Monday, February 9, 2026
A St. Cloud man was charged in Morrison County District Court after a confrontation outside a Little Falls residence left another man with serious stab wounds earlier this past week. Lucas Anthony Johnson, 27, is charged with second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon stemming from an incident reported shortly after midnight February 2nd in the 400 block of Fourth Street Southwest. Little Falls police were dispatched to the scene following a report of a stabbing but learned the victim had already been taken to the hospital. Due to the severity of his injuries, the victim was later transferred to another medical facility for a higher level of care. According to the criminal complaint, the victim told officers he and his girlfriend had gone to the residence to retrieve personal items when he saw a woman exit the home with visible facial injuries and blood on her face. Johnson then came outside, and the victim said he approached him to ask what had happened. The encounter escalated, and the victim told police Johnson attacked him. After the victim pushed Johnson away, Johnson returned and stabbed him twice, once in the stomach and once in the rib cage area with a knife. Johnson fled the scene before officers arrived but was later located and arrested. Johnson is charged with second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, a felony punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $14,000 fine.
Crow Wing County Sheriff Eric Klang reports that deputies responded on February 6, 2026, to a residence near the Mille Lacs/Crow Wing County line, south of Garrison, Minnesota, regarding an assault. As a result of the incident, a 20-year-old male was located during a traffic stop in Mille Lacs County and was airlifted to a medical facility. His condition is unknown at this time. A search warrant was executed at a residence located on Edgewater Circle in Crow Wing County as part of the ongoing investigation. Two juveniles were arrested in connection with the incident. In addition, a 19-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of First-Degree Assault. The investigation remains active. The Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office is being assisted by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Tribal Police Department. No further information is available at this time.
One person is dead, and another is in critical condition after an incident in St. Cloud Saturday night. The St. Cloud Police Department says they were called at 8:20 p.m. for a medical emergency in the 3100 block of 40th Avenue South. Upon arriving at the scene, officers found a 22-year-old female resident of St. Cloud dead from multiple wounds. Officers also found a 23-year-old male resident of St. Cloud suffering from life-threatening injuries. The male was taken to the St. Cloud Hospital, and his condition is unknown at this time. The police say both people knew each other, and there is no threat to the public. The names of the two people involved have not been released pending notification of their families. The investigation is active, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is assisting with processing the crime scene.
A Watkins man was hurt when he crashed his SUV in Rockville on Wednesday afternoon. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office says the incident happened in the 7000 block of County Road 141 just before 2pm. The sheriff's office says 65-year-old Douglas Matteson was driving on County Road 141 about one mile southwest of Luxemburg when he went off the side of the road, hit a driveway approach, and launched approximately 100 feet before crashing into the ground and a tree. Matteson was taken to the hospital with what authorities believe were non-life-threatening injuries.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources could soon set daily catch limits and new protections for native rough fish across the state. The proposed regulations would apply to bowfin, buffalo, carpsucker, freshwater drum, goldeye, mooneye, quillback, redhorses and suckers. Currently, most of these species have no harvest limits. Sucker and redhorse have unlimited limits for angling and a 50-fish limit for other methods. Under the proposed rules, bowfin would have a daily and possession limit of six fish. Buffalo species would be limited to five in a northern zone and 30 in a southern zone. Suckers, redhorses, carpsuckers and quillback would each have aggregate limits of 30 fish. Freshwater drum, mooneye and goldeye would also be limited to 30 fish in aggregate. Some species would also have minimum size requirements to allow for minnow harvest. The initiative builds on legislation passed in 2024 that elevated the status of these fish by redefining them as “native rough fish” rather than simply “rough fish,” distinguishing them from common carp. If approved by the DNR, the new rules start March 1, 2027.
Two Aitkin County residents have been charged with felonies for theft by swindle and counterfeiting in a case involving high-value trades online for what was thought to be gold and platinum bullion bars. 46-year-old Aron Lee Melton of McGrath, Minnesota and 45-year-old Kristi Ann Fox, also of McGrath, were charged in Aitkin County Court today. According to the criminal complaint in the case, the two traded numerous counterfeit gold and platinum bullion bars in exchange for, among other items, shipping containers, heavy machinery, an ATV, and cash for a total value of around $87,000. In addition, Melton faces two other felony charges for being a felon in possession of firearms. Bail or bond for Melton was set at $100,000 with on conditions or $30,000 with conditions. His next court appearance is scheduled for February 18. Bail or bond for Fox was set at $50,000 with no conditions or $10,000 with conditions, Her next court appearance is scheduled for March 3rd.
The Little Falls School Board meets Monday at 5pm at the District Office and the Pierz City Council meets Monday night at 7pm at Pierz City Hall.
Death Notices: Juleen Marie (Harren) Scegura, age 69 of Holdingford. Tyler K. Funk, age 29 of Foley. Ronald James Czech, age 75 of Little Falls.
Weather: mostly cloudy skies, rain possible in afternoon, high near 40. Rain early evening then clearing late low around 24. Tuesday sunny and breezy, high near 30, low around 10 above. Wednesday sunny and not as breezy, high near 30, low around 18. Thursday, snow early then rain and sleet before noon, high near 40 low around 28. Friday partly sunny high near 40, low around 20.
Sports: Lindsey Vonn crashed after her downhill race started Sunday and after laying motionless for a time, she was airlifted away to a medical facility. The Minnesota native, reportedly is doing OK had surgery on a broken leg, and in stable condition but it will be process for her recovery. This ends her run for the 41 year old at the Winter Olympics. Her teammate Breezy Johnson won the downhill event to get the USA their first Gold Medal at the Olympics in Italy. The U.S. Team Figure Skating got the 2nd gold medal yesterday. The Super Bowl last night was Seattle beating New England 29-13. Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III rushed for 135 yards and was Super Bowl MVP. On Saturday Flyer Hockey team won 7-4 over Morris/Benson, Pierz girls basketball won both Friday on Saturday on the road. Pierz beat Royalton-Upsala 67-5 on Friday in wrestling for boys, the girls competed in sections this weekend, Myah Held of Pierz 2nd place and advances to state tournament. Section wrestling for the boys is Saturday, hear Little Falls and Pierz matches live on AM960 KLTF. Boys basketball tonight Pierz at Upsala at 7pm on 94ROCKS and at fallsradio.com.