. They mainly need men's sizes because the majority of the wounded are men but a few women's sizes are also needed because the improvised explosive devices are equal opportunity killers. Collection boxes for the project are available in the main offices of both schools as well as the Bible Church, St. John’s Catholic Church and St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Swanville, the Community Covenant Church, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Gethsemane Lutheran Church and the Senior Center in Upsala, First Baptist Church and Zion Lutheran Church in Little Falls, and St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Bowlus.

--The Pierz City Council met Monday night. At the meeting a building permit was denied to Barb Tretter for Hillbilly Haven Motel for an addition due to the south-side setback. She is expected to file for a variance at a future council meeting. The 2012 preliminary tax levy was approved with a 0% increase for a total of $280,515. Both the Truth and Taxation meeting and the final levy approval will be December 10th. A joint park board and city council meeting will be held at 6:00pm on Monday at Pierz City Hall.

--Brainerd Police were contacted Wednesday afternoon by concerned relatives to check the welfare of a man who resides on Merri Lane in SE Brainerd. Relatives were unable to contact him since Sunday. Officers arrived and were unable to get a response from anyone inside the home. Officers forcibly entered the residence and found the man deceased. He was identified as 55-year old Roy Berg. Berg appeared to have a self-inflicted gun shot wound. The case remains under investigation. Berg’s body was sent to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office for examination.

--Two people were taken to St. Cloud Hospital Tuesday after their vehicles collided, St. Cloud police said. The crash happened at noon at the intersection of Ninth Avenue North and Northway Drive. Police said 48-year old Abdinasir Abib of St. Cloud did not yield the right of way while making a left turn. He collided with 22-year old Hannah Dornbusch of St. Cloud. Both were taken to St. Cloud Hospital for non-life threatening injuries. Abib received a ticket. Northbound Ninth Avenue in St. Cloud was shut down briefly.

--It’s been a long summer and an even longer season for the West Nile Virus in Minnesota. With more reports in the past week, West Nile Virus cases now total 52 overall statewide. The Minnesota Department of Health says 29 counties have reported the mosquito borne illness. One person died from the virus in early August. Health officials say 52 is the highest total in 5 years, noting the West Nile Virus is usually over by now.

--The US Forest Service has reopened lakes in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area wilderness that were closed because of wildfires. On Monday a fire covering a tenth of an acre was discovered in the far northwestern cornr of the Boundary Waters Canoe Are and crews have been responding with bucket drops from the air. Campfire restrictions remain in effect and are only allowed between 7:00pm and midnight. Gas stoves can be used at any time.

DEATH NOTICES
--Gene R. Hedin, age 77 of Swanville.

WEATHER
TODAY= partly cloudy, slight chance of showers, high near 70. 
TONIGHT= clear and cool, patchy frost in areas, low 35.
FRIDAY= sunny, high 75, clear at night low 40. 
SATURDAY= sunny and warmer, high near 80, low around 55. 
SUNDAY= partly cloudy, high 80, evening T-storms develop.

SPORTS
TWINS= Ryan Doumit committed 3 errors in left field Wednesday and a 4 run ninth put the game out of reach as Kansas City beat the Twins 10-5 at Target Field. Twins and Royals wrap up the series tonight with pregame at 6:40pm on Q92 WYRQ.

TODAY IN HISTORY 
IN 1501= Michelangelo began work on the Statue of David. 
IN 1788= The Philadelphia Convention announced that there would an election to decide the first President of the United States.
IN 1898= Hannibal Goodwin patents celluloid photographic film. This would be the film used to make motion pictures. 
IN 1953= Nikita Khrushchev became Secretary General of USSR.

