NEWS
--The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a 2007 Trail Cruise Camper Trailer, beige in color, that was taken from a residence off Haven Road, approximately ¾ mile south of St. Gabriel’s Hospital. The camper was taken on the weekend of June 20th. Anyone with information regarding this theft is asked to call our office at 320-632-9233.
--Morrison County Administrator Deb Gruber gave an update yesterday on KLTF from the government center. Construction continues in the south parking lot where a layer of pavement should be done by the end of this week and the first phase should be done by July 6th and open for business again, then the second phase will start which will close the area where the Sheriff's Office parks those vehicles but should have little effect on public parking as that the east end doors are locked as the sheriff's office has been moved during inside construction. The Motor Vehicle Office has been moved to the west side of the government center and those with appointments as no walkins to the DMV still, appointments only should park in the west parking lot near the historic courthouse. Deb said that calling ahead for appointments need to still be done and they have some same day availibity for certain offices however in most cases you should plan to make an appointment at least 7 days in advance so that DMV and other offices have time to prepare for your visit on that day and time. To make an appointment or you have questions contact Deb at the Government Center at 632-2941.
--Governor Tim Walz announced the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development is now accepting applications for the $62.5 million Small Business Relief Grants Program for businesses impacted by COVID-19, which he signed into law last week. Eligible businesses with 50 or fewer employees may apply for grants of up to $10,000. The money will be evenly distributed between businesses in Greater Minnesota and the Twin Cities metro, with at least $10 million to go to minority-owned businesses, $2.5 million to veteran-owned businesses, and $2.5 million to women-owned businesses. An additional $2.5 million is allocated by law for grants of up to $250,000 each to operators of cultural malls to maintain existing tenants. This will be a separate application process, and DEED will provide more information this week at mn.gov/deed/relief. The application period will be open for 10 days, the maximum time allowed by the law, and will close at 5pm Thursday, July 2. A randomized, computer-generated lottery process will be used – in consultation with the Minnesota Lottery and observed by an independent third party – to select eligible businesses that will receive awards.
--A woman is charged with 2nd-degree assault after allegedly attacking a man with a scissors. According to the charges filed in Benton County District Court, 33-year-old Leah Machacek stabbed the man in the temple. Sauk Rapids Police were called to the 700 block of Summit Avenue South around 8:30 Monday morning. Officers met with a man who was holding a blood-soaked rag over the right side of his head. The man said Machacek stabbed him with the scissors and left the scene. Police caught up with her nearby and chased her on foot as she refused commands to stop running. She was ultimately caught and arrested. The victim was taken to the hospital for surgery to repair a 2 1/2-inch gash to his temple.
--Father Ben of the Little Falls Tri Parish stated that there will be a Memorial Mass for Father Nicholas Lansberger who passed away back on May 26th. The mass will be June 30th at 7pm at St. Mary's Church. Also Father Ben informed Little Falls Radio on Wednesday that the Our Lady of Lourdes Church Bazaar has cancelled all events this year except for the raffle to be held July 26th at 4pm. St. Mary's Church in Little Falls cancelled their block party this year but will have a church raffle on September 6th and Holy Family Church in Belle Prairie has cancelled their Heritage Festival which was to be held earlier this month and will have a church raffle on September 20th.
--COVID 19 numbers from Minnesota Department of Health on Wednesday show that 304 new cases and 5 new deaths. Morrison County still at 56 cases and 1 death, Todd is at 394, Crow Wing 97, Mille Lacs 30, Benton 204 and Stearns is at 2,140 cases of COVID 19.
--Fire crews responded to a large shed fire north of Foley Tuesday night. Foley Fire Chief Mark Pappenfus says they were called to a home at 16121 145th Street North in Granite Ledge Township at around 7:45pm. Crews arrived to find the shed on fire. Pappenfus says the Milaca Fire Department was called in for mutual aid and crews were able to put out the blaze in just under four hours. Pappenfus says the shed contained several items inside including vehicles, a tractor and ATV. No one was hurt and the shed is a total loss. Pappenfus says it's unknown at this time what cause the fire.
--Walleye angling on Mille Lacs Lake will be closed beginning Wednesday, July 1, and continuing through Friday, July 31. Additionally, anglers cannot use most live baits for any species in July. The exceptions are sucker minnows greater than 8 inches in length for targeting northern pike and muskellunge, and wax worms for panfish and perch. The closure and live bait ban are due in part to a record ice fishing season on Mille Lacs this past winter that resulted in a harvest of almost 30,000 pounds of walleye. Closing the fishery in July, when warm water temperatures cause the highest rates of hooking mortality, is intended to avoid an unplanned closure later in the season. An unplanned closure would be triggered prior to the end of the open water season if the state reaches its share of the safe harvest amount agreed upon by the state and eight Chippewa bands that have treaty fishing rights on Mille Lacs. With the exception of the month of July, walleye angling on the lake is catch-and-release this season. Catch-and-release walleye fishing is scheduled to re-open on Saturday, August 1st and continue through Monday, November 30th. More information on Mille Lacs Lake is available on the DNR website.
DEATH NOTICES
--Dennis L. Knowles, age 73 of Sobieski.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies and warm, high 86.
TONIGHT= thunderstorms likely, some heavy rain possible, low 66.
FRIDAY= thunderstorms before noon, then sunny, high 83, low 57.
SATURDAY= sunny skies and warm, high 84, low near 60.
SUNDAY= sunny and warmer, high 89, storms late, low 63.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins classic game today after noon news on Q92 WYRQ.
VL= Upsala at Randall Sunday 1:30pm Game of the Week on KLTF. The Victory League also announced there will be some changes to the local playoffs this year, listen to Little Falls Radio for details.