Thursday, June 26, 2025

Today is Day 1 of the Morrison County Fair east of Little Falls. The day starts with 4H goat show at 8am, Poultry show at 11am, Gopher State Carnival rides start at noon, Antique Tractor Displayed with the Greater Minnesota Two Cylinder Club from 12-7pm, 4-H rabbit show at 4pm, Sues Country Sunshine performed at 4pm, bingo at 6pm, 4x4 truck pull competition at 6:30pm and open mic night at 7pm and the animal dress up contest at 8pm all on Thursday at the Morrison County Fair. There is plenty of machinery on display, exhibits, Deer Hunters Association building, food and drink and so much more. Parking is $5 a day or $10 for the four day parking pass. Also KLTF Party Line will be live at the Fair today at 10am on AM960 KLTF and online at fallsradio.co today talking with members of 4H and the Ag Learning Center. 

The Little Falls School Board meets Monday at 5pm at the District Office on Riverwood Drive. The board will first summarize the school closure public hearing from last Monday night after that administration and board recommendations and reasons for the closing will be discussed followed then by the resolution to announce the closing of Dr. SG Knight Elementary School will all take place Monday night. Other agenda items are to have a resolution on a contract tenured principal put on unrequested leave of absence. A lease agreement for Apple iPads, approval of the Minnesota Rural Education Association membership, Minnesota School Board Association membership, Minnesota State High School League membership, and adoption of the 2025-2026 budget. They will also approve a three year contact for the Superintendent for the next three school years and also approve the wellness policy for the next school year all at Monday's meeting.

The Center for Resuscitation Medicine at the University of Minnesota Medical School recently donated an automated CPR device, known as LUCAS, to the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office as part of a new pilot project aimed at equipping law enforcement agencies across Minnesota with life-saving technology. Manual compressions during extended wait times can be both physically exhausting and variable in effectiveness. The LUCAS device ensures continuous compressions to patients experiencing cardiac arrest to improve outcomes and reduce fatigue for first responders. “In emergency situations, every second counts, and the LUCAS device allows first responders to focus on other critical interventions while ensuring that effective chest compressions are continuously administered,” said Demetris Yannopoulos, MD, director of the Center for Resuscitation Medicine. “As we continue to prioritize the health and safety of our communities, the integration of such innovative technologies will undoubtedly play a vital role in saving lives and enhancing the overall effectiveness of emergency medical services in Minnesota.” Morrison County Sheriff’s Office is one of 50 agencies throughout Minnesota selected to receive a device. Over the next year, the Center for Resuscitation Medicine will be examining how agencies use the devices to determine feasibility and the overall benefit to patient outcomes. The initiative is funded as part of an $18 million grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust provides life-saving devices statewide to law enforcement agencies and first responders.

A Holdingford man charged with murder involving the fatal overdose of another man has pleaded guilty. In a court appearance Wednesday, 32-year-old Cody Johannes pleaded guilty to one count of 3rd-degree murder. According to the criminal complaint filed in Stearns County District Court, Johannes sold the victim methamphetamine and fentanyl on November 17, 2024. The victim's body was found two days later after his brother called St. Cloud Police for a welfare check. Police say they found the man's body in the bedroom of an apartment with drug paraphernalia in his hand, commonly used to smoke fentanyl pills, and a piece of tin foil nearby with what appeared to be burn lines. An autopsy of the man showed he died of drug toxicity from the presence of fentanyl, xylazine, and methamphetamine. Court records show investigators conducted a data extraction of the victim's phone, which they allege showed text messages between the victim and Johannes discussing drug sales. One of those conversations specifically discussed a drug transaction on the morning of the man's death. Police say phone records show Johannes is the only person the victim contacted about getting the drugs. Johannes is scheduled to be sentenced in September. 

