Wednesday, August 19, 2026
The Benton County Sheriff's Office reported at 4:16pm Monday they responded to a motor vehicle crash at the intersection of 160th Street NW and 5 Ave NW in Langola Twp. A Ram 2500 pickup driven by Corey Popp of Rice was southbound on 5 Ave NW attempting a left hand turn to go East on 160 street NW. At the same time a 2004 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Russell Hohmann was traveling northbound on 5 Ave NW and the two collided in the intersection. Russell Hohmann received life threatening injuries during the crash. Lifesaving efforts were performed but Hohmann was pronounced dead at the scene. Corey Popp was not injured. It is believed Popp did not see Hohmann coming due to the upward slope of the roadway. The crash is still under investigation with the help of the MN State patrol. Alcohol was not a factor in this incident. Benton County was assisted by MN State Patrol, Rice Fire Department, Mayo Ambulance and Royalton Police Department.
An Avon woman is dead after a motorcycle crash last Sunday evening. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office says that the Cold Spring-Richmond Police Department received a call at about 5:20pm about a motorcycle rider who was overdue. A family member told police that 52-year-old Kelli Jo Gauthier had been riding her motorcycle with friends but left the group to go home. The caller told police the group searched for Gauthier for about two hours before calling authorities. The Sheriff's Office says around 6pm a Cold Spring officer found Gauthier and her bike crashed in the ditch near the 25500 block of County Road 9 in Munson Township, about 1 to 2 miles north of Richmond. Paramedics attempted life-saving measures, but Gauthier was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene. The Sheriff's Office stated that the crash remains under investigation.
A reminder from Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office and area police, extra law enforcement will be working this weekend as large traffic flows are expected to be in place for the National car racing events at Brainerd International Raceway starting Thursday through Sunday.
Motorists on Highway 210 east of Brainerd should be prepared for the roundabouts that will open to traffic on Thursday, August 20th. This will start around Highway 25 and work east that has been worked on by Minnesota Department of Transportation crews since early spring.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed an executive order Tuesday banning nonferrous mineral mining activity in the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed, an area that feeds the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The order directs the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to stop all permitting and environmental review for nonferrous mining projects in the watershed until a pending lawsuit is resolved. It also blocks the DNR from issuing new leases or permits there, and requires the agency to review existing leases in the area. The state will decline to serve as a cooperating agency on any federal review of a mining project in the watershed, and the DNR will draft legislation aimed at permanently banning nonferrous mining there. Walz says the Boundary Waters holds deep statewide significance, calling it a resource he intends to protect for future generations. The order comes after Congress voted to overturn a 20-year federal ban on mining in the BWCAW, a decision that reopened the door to copper and nickel mining proposals. Eighth District Congressman Pete Stauber led that effort. Critics say those proposals put the region’s wilderness, water and nearly $1 billion outdoor recreation economy at risk.
A man has admitted to killing his ex-girlfriend and her boyfriend last fall in the tiny southern Minnesota town of Hanska. Randy Thomas Zimmerman, 46, pleaded guilty Monday in Brown County District Court to two counts of first-degree murder in the Nov. 2 shooting deaths of 32-year-old Tabitha Trescott and 50-year-old Justin Reinarts. Zimmerman is expected to be sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole on Oct. 5, when a judge will decide whether the pair of life sentences will be served at the same time. As part of a plea deal, the state has agreed to drop other charges, including second-degree murder, first-degree burglary and second-degree assault. Prosecutors argued that Zimmerman broke into Reinarts’ and Trescott’s home in Hanska with the intention of killing them. Trescott’s 13-year-old son called 911 around 4:20 a.m. to report that his mother’s ex-boyfriend, identified as Zimmerman, came into their house and shot her in the face. Both she and Reinarts were found dead from gunshot wounds to the head. Hours after the killings, Zimmerman was arrested in Iowa, then later extradited back to Minnesota. Hanska is a town of around 400 people located about 30 miles west of Mankato.
A message from the Morrison County Sheriff's Office "On Friday, September 11, we invite our entire community to come together in solemn remembrance and unity at our annual 9/11 Service. The ceremony will be held outside in the southwest parking lot of the Government Center, near the Law Enforcement Memorial, and will begin promptly at 8AM. This 15- to 20-minute service is a time to honor the lives lost on September 11, 2001, to show our respect for the victims and their families, and to recognize the courage and sacrifice of our first responders and military personnel, both then and now. This moment of reflection is meaningful not just for law enforcement, but for every citizen who values service, sacrifice, and community. Whether you come alone, with family, friends, or coworkers, your presence is a powerful way to say: We remember and we stand united. Everyone is welcome to attend".
There will be a Patriotic Rosary at St. Joseph's Church in Pierz on September 11th at 1pm. It is sponsored by the Hearts of Faith, a local women's group. The decades of the rosary will be led by the Hearts of Faith, the local Christian Women's group, American Legion and Auxiliary, Knights of Columbus and the students of Holy Trinity School. We will be praying the rosary for each state in our country and also government officials. All are welcome to join in and be part of the rosary September 11th at 1pm in Pierz.
Death Notices: Lynden H. Johnson, age 92 of Little Falls.
Weather: sunny skies today, high near 80, increasing clouds late tonight, rain showers after 4am tomorrow morning, low 53. Showers early Thursday then partly sunny, high 83, storms develop before 5pm some could have heavy rains through Thursday night ending before 10pm then clearing low 57. Friday sunny skies, isolated PM showers could develop, high 82, clear and cooler Friday night low 49. Saturday partly cloudy and breezy, high 77, cloudy Saturday night low near 51. Sunny and warmer Sunday, high 81, low near 58. Another round of showers and storms Monday, high 82, low around 56.
Sports: Twins win 4-1 last night over Atlanta with Jeffers and Bell having the big hits. The Twins wrap up the series and try for the sweep today with Atlanta at 12:40pm then Twins off Thursday and travel to San Diego on Friday night. Minnesota Lynx finish west coast trip at Golden State 9pm tonight. Brewers in MLB action shut out Seattle 22-0 last night, tying the most lop-sided shutout in MLB modern era. Class B and C Baseball coverage this weekend on AM960 KLTF. Also get an update on the early high school season and recap of Region Baseball Saturday on the wrap, this Saturday at 9:05am on AM960 KLTF and fallsradio.com.