Tuesday, September 1, 2026

Maintenance employees will be working on the following activities this week, bridge work on County Road 213 and CSAH 26 will take place. Work continues on CSAH 21 (30th Street) between CSAH 1 and CSAH 24 is closed for bridge replacement. Traffic should follow the signed detour route. Milling and paving will be taking place on County Roads 220 and 225 this week. On CSAH 76, there will be miscellaneous cleanup work. The road is open to traffic. Belle Prairie Park River Access project is still underway. The park will be closed to vehicles and will be open to foot traffic only while under construction. Additionally, the boat ramp will be closed for the duration of the construction. Project is expected to continue into September.

Two injury accidents happened around the same time Monday morning at 6:45am one in Mille Lacs County and another in Wright County. 35-year-old Karley Burton of Milaca was on her motorcycle coming along Highway and struck a slower moving vehicle turning from 10th Avenue. Burton who was wearing a helmet was taken to the hospital in Princeton for treatment of injuries. The other driver was not hurt. The other accident happened near Monticello when Kelley Rosenberger, age 40 of Becker collided with a semi-truck attempting to turn off of Highway 25. Rosenberger was taken to Monticello hospital for injuries in the accident. The semi truck driver was Princeton was not injured. Another motorcycle accident happened in Mille Lacs County around 1:25pm Monday afternoon that on Highway 95 in Greenbush Township. 20-year-old Joseph Enge of Princeton was riding on Highway 95 reportedly lost control and crashed into the ditch. He was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with reportedly non life threatening injuries in the accident. The State Patrol said speed was a factor in the crash. There was also a two-vehicle accident in Brainerd Monday that sent to the hospital reportedly also with non life threatening injuries. The State Patrol will have extra law enforcement now on Minnesota roadways for the Labor Day Holiday Weekend. 

The Minnesota State Fair is off to its biggest start on record, with 729,146 people through the gates in the first four days. Fair officials released Sunday’s total Monday afternoon: 171,054. That is down about 13,000 from the same day last year and well short of the Sunday record of 209,969, set in 1994. The fair set records on its first two days. More than 155,000 people attended Thursday, breaking the opening-day mark, and Friday drew 204,065, the first time a Friday has topped 200,000. Saturday came up just 21 people shy of last year’s Saturday crowd, at 198,842. The all-time single-day record remains 222,194, set in 2018. Even with softer weekend numbers, the four-day total is running about 8% ahead of last year, when the same days drew 674,175. The fair runs through Labor Day, Monday, September 7th.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is preparing for the full closure of Highway 169 in Garrison at the intersection of Highway 18 and Monroe Street. A press release from MnDOT says that starting on Tuesday, Sep. 8, the day after Labor Day, that intersection will close to all traffic to construct the connections to the new roundabout in Garrison. The contractor will have 17 consecutive days to complete work in Garrison—the roundabout, road surface, permanent road markings, and signage—plus the removal of the temporary roundabout. Access into Garrison remains open, but the intersection will be closed. Meanwhile, Highway 169 will remain detoured to through traffic from south of Garrison to Bennettville through late September. More information on the project can be found on the MnDOT website.

On Thursday, Minnesota Community Care will be proclaimed a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon organization at a special event for its efforts in supporting Minnesota’s military community. “We are fortunate to have organizations across our state, like Minnesota Community Care, that work hard to earn the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon designation,” said Army Brig. Gen. Simon Schaefer, director of the joint staff for the Minnesota National Guard. “We are thankful for their partnership and dedication in ensuring the well-being of our veterans, service members, and families.” Minnesota Community Care’s many efforts include the development of veteran recruiting and hiring pathways, paid time off donations for military-connected employees impacted by deployments, and training for veterans and family members to enhance proactive financial planning. The organization provides accessible medical, dental, and mental health services in the St. Paul area. Minnesota’s Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program connects agencies, organizations, and resources to meet the needs of Minnesota’s military community. 

Though the summer has been warmer then average for most and dry, if the The Old Farmer's Almanac predictions are correct that will change with a cold and snowy winter. Old Farmer’s Almanac for December through February claims snowy periods in early January, and cold in middle of January to end of February with still snow in the forecast. It also predicts a large snow system in early March. Old Farmer’s Almanac is predicting for the Upper Midwest, the Northern Plains and the heaviest of snow will be in the Eastern United States this winter. Though the Almanac used to claim around 90-percent accuracy the Old Farmer's Almanac states now their weather reports have about a 60% accuracy rate. So wait and see this winter. 

The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to honor the memory and enduring legacy of Shirley VanDenheuvel as the September 2026 Employee of the Month. Her nominator would like to remain anonymous; however, these were their heartfelt words as to why she was nominated: “Shirley has been an employee of the Little Falls School District for close to 50 years. She is a bright spot in many students' and even adults lives when they arrive at school. Whether it is a cold morning, sunshine, or rain, she is at the door to greet all students as they enter with a bright smile and a good morning - so glad you are here.”
In her time in the district, she has held many positions and can connect with every child she meets. She is affectionately known as Grandma Shirley and has no plans to slow down or officially retire anytime soon. She is truly dedicated to the district and the students within.” Shirley passed away earlier this month and a Celebration of Life was held this past weekend at Lindbergh Elementary School in Little Falls. Again the September Employee of the Month is in memory this month to Shirley VanDenheuvel. 

Weather: sunny start then clouds increasing, high 83, chance of showers overnight into Wednesday morning low near 58. Wednesday morning clouds and sprinkles then sunny skies, high near 80, chance of storms Wednesday night low near 62. Thursday sunny and warmer, high 85, chance of evening showers, and becoming more humid, low 66. Friday sunny and warmer, high near 90, low around 66. Saturday sunny and warm, high near 90, low around 63. Sunday chance of storms, high 83, low around 58. Labor Day showers and a few thunderstorms at times, cooler, high 77, low near 53. 

Sports: Twins get 4 homeruns, 2 from Ryan Jeffers last night to win 11-1 over Detroit at Target Field. Twins (66-72) continue series with Detroit tonight at 6:40pm at Target Field. The Vikings have cut down their roster to 53 players for the upcoming season opener on September 13th against Green Bay. The Vikings have decided to keep all 4 quarterbacks Murray, Wentz, McCarthy and Brosmer for the season. McCarthy was unable to play in the Denver game with an ankle injury which is still being evaluated and Murray will be the starter in the season opener. Little Falls Girls Soccer wins 6-2 over Sartell last night, are now 3-0. Little Falls Girls Tennis 7-0 win over Sauk Rapids-Rice. Pierz Cross Country 2nd for boys and girls at Milaca with Wyatt Betsinger first for boys, Quinn Gruber first for girls. High School Football Friday night Pierz at Sauk Centre at 7pm on 94ROCKS KFML. Little Falls hosts Annandale Friday 7pm on AM960 KLTF. Other teams in action this week Kimball at Royalton Thursday at 7pm, Holdingford will face St. Cloud Cathedral at St. John's University Thursday at 7:30pm, Upsala-Swanville hosts Parkers Prairie in Upsala Friday at 4pm. Good luck to all teams in action this week from Little Falls Radio.