Wednesday, September 2, 2026
A message from the the Morrison County United Way on Tuesday after questions were asked about the future of Imagination Library now that Dolly Parton has died. Morrison County United Way has been the local partner of the Dollywood Foundation for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program since 2002. MCUW has been working with the Dollywood Foundation to provide updates. In 1995, Dolly Parton started mailing books to children in her home county to inspire children to love reading in honor of her dad, who couldn’t read or write. That idea lives here too. Every month, 1,148 enrolled children from age birth to 5 years old who reside in Morrison County and parts of Todd County (Browerville – Staples area) find a book in the mailbox, because of local neighbors and donors who fund it, partners who run it, and a woman from Sevier County, Tennessee who started it all. “24 years ago, our Board of Directors and Executive Director felt that the Imagination Library program was one that they wanted to bring to Morrison County, they worked to find the funds and resources needed to start this program. Today, it is our top funding priority. In 2022, we added the Browerville/Staples area to our service area and are proud to carry out the dream and legacy that Dolly started. Thank you to our donors who make this all possible for our local children, we are so grateful!” said MCUW’s Executive Director, Meghann Boser. MCUW has 3 main fundraisers that raise funds for their programs: Bunny Bingo in March/April, the Ball Drop Raffle in June, and Carbles in October. In addition to fundraisers, they conduct a yearly fundraising campaign to local businesses and employees starting in September. They also write grant requests for funding throughout the year. Morrison County United Way has not heard of any ending to the Imagination Library and will update the public if anything else is said on the matter. Questions can be directed to Boser at 320-632-5102.
Two people were hurt in a crash in Benton County Tuesday morning. The crash took place at around 7:20am on Highway 23. The Minnesota State Patrol says an SUV driven by 78-year-old Twyla Nielsen of Pelican Rapids was going north on 47th Avenue NE, and a car being driven by 39-year-old Kimberly Olson of Sauk Rapids was going east on Highway 23 when they collided at the intersection. Both Nielsen and Olson were taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
One person was injured Tuesday around 9:15am on Highway 210 at 21st Avenue in Sylvan Township of Cass County. A pickup and a Lincoln collided at the intersection when the pickup was attempting to cross Highway 210. Both drivers were not injured. A passenger in the Lincoln 68-year-old Susan Ellis of Foxhome was taken to the Brainerd hospital with injuries.
On August 27, 2026, at approximately 3:40 P.M., Stearns County Deputies were dispatched to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Co. Rd. 17 and Co. Rd. 13 in Melrose Township, which is approximately 4 miles north of the City of Melrose. A witness reported the collision and advised that one of the vehicles was smoking. Shortly thereafter, the vehicle became fully engulfed in flames. Upon arrival, deputies located a 2012 Dodge Journey in the northeast ditch of the intersection. The vehicle, driven by Jose Montanez Botello, 23, Sauk Centre, was fully engulfed in flames, with the fire spreading into the surrounding ditch and woods. Passengers in the Journey were Guadalupe Botello Ambriz, 23, Sauk Centre and Noah Montanez Botello, 3, Sauk Centre. The second vehicle, a 2024 Subaru Ascent driven by Vivian Okutoyi, 33, Grey Eagle, sustained significant damage to the rear passenger-side area. Through the investigation and interviews with witnesses, deputies determined that the Subaru Ascent failed to yield the right-of-way and proceeded through the stop sign on County Road 17 while traveling eastbound. The Subaru entered the intersection and pulled in front of the northbound Dodge Journey. The Dodge Journey was unable to avoid the collision. No injuries were reported by the occupants of either vehicle. Okutoyi was cited for failure to yield.
