Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Gusty winds led to a number of power outages around the area last night into this morning. Though not a lot of rain in Little Falls, most to the north of the area, still wind gusts 38mph or higher downed limbs, debris some larger trees and power lines. At one point around 1:19am it was reported around 1,100 Minnesota Power customers were without power in the area, still at 5am it was reported 68 customers without power that was likely to be restored by 7:30am today. If you are experiencing a power outage in your area you should contact your local power provider. 

The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office reports that on August 1st at approximately 2:31am their office received a report of a vehicle versus train accident on East 6th Street in the City of Randall. According to the Sheriff’s Office, 62-year-old James Pogreba of Cushing, MN was driving on East 6th Street when his vehicle stalled on the railroad tracks. Pogreba was able to get out of the vehicle prior to his vehicle getting struck by an Amtrak train. Pogreba was hit with debris from the crash and was airlifted to St. Cloud Hospital with unknown injuries.

Governor Tim Walz has appointed two candidates to fill open judgeships in Minnesota's Seventh Judicial District. The governor has appointed the two candidates most recently added to the pool by the Commission on Judicial Selection. Luke Godzala has been appointed to fill the seat left vacant with the retirement of Judge William Cashman. He'll be chambered in St. Cloud in Stearns County. Laura Welle was appointed to fill the open seat of the retiring Judge Gail Kulick. Welle will be chambered in Milaca in Mille Lacs County. Godzala is a senior attorney in the Civil Division of the Stearns County Attorney's Office. He was previously an assistant city attorney in the St. Cloud Attorney's Office. Welle is an assistant county attorney in the Morrison County Attorney's Office, where she mostly handles felony and child protection matters.

The man who admitted to assassinating former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband is scheduled to appear in a Hennepin County courtroom this afternoon, opening a second prosecution just days after a federal judge ordered him to spend the rest of his life in prison. Vance Boelter was booked into the Hennepin County Jail on Sunday morning. His first appearance on state charges is expected to be largely procedural. A Hennepin County grand jury indicted Boelter on eight counts: two counts of first-degree premeditated murder in the deaths of Melissa and Mark Hortman, four counts of attempted first-degree murder involving Senator John Hoffman, his wife Yvette, their daughter Hope and Representative Kristin Bahner, one count of felony animal cruelty for the killing of the Hortmans’ dog, and one count of impersonating a police officer. Boelter pleaded guilty in June to six federal counts, including stalking resulting in death, murder through use of a firearm and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. In exchange, federal prosecutors agreed not to pursue the death penalty. On July 23rd, U.S. District Judge John Tunheim sentenced him to two consecutive life terms followed by an additional 40 years. Tunheim called it the longest sentence he had imposed after hearing thousands of cases and said he believed it was deserved. Boelter apologized in court before the sentence was announced, telling victims and their families he was sorry for the pain he caused. Federal prison sentences carry no possibility of parole. Former U.S. Attorney Tom Heffelfinger has said the state prosecution stands on separate ground because several of the victims held state office, making it a distinct case brought on behalf of Minnesotans rather than the federal government. A trial date was not expected to be set at Monday’s hearing.

The Bernick Family Foundation will be offering up to $300,000 in grant funding to eligible programs in their territories in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Organizations that support youth in building their career skills or support activities that address active lifestyles, are encouraged to apply for a Bernick Family Foundation grant. Applications are now being accepted through September 30, 2026. The Bernick Family Foundation supports two key focus areas through their grant round; youth and education which includes activities to help prepare students for future success in education and the workplace, as well as supporting health & fitness that promote active lifestyles. Last year, one of the programs that received grants from the Bernick Family Foundation were $4,500 was awarded to Little Falls Community Schools for its Strong Bodies, Strong Minds: Preparing Students for Lifelong Success program. The Bernick Family Foundation established their first fund with the Central Minnesota Community Foundation in 1989. The Bernick's company and the Bernick family uses their funds to support organizations that reflect the family’s core values, while providing leadership in responding to emerging community needs. The Central Minnesota Community Foundation (CMCF) attracts and administers charitable funds for the benefit of the local community. Since 1985, CMCF has grown to $177.7 million in assets and awarded $178.6 million in grants to non-profits. The CMCF is governed by a local board of directors and is a partner of CommunityGiving, which is a network of community foundations united under a single framework to create efficiencies that maximize the impact of our donors. Collectively, CommunityGiving administers over 1,300 funds totaling over $283 million in assets. Learn more at communitygiving.org/cmcf.

