Friday, April 11, 2025
The Stearns County Sheriff’s Department recommends that high school students end a long-running game called “Senior Assassin.” The game takes place in the months before graduation, as students attempt to be the last senior standing. The sheriff’s department describes it as ” hide-and-seek” with either water guns or Nerf guns. The game itself isn’t illegal, but it does generate false alarms for law enforcement. The sheriff’s office says they routinely will get a suspicious persons call that turns out to be students playing “Senior Assassin.” They hope that teens will stop the game altogether, but if they decide to continue, officials ask that they be smart about it. Don’t trespass onto property while playing, and avoid hiding in dark places with a toy gun that someone might mistake for a real firearm. Other suggestions include avoiding wearing dark clothing, camouflage, or masks and not running from local police or sheriff’s deputies if they are called out to check on you. If there is no illegal behavior going on, a simple explanation to law enforcement will keep a player from being in trouble. The officer will then relay the information to the people who called it in. The last recommendation is for residents. If a person notices something they believe looks suspicious, do not confront anyone on your own. Call it in to law enforcement and let them take care of the matter.
A Crow Wing County Sheriff's patrol vehicle collided with a motorcycle Thursday, April 10, on County Highway 45, sending the motorcyclist to the hospital. The Minnesota State Patrol reported Dakota William Beehner, 18, of Brainerd, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Essentia Health-St. Joseph's Medical Center. The crash was reported at 7:14pm south of Brainerd in Crow Wing Township. The State Patrol's incident report stated Beehner was driving a 2024 Suzuki motorcycle south on County Highway 45. The State Patrol reported the driver of the 2020 Ford Explorer, Aidan J. Bartels, 25, Baxter, was also southbound on the highway and made a U-turn near Cook Road. The motorcycle t-boned the sheriff's department's Explorer while it was making the U-turn. Bartels was not injured. Bartels was with the city of St. James Police Department before he resigned in 2023 and joined the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office, according to the city council minutes from June 6, 2023. The State Patrol reported Beehner was wearing a helmet and Bartels was using a seat belt. Roads were dry at the time of the crash.
The Sherburne County Sheriff's Office is investigating a crash involving a wrong-way driver and a Minnesota State Trooper. Sherburne County dispatchers began receiving calls about a wrong-way driver on Highway 10 in Clear Lake Township just after 9pm Wednesday. The suspect's vehicle collided with another vehicle near 70th Street SE. A responding trooper then collided with one or both vehicles. Five people were hurt in the crash, including a juvenile who suffered severe injuries. All five were taken to area hospitals. No names have been released at this time, but the sheriff's office says more information will be released as the investigation continues.
The closure of St. Mary Help of Christians School in St. Augusta may be reconsidered. According to a letter from Catholic Community Schools President David Fremo, multiple factors led to the parish’s decision to close, including “enrollment declines, rising operational costs, declining enrollment, and a financial outlook that has become increasingly unsustainable.” The letter also praises the commitment of the families, teachers and parishioners, but adds that “the financial realities made it clear that short and long term resources needed to continue operating the school are unattainable.” Parents we spoke with said following lengthy discussions and meetings, there is a 14-day window to submit a long-term action plan to keep the school going. There is a gathering on Friday (today) at 5:30 p.m. at SMHOC to get the ball rolling on a long-term action plan to keep the school open. Childcare will be provided. Any parent, parish member, community member, or other interested party is asked to come, show support, and work together toward finding a solution to keep the school open. Online records say there are around 120 preschool through fifth-grade students however, Fremo stated it is likely that the number is closer to 70.
Nisswa's first-ever city administrator is moving on after nearly eight years in the position. Jenny Max submitted a resignation letter dated March 25, saying she accepted the city administrator position for the city of Champlin, a northern suburb of Minneapolis in Hennepin County. The Nisswa City Council will meet Wednesday, April 16, to accept Max's resignation and to discuss filling the position. Max will resign effective May 23. While she'll take time off before then, she said in her letter she is more than willing to assist with the transition in any way. The City Council will have to vote on how to fill the vacancy at city administrator.
After the Minnesota State Auditor Julie Blaha and former U.S. Senator Al Franken announced they are endorsing Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan as for the DFL Senate in the U.S. Senate next year as Senator Tina Smith is not seeking reelection. U.S. House Representative Ilhan Omar won't be entering the mix for Senate. Instead Omar will run for reelection in your District 5 House Seat.
There is a very busy weekend of events including Journey with Jesus to Calvary tonight and tomorrow night at 7:30pm and Sunday at 1pm at St. Francis of Assisi Church south of Upsala, a large fish and smelt fry tonight at 4pm at St. Mary's in Upsala. A neon light Easter egg hunt with games, food an fun tonight for a free will donation from 6:30-8pm at Faith Lutheran Church in Little Falls. Bunny Bingo is Saturday starting at 10am at the Falls Ballroom, bingo is 25-cents a card to play with many more items to for the kids to enjoy with proceeds going to Morrison County United Way. Helping Hands 365 has another Saturday of donations of prom dresses for young ladies who need a dress for prom with other items for them too, the distribution is at the back of Trinity Chapel on the West Side of Little Falls, watch for the large sign by the church, Jason Schommer and Michael Shynes with a comedy/music show Saturday at 7:30pm at Great River Arts in Little Falls. Breakfast put on by the Buckman Area Lions at the Buckman Parish Hall Sunday morning, Chicken dinner with all the fixing for a free will offering at St. Stanislaus of Sobieski basement put on by the Rosary Sodality 10:30am-1pm for all to enjoy, ham bingo at Holy Family Catholic Church of Belle Prairie at 1:30pm on Sunday with many door prizes. The Morrison County Area Foundation is holding an Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday from 1-3pm on the grounds at Linden Hill in Little Falls, bunny photos, a petting zoo and they as the hunters to be 5th grade or younger. Details on events for the weekend can be found at fallsradio.com.
Weather- Fog Advisory this morning, Friday fog and freezing fog early then sunny skies, high 58, tonight partly cloudy low near 40. Saturday partly sunny and breezy, high 66, cloudy night, low of 44. Sunday AM Showers, then cloudy and breezy, with PM thunderstorms possible, high 65, cloudy with rain Sunday night, low around 38. Monday showers likely with gusty winds, high near 42, rain could mix with a few wet snow flakes late Monday then clearing, low near 26. Tuesday sunny skies, calmer winds high 52.
Sports- Kansas City beats the Twins 3-2 yesterday to win the series in KC. The Twins (4-9) open a series tonight with Detroit at Target Field, pregame tonight at 6:30pm, Saturday the pregame is at 12:30pm and Sunday Inside Twins starts at noon all live on Q92 WYRQ. Anthony Edwards 44 points, Julius Randle 31to lead 6 players in double figures in a 141-125 win last night over Memphis for the Timberwolves. Little Falls held off Pierz 3-1 yesterday in baseball. Tune in for a recap of the week in high school sports tomorrow morning at 9:05am with the Saturday Morning Sports Wrap on AM960 KLTF and fallsradio.com.