The West Side Bar offers free sober cab Friday and Saturday nights

NEWS
--On Tuesday at approximately 8:11 AM, the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office received a call from BNSF Railroad reporting a body was seen on the railroad tracks north of Randall. Responding officers from the Randall Police Department and Morrison County Sheriff’s Office located a male individual with severe injuries lying between the tracks. Officers, along with members of the Randall Fire and Rescue Squad, rendered aide to the man later identified as 35-year old Lance Lloyd Lacroix with no current address. He was transported by Gold Cross Ambulance to St. Gabriel’s Hospital and later to North Memorial. His current condition is unknown. According to Morrison County Sheriff Michel Wetzel, it appears Lacroix was run over by a train. Whether he was trying to get on it, get off it, or fell off it has not yet been determined.

--A German agricultural equipment manufacturer has picked St. Cloud for it’s first USA operation. Geringhoff expects its 20-million dollar plant will employ about 100 people. Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation’s Dave Grunes says the area beat out more than 40 other facilities across the country. Geringhoff CEO Daniel Hansmeier says they made their first visit to St. Cloud in January and knew then they had found their location. Hansmeier says the company sees huge potential for growth in the North American market. The state will provide Geringhoff with a $500,000 loan.

--A Burtrum woman was injured in an accident Monday afternoon south of North Prairie on Great River Road. Around 4:20, 21-year-old Anna Peterson was traveling on Great River Road when she struck a parked pickup along the road causing Peterson’s vehicle to roll over. Peterson was taken to St. Cloud Hospital for treatment of injuries. 71-year-old John Zabinski of Bowlus was not in the parked pickup when the crash occurred and not injured in the accident.

--Authorities have released the names of two men whose bodies were recovered from a Cass County lake after their boat capsized in strong wind. The sheriff’s office identifies the victims as 43-year-old William Daley of Minneapolis and 53-year-old Clarence Dickens of Princeton. Sheriff’s officials received a report of a capsized boat on Lake Winnibigoshish near Bena on Saturday about 6:30pm. Deputies found the boat and several items floating nearby. The area was searched by boat and by air until dark. Authorities say the wind was gusting between 30 mph and 40 mph at the time. Searchers found the men’s bodies Sunday. The Lakes Area Dive Team, the state DNR and Leech Lake tribal police helped in the search.

--Join the fight against prostate cancer by participating in the 2nd annual St. Cloud Dash for Dad on Saturday at Whitney Park.  Dash for Dad begins with registration at 7:30am. The 1K kids run begins at 8:30am followed by a 1-mile family walk at 8:45am. The 5K begins at 9:00am. Nordy, the Minnesota Wild mascot, will make an appearance from 8:15-9:15am. Prostate cancer affects one in every six men in the U.S. and a new case is diagnosed approximately every 2 minutes.

--A garbage truck driver was airlifted to Mercy hospital in Coon Rapids yesterday morning after being struck by a train near Buffalo in Wright County. There’s no word on his condition. A spokesman for Canadian Pacific Railroad says the train crew noticed the garbage truck stopped on the tracks but couldn’t stop in time. It’s unclear why the truck was on the tracks. Officials say there are signs posted before and at the crossing.

--OSHA is investigating a workplace accident that claimed the life of a Minnesota man in Bismarck, North Dakota on Sunday. 36-year old Lucas Volker of Sartell was hit by a backhoe bucket while in a trench installing pipe. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Authorities say the man was working on a new water intake project when the accident occurred.

--A St. Cloud man was charged Monday with first-degree assault after a shooting Thursday night in north St. Cloud. 23-year old Ronnie Quartez Snelling was ordered held in lieu of $250,000 bail. Snelling is accused of being the shooter in an incident that left another man with two gunshot wounds that required surgery. The victim is expected to survive. A court complaint charging Snelling indicates that he and the victim had a dispute in the days before the shooting, according to what the victim told police. The shooting happened in the parking lot of 1425-12th Ave. N. It sent the victim to St. Cloud Hospital, where he had portions of his small intestine and his colon removed. Snelling was arrested Friday. The court complaint indicates that Snelling denied having any involvement in the shooting.