Four central Minnesota airports will share close to $1.2 million in state money for runway and pavement work, part of an $8 million package the Minnesota Department of Transportation announced Monday. The biggest local award goes to Brooten Municipal Airport, which will receive $1,000,000 for a two-inch mill and overlay of its apron and runway, plus construction administration. St. Cloud Sky Central Airport picks up $105,000 across two projects, both slated for state fiscal year 2027. One is $35,000 for annual pavement maintenance and crack sealing. The other is $70,000 to replace concrete joint sealant. Sauk Centre Municipal Airport will get $84,700 for crack repair on its runway, taxiway, apron and taxilanes. Statewide, MnDOT is funding 57 projects at 39 airports. Much of the work is pavement improvement and turf rehabilitation, crack repair, and removing obstructions along runways and taxiways. Other grants cover stormwater pollution prevention planning, fuel pump replacements, facility upgrades and maintenance, and security lighting. The agency says the Aeronautics Capital Grant Fund has paid for more than 260 safety projects at airports around Minnesota since fiscal year 2022. 

The Westside Improvement Association of Little Falls sent out a press release this weekend remind the community that with the changes announced last month by Purva Watten at the Chamber for Arts and Crafts moving some items around the West Little Falls Antiques and Collectibles Fair is not moving anywhere and will be held on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13, 2026 in LeBouget Park located on the Mississippi River off of Paul Larson Drive in Little Falls, hours 8-6 Saturday and 9-4 on Sunday. The West Little Falls Antiques and Collectibles Fair is held in conjunction with the Lone Eagle Auto Club Show & Swap Meet and the Little Falls Arts and Crafts Fair. This event is sponsored by the West Side Improvement Association. For more information or contact Michele Retka at 320.630.7362. 

Dwight Lundeen is preparing for his final season as the head football coach of the Becker Bulldogs. In advance of his 57th year leading the highly successful program, his son, Matt Lundeen, has written a book about his legacy. Matt says the book isn't simply about football. It's about the kind of legacy every parent, coach, teacher, business leader, and mentor hopes to have. Matt says he wanted the book to be more than just about the wins and losses on the field. The book titled "Success is Temporary. Impact is Forever. 57 Years of Impact" will be available to buy on online or by checking with area book stores, will go on sale August 10th for $17.99.

The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the August 2026 Employee of the Month, BreeAnn Rakow who works at Lakeshirts. “I am truly honored and humbled to receive this award. Rakow stated "Serving others whether through my role as a Human Resources manager at Lakeshirts or President of the Morrison County United Way is something I am passionate about. I believe that kindness, compassion, and giving back are what make our community stronger. This recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects the incredible community and people I’m fortunate to serve alongside. Thank you for this incredible honor.” Kara Ahles, VP Human Resources “BreeAnn is the kind of person who makes everyone around her better. She genuinely cares about people, and consistently goes above and beyond to support our team, our leaders, and our Little Falls community. BreeAnn brings kindness, integrity, and positivity to everything she does. Congratulations to BreeAnn Rakow the August Employee of the Month from Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. 

Death Notices: Marceline Millner, age 108 of Pierz. Peter "Pete" Larsen, age 84 of Little Falls. Beverly Kronbeck, age 85 of Little Falls. 

Weather: cloudy skies early, some patchy smoke possible then becoming sunny, high near 73 breezy early then winds lighten in afternoon. Clear tonight cooler, low 51. Wednesday sunny skies, high 79, clear Wednesday night low 56. Sunny Thursday, high 85, clear Thursday night low 59. Sunny and more humid Friday, high 88, chance of storms at night, low around 61. Saturday thunderstorms at times, humid conditions, high 85, low around 63. Sunny on Sunday high around 84, low around 60. 

Sports: Twins open series at Kansas City tonight at 6:40pm. Twins added one more pitcher to their roster Monday trading for All Star pitcher Jeff Hoffman of Toronto for 3 minor leaguers. The Region 4B and 9C Tournament resume this weekend. Friday night Pierz Bulldogs vs Pierz Brewers at 6pm in semi-final game and then Randall vs. St. Wendel elimination game both in Pierz and both live on AM960 KLTF. Also there are games in Avon Friday as Avon vs. St. Stephen and then Foley vs. Ft. Ripley will take place for the 4B elimination games. Saturday in Opole, 10:30am Clear Lake vs. Freeport elimination game, Buckman vs. Pierz Lakers 1pm State qualifying game, Aitkin and Opole will play at 3:30pm in an semi-final match for 9C. Sunday at 1pm Nisswa vs. Sobieski for state qualifying game in 4B there will also be elimination games from 9C to wrap up the weekend Sunday in Opole. Hear more region tournament action Friday in Pierz, Saturday and Sunday in Opole live on AM960 KLTF and fallsradio.com.