Tuesday, March 17, 2026

A man was rushed to CentraCare-St. Cloud Hospital after being stabbed multiple times near Motley. According to the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office, around 7:15 Sunday morning, a person called 911 to report a stabbing at a home on Cherry Lane, about six miles south of Motley, in Scandia Valley Township. First responders found 53-year-old Douglas Alan Denio suffering from multiple stab wounds. He was transported to Lakewood Health Systems in Staples by ambulance and later transferred to St. Cloud. His injuries are described by the police as life-threatening. 23-year-old Christian Ray Denio of Motley was arrested and taken to the Morrison County Jail, where he is awaiting formal charges. The incident remains under investigation. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is assisting the sheriff’s office.

A St. Cloud man is facing criminal charges after a rollover crash on Interstate 94 seriously injured his passenger. According to the criminal complaint, around 6:00 a.m. on January 17th, a State Patrol trooper responded to a crash on I-94 in Albertville and found the 25-year-old passenger pinned under a 2014 Chevy Traverse that had flipped upside down and landed against a fence along the highway. The passenger was unconscious but breathing and was rushed to Hennepin County Medical Center for treatment of life-threatening injuries. He was not wearing a seatbelt. Investigators say tire tracks showed the vehicle left the interstate and rolled into the ditch. Deputies reported smelling alcohol coming from the driver, 20-year-old Abdirizck Hussein Ali, and his passenger. Ali, who was also injured, denied drinking and refused a breath test. A search warrant was later obtained for a blood draw, and state lab testing detected drugs in his system. Authorities say impairment and negligent driving caused the crash. Prosecutors charged Ali with criminal vehicular operation resulting in substantial bodily harm.

A St. Cloud man is charged after investigators say he sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant in Stearns County. According to the criminal complaint, investigators with the Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force first targeted 32-year-old Benjamin Peschl in January after working with a confidential informant who said they had previously bought methamphetamine from him. The informant showed investigators text messages arranging a purchase for about $300. After being searched and equipped with an audio recording device, the informant drove to Peschl’s apartment to buy the drugs. Shortly after arriving, a woman walked up to the car and got inside. She was recorded counting money and the drug deal taking place before getting out. Authorities then heard Peschl call the informant and ask how the transaction went. The informant later turned over a bag containing a crystal substance weighing 36.98 grams that field-tested positive for meth. Investigators say the case continued developing through February when another informant reported that Peschl was distributing drugs while driving a dark blue Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck. On March 5th, authorities learned Peschl had traveled to the Eden Prairie area to resupply and was believed to be heading to St. Cloud via Interstate 94. Court papers say authorities found the truck in Clearwater and pulled it over. The woman who was driving admitted there was meth in the car, saying Peschl had told her about it. She also said the pair had been staying at a hotel near Mystic Lake Casino and that she had seen a bag of meth in their hotel room. She believed the drugs had been packed into a gray duffel bag belonging to Peschl. According to the complaint, Peschl admitted to having drugs in his truck and told investigators exactly where to find them. They searched his luggage and found a red toiletry bag containing several plastic bags filled with a white crystal substance that appeared to be meth. The bags weighed a combined 114.5 grams. Investigators also found unused hypodermic needles and packaging materials commonly associated with drug sales. Later the same day, investigators executed a search warrant at Peschl’s apartment. A safe found in his bedroom contained more meth, suspected Ecstasy pills, and psilocybin mushrooms. Investigators also recovered a digital scale, additional plastic baggies, and a magnetic box commonly used to hide drugs in a vehicle’s undercarriage. Peschl is charged with first-degree sale of a controlled substance. He made an initial court appearance on Friday, where a judge set bail at $750,000 with no conditions or $100,000 with conditions. His next court appearance is set for April 2nd.

Tuesday is St. Patrick's Day though not a national holiday, it is celebrated more in the United States than even in Ireland. The 60th St. Paul St. Patrick's Day Parade begins at noon, from Mears Park to Rice Park downtown, with then live music, and many celebrations the rest of the day at many establishments. The Minnesota State Patrol did state they would extra patrols out tonight watching for any impaired drivers.

Chuck Zwilling spoke on KLTF Monday announcing that on behalf of I.C.E. Fest 2026 and the Pay It Forward Foundation, they were incredibly honored to present $35,000 in donations this year to three amazing organizations working to fight food insecurity for kids in our community: Flyer Pride Pack – providing weekend food backpacks for students, Kare Kloset – helping students access food, clothing and basic needs and this year also Oasis Central Minnesota – Picnic Pals – bridging the gap of food insecurity during the summer months Because of everyone who volunteered, sponsored, donated, and attended the event, we were able to make this impact together. With this year’s donation, I.C.E. Fest has now contributed a total of $203,000 to support children and families facing food insecurity. Zwilling said that they will be starting plans for the 10th Ice Fest next year February 20th and 21st north of Little Falls. 

Weather: Tuesday increasing clouds, snow likely afternoon, high 19, accumulations of 1-2 inches by evening. Snow ending late Tuesday night, possible another inch, low around 14. Wednesday partly sunny skies, high 42, low around 24. Thursday sunny and mild, high 48, low around 31. Friday sunny and very mild, high 55 low around 35. Rain and snow returns to the forecast late Saturday and Sunday. 

Sports: The Gopher Women's Basketball team got the #4 seed in the San Francisco 2 bracket and host Wisconsin-Green Bay Friday at 7:30pm at Williams Arena. The winner gets either Gonzaga or Mississippi on Sunday also at Williams Arena. The #1 seed in that bracket is the Big 10 Champion UCLA. The NCAA Women's Championship will be played on Sunday, April 5th in Phoenix. The State Boys Basketball Tournament will seed Tuesday for all four classes, including Class A for Upsala Cardinals.