NEWS
--A 64-year old Pierz was injured when a pickup and a trailer loaded with hay were being driven southbound on Highway 25 in Platte Township of Morrison County just after 5:30pm yesterday by Roger Lanners of Royalton when 3 hay bales were lost into traffic just south of 273rd Street. The motorcycle driven by Myles McGrath was traveling southbound and crashed into one of the hay bales causing McGrath's motorcycle to go off the road into the median ditch. Myles McGrath was transported to North Memorial Medical Center for what the state patrol stated was non-life threatening injuries.
--At 4:13pm on Wednesday the Morrison County Sheriff ‘s Office received a report of a two-vehicle accident with injuries near the intersection of Nature Road and 340th Avenue, approximately ten miles southeast of Buckman, in Morrill Township. 38-year old Lisa Kloss of Pierz was traveling east on Nature Road as 19-year old Leanna Laing of Avon was also traveling east on Nature Road and was behind Kloss’s vehicle. Kloss stopped to make a left turn into a private driveway when Laing’s vehicle struck the back of her vehicle. Both vehicles sustained damage. An ambulance responded but neither driver required transportation to the hospital.
--Little Falls Community Schools Superintendent Stephen Jones spoke on AM960 KLTF Thursday morning to update us on the upcoming school year. Some work done over the summer was security upgrades and work on doors and door handles in the schools. The Belle Prairie Athletic Complex on Pine Avenue will have paved walkways this week and they installed restrooms over the summer. Jones mentioned that many have taken advantage of the new basketball court installed by the Minnesota Timberwolves back in July at Lindbergh Elementary. The school is waiting for further construction updates on Highway 27 before making any possible changes to the school schedule and busing which had to be done last spring when the bridge was closed over the Mississippi River. School will start for all elementary students at Lindbergh, Lincoln and Dr. S.G. Knight Elementary, along with all 6th and 9th graders on Tuesday, September 3rd. All 7th and 8th graders, 10th through 12th graders will start school the next day September 4th.
--Voters in the Paynesville School District have approved a $16-million bond referendum for a new community activities, career and technologies center. The referendum passed Tuesday with 973 yes votes and 506 no votes. Paynesville Superintendent Matt Bullard says the project calls for the redevelopment of 15,000 square-feet of existing school space and adding 27,000 square-feet to the high school for more options for student electives and community programming. The new facility will include a full automotive shop, four-court fieldhouse, walking track, group fitness classroom, wrestling/multipurpose room and house the community