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Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen reports that arrest warrants were issued for the following people. Those with information as to the whereabouts of anyone on the list, are asked to contact the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office at (320) 632-9233 or toll-free at 1 (866) 401-1111, ext. 180. The warrants were issued Nov. 21-Dec. 5. • Abdurauf Abdusalaam, Blaine. • Jordan Anthony Anco, Verndale. ...

Nov. 29- Responded to a one-vehicle rollover on County Road 76 and Haven Road south of Little Falls. Driver injured and transported to St. Gabriel’s Hospital. Nov. 29- Complainant in Randall reported her propane and electricity shut off by another individual. Nov. 30- Responded to a vehicle fire in the 23300 block of Wanderland Dr., Pierz. ...

Two incidents occurred in Morrison County, Minnesota this week. The first incident involved a one-vehicle crash near Upsala, where a 17-year-old boy lost control of the vehicle, went into a ditch, and hit a tree. The driver was taken to the hospital with unknown injuries. The second incident took place at a firewood processing plant outside of Little Falls, resulting in the death of a 39-year-old man who was trapped in a firewood processing machine. Despite rescue attempts, the man died at the scene.

Morrison County Attorney Brian Middendorf and his staff have filed gross misdemeanor complaints against the following individuals: • Alex Christopher Packard, 35, Milaca — In connection with a Nov. 17 incident, Packard was charged with two counts of third-degree DWI. • Harriet Jane Lewis, 49, Brooklyn Park — In connection with a Nov. 23 incident, Lewis was charged with obstructing the legal process by interfering with a peace officer. • Cody Jay Blais, 22, Upsala — In connection with a Nov. 26 incident, Blais was charged with one count of third-degree DWI. • Anita Ellen Vernier, 57, Little Falls — In connection with a Nov. 27 incident, Vernier was charged with two counts of second-degree DWI.

Investigators in central Minnesota say a man has died after becoming trapped in a firewood processing machine. First responders were called to the plant in Fort Ripley Township Thursday after the man became trapped. Officials have identified the man as 39-year-old Hector Zelaya of Little Falls.

Justin Lee Hunt, 33, Cass Lake, was charged in Morrison County District Court with one felony count of fifth-degree possession of a controlled substance. The charge stems from a Dec. 1 incident, when a caller from a convenience store located in Royalton reported there was a suspicious male subject inside the store. Per the report, the male subject was falling asleep and falling into racks in the store. The reporting party said the subject left in a vehicle heading north toward Little Falls. ...

Abraham K. Borntreger, 33, Flensburg, was charged in Morrison County District Court with one felony count of failing to register as a predatory offender. The charge stems from an Oct. 15 incident. Borntreger has an obligation to register as a predatory offender due to a criminal conviction that requires registration. Borntreger’s duty to register began Jan. 24, and he is required to continue registering through at least Jan. 23, 2033, according to a criminal complaint filed in Morrison County District Court. ...

RICE (WJON News) -- A Rice man faces a felony assault charge after allegedly brandishing a gun during an argument with his girlfriend. The Benton County Sheriff's Office was called to a home in the 11000 block of Highway 10 Northwest in Watab Township just after 3:30 a.m. Tuesday. A witness called 911 to report an assault at that location.

A man accused of assaulting a woman at gunpoint in Benton County was apprehended Tuesday, Dec. 5 in Little Falls. Benjamin Brian Nelson, 42 of Rice, was booked into the Benton County Jail on a felony charge of second degree assault. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of domestic assault. Shortly after 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 5, Benton County deputies were dispatched to a residence on Highway 10 in...

SAUK RAPIDS (WJON News) -- Despite the wet weather people still wanted to mingle Saturday. Sauk Rapids held its third annual Jingle and Mingle Winter Celebration and had a strong turnout even with the snow. The event featured an artisan market, llama wonderland, and horse-drawn wagon rides. The horse-drawn wagon...

Who will be performing at this year's Pierz Freedom Fest, taking place on July 20th, 2024 at the Genola Ball Park?. At this moment, we don't know who the performers will be. We asked Central Minnesota to speak up and let us know who they would like to see this year at Pierz Freedom Fest, or in years to come. We had quite the response. Over 80 comments that included some of the biggest country music performers out there, as well a ton of support to bring in our very own local talent.

Albertville, MN (KROC-AM News)- One driver is dead and another was hospitalized following a four-vehicle crash on an interstate in Minnesota Wednesday. The State Patrol responded to the fatal crash shortly after 3 p.m. It happened on I-94 in Albertville. The state crash report indicates three westbound SUVs were traveling...

In other business Monday, Dec. 4, the Little Falls City Council: • Scheduled a City Council retreat for Jan. 25 - 26, 2024, from 3 - 7 p.m.; • Awarded and approved the Microsoft 365 Government Community Cloud (GCC) migration agreement for XTONA to convert the city employees’ online accounts from business to GCC. The total amount paid to XTONA will be $3,750, with the one-time cost of migration to...

Husband and wife Phil and Susy Prosapio were presented with the Community Service and Philanthropy Award Dec. 4 during the Little Falls City Council meeting. Mayor Greg Zylka thanked the Prosapios for their “vision and commitment to our community’s vibrant and beautiful character” through renovating and restoring the buildings now housing the restaurant Ciao Thyme and The Falls Theatre, as well as seven other buildings. Susy said it was fun to work with Little Falls staff members, saying, “You guys are the best.” Pictured are (from left): Council Members Raquel Lundberg, Wayne Liljegren, David Meyer, Zylka, Council Member Jerry Knafla, Susy and Phil, Council Members Dave Glaze, Frank Gosiak, Leif Hanson and City Administrator Jon Radermacher.

Photo from Unsplash and unrelated to the city. For most people, it is a constant necessity of life to manage gas prices. The national average price for a gallon of regular-grade gas on Saturday is $3.167, a week ago the price is $3.247 , according to AAA.

SAUK RAPIDS (WJON News) -- You can check out the Benton County Historical Society Museum on Saturday during the Jingle & Mingle event in downtown Sauk Rapids. Yes, we're opening our doors to anyone who wants to come in and check out the new facility. We're serving apple cider, hot chocolate, and cookies. We welcome participating in the Sauk Rapids Jingle & Mingle now that we are part of the downtown community.

Normally a common area for students of the Little Falls Community Middle School, every year the space is transformed into a Renaissance-style castle, complete with banners, a (fake) boar’s head and a king, queen and full court of royal subjects. Throughout the evening, guests are treated to Renaissance-era music from the choir, brass instruments and era-appropriate recorders. It’s Sunday, Dec. 3, the evening of the 19th annual Madrigal Dinner. The event is put on almost entirely by students at the Little Falls Community High School,...

The Sartell Sweethearts feature showcases couples here at Sartell High School. The couples will be asked questions to see how well they truly know each other. This featured couple is Braden Delong and Kylee Williams. Braden is a senior here at Sartell High School. He works at Target, enjoys playing...

Today’s senior spotlight is Jackson Hovda. Jackson has been in the Sartell school district since kindergarten. Jackson has lived in Sartell for 13 years, coincidentally moving directly next door to his best friend Luke Schumacher. Jackson played soccer in elementary school, football in middle school, and he has been swimming since 7th grade. Jackson plans on swimming in college but hasn’t yet committed.

LITTLE FALLS (WJON News) -- Thursday is Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, and a central Minnesota museum is honoring those who were there during the 1941 attack. The Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum in Little Falls is hosting a virtual program to honor the 82nd anniversary of the Pearl Harbor bombing that claimed the lives of over 2,000 United States service members.