Friday, September 18, 2026

Before the home opener football game tonight in Pierz, Pierz Healy High School will have a pregame ceremony to dedicate the football field "The Leo Pohlkamp Football Field". Coach Pohlkamp coached 33 years in Pierz and in that period recorded 276 wins, with many section championships and state tournament appearances and wins. You can listen to the game tonight at 7pm with JB Canyon on 94ROCKS KFML and fallsradio.com. Congratulations to Leo Pohlkamp that that recognition on the football field. 

A very wet day in parts of Minnesota is forecast today. Heavy rains will begin in southern Minnesota early in the morning eventually moving northward. The southern third of the state will see the heaviest rain from Willmar to Litchfield, Marshall, Mankato, Rochester and some of the Twin Cities Metro could see 2 to 3+ inches of rainfall on Friday and into early Saturday. Central Minnesota is now expected to see smaller amounts from Willmar to St. Cloud around 1 to 1.5 inches, St. Cloud to Little Falls around half to 1 inch of rain and lesser amounts to near nothing the farther north you head. Flood watches are being put in effect for far southern Minnesota and northern Iowa into tonight. 

Approximately 2,700 bears have been shot in Minnesota as of Monday according to the Minnesota DNR who says that number is "pretty good" compared last year where Minnesota was at 1,600 at the same time last year. The bear harvest is up about 40% from season. The expectation was that this would be a good bear hunting season and that is holding true. It is believed the expectation was that 3,500 to 4,000 bears would be shot in the state this season. The bear hunting season continues through October 18. The DNR is looking into bringing back moose hunting. There used to be a moose hunting season in Minnesota. Since the population of moose in the state declined causing an end to moose hunting in the state.  Minnesota allowed for moose hunting until 1922 before closing it down for nearly 50 years. Moose hunting was once again allowed in 1971 but was canceled indefinitely in 2013. Northern Minnesota is interested in bringing it back possibly in the next few years but not this hunting season. The DNR also said that water temperatures have dropped to 60 degree temperatures which has improved fishing conditions. Pan fishing is "exceptional" and it is suggested doing some crappie fishing.  The DNR says that bass fishing right now in still good and the walleye fishing season is coming closer to an end. Minnesota’s archery deer season opens Saturday and the Department of Natural Resources says hunters are heading into the woods on the heels of a record year. A mild winter expects more deer for the hunt. Bag limits are staying the same or increasing across most of the state. Archery has picked up steadily over the past 10 to 15 years, with another bump after crossbows were folded into the season three years ago. The season runs close to three months. The DNR wants harnesses worn while climbing as well as while sitting, with three points of contact going up and coming down. Hunters should check harnesses, haul lines, steps and ladders for wear before the opener. Anyone using a ground blind on public land needs blaze orange on the blind, either on top or on all four sides. The state also moved to a new licensing system this year. Sales have gone smoothly so far, with some kinks in the system as the DNR works through the switch. Hunters are being told to buy early so account problems don’t cut into hunting plans, and to check that their usual spot is still selling licenses. More information is available at the Minnesota DNR website https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/.

Stearns County officials are putting a rural event center owner on notice. The venue, known as "The Hay Shed," is at 36271 County Road 2 in St. Wendel Township, north of St. Joseph. The Sheriff's Office has released an advisory to inform potential users of "The Hay Shed" about a judge's order this week holding owner Aloysius Studniski in contempt of court for continuing to hold events in direct violation of a prior court order.  The previous order requires compliance with safety, fire, septic, and related rules required of all venue rental businesses in Minnesota.  Following years of trying to gain compliance, this legal action was required to address Studniski's claims that the laws do not apply to him. Formal legal action was brought against him in January of 2026.  In August, a Stearns County judge ordered him to stop using his property as an event venue unless he complied with the laws.  Since then, he has continued to host events in violation of the order.  Another hearing is set for October 16th. Sheriff Steve Soyka and County Attorney Janelle Kendall want to provide notice to potential clients of the venue that any future events will be shut down until Studniski complies with court orders. Questions can be directed to Chief Deputy Dan Miller at the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office has officially identified Dylon Ray Oothoudt of Walker as the victim of a homicide that occurred in Cass Lake over the weekend. The community gathered for a candlelight vigil last night in honor of the 17-year-old. His family reminisced about his life and also spoke out against gun violence. The investigation into Oothoudt’s death is ongoing, and no arrests have been made at this time. If you have any information relevant to the incident, Sheriff Bryan Welk and Oothoudt’s family are asking the public to call the Cass County Sheriff’s Office at (218) 547-1424.