On August 28, 2026, at 5:48 a.m., the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center received a call reporting a vehicle crash with injuries near the address of 19601 County Road 40 in Farming Township. The caller reported he had gone into the ditch and crashed causing the airbags of the vehicle to deploy. Deputies responded to the scene where the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was out of the vehicle and sitting near the shoulder of the roadway. The driver, identified as Benjamin McChesney, 19, of Melrose, reported he had fallen asleep while driving eastbound on County Road 40. The vehicle crossed over the west bound lane of traffic, entered the ditch, struck a field approach, re-entered the ditch on the other side, and rolled at least one time. The vehicle came to a rest on its wheels in the north ditch on County Road 40. McChesney was wearing his seatbelt and suffered minor, non-life-threatening injuries. McChesney was transported by Mayo Ambulance to St. Cloud Hospital for treatment. Alcohol is not considered to be a factor in the crash.
The United Veterans Leadership Council of Minnesota (UVLC) has been named one of six ex officio members of the Minnesota Commanders Task Force (CTF), following passage of HF4492, signed into law on May 27, 2026. The task force, long an informal coalition of veterans service organizations, is now a permanent statutory advisory body to the Governor, State Legislature and Commissioner of Veterans Affairs under Minn. Stat. § 197.581. At its first meeting under the new law, CTF's voting commanders created ex officio seats for UVLC, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) and the Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers (MACVSO), along with auxiliaries of the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Ex officio members do not vote. CTF has advised the Legislature, the governor and the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs on veteran issues since it was created in 1988. Its new statutory status guarantees veterans, service members and their families direct access to top state officials no matter which party controls state government. Brad Lindsay, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, said the task force has functioned as an informal sounding board for the department for years. The newly codified task force held its first official meeting on Aug. 11 to begin shaping a legislative agenda. Under the new statute, CTF must follow state data-practices law, hold open meetings, keep meeting minutes and allow public comment. UVLC is also planning a broader initiative this year to pair performance-driven advocacy with an urgent effort to preserve Minnesota's veteran history. Many of the men and women who built the state's modern system of veterans' support are now in their final years, and with them goes firsthand knowledge of how Minnesota became a national leader in veterans' advocacy — a story woven into the broader fight for veteran rights and built, decade by decade, into one of the country's strongest veteran communities. Once those stories are gone, they cannot be recovered. UVLC believes preserving this heritage is a statewide priority, and intends to call for the resources and archival expertise needed to capture these stories before they are lost.
The new Princess Kay of the Milky Way Jena Hanson of Owatonna who was crowned last week and has had her likeness carved in butter will be the guest Wednesday around 8:45am on AM960 KLTF. The remaining Princess Kay Candidates including two from Stearns and one from Meeker County are having their butter carving done this week as they continue through Sunday at the State Fairgrounds. Hear from Princess Kay on Wednesday on A960 KLTF and online at fallsradio.com.
Death Notices: Dakotah John Wieczorek, age 33 of Little Falls.
Weather: isolated raindrops early then sunny skies, high 82, showers and storms possible after dark tonight low near 60. Thursday sunny and warmer, high 85, showers and T-storms possible early and better chances in the evening and overnight hours Thursday night low 64. Friday sunny and hot, high 91, clear and 70 Friday night, sunny and hot Saturday high 90, storms some severe Saturday night low 60. Sunday showers and storms at times, high 83, clear Sunday night low 57. Monday cloudy with showers and storms at times high 76, low around 53 on Labor Day.
Sports: Another big win for the Twins last night 15-2 over Detroit as Keashall, Lewis, Jeffers and Culpepper have multiple hits and RBIs game. Twins wrap up series with Detroit tonight at 6:40pm. Twins off Thursday at Chicago White Sox on Friday night. The NFL Kickoff game is New England vs. Seattle on Wednesday September 9th at 7pm live on AM960 KLTF. Yesterday Little Falls Boy Soccer won 3-1 over St. Francis and are now 3-0. Little Falls Swimmers 3rd place at Milaca invite, but had 1st place finishes in the backstroke and butterfly relays on Tuesday. Royalton beat Little Falls 3-0, Foley beat Pierz 3-1 in Volleyball last night. Listen to sports update morning, noon hour and 5pm hour on Q92 WYRQ and AM960 KLTF along with fallsradio.com.