--The 22-year-old Pillager man, charged with second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and first-degree damage to property relating to a domestic dispute March 11, was sentenced Friday to 21 months in prison, with seven years of supervised probation with several conditions in Crow Wing County District Court. Zimmerman dismissed the first-degree damage to property charge. According to the criminal complaint filed against McDonald, he was involved in a domestic dispute March 11 that evolved into a road rage incident stretching from Pillager to Baxter. The incident ended when McDonald’s pick-up rammed his girlfriend’s Honda into a ditch on Highway 210, causing it to leave the roadway and go into the ditch, where it struck a fiber optics utility box causing damage estimated to be in excess of $100,000.

--A federal appeals court says a Brainerd woman owes record companies $222,000 for copyright violations involving free music downloads on the internet. The star tribune reports the three judge panel reversed the decision of a federal judge in Minnesota who reduced the award against Jammie Thomas-Rasset to $54,000. The recording industry is using the case as an example and the R-I-A-A says it’s pleased with the ruling. Thomas-Rasset’s attorney says the award is punitive and they’ll appeal to the US Supreme Court.

DEATH NOTICES
--Dion Bruce Pollock, age 37 of Bowlus
--Ambrose A. Gosiak, age 86 of Swan River Township

WEATHER
TODAY= cloudy with early showers, afternoon clears, high 70
TONIGHT= turning clear, low of 43
TOMORROW= slight chance of isolated storms, high 70, low 40
FRIDAY= sunny, high 72, clear at night low of 45 
SATURDAY= clear, high of 75 and a low of 50

SPORTS
TWINS= The Twins were beat 9-1 last night at Target Field against Kansas City. Game 2 of the three game set between the same two teams are tonight. Pregame at 6:40pm on 92.1 WYRQ

The West Side Bar offers free sober cab Friday and Saturday nights

Tuesday- September 11th, 2012 “Patriot Day”

NEWS
--The Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s Office has released information on a fatal accident that killed a 14-year-old from Onamia last week. Friday night, 14-year-old Katelin Sawyer-Voshell was walking with a friend on the shoulder of a county road heading to the Onamia football game when she was struck from behind by a vehicle coming over a hill. According to deputies and the driver, the harsh sunlight around 7pm caused the driver to not see the girl until it was too late. A memorial service will be held later this week at her school, where Sawyer-Voshell was a freshman. Deputies called it a tragic accident.

--On Friday morning the Todd County Sheriffs Office received a call of an individual suffering a gunshot wound at a residence on Bridge Street in Clarissa. At 9:13am 25-year old Anders Bagent received wounds to the right side of his face and neck when a shotgun accidentally discharged. Bagent was attempting to remove items from a closet when the accidental discharge occurred. No foul play is suspected. Bagent was taken to Long Prairie hospital for his injuries.

--A Patriotic Rosary will be said today at 12:45pm at St. Joseph’s Church in Pierz. The time was to let students from Holy Trinity School in Pierz take part in the helping the reciting of the rosary. The Rosary will represent prayers to those in need, the government and legislature to continue to help, all of those who continue to serve our country in the U.S. military and also those who serve in law enforcement, firefighters and other who risk their lives to help others when the time of need arises. Also each of the 50 Hail Mary’s will represent one of the 50 states in the Union. The Rosary is open to anyone to come and take part in today in Pierz.

--Critical fire danger remains in effect for central Minnesota and especially the Brainerd Lakes area this week due to warm and windy conditions today then cooler and drier conditions the rest of the week. The only mention of rain is tonight into early Wednesday but that will not be near enough to help the very dry conditions. The National Weather Service says the critical drought conditions start in western Kansas goes through Iowa, South Dakota and into western and central Minnesota and they see no end in sight due to the lack of moisture and the transition for these states from summer into fall.

