NEWS
--A 14-year-old boy died Wednesday after he fell in Star Lake while paddleboarding in Ideal Township, west of Crosslake. The Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident, reported at 8:14pm at Pine Terrace Resort. According to the report, deputies responded to a report of a missing boy who was last seen paddleboarding on the lake. According to witnesses, the boy never resurfaced after falling off the paddleboard and into the water. The boy was pulled from the water by individuals at the resort. Life-saving measures were attempted but were not successful and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The boy’s name is being withheld. He and his family were staying at the resort and are from out of state.
--A boil water advisory is in effect for Brainerd as of yesterday. Brainerd Public Utilities announced on its Facebook page Thursday night that Brainerd’s water is contaminated with total coliform bacteria. Water should be boiled before drinking or food preparation to avoid getting sick. They advised do not drink, brush teeth or cook with tap water without boiling it first, or use a safe alternative such as bottled water. Bring all water to a rolling boil for one minute. Let water cool before drinking. The drinking water may have been contaminated due to construction that occurred in late July but the root cause is unknown. Brainerd does not normally disinfect its drinking water. The affected area includes Brainerd’s northern portion of its distribution. A comment from BPU on the Facebook page clarified the affected portions of the city are north of Graydon Avenue and Wright Street. Brainerd’s water system will be chlorinated, so there will be chlorinated water throughout the northern portion of the city’s distribution system for a period of 24 hours. Following that time, Brainerd will then flush the chlorinated water and collect samples to confirm there is no total coliform bacteria. Officials will let residents know when tests show the water is safe to drink without boiling. The problem is expected to be resolved by Monday.
--Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge southeast of Little Falls, in collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Friends of Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge and Options Inc., are taking applications for the 16th annual Accessible Deer Hunt for hunters with disabilities. The dates of this fall’s hunt are on Tuesday October 10th and Wednesday the 11th and a maximum of ten hunters can participate. During the hunt, the refuge is closed to all Completed applications need to be sent to Options Resource Center for Independent Living in East Grand Forks, Minnesota postmarked by end of this month August 31st. Interested in applying for this year’s hunt, you can also contact Ron Beam at 320-632-1575 or find the application online on the refuge website’s homepage.
--A 49-year-old Hill City man has been sentenced to more than 37 years for the 2022 murder of his brother in Aitkin County. James Robert Hess was sentenced Monday to 450 months in prison at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in St. Cloud. He was given credit for 442 days served in jail. According to the criminal complaint filed in the case, witnesses said the brothers had a history of not getting along and often fought. James Hess told investigators with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in October of 2021 he came home to find William Hess on his roof and threatening him. James Hess said he shot his brother one time, killing him. He then pulled the homemade camper with William Hess’ body inside out to the woods and left it there. Hess said it was in self defense.
--Motorists can expect periodic single-lane closures and delays as crews resurface Highway 25 from Highway 27 in Genola to Crow Wing County Road 2, 10 miles south of Brainerd next week starting on Monday through Thursday. Mn Dot said that motorists will encounter alternating lane closures in both directions with flagging operations. Work will occur weekdays, sunrise to sunset, on good weather days. Work segments will change and move throughout the day. MnDOT will micro-surface the pavement, which will renew the road surface and seal minor cracks, pavement ruts and other irregularities. When complete, motorists will notice a smoother ride.
For real-time travel information go to 511mn.org.
--No real change in Minnesota's drought conditions despite some rain showers over the last week. Thursday's update from the U.S. Drought Monitor continues to show the entire state is abnormally dry and nearly 80% is in a moderate drought. The eastern sliver of Stearns County and significant portions of Benton and Sherburne County remain in an extreme drought. Conditions improve west of St. Cloud and into the western part of Stearns County. Other areas in extreme drought include portions of Aitkin and Crow Wing County northwest of Mille Lacs Lake and in southeastern Minnesota near Rochester.
--The American Red Cross will be having a blood drive at the St. Francis Convent on Monday, August 21, from 1-7pm and Tuesday, August 22, from noon-6pm. Please make your appointment online at redcrossblood.org or call Sister Julien Dirkes: 320-632-0663.
--Weekend events include the Little Falls Theatre Company's summer musical The Sound of Music tonight and Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 2pm at the Little Falls High School Auditorium. Upsala Heritage Days are Saturday and Sunday in Upsala, parade Saturday at 4pm with party in the park and fireworks at dark on Saturday night in Upsala. Living Hope Church Family Fun Day is Sunday all free 10am-2pm at the church on the north end of Little Falls. St. James Church of Randall has their Augustfest on Sunday with Mass at 10:30am, Chicken and Ham Dinner from 11am-2pm and all kinds of events through the afternoon to enjoy in Randall on Sunday. The Brainerd Ski Loons have another free show Sunday at 5pm at Lum Park in Brainerd, details on events can be found at fallsradio.com.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
--Singer and songwriter Robbie Robertson has died at age 80. He was a member of The Band in the 60s and wrote for many other singers like Rod Stewart and Joan Baez "The Night they Drove Old Dixie Down".
WEATHER
TODAY= AM sun, scattered PM storms, some strong, high 83.
TONIGHT= evening storms, then clearing, low 55.
SATURDAY= sunny and pleasant, high 77, low near 50.
SUNDAY= showers likely afternoon, high 70, low 48 and breezy.
MONDAY= showers at times, breezy and cool high 70, low 53.
SPORTS
TWINS= Detroit takes 3 of 4 from Twins winning 3-0 Thursday. The Twins open a series tonight at Philadelphia tonight at 5:30pm, Saturday pregame begins at 4:30pm and Sunday Inside Twins at 11:30am all live this weekend on Q92 WYRQ.
NFL= Seattle beat the Vikings 24-13 last night in preseason play.
REGION 8C= Buckman vs. Nisswa tonight 7:30pm for the Region 8C Championship from Pierz live on AM960 KLTF. Also there are another three games on Saturday from Pierz on KLTF.