The suspect accused of stealing a vehicle from the St. Cloud Area Family YMCA and running down a pedestrian in 2023 will finally stand trial. Stearns County ordered a third Rule 20 competency exam for 18-year-old Israel Muyaya Madimba back in April. The results were sent to the prosecution and defense teams on June 10th. Judge Heidi Schultz issued an order on Tuesday setting up a hearing on the matter for Thursday afternoon. Although full results for Rule 20 hearings are not released, the case has been allowed to go forward. Madimba is charged with first degree murder and vehicle theft. The criminal complaint says on April 21st, 2023, Madimba called 911 to tell dispatchers he had run someone over, and then gave a statement admitting to officers he had taken a vehicle key from a locker at the YMCA, went out to the parking lot, found the vehicle, and drove off. He also told investigators he was listening to a song about murder when he saw 70-year-old Norbert Olmscheid walking on the sidewalk near the intersection of 6th and 9th Avenues. Olmscheid had his back to the car, so Madimba was able to slow down and position his vehicle before stepping on the gas. Olmscheid was taken to CentraCare – St. Cloud Hospital, where he died. Madimba was 16 at the time, and prosecutors say they can charge a 16 or 17-year-old with first degree murder under the Minnesota Rules of Juvenile Delinquency Procedures directly in District Court, which “has original and exclusive jurisdiction over such offenders when charged with such an offense.” A first degree murder conviction carries a mandatory life sentence.

The City of St. Cloud says rabies has been discovered in a bat. According to a press release, St. Cloud Animal Control recently responded to a report of a bat, which later tested positive for rabies. Rabies is a disease that affects the nervous system of mammals. It is caused by a virus and is typically spread by an infected animal biting another animal or person. It is also fatal and can’t be treated once symptoms appear. With warmer weather, interactions between wild animals, pets, and humans increase, leading to the potential for someone to get bitten. The city’s Health and Inspections Department urges the public to take precautions to protect themselves. First, avoid all contact with bats and unfamiliar animals. Homes should be secured against bats by keeping windows and doors closed or screened, and inspected for gaps or openings where bats could enter. Never touch wild animals, even if they appear injured or friendly, and teach kids to do the same. The department says it’s equally important to make sure pets are vaccinated by keeping rabies vaccinations current for all dogs, cats, and ferrets. Pet owners must license their dogs, which is required in St. Cloud and includes providing proof of rabies vaccination. If a bat is found in a room with a sleeping person, an unattended child, someone who is intoxicated, or someone with a disability, the bat should be safely collected and submitted for testing, since a bite is not always obvious. If someone is bitten by an animal, they should seek medical care immediately and contact public health officials. To report an incident or get help, contact St. Cloud Animal Control at 320-650-3164.

There was another round of flash flooding and tornado warnings last night in the southern part of Minnesota. Some areas receiving 4-5 inches in rainfall around the south Metro Area and into south central Minnesota led to massive street flooding in areas and more trees and debris damage from possible tornadoes in southern Minnesota. Little Falls received 1.3 inches of rain at the airport but some reports near the fairgrounds said over 2 inches fell on Wednesday. More showers but not as heavy are forecast for today.

Weather- cloudy today with scattered rain showers, high 65. An isolated shower early the becoming partly cloudy tonight low around 53. Friday partly sunny skies, warmer, high 75, storms after midnight Friday night with lows around 62. Saturday sunny skies, high near 86 with possible thunderstorms morning and strong to severe storms in the evening hours low around 65. Partly sunny Sunday with more rounds for strong thunderstorms at times during the day and evening with high 84, low around 57. 

Sports- Joe Ryan shuts down the Seattle Mariners last night 2-0 at Target Field for the Twins to end their losing streak. The Twins finish up series with Seattle Thursday pregame at 11:30am on Q92 WYRQ. The Dallas Mavericks pick Cooper Flagg of Duke as the #1 pick last night in the NBA Draft. The Timberwolves picked French big man Joan Berringer who only started playing basketball 4 years ago but is now one of the best in the world. He said he is looking forward to playing with fellow countryman Rudy Gobert. The NBA Draft continues Thursday and the NHL Draft starts on Friday of the this week.