Friday, October 31, 2025

A Halloween Safety Message from Morrison County Shawn Larsen. As Halloween approaches, we want everyone—trick-or-treaters and the public—to have a fun and safe evening. A few simple precautions can make a big difference in creating a safer environment for our kids and communities. Here are some safety tips for parents and guardians to help ensure a safe Halloween: Make sure costumes are visible. If you need to-add reflective tape, glow sticks, or flashlights so children can be easily seen. Stay in familiar areas. Trick-or-treat only at homes and in neighborhoods you know. Inspect candy before eating. Check all candy and snacks before allowing children to enjoy them. Remind kids to stay alert. Talk to children about being careful around traffic and not running into the street. Use sidewalks. If you’re in town, stay on sidewalks and avoid cutting through yards. Cross safely. Use crosswalks where available and always look both ways before crossing streets. Dress for the weather. Make sure costumes are appropriate for current weather conditions to stay warm and comfortable. Our hope is that everyone enjoys this Halloween while making lasting, positive memories. Stay safe and have fun from Sheriff Shawn Larsen. 

On Wednesday night at 9:40pm, the Little Falls Fire Department was dispatched to 12802 Haven Road in Little Falls Township on a report of a camper on fire. A Morrison County Deputy arrived first and reported that the camper was fully involved with fire. Firefighters were able to contain the fire before it spread to a nearby camper. The camper that burned was a total loss and there was heat damage to the camper nearby. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Then Thursday morning at 9:10am the Little Falls Fire Department was dispatched to 13147 Hillview Lane in Little Falls Township on a report of a boat on fire. The caller said the boat was close to the garage. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire, but the boat was a total loss. The cause of the fire is under investigation. 

The St. Cloud Police Department is asking for the public’s help to find missing 15-year-old identical twin brothers. Yermi Rodrigo Norberto and Dani Alferdo Norberto were last seen on September 27th, leaving a home in the 1000 block of Washington Memorial Drive on foot. Authorities believe they may have returned to Marshall, Minnesota, where they previously lived. Both teens are fluent in Spanish. Yermi is described as 5’5″, 140 pounds with black hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a gray hoodie, black shorts, red tennis shoes, and midnight blue rimmed glasses. His brother Dani has the same physical characteristics and was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt, black shorts, and black rimmed glasses. Anyone with any information regarding the whereabouts of the boys is asked to contact St. Cloud police at 320-251-1200, or Tri-County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-255-1301. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

Waite Park Police are reporting a burglary complaint on the 200 block of 9th Avenue North.  Alicia Mages from Tri-County Crime Stoppers says an unoccupied home was entered, tools were missing and the door was left open. Crime Stoppers is looking for anyone in the area that my have camera footage that could be helpful for Police in their investigation. Also the Sartell Police Department are reporting a scam attempt.  Mages says a resident was checking their credit report and noticed an inquiry for a credit card that they hadn't done. She says the resident called the credit card company and learned the request originated in Ohio. The card was not opened and the process did not go through. Remember to be aware of any items that could be scams.

St. Cloud State University has narrowed down its search to four finalists for the university’s next president. Matt Cecil, Lisa Foss, Rodney Hanley, and Gregory Tomso will be competing to become the 26th leader of the 156-year-old campus. A search advisory committee made up of students, faculty, staff, and community leaders recommended the four candidates. Each will visit campus between November 5th and 7th to meet with students, faculty, staff, and community members and answer questions. Minnesota State Chancellor Scott Olson will make his recommendation to the board of trustees on November 19th. The new president is expected to start on January 1st, 2026, taking over from interim president Larry Dietz, who stepped in after Robbyn Wacker left in June 2024. Dietz is leaving to take care of family health issues. Wacker’s departure came during a tough period for the university. Declining enrollment and budget problems led to the elimination of 42 degree programs and 50 minors, which resulted in the loss of 54 full-time faculty members and support staff. About 8% of students were affected by the cuts.

Marjorie Johnson, renowned throughout Minnesota for her award-winning baked goods at the Minnesota State Fair, has died at 106, according to her family. Johnson and her sweet treats have been staples at the fair for more than half a century. Born in Minneapolis in 1919, the woman warmly known as the "Blue Ribbon Baker" didn't enter baking contests until her 50s, but once she did, she never stopped. Over the decades, she collected more than 3,000 ribbons at county and state fairs, earning national fame and appearances on many TV talk shows and across the Twin Cities Talk Show scene.