--Pedestrian deaths throughout Minnesota are on the rise. 23 people have been struck and killed on Minnesota roads this year compared to 14 at the same time in 2011. The increase in deaths has prompted state officials to launch a pedestrian safety campaign this month, stressing the importance of drivers coming to a complete stop at crosswalks and taking a close look before turning.

--The State Health Department and University of Minnesota have been named one of only five regional food safety centers in the United States that will help prevent and respond to food-borne illnesses. It comes with a $200,000 grant and Health officials stated the money will allow for the training of other states in methods and protocols. The state health department will work in partnership with the University of Minnesota, School of Public Health.

--To keep Veterans healthy during the flu season, the St. Cloud VA Health Care System has scheduled several flu shot clinics this fall.  Flu shots for Veterans enrolled with the VA are free and no appointment is necessary.  The flu shots are available at the VA Medical Center in St. Cloud or any of the VA's clinics across Central Minnesota including the one in Brainerd, Alexandria, or Montevideo. For information on when the clinics are offered this fall call the VA.

--Brainerd Police are investigating two possibly related suspicious incidents over the weekend. Around 7:30pm Friday a 4-year old girl riding her bicycle in the area of the 1100 block of Norwood Street was approached by a male in a silver colored truck. The man told the girl to put her bike in the back of the truck and to get in. The girl was with other children and left the area immediately telling an adult relative. The next day around noon, a 9-year old boy was riding his bicycle in the area of the 900 block of South 8th Street, when he was approached by a man in a truck that pulled up next to him. The man told that boy to get in. The boy did not get in the vehicle and he went home telling a parent. In both cases the children were not hurt and the male did not attempt to get out of the truck. Descriptions from the children lead police to believe the incidents may be related. The suspect was described as an older white male with a skinny face, short hair with a possible short beard and a deep voice. The vehicle was described as a silver older regular cab full size pick-up truck, may have scratches along the length of the driver’s side and a louder exhaust. Anyone with information should call Brainerd police.

--The city of Little Falls has announced a road closure starting this morning at 7:00am until tomorrow at 5:00pm. The roads closed will be MaryAnn Ave to Lemieur Street and 18th Street SE from the driveway at Tractor Supply to Maryann Ave.

--The Little Falls Fire Department responded to a kitchen fire around 2:00am on Saturday morning at Riverwood Apartments. The apartment #302 of Brittney Waytashek is located at 18795 Riverwood Drive. According to Little Falls Fire Chief Mike Nieman, something was left on the stove, started the microwave above it on fire and that activated the indoor sprinkler system. The sprinklers did extinguish the fire before it spread. This limited the fire damage but the sprinklers did cause more water damage. The fire was out before firefighters arrived and there were no injuries.

--In observance of the 11th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Governor Mark Dayton has ordered all United States flags and Minnesota flags be flown at half-staff at all state and federal buildings in the State of Minnesota, from sunrise until sunset.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS
--Derek Hoehle and Kendra Englehart of Little Falls, boy on Sept. 9th
--Cory and Tara Schlagel of Little Falls, boy on September 9th

WEATHER
TODAY= sunny, high of 87 wind gusts up to 25 mph
TONIGHT= mostly cloudy, low of 53
THURSDAY= sunshine returns high of 73, partly cloudy low 43
FRIDAY= sunny high 69 then clear with a low of 45

SPORTS
TWINS= Twins take series with Cleveland winning 7-2 Monday as Sam Deduno pitched one of his best games since becoming a Twin. With the win the Twins are now tied for 4th in the central with the Indians. Twins open up with Royals tonight, pregame 6:40 on Q92.

TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 2001= the tragic 9/11 attacks occurred on New York, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania forever changing the United States.

“North Star Entertainment” Friday and Saturday at West Side Bar.

