Tuesday, October 6, 2026
The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office reports that on 10-2-2026 at approximately 5:49pm, their office received a report of an ATV accident at a residence off Hawthorne Road, approximately three miles east of Little Falls in Belle Prairie Township. According to the Sheriff's Office, 29-year-old Zachary Tomsche of Albany was operating an ATV with passenger 26-year-old Logan Gerads of Rice, MN. The ATV hit a bump, causing Gerards to be thrown from the machine. Gerards struck his head on a steel pole located in the yard. Gerads was transported to St. Gabriel’s Hospital by Mayo Clinic Ambulance with unknown injuries. The accident remains under investigation. Alcohol is believed to have been a factor.
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a traffic collision that resulted in the death of a man on October 4th, 2026. On October 4th, 2026 at about 2:40 pm, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office received the report of a crash between a passenger car and a motorcycle at the intersection of 35th Ave SE and 2nd St SE in Minden Township. Deputies responded to the scene and found the driver of a 2022 BMW motorcycle had suffered life threatening injuries as a result of the crash. Deputies and other first responders began providing life saving measures to the motorcycle driver, identified as Mark Skanes Cady, age 66 of Minneapolis. Despite these life saving efforts, Mark Cady died at the scene from his injuries. Deputies interviewed the driver of the other involved vehicle, a 2016 Honda Odessey. The driver of the Honda was identified as Ahmed Mohamud Haji Isse, age 46 of St. Cloud. Deputies learned that neither Ahmed Isse nor any of his 5 passengers were seriously injured in the crash. Deputies learned that prior to the crash, Mark Cady’s motorcycle was traveling southbound on 35th Ave SE while Ahmed Isse’s Honda was travelling westbound on 2nd St SE. Deputies noted that the traffic on 35th Ave SE has a stop sign at this intersection. Investigating deputies found evidence indicating the front of the Honda Odessey struck the BMW motorcycle
broadside in the intersection. Witness statements indicated Cady’s motorcycle failed to stop at the stop sign, and that Cady drove in front of the Honda Odessey just prior to the collision. The investigation into this crash remains on going.
The state trial for Vance Boelter, who was convicted in federal court earlier this year of murdering former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, has been postponed until May 2027 after a Hennepin County judge granted a defense request for more time. The trial had been scheduled next month but will now start at 9 a.m. on May 10, 2027, according to the judge's ruling Monday. Defense attorneys argued they could not adequately prepare for trial by November because of the scope of the discovery process. Boelter's public defenders told the court they could not both provide effective representation and meet the speedy trial timeline, saying they would not be ready. Boelter initially expressed reluctance to waive his right to a speedy trial. However, after discussion in court, he agreed. His attorneys said they did not want him forced to choose between his constitutional rights to a speedy trial and effective legal counsel. The hearing had also been expected to address a defense request for a change of venue and the status of a temporary gag order approved last week. The gag order followed public comments from surviving victims John Hoffman, Yvette Hoffman and Hope Hoffman.
A message from Little Falls Fire Chief Craig Seelen that this week is Fire Prevention Week. Seelen reminds those that checking smoke alarms and fire alarms is important as they do go bad, and should be replaced at least every 10 years. Batteries should be replaced at least twice a year or making sure that they working correctly. Have plan in place in case of fire and a fire or smoke detector should be placed in each story of the home. Questions can be directed to your local fire department.
Meeker County authorities are on the lookout for a Watertown man who evaded authorities twice on Sunday afternoon. A Meeker County Sheriff's deputy made a traffic stop in the 100 block of 3rd Street South in Dassel just after 4pm on Sunday. The driver, 52-year-old Steven Oachs, gave the deputy a false name and then fled on foot into a cornfield. The sheriff's office says Oachs came out of the cornfield and was picked up by a friend. A subsequent traffic stop led Oachs to again flee on foot into another cornfield. Deputies set up a perimeter with the help of the Wright County Sheriff's Office and Litchfield Police Department. A drone was deployed, and the Minnesota State Patrol helicopter was called in to assist. Oachs, who is wanted on multiple drug-related warrants, was not found. Anyone who may have information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Meeker County Sheriff's Office.
Royalton Schools held their coronation Sunday. The Homecoming King is Max Vannurden, Queen is Brianna Popp. The Homecoming game is Friday against Osakis at Royalton at 7pm.
Death Notices: Herman W. Peine, age 89 of Pierz.
Weather: today sunny skies, warm, high 78, clear tonight, low around 47. Wednesday mostly sunny skies, breezy, high near 70, partly cloudy Wednesday night low around 50. Thursday sunny skies, cooler temps, high 63, clouds increase Thursday night low near 47. Friday sunny skies, high 66, few showers Friday night low around 52. Saturday sunny and breezy, high 73, cloudy Saturday night low near 50. Sunday sunny skies, high 64, showers late day into Sunday night low around 53. Monday showers likely, high 68.
Sports: Atlanta beat New Orleans 45-24 on Monday Night Football, Saints have Vikings Sunday at noon. The NFL has suspended line judge Jeff Seeman for two games and referee Adrian Hill for one game as punishment for instances of unprofessional conduct toward a player. Seeman was caught on camera apparently cursing at Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride during Sunday's game against the New York Giants. After officials did not call a pass interference or illegal contact penalty on New York's Dru Phillips, who made contact with McBride before the ball arrived from Jacoby Brissett on a third-and-2 play. In Minnesota, Hill appeared to be yelling at Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson while pointing for him to move away from the area after Wilson collided with Hill on a play that had been whistled dead. The play occurred with five minutes, 30 seconds remaining in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Hill's crew had whistled the play dead because of a neutral zone infraction by Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner. Miami Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon continued blocking Wilson, causing Wilson to collide with Hill and knock him down. Wilson said he laughed off the incident with Hill. "That was funny, honestly," Wilson told reporters in the Vikings' locker room. "I ended up apologizing to him and explained the situation. He was cool about it. He understood what was going on. He just said he didn't want us fighting, me and [Gordon]. He said he was just trying to break us up." Monday's suspensions were issued by NFL Vice President of Officiating Ramon George. The Minnesota Wild return to action Tuesday night at Buffalo at 6pm. Next radio game is Saturday at 5pm vs. Florida on Q92 WYRQ and fallsradio.com. Fergus Falls beat Little Falls 5-2 in Tennis Sections Monday while Litchfield won in Tennis over Foley 6-1. A very busy Tuesday in high school sports, listen in for the schedules today on Little Falls Radio.