Local News

On April 12^th, 2025, at approximately 7:10 p.m., the Stearns County Emergency Communications Center received a report of a crash with injuries near the intersection of County Road 9 and 440^th Street, in Holding Township. This location is approximately 2 miles north of the City of Holdingford. The caller reported a single motorcycle crash and reported the driver was injured in the ditch. Stearns County Deputies arrived on scene to find a 2003 Harley Davidson motorcycle in the northwest corner of the ditch. Through investigation, it was learned that the motorcycle, driven by Jason Klein, 47, of Holdingford, was southbound on County Road 9 negotiating the curve just north of 440^th Street when it entered the west ditch and lost control. Alcohol and drugs are not believed to be a contributing factor. Klein was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Klein was transported to the St. Cloud Hospital with serious injuries. The crash remains under investigation. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Avon Police Department, Holdingford Fire Department, Mayo Ambulance Service, and North Memorial Air Ambulance.

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On April 13, 2025, at 5:47 P.M., the Stearns County Emergency Communications Center received a report regarding a two-vehicle crash, with injuries, at the intersection of County Road 16 and County Road 130 in Zion Township. A 2008 Dodge Avenger, driven by John Weber, 67, of Hawick, was southbound on Co. Rd. 16 and failed to stop for the stop sign.  A 2013 Dodge Durango driven by Lisa Bagley, 55, of St. Cloud, was eastbound on Co. Rd. 130 and was struck by Weber.  Weber, Bagley, and Bagley’s passenger, Joyanna Hellen, 21, of St. Cloud, were transported to the Paynesville Hospital for treatment of their injuries. The crash is still under investigation by the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office.  The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Paynesville Police Department, Paynesville Fire Department, and

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Ecumen of Litchfield will be hosting the Good Friday service this Friday in the Ecumen Chapel at 10 a.m. The service will also be broadcast on KLFD Radio. Ecumen currently has openings in its assisted living facilities.

Housing Consultant Nicole Larson says they offer different levels of care at Ecumen. She says she has some openings right now at Emmaus Place and Bethany.

Larson says people may call her to set up a tour at 320-373-6370. She says there are also openings in Ecumen’s Adult Day program which can also include bathing services and people may call Dawn Doty for more details at 320-373-6627.

Mandy Stocker is the new Life Enrichment Specialist at Ecumen and she says they will be getting their planter boxes planted soon. She says she’s also going to be offering exercises for residents along with karaoke, bingo, a ladies group and other activities.

Stocker says she’s excited to be at Ecumen. A blood drive is also coming up in the Ecumen Chapel on May 1st and you can sign up at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.

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