DEATH NOTICES
--Duane A. Smude, age 63 of Little Falls.
--Dale H. Melin, age 84 of Sauk Centre.
--Lorraine M. Ciminski, age 89 of Brainerd formerly Little Falls. 
--Alice Tschida, age 83 of Pierz.
--Reinhart Donek, age 92 of Pierz.
--Leo Brezinka, age 88 of Royalton. 
--Katelin M. Sawyer (Voshell), age 14 of Onamia. 
--George Sandy Jr., age 85 of Long Prairie.

WEATHER
TODAY= mostly sunny, breezy, high near 80. 
TONIGHT= clear skies, warmer, low around 60. 
TUESDAY= mostly sunny, warm, high 85 to 90, storms late.
WEDNESDAY= a storm early, then partly sunny, cooler, high 70.

SPORTS
TWINS= Twins blew a 4-0 lead Friday and lost 7-6 to Cleveland. Twins rebound with a shut out win Saturday 3-0 over Tribe. Justin Morneau homered twice Sunday including a walk-off in the 9th to help the Twins win 8-7. Twins wrap up their 4 game series with Cleveland tonight at Target Field, pregame at 6:40pm on Q92 WYRQ.
NFL= Vikings win 26-23 in overtime over Jacksonville. Adrian Peterson had 2 touchdowns, Blair Walsh hero with 2 late field goals. 
COL FB= Gophers rout New Hampshire 44-7 to go to 2-0.

The West Side Bar offers free sober-cab Friday and Saturday nights.

DEATH NOTICES
--Dorothy C. Ficek, age 90 of Pierz.

WEATHER
TODAY= partly cloudy, scattered showers, breezy, high near 65. 
TONIGHT= clear skies, cool, low around 40. 
SATURDAY= mostly sunny, breezy, high near 70, low around 40.  
SUNDAY= sunny skies, high 75, low around 50. 
MONDAY= sunny and warmer, high 82, low 55.

SPORTS
TWINS= Twins host Cleveland tonight, pregame at 6:40pm, 5:40pm on Saturday and 12:40pm on Sunday. All games live on Q92 WYRQ.
COL FB= New Hampshire at Gophers Saturday 10am on KLTF.
NFL= Jacksonville at Vikings Sunday at noon from the Dome.
HS FB= Little Falls vs. Cathedral from SCSU tonight 7pm on KLTF.
HS FB= Pierz at Holdingford tonight at 7 on FM94 KFML.
CC= Coaches Corner from Coborn’s Saturday at 9am on KLTF.

“Kings Ransom” tonight and Sat, free sober cab Fri/Sat at WS Bar.

Thursday- September 6th, 2012

NEWS
--The Foley City Council met Tuesday night and decided not to add to their budget which would have allowed them to hire another police officer to their recently new police force which was restarted in the city earlier this summer. The council saw two proposals for the budget one with and one without a new officer after discussion voted on the proposal without the new officer included. However, the council failed the first two measures voted on before deciding on the 3rd one. The new officer would have extended police coverage to Foley up to 22 hours a day. Currently it has police coverage with 3 officers at 17 hours with the overnight hours going through the Benton County Sheriff’s Office on an emergency basis only. Also at the meeting the city announced their Truth in Taxation meeting will be December 4th at 6pm following that the council will make their final vote on the budget and levy for next year.

--82-year old Delbert Huber of rural Paynesville was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Tuesday for the death of 43-year old Tim Larson of Albertville. Larson, a special education teacher in the St. Michael Albertville School District was shot to death on his father’s farm near Belgrade last October. Delbert Huber’s son was also present during the confrontation. Prosecutors say Larson told the Huber’s to stay off his father’s property but the Hubers said they had been hired to take care of animals. When Larson found the Hubers on the farm they argued and Delbert Huber shot Larson. The judge said Huber showed no remorse and still blames the victim for the incident. Huber’s 46-year old son Tim is still awaiting trial on a 1st degree murder charge.

