Friday, May 2, 2025
A Broadcasting Note: the Little Falls at Pierz Baseball has been moved back to 5pm start today due to the musical tonight in Little Falls. Again the game is at 5pm today on AM960 KLTF Little Falls.
The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office reports that Wednesday night at 10:10pm their office received a report of a rollover crash on 233rd Street just west of 275th Avenue in Platte Township. According to the Sheriff’s Office, 23-year-old Tajia Boxwell of Pierz, MN was driving westbound on 233rd Street when she reached for something in the back seat, hit the shoulder, got sucked into the ditch and rolled. Taija left the scene prior to deputies arrival and was taken by private vehicle to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Brainerd with unknown injuries.
A Brooten man died late Tuesday afternoon after he was pinned under a corn planter. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office says they were called to the farm in North Fork Township around 5:45. Investigators say 46-year-old Eric Segaar was one of two men fixing a John Deere DB66 planter when its hydraulic system failed, causing the planter to unexpectedly drop, pinning Segaar. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The Brooten Fire Department, ambulance, and Life Link Helicopter assisted the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office.
A St. Cloud man has admitted to accidentally smothering his seven-month-old son while drunk nearly four years ago. According to the criminal complaint, just before 3:30 a.m. on September 22nd, 2021, officers were called to a home on the 1700 block of Roosevelt Road for a child who was not breathing. Investigators spoke to the father, Joshua Cox, who cared for the child. He said he went to bed with the baby and another one of his kids about 11:30pm. His wife was at work and said she spoke to her husband around 10:00 that night and could tell he was drunk. She came home several hours later and found her son face down on the bed with Cox’s head on the baby’s back. Prosecutors say a blood sample taken from Cox about five hours later showed a blood alcohol concentration of .128. Cox said he had three or four shots of Fireball whisky after his wife went to work. Cox admitted he had a drinking problem but believed it was under control. Officers say during the investigation, several bottles of Fireball and other forms of alcohol were found all over the house. The Medical Examiner determined the child died of positional asphyxia due to unsafe sleeping conditions and ruled out any other possible cause of death. While court documents say the death was unintentional, Cox was the parent and sole caregiver responsible for the health and safety of the baby, and prosecutors say he directly contributed to the unsafe sleeping environment. Cox was charged with two counts of second-degree manslaughter. The 37-year-old struck a deal to plead guilty to one count and have the other dismissed. The agreement calls for a stay of imposition for five years, meaning he won’t go to prison unless he violates the terms of his five-year probation period. He would also pay a $50 fine and continue any recommendations for drug counseling and treatment. Cox’s lawyer will argue for a downward departure, requesting that the conviction be recorded as a gross misdemeanor instead of a felony. The attorney will also ask the judge to stay a one-year jail sentence, meaning he would only face jail time if he violates probation. The defense is also asking for only two years of supervised release. Sentencing will take place on July 2nd.
Metro State University's St. Paul location went on lockdown Thursday after police said shots were fired near campus. According to the St. Paul Police Department, the suspect is in custody after they allegedly fired a gun at their mother. Police say the shots were fired near the intersection of 6th Street East and Maria Avenue around 12:30pm. Officials said no injuries were reported. The suspect fled the scene after opening fire, and Metro State initiated a lockdown while police searched for the suspect. Police confirm that the lockdown has been lifted. An email alert sent to Metro State faculty and staff called the situation an "active violence" threat and instructed people to run to safety, hide if the assailant is near them and fight if there is an imminent threat.
Little Falls Police in their recent report shows an uptick in thefts in the city of Little Falls and gas drive offs. There are reminding those to lock vehicles when left unattended and if you notice suspicious activity of any kind don't hesitate to call police at 320-616-5570 or the Sheriff's Office at 320-632-9233.
There are more clean up days and events this Saturday around the county. The City of Randall will have their clean up day on Saturday, residents can bring items to the lot across from the fire hall. Little Falls Township has a clean up day Saturday from 8-11:30am at the Little Falls Town Hall and Community Center. The Townships of Elmdale, Swanville, Swan River and Two Rivers will have a clean up day Saturday from 7am-11am at the Elmdale Township Town Hall. The City of Sobieski will host a clean up event on Saturday from 9am-11am for more information on that event call Joyce at 320-630-7481. For more information on clean up events in the area contact your local township official or Morrison County Solid Waste.
A reminder there will be a mock car crash by the Upsala High School this morning to show the dangers and after effects of a fatal car crash leading into prom weekend in Upsala. First responders, firefighters and law enforcement vehicles will be at the school today for the Mock Car Crash event.
Weekend events include the Little Falls High School Musical tonight at 7pm and Saturday at 3pm, Prom in Royalton, Upsala and other schools Saturday. Greater Minnesota 2 Cylinder Club Field Days today at noon, Saturday and Sunday open at 7:30am at the Morrison County Fairgrounds, Faith Lutheran Church has a bake and garage sale 8am-2pm on Saturday in Little Falls, St. John's Boy Choir to perform at the St. Francis Convent in Little Falls Saturday at 7pm for free will donation. Sunday Music in the Park event with the Pierz band at the Pierz Golf Course pavilion at 2pm donations go to the band program. Details on events can be found for the weekend at fallsradio.com click on the community calendar.
Death Notices- Lois Plante, born in 1946 from Fort Ripley.
Weather- today cloudy skies in the morning, then sunny in afternoon and breezy, high 55, tonight clear and cool, low around 30 could be patchy frost toward morning. Saturday possible morning frost, then sunny and warmer, high 67, low around 42. Sunday sunny and warmer, high around 73, low around 51. Monday sunny and mild again high 73, chance of rain after midnight Monday night, low around 46.
Sports- Twins have another long rain delay on Thursday before losing in another walk-off 4-3 in 10 innings to the Guardians in Cleveland losing 3 of 4 while there. The Twins open a series today at Boston against Red Sox, pregame at 5:30pm, Saturday the pregame at 2:30pm and Sunday Inside Twins at 11:30am live on Q92 WYRQ. Las Vegas beat the Wild 3-2 last night ending the Wild season as the Golden Knights advance winning 4 games to 2 over Minnesota in the NHL playoffs into the next round. Houston and Golden State in the NBA play tonight in game 6 with Warriors leading 3-2, the winner of that series will have the Timberwolves next week in the second round of the playoffs. Tomorrow Saturday Sports Wrap at 9:05am and Minnesota Sports Saturday at 1pm on KLTF and Victory League Randall at Upsala Sunday at 1:30pm also on KLTF.