Lots of weekend events to take part in, 52nd Albany Pioneer Days and Threshing Show going on Garden Tractor Pull Friday night, Log Sawing Contest Saturday night, Wild West Show on Sunday all in Albany. Man vs. Beast Rodeo Saturday and Sunday at 4pm at Morrison County Fairgrounds, Mutton Busting before, gates open early with vendors, food and items before the rodeo on both nights east of Little Falls. St. Michael's Church of Buckman has their parish festival Sunday with Mass at 10am, food outside after the Mass with bingo, raffles, games and so many items through the afternoon, grand raffle top prize $2,000. St. Cloud Diocesan Council on Catholic Women Fall Conference is Saturday at Holy Family Church of Belle Prairie, the day starts at 8:30am, Mass 11am and lunch after Mass. Registration is at the door Saturday. All Saints Church in Holdingford is having a fundraiser corn maze event Saturday and Sunday and the following weekends into the first part of October from 4-6pm for $1 donation, the site will be across from Holdingford Schools where the new All Saints Church is being built in the future. Get more events for the weekend by going to fallsradio.com and click on community calendar. 

Death Notices: Ardys Erickson, age 97 of Little Falls. Renee Gall, age 81 of Buckman.

Weather: showers likely midday and then again in the evening hours, still pockets of moderate to heavier showers possible, high near 60. Showers still likely tonight but lighter until 1am, low 51. Mostly cloudy Saturday, few light showers early, high 67, cloudy skies Saturday night low 51. Partly sunny skies Sunday high 67, clear Sunday night cooler, low 46. Monday cloudy, high 63, low around 38. Tuesday cloudy skies, high 65, low around 44. Rain Wednesday high near 66, low around 50. Thursday partly sunny, high near 70. 

Sports: Football last night Little Falls holds off Litchfield 20-17, Flyers 2-1. Holdingford 24-2 over Eden Valley Watkins. Soccer Little Falls 8-0 over Melrose in girls, Little Falls 2-1 over Minnewaska in boys. Cross Country Little Falls 4th at their invite Rose Jarnot finished 4th place, boys 15th. Swimming Little Falls wins over Oglivie/Mora 105-57, Tennis Pierz won, Little Falls lost. Volleyball Swanville won, Little Falls, Pierz, Royalton and Upsala lost last night. Angels walk off the Twins last night 5-4 in 10 innings. Twins (71-82) continue series at LA Angels of Anaheim at 8:40pm tonight and Saturday night and 3:10pm on Sunday afternoon. Minnesota Lynx return to action Friday night vs. New York Liberty at 6:30pm, then Sunday at noon vs. Connecticut then a home and home match with Indiana next week to end the regular season. The Lynx already have clinched a WNBA playoff berth. Gopher Football vs. Akron Saturday at 11am, St. John's takes on Hamline on Saturday. Vikings are at Chicago Sunday at noon. Buffalo beat Detroit last night 41-31 in NFL. High School Football Friday Minnewaska at Pierz 7pm on 94ROCKS KFML. Upsala-Swanville at BBE, Royalton at St. Cloud Apollo, Pillager at Barnesville, Hawley at Staples-Motley, Albany vs. Melrose, Brainerd at Sauk Rapids-Rice and many other games being played still on Friday night. Saturday Morning Sports Wrap is Saturday at 9:05am on AM960 KLTF and fallsradio.com.