--Central Lakes College in Brainerd will host a 2012 Minnesota Education Fair on Friday, September 28th. The event brings in about 800 to 1,000 area high school students coming in to view over 60 public and private colleges and universities and military institutions that will be on hand to show what they have to offer to the students. Nearly 20 high schools in the area have been invited to send students or allow them to independently attend. The event is 9-11am on the 28th at the auditorium inside Central Lakes College.

--The St. Cloud VA Health Care System is hosting a community meeting to review needs and efforts in addressing Veteran homelessness. The Project CHALENG (Community Homeless Assessment Local Education and Networking Groups) meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday from 10:00-11:30am at the Holiday Inn, of St. Cloud. To register call Laura at (320) 255-6480 ext. 6321.

--Health officials have confirmed another nine cases of West Nile virus in Minnesota over the past week. That brings Minnesota's total to 44 for the year, including one death. Nearly 1,600 cases of the mosquito-borne illness have been reported nationwide. Minnesota Department of Health epidemiologist Dave Neitzel says the number of new cases should start to decline later this month. Neitzel says the final 2012 total should be well below peak West Nile years. Minnesota's highest number of West Nile cases came in 2003, when the virus caused 148 illnesses and four deaths.

--The League of Women Voters Brainerd Lakes Chapter and the Center for Life Long Learning will present a discussion on the Minnesota Marriage Amendment next Tuesday, 7pm at the Chalberg Theatre in Central Lakes College, Brainerd Campus. Political, religious and legal officials will be on hand to discuss both sides of the amendment that will be on the November ballot in Minnesota. For more information on the discussion, call 218-562-4748.

--Three teens were charged Tuesday in an expensive act of burglary and vandalism that targeted a church in Big Lake.  Juvenile petitions were signed in Sherburne County Court this week against two 15-year-olds from Big Lake and one 16-year-old from Monticello. On August 1st, Big Lake Police Officers were called to investigate a reported burglary at the Saron Lutheran Church where a person or persons had entered the church, stolen several items that were to be sold in a youth group fundraiser and then sprayed a fire extinguisher, causing extensive damage to areas of the church. The entire church sanctuary and adjacent building were covered with the fire suppressant powder, which is a hazardous substance. Suspects also sprayed contents directly into an organ, piano, and several electronic components. The items donated for the sale had to be disposed of, the estimated clean up cost for this incident is approximately $129,000. Through a series of interviews an investigator from the Big Lake Police Department determined that the suspects entered the church through a door they found unsecured. Prosecutors maintain that the suspects removed three bicycles and several other items from the sale, and then sprayed the contents of three fire extinguishers through the church complex.

--The Crow Wing County Courthouse was busy last Friday and this Tuesday,  Risky Business owner Ronald Beattie Jr. had his omnibus hearing on the sale of synthetic drugs moved to September 18th, A 39-year-old St. Paul man charged with stabbing a man in a vehicle in January, 2011 will make his next appearance December 17th in Brainerd. Jon Johnson is charged with 2nd-degree assault. A 65-year-old Brainerd woman who led law enforcement on a chase March 30th after fleeing a domestic dispute and then ramming her husband’s vehicle accepted a plea from Crow Wing County, the plea agreement was not made public only that Judith Johnson was charged with 2nd-degree assault and a sentencing date will be set later this month. Also 24-year-old Samantha Jo Martin of Pillager appeared in court and pleaded guilty to third-degree burglary in entering The Heartland Animal Rescue Team facility in Brainerd and stealing a dog. She will be sentenced in Crow Wing County court on October 24th.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Nathan Sievert and Schailis Goff of Little Falls, girl born August 31st

WEATHER
TODAY= mostly sunny, high 77
TONIGHT= showers and T-storms in evening and overnight, low 47. 
FRIDAY= showers early then partly sunny, cool, breezy, high 64. 
SATURDAY= sunny, high near 70, low around 40. 
SUNDAY= sunny, high 72, low around 50.

