NEWS
--A Little Falls suspect wanted from an incident in January has been located and arrested. Around 7:20pm on January 2nd Waite Park Police Officers responded to a shoplifting complaint at Menard’s in Waite Park. Information received was two suspects fled the scene of the theft. Upon arrival in the area a Waite Park officer found one of the suspects and attempted to take him into custody. While attempting to handcuff the suspect, the suspect resisted arrest and during the struggle the officers left arm was broken. Previously 20-year old Dean Derosier of Little Falls was arrested and this week on Wednesday 23-year old Derek Plante also of Little Falls was arrested as a result of the investigation. Back in January the officer was transported to the St. Cloud ER where he was treated for his injury. Authorities thanked the public in helping to locate the suspects.
--Pierz Schools Superintendent George Weber spoke on KLTF Thursday and addressed what Pierz schools are planning later this year. Weber (like most superintendents) stated they are in the waiting mode to see what the Department of Education will decide on in late July. After the 4th of July the Pierz school district will be sending out a survey and questionaire on safety protocols, feelings of students coming back to school, if busing is an issue this fall, can parents find another way to get students to school, thoughts on a hybrid schooling model of onsite and distance learning and other information to be used for their data to make decisions after the final Department of Education recommendations are made. Weber added that youth sports have started including baseball, softball, weightlifting, using the track etc. but there will be no travel sports at this time due to the restrictions. He wanted to thank the community for their support of the recent Grad Bash event, Commencement back in May, staff working longer hours to get the schools ready if and when students return and members of the community working with the school district during this time. If you have questions for Pierz School District Superintendent George Weber or the Pierz School District call them at 468-6458.
--Absentee voting is getting underway today for the primary election being held on Tuesday, August 11th. If you want to vote by mail you should apply for an absentee ballot online at mnvotes.org or contact your Auditor-Treasurer's office and an application will be mailed to you. If you want to vote in person, masks are not required but encouraged at county government centers (however some counties may have their own preference so it is best to call ahead). At the Morrison County Government Center you are welcome to wear a mask but are not required to do so. A list of candidates with primary elections can be found at the Minnesota Secretary of State's website.
--A Benton County bar that displays Confederate flags and paraphernalia is suing a St. Cloud social justice group, alleging that the group’s protests have damaged its reputation and hindered the bar’s ability to book music acts. Rollie’s Rednecks and Longnecks in Sauk Rapids filed suit Wednesday in Benton County District Court against UniteCloud and its executive director, Natalie Ringsmuth. The lawsuit accuses UniteCloud of “harassing persons and entities it perceives to hold different views on political matters, social events, and government action.” The lawsuit stated that UniteCloud published false and misleading statements about the bar and according to the bar's owner “with the specific goal of harming Rollie’s ability to do business and continue to attract the amazing music acts to St. Cloud".
--The City of Little Falls will be holding an appliance, electronics, tire and bulk garbage clean up day on Friday July 17th and Saturday July 18th rain or shine. Items will be picked up on your curbside, NOT in the alley. The city of Little Falls will pay for one appliance or one electronic item or 4 car or truck tires, or two tractor tires or one bulk garbage item. If you have additional items, you may have them picked up and pay for the cost of recycling. You must preregister all items with the City of Little Falls and pre-ay for any additionals items you may have before pickup. Doors must be removed from freezers and refrigerators. Please complete and return the form that you should have received from the City of Little Falls by 8am on July 6th to Little Falls City Hall, or mail to Little Falls City Hall, PO Box 244 Little Falls MN, 56345 or call if you have questions at 616-5500.
--The Minnesota Department of Health announced this week with the start of Major League Baseball in July, there is a good posibility that fans could attend the games at Target Field. Case numbers would have to be watched, social distancing must be done and other safety protocols must be in place but if there is no large spike in late July or August they could see fans attending live events (with a mandated number of fans by the governor and elected bodies) to enjoy outdoor events which includes Major League Baseball.
--The latest numbers of COVID-19 in Minnesota Thursday from the Department of Health reported 365 new cases and 9 new deaths. No changes in Morrison County still at 56 positive cases and 1 death.
--A Kimball man has been sentenced to four years in prison for sexually molesting a teenage girl multiple times over a seven month period. A Stearns County jury found 51-year old Chad Everett guilty on two counts of 3rd degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim 16 or 17 years old and involving a significant relationship. After a two day trial in January, the jury deliberated for about two hours before returning the guilty verdicts. Everett sexually assaulted the girl between November 2016 and June 2017 when she was between 16 and 17 years old. Everett was scheduled to be sentenced in April, but the hearing was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
WEATHER
TODAY= becoming mostly sunny, humid, high 83.
TONIGHT= clear skies, low 57.
SATURDAY= sunny and warm high 86, low around 61.
SUNDAY= sunny and warm, high 88, storms late, low 67.
MONDAY= sunny and hot, high 91, isolated T-storm late, low 70.
SPORTS
TWINS= another classic Twins game Sunday at noon Q92 WYRQ.
TWINS= The Minnesota Twins announced Thursday that they do have a few players in the organization tha that have tested positive for COVID-19. The team would not speculate if they were on the major league or minor league teams from the Twins organization. The players are in quarantine and it was reported the players that test positive were not in Minnesota or at the spring training facility in Ft. Myers Florida when they contracted COVID-19.
NFL= The NFL announced that the Hall of Fame game of Dallas and Pittsburgh in Canton, Ohio August 6th is cancelled this year and announced Thursday more preseason games may also be cancelled.
VL= Upsala at Randall Sunday at 1:30pm Victory League on KLTF. There are games tonight, Saturday and Sunday in the Victory League go to fallsradio.com and click on KLTF and Victory Games for info.