Wednesday, February 11, 2026
On Tuesday morning, the Pierz Police Department posted on Facebook they are reaching out to residents and business owners in Pierz to see if anyone is familiar with a red SUV that was driving around town around 1:15AM Tuesday morning it was shown stopping at businesses, then the driver and/or passengers exited the vehicle and walked up to business doors. It is unclear if they did any damage or if any break ins occurred but the police are investigating as suspicious activity. If you noticed this vehicle, recognize it, or have security footage, please consider sharing any information, as even small details may be helpful. Contact Pierz Police Chief Eric Hanneken 320-468-0299. Videos are on the Sheriff's Office and Pierz Police Facebook pages.
St. Cloud Police have released another update about the Saturday evening homicide in St. Cloud. The Police Department says the suspect, Dylan Tobler, has been medically cleared and released from the St. Cloud Hospital. Authorities were guarding Tobler since his admission and took custody of him upon his release. At about 8:20 p.m. on Saturday, St. Cloud Police were called for a medical emergency at an apartment complex in the 3100 block of 40th Avenue South. Upon arriving at the scene, officers found 22-year-old Hallie Tobler dead from multiple stab wounds. Officers also found Dylan Tobler suffering from life-threatening injuries, and he was taken to the hospital. Hallie Tober is the daughter of gubernatorial candidate Jeff Johnson, who has since withdrawn from the race. Dylan Tober is being held in the Stearns County Jail pending charges of second-degree murder.
At a special board meeting last night the Brainerd School Board unanimously voted to select Chip Rankin as the district’s next superintendent. Mr. Rankin is currently the Superintendent of Minnewaska Area Schools in Minnesota. “This is a pivotal moment for Brainerd Public Schools, and we are confident that Mr. Rankin is the right leader to guide us forward. With Chip at the helm, we are entering a new chapter filled with promise, innovation, and a renewed focus on excellence for all,” stated Sarah Speer, Brainerd School Board Chair. The school board will conduct negotiations with Rankin, and a contract is expected to be approved at a February board meeting. The new superintendent's pending start date is July 1st, 2026.
The family of a man struck by a vehicle last month in Staples has posted an update. 28-year-old Tyler Schreck remains hospitalized and has already undergone two brain surgeries. It was reported by Tyler's uncle that he suffered a broken clavicle, broken ribs, and a broken wrist in addition to numerous other fractures. The family made clear that toxicology reports showed Tyler had marijuana and alcohol in his system at the time of the collision, but the alcohol level of .07 was lower than the legal threshold for drivers. He said Tyler is not responsive at this point, but a message on his CaringBridge page today noted that Tyler did open his right eye on Monday morning and a CT scan was negative for any brain bleeds. Schreck was struck by a vehicle as he was walking along the highway January 26th near Staples. A benefit for Tyler will be held at The Boxcar bar and restaurant in Staples on Saturday, February 21st at 3pm with a silent auction, a free-will donation chili feed, and a bake sale. A GoFundMe campaign has also been set up for Tyler Schreck.
A St. Cloud man who was given a stayed-sentence for having sex with a runaway girl in 2024 has now been sent to prison. A Stearns County judge has executed the three-year prison sentence for 25-year-old Yasin Dawid Abdulkadir. He gets credit for 240 days in jail. Abdulkadir pleaded guilty to 3rd-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a 15-year-old victim in January 2025. Probation violation reports were filed in July 2025 and again in December of last year. Court records show Abdulkadir violated probation by failing to follow several requirements of probation, including completing sex offender treatment, failing to complete the Healthy Relationships Class, failing to submit to polygraph testing, failing to complete individual therapy, and failing to comply with electronic monitoring, among others. At a hearing in January, the judge ruled Abdulkadir was unwilling to participate in his probation requirements in the community, so the prison setting, where he can be required to complete the programming, is better suited to his needs.
Governor Tim Walz said Tuesday that Operation Metro Surge could end in "days, not weeks and months," though he admitted that it's difficult to know what Trump administration officials are thinking or planning. During a news conference on the impact to small businesses across Minnesota, particularly restaurants, Walz revealed that he's spoken again this week to White House border czar Tom Homan and chief of staff Susie Wiles. “We’re very much in a trust but verify mode, but it’s my expectation – and we will hear more from them, I think, in the next day or so – that we are talking days, not weeks and months [remaining] of this occupation," he said. Walz is hopeful that federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota will soon return to its usual footprint of about 150 agents. "They've assured us that we are moving towards that," he said. "I have made clear that there's absolutely no upside for the administration for (additional agents) to be here." When asked by a reporter, Walz said there's no reason for him to believe that Homan didn't follow through with the immediate withdrawal of 700 agents last Wednesday, but he added that the remaining 2,300 or so still have a "destructive" effect. Local officials have since reported that they're not seeing any change in what's been happening for weeks in neighborhoods, near schools and around businesses.
The Little Falls Community Schools will hold a night of discussion and community dialogue on the upcoming school district referendum which will be on April 14th. Again anyone with questions or concerns, should attend, during the evening there will be also be a tour of the high school and then hear the proposal with time for questions and feedback. The event will be on February 24th at 6pm at the Charles D. Martin Auditorium. Any questions can be directed by contacting Melissa at 320-632-2014.
Weather: becoming mostly sunny skies, high 33, clouds increase flurries overnight low 24. Thursday morning clouds then sunny, high near 40, low around 25. Friday sunny and mild, high 42, clouds increase Friday night low 20. Saturday again morning flurries, then sunny high near 42, low around 27, Sunday again sunny skies high 43 low around 28. Monday President's Day sunny and mild high near 50 low around 33. Rain and snow Tuesday high again near 50, low around 25.
Sports: Good luck to Nicholas Sprang of the Little Falls Nordic Ski Team competing this afternoon and tomorrow morning at the State Nordic Ski Tournament in Biwabik. State Dance is this weekend and State Girls Hockey is next week. Also listen to Section Tournament Wrestling for Pierz and Little Falls Saturday on AM960 KLTF and fallsradio.com. Team USA had a good day Tuesday picking up 3 Silver Medals and 2 Bronze with their 2 Gold already to total 7 at the Winter Olympics. Norway now leads with 12 medals, Italy 11 and Japan with 8 then the USA now with 7 going into Wednesday's action.