SPORTS
TWINS= Jake Peavy quieted the Twins Wednesday as the White Sox won 6-2. Twins are off today, host Cleveland this weekend. 
HS FB= Little Falls at St. Cloud Cathedral Friday 7pm on KLTF.
HS FB= Pierz at Holdingford Friday 7pm on FM94 KFML.

TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1943= Carl Scheib at 16, becomes youngest player in MLB.
IN 1959= first Barbie Doll was sold by Mattel Toy Corp.

“Hot Hits” tonight, “Kings Ransom” Friday and Saturday at WS Bar

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Jonathan King and Delestine Davis of Little Falls, boy August 31st
--Christopher and Danielle Sobania of Little Falls, girl born Sept. 2nd

DEATH NOTICES
--Denis Olden, age 79 of Onamia.
--Eric J. Lindeman, age 29 of Pennsylvania formerly of Little Falls. 
--Leona Knutson, age 96 of Little Falls. 
--Bettyann Ward, age 83 of Little Falls.

WEATHER
TODAY= early showers then clearing afternoon, high 74. 
TONIGHT= clear and cool, low near 45. 
THURSDAY= sunny, high of 75, showers after dark, low 45. 
FRIDAY= sunny skies, cool, high 65, low around 40.

SPORTS
TWINS= Twins outslug White Sox last night to win 18-9 in Chicago. Chris Parmalee hit another homerun since being called up Saturday, Ryan Doumit also homered. Twins wrap up series with a day game in Chicago today, pregame starts at 12:40pm on Q92 WYRQ.
NFL= Dallas and NY Giants kickoff 2012 Regular Season tonight.

“Hot Hits” Thursday, “Kings Ransom” Fri and Sat at West Side Bar

Tuesday- September 4th, 2012

NEWS
--Benton County deputies responded to two motorcycles that collided on County Road 4 in Gilmanton Township. Both motorcyclists were pronounced dead when authorities arrived. Witnesses indicated that one motorcycle driven by 52-year-old Patrick Ogg of Foley was attempting to pass an eastbound vehicle when he struck the other cycle head-on. The other cycle was driven by 61-year-old Larry Sorenson of West Union. The accident remains under investigation.

--The driver of a homemade adult tricycle involved in an accident north of Crosby on August 26th has died from his injuries. 68-year-old Donald Boyer was pulling over to the side of the road when the trike lurked over the side and rolled down the hill and struck a downed tree ejected the driver and passenger. Donald Boyer was taken to an area hospital where he died on Thursday morning reported by the Crow Wing County Coroner. His passenger 65-year-old Donnell Boyer according to the state patrol reportedly was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries. No update on her condition has been released.

--Motorists travelling along the north shore of Mille Lacs Lake will encounter a detour as Highway 18 becomes impassable at Seastade Creek, 5.5 miles west of Malmo, beginning September 13th. Highway 18 will close to through traffic between Highway 169 and Highway 47 beginning Sept. 13. A 24-mile signed detour will direct motorists along Highway 169, Aitkin County Road 28, Aitkin County Road 12 and Highway 47. All local businesses and residences will remain accessible throughout the project. To view a map of the detour, visitwww.dot.state.mn.us/d3/newsrels/12/detours/hwy18detour2012.pdf.  Highway 18 is scheduled to reopen by September 29th weather permitting. The closure is needed as crews replace the Highway 18 Bridge spanning Seastade Creek.

--Republican lawmakers rejected a new union contract for more than 27,000 Minnesota state employees last Thursday. The Subcommittee of Employee Relations voted 6-4 along party lines to disapprove the contracts for the two largest state worker unions. Republicans felt a 2% across the board raise would increase costs by 59-million dollars which the current state budget can’t hold and would become dependents for insurance premiums paid out to displaced workers of the state unions. Lawmakers stated they have been generous with its employees and need to operate more like a private business.

--Authorities in Swift County are investigating the deaths of man and a woman at their home north of Benson. The sheriff’s office said the two were found by family members Wednesday evening. The only information is that he was 53 and she was 45 and an investigation is ongoing. No other details were released in the deaths.

