NEWS
--The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety announced starting today through Labor Day on Monday, September 7th there will be a DWI enforcement on Minnesota roads. Each year, law enforcement officers and prosecutors from around the state are recognized as DWI All-Stars at a Minnesota Twins game for their efforts to crack down on impaired driving. Since that’s not possible this year, two DWI All-Stars will describe their personal stories on why a DWI is so dangerous on their website which was done on Thursday at the news conference to announced the enforcement campaign. State Troopers, Sheriff's Deputies and Local Police officers will have extra enforcement on Minnesota roads watching for impaired drivers. The State Patrol also stated that during this time period they will also be watching for distracted driving, speed and seat belt violations on the roads. A reminder that it has been one year since the cell phone “Hand's on” policy went into effect meaning no hand held cell phone can be used by the driver while driving on Minnesota roadways. The Minnesota State Patrol encouraged all motorists to continue to please put safety first.
--Three people were arrested in connection to a robbery in South St. Cloud Wednesday morning. The incident happened just after 10:00 in the 300 block of 9th Avenue South. Police say two male suspects forced their way into the home, pointed a gun at a woman sleeping and demanded money. The victim said she didn't have any, at which time the suspects took the women's cell phone and left the area in a vehicle that had a driver waiting for them. The victim used a GPS app which located her phone in the 1500 block of 3rd Street North in St. Cloud. Police were able to find the vehicle with all three suspects inside in the area of Highway 15 and Division Street. Arrested were 20-year old Darius Bradford of St. Cloud, 22-year old Cameron Lipsiea of St. Cloud and 18-year old Jamil Muhammad of St. Cloud. Officers say weapons were also found inside the vehicle. Bradford and Lipsiea face charges of aggravated robbery, 1st degree burglary and 2nd degree assault. Muhammad faces charges of aggravated robbery, 1st degree burglary and aiding and abetting an offender.
--No one was hurt in a semi truck fire in St. Augusta Wednesday night. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office was called to the area of County Road 75 and 240th Street just before 11:00pm. A caller reported the semi was fully engulfed. Deputies arrived to find a 2016 Freightliner parked on the shoulder of the roadway with no trailer. Deputies were unable to find anyone in the area other than the caller.
--Crow Wing County Sheriff Scott Goddard announced the creation of a “Safe Exchange Zone” on the campus of Crow Wing County Courthouse which houses their government center and sheriff's office. This designated area not only provides a safe location for child custody and e-commerce exchanges but also allows people feeling the need to meet in an area that offers a sense of safety and security a place to go. Two parking stalls have been marked for this purpose in front of the Crow Wing County Judicial Center and can be utilized 24 hours a day. Other law enforcement agencies have “safe exchange zones” including the Little Falls Police Department.
--Latest numbers of COVID-19 on Thursday morning were 697 new cases and 7 new deaths. One of the deaths was a person in the 80's in Otter Tail County. Six new cases in Crow Wing, 2 in Benton, 1 in Mille Lacs, 1 in Todd and 14 in Stearns County. Morrison had one new case of COVID-19 making 94 cases in the county since testing began.
--Severe weather is likely today in central Minnesota before a drier weekend. After heavy rains of nearly 4 inches in spots around Little Falls 2-4 inches in spots from Royalton, Buckman, Elmdale, Bowlus, Sobieski and others Wednesday more rain with severe storms are in the forecast this afternoon. Storms this morning dropped heavy rains with some areas reporting gusty winds and hail between 4-5am. Storms are expected to redevelop this afternoon with again the potential to produce large hail, damaging winds and some isolated tornadoes. Continue to listen to Little Falls Radio today for the latest weather details and stream the stations online at fallsradio.com.
--The Little Falls School Board will meet on Monday at 5:00pm at the Litte Falls Community Middle School. During the meeting Principals and Activity Directors will present the in person learning plan. The school board is then expected to approve the plan after presented.
--Students in the Sauk Rapids-Rice school district will return to the classroom this fall. During Thursday's Special Board Meeting, the Sauk Rapids Board of Education approved an In-Person Learning model for Kindergarten through 12th grade students for the upcoming school year. The model includes face-to-face learning, more in-depth cleaning and sanitation practices, adjusted daily schedules and an educational orientation period for students, staff and teachers to better understand the COVID-19 protocols to provide a safe learning environment. School officials say they will continue to collaborate with local health officials and asks that the community remains vigilant and diligent with regard to face coverings and staying home when you don't feel well so the district can continue the In-Person learning model. Last week The St. Cloud Area School District voted to start the school year in a Hybrid-Learning model, while the Sartell-St. Stephen School District will make their recommendation at their Monday meeting.
--The Little Falls City Council meets Monday at 7:30pm at City Hall.
DEATH NOTICES
--Janice Quarnstrom, age 86 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= thunderstorms likely, some severe, high 84.
TONIGHT= thunderstorms likely, some severe before 10pm, low 55.
SATURDAY= sunny skies, high around 80, low around 51.
SUNDAY= sunny skies, less humid, high 76, low around 50.
MONDAY= sunny and cooler, high near 70, low around 46.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins host KC Royals for four games starting tonight with pregame at 6:30pm, Saturday at 5:30pm, Sunday at 1:10 with Inside Twiins at noon an then wrap up with the Royals Monday night at Target Field, hear all the games live on Q92 WYRQ.
CLASS C= Buckman and Avon tonight at 7:30pm at Pierz Legion Park for the Region 8C Championship and also to be the #1 and #2 seeds in the state tournament. Saturday at 1pm Ft. Ripley vs. Nisswa state qualifying/ elimination game followed by Upsala and Randall around 4pm also a state qualifying/ elimination game, the winners wrap up the tournament for 3 and 4 seeds at state Saturday night all games live this weekend on AM960 KLTF and fallsradio.com.
HS SPORTS= fall sports not switched to the spring begin practices on Monday for Cross Country, Tennis, Soccer, swimming for schools that have those, football and volleyball from MSHSL moved to spring.