News

The Swanville School District is invited all to their groundbreaking ceremony today at 1:30pm. All are invited to come and celebrate the start of the renovations in the works for the school from the passing of the 2025 school bond referendum. Cookies and drinks will be provided at the event on Thursday in Swanville. 

Deere & Company announced it has reached a $99 million settlement agreement to resolve the multidistrict “right to repair” litigation. The settlement addresses the issues raised in the 2022 complaint and “brings this case to an end with no finding of wrongdoing,” according to an announcement on the company website. John Deere was accused of monopolizing repair services, conspiring with dealers and forcing farmers to use corporate services to fix machines and equipment that they could have fixed themselves or used an independent alternative. This was not Deere’s first attempt to address concerns about repair access. In 2023, a Memorandum of Understanding was filed with the American Farm Bureau Federation, saying the company would allow access to software and tools in exchange for the bureau not pursuing legislation. Deere & Company was still facing federal pressure and a lawsuit accusing it of a monopoly on repair services. The company did provide tools, but according to its website, continued to ban customers from modifying software related to emissions, engine performance and safety, citing “risks related to the safe operation of equipment, emissions compliance, engine performance, data security, warranty validation, and resale value.” Minnesota was one of several states to sue the company, calling out what it called John Deere’s “unfair practices that have driven up equipment repair costs for farmers while also depriving farmers of the ability to make timely repairs on critical farming equipment, including tractors.” “As we continue to innovate industry-leading equipment and technology solutions supported by our world-class dealer network, we are equally committed to providing customers and other service providers with access to repair resources,” said Denver Caldwell, vice president of Aftermarket and Customer Support. “We’re pleased that this resolution allows us to move forward and remain focused on what matters most — serving our customers.” As part of the settlement, Deere will deposit funds into a class settlement fund to be distributed to class members and used to cover administrative and legal fees. The company says it will also continue to support customers and other service providers with access to repair resources, including tools, manuals, and diagnostic software. Caldwell added that the settlement “reaffirms Deere’s commitment to customer choice of how they want their equipment supported and access to the tools that enable it.” The settlement remains subject to approval by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Central Minnesota may still be shaking off the last of winter’s snow, but the Department of Natural Resources warns wildfire season is already here. Karen Harrison, a fire prevention specialist with the Minnesota DNR’s Forestry Division, said spring is consistently the most dangerous time of year for wildfires. “About 75% of all wildfires in Minnesota happen in April and May. And that’s because after the snow melts, there’s a lot of vegetation on the ground that’s either dry or dead. And that is what we would call available fuel for a wildfire to start and spread.” Parts of central Minnesota saw multiple rounds of snow last week, and many yards remain wet as frost leaves the ground. The leading cause of wildfires is escaped burn piles, when fires in leaves, grasses and brush get away from the person tending them. Harrison noted that fuel for wandering embers is everywhere. “Anything that’s kind of dry, available, sticking out can catch fire. And I would say even, because we’re having some sunny days right now, even though it’s chillier out, that sun this time of year is going to melt the snow and dry out that wetness pretty quickly.” Spring burning restrictions are now in effect in parts of Minnesota, including Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, Morrison and Wright counties.
Harrison urged residents to check the DNR’s burn restriction map before any outdoor burning. Even when debris burning is allowed, she said people should check the day’s fire danger rating before lighting a campfire or fire pit. On very high or extreme fire danger days, she recommended skipping outdoor fires altogether. Fire danger will remain until there is significant rain or the plants and grasses turn green. She said anyone who spots a suspected wildfire should move to a safe location and call 911 rather than attempting to address it themselves. 

A man accused of killing his mother in a brutal 2020 attack in their Big Lake home has been found guilty of 1st-degree premeditated murder. A Sherburne County judge has also found 26-year-old Eric Jordahl guilty on two counts of 2nd-degree murder in the killing of Rosalie Johnson. Jordahl has undergone several mental competency examinations since the killing. In May 2024, a judge determined Jordahl was competent to face the charges. Jordahl's defense attorney then gave notice of a mental illness defense in August 2024. As a result, the judge ruled Jordahl's trial must be completed in two distinct stages called a bifurcated trial. First, Jordahl's not guilty defense had to be heard. After waiving a right to a jury trial, Jordahl agreed to have his case heard by the court based solely on the stipulated evidence. The judge found Jordahl guilty after considering arguments from both sides. Now, a defense of mental illness or cognitive impairment will be considered in a one-day court trial on Monday. In the judge's findings of fact, Jordahl beat his mother, stabbed her several times, then began to cut up and cannibalize Johnson while she was still alive. A medical examiner determined Johnson had extensive blunt force trauma to her head, trunk, and hands. She died as a result of multiple sharp and blunt force injuries to her head, neck, and torso.

A Sauk Centre woman is facing criminal charges following the death of an infant at an unlicensed, in-home daycare last fall. Court records show 53-year-old Janel Dierkhising has been charged with two counts of second-degree manslaughter and operating a childcare program without a license after a three-month-old baby died in her care in November. Stearns County deputies were called to the home after reports that the infant was not breathing. Investigators say Dierkhising was attempting C-P-R when they arrived. According to the complaint, the baby had been placed in a pack-and-play with a pillow and blanket. Authorities say the child was found on his side with his face covered. An autopsy determined the cause of death was suffocation due to an unsafe sleep environment.

A woman from Florida was injured Wednesday morning at 7:19 when she was struck walking in a parking lot at the Kwik Trip in Milaca. 65 year old Deanne Ballentine of Dade County, Florida was walking west on 1st Street and was struck by a turning vehicle by a 50-year-old from Milaca going into the parking lot of Kwik Trip. Ballentine was taken to the Princeton Hospital for treatment of non life threatening injuries. The driver of the vehicle was reportedly not injured.  

The Little Falls Jazz Band night is coming up Monday at 7pm at the Charles D. Martin Auditorium at the high school. Also the school stated that if you still want to sign up for Day of Caring this year on May 6th the deadline for registrations for houses is Friday. If you want to volunteer call the school 616-2200 and that sign up for volunteers for groups, organizations and individuals is April 17th. 

Death Notices: Sandra "Sandy" Villnow, age 68 of Hillman. 

Weather: partly sunny skies today high 43, chance of rain or snow showers after 5pm then that chance of rain or snow in the evening, before skies clear low 25. Friday sunny and warmer, high 54, clear Friday night low 32. Saturday sunny start, PM showers develop afternoon, high 54, showers and thunderstorms after dark Saturday night, temps steady around 50 rising toward Sunday morning. Showers and T-storms early Sunday, then warm and humid, high 77, storms redevelop Sunday afternoon and evening, some storms late Sunday could be strong then clearing late, low 48. Monday partly sunny, high 65 rain again develops late Monday could change to wet snow Monday night, low near 30. Tuesday and Wednesday next week chances of rain during the day, snow showers at night, highs in the 40s lows in the 20s.  

Sports: Byron Buxton and Royce Lewis have a big game as Twins hold on to win 8-6 over the Tigers last night. Twins try to sweep the 4 game series with Detroit today at 12:40pm then Twins are in Toronto Friday night. Orlando beat the Timberwolves last night 132-120, the Wolves (47-33) have 2 games left in the regular season on Friday and Sunday. Wild have a big game with Dallas tonight to decide who is home and away for opening round of NHL Playoffs. Yesterday in high school sports, Pierz softball beat Milaca 12-1, Albany beat Little Falls 5-3 in softball. Cathedral beat Pierz in baseball 10-6. Plenty of games on the schedule today listen to sports on Little Falls Radio for details. 

The Morrison County Government Center is sending out this information about another scam floating in teh area: Minnesota DVS is warning residents about fake emails and text messages pretending to...

The Morrison County Sheriff's Office Emergency Management wants to remind everyone that Severe Weather Awareness Week is next week April 13th through 17th. On Thursday, April 16th will be Statewide...

While Little Falls had around 1-3 inches of snow Friday into Saturday some parts of the state are digging out of 12-16 inches of snow in northwestern Minnesota with areas...

A Winter Storm Warning has been issued from 4pm today to 10pm Saturday night. A mixed precipitation event will unfold across Minnesota into Wisconsin with rain, freezing rain and all...