--The Brainerd fire department extinguished a recreational fire that had gotten out of hand last Wednesday morning on Mill Avenue. Also Wednesday morning Garrison firefighters battled a vehicle fire 4 miles of Garrison on County Road 10. No injuries. Vehicle was a total lost.

--An 8-year-old boy is hospitalized at Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis after he was hit in the head by a ricocheting bullet. Meeker County Sheriff Jeff Norlin says his department received a 911 call Thursday afternoon about the injury at a residence near Dassel. The caller said the boy had been accidentally hit when a sibling was firing a handgun. The bullet hit the ground then struck the boy.

--Due to Labor Day yesterday, the Little Falls City Council will hold their regular City Council meeting tonight 7:30pm at City Hall.

--Get Donna Hilmerson’s recipes at www.fallsradio.com.

--Police say one person is dead after a standoff at a hotel in Woodbury. Officers were called around 1am to the Red Roof Inn. Police say while officers were investigating, someone fired a gunshot and three officers returned fire. One person was taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul and later died. That person has not been identified. The three officers who fired their weapons will be placed on administrative leave. Woodbury police say the Washington County SWAT Team took a suspect into custody about 5:00am. One SWAT officer was treated for a minor injury during the incident. The entire incident remains under investigation by the BCA.

--The Minnesota State Patrol announces that this year’s statewide Maroon Day will be on Wednesday, September 5th.  All sworn personnel shall set aside all other business and duties to work road patrol on that date.  Regional Public Information Officer, Sgt. Curt Mowers says that, “The date is selected to coincide with the annual return to school for students. Traffic crashes remain the number one killer of our youth. Impaired driving, speed, lack of seat belt use and aggressive driving remain the top contributing factors of traffic crashes and injury outcome”. The agency focus on maroon Day will be to visibly target those violations and pay particular attention to traffic going to and from school and school-related events.

--Cyclists may encounter delays as short segments of the Paul Bunyan Trail in Nisswa are intermittently closed during daytime hours Wednesday and Thursday, September 5-6. Trail users may have to wait approximately 30 minutes as crews resurface 100-200 foot segments of the trail. Other segments of the trail through Nisswa may be rough as work is completed, and bicyclists may have to walk or carry their bicycles for short distances.

DEATH NOTICE
--Clarence H. Brausen, age 95 of Pierz.

WEATHER
TODAY= chance of morning storms, then sunny, high near 85.  
TONIGHT= showers and storms likely mainly after dark, low 54. 
WEDNESDAY= a shower or storm early, then sunny, windy, high 72. 
THURSDAY= mostly sunny, high 75, showers develop at night.

SPORTS
TWINS= Twins rained out with Royals Friday and played 2 Saturday winning both 3-1 and 8-7 over KC. In the 2nd game Chris Parmalee had a 3 run homer and Joe Mauer belted a grand slam for the Twins. Parmalee homered again Sunday but KC battled back with an 8th inning rally to beat the Twins 6-4. White Sox win 4-2 over Twins on Monday. The Twins (55-80) continue series in Chicago tonight 6:40pm pregame on Q92 WYRQ. 
CLASS C= Avon won with a no hitter Saturday, Lastrup won on a 1 hitter and Sobieski on a 3 hitter Saturday to advance to the final 8 teams in action Sunday in St. Cloud. Fairmount eliminated Avon Sunday 3-1. Fergus Falls eliminated Lastrup 3-1 and Maple Lake eliminated Sobieski also by the score of 3-1 ending all the Region 8C teams in the state tournament in St. Cloud but it was a great run. 
COL FB= Gophers vs. New Hampshire Saturday 10am on KLTF.
HS SPORTS= get scores from last week’s high school games including week 1 football scores from the area at www.fallsradio.com.

West Side Bar has lunches, happy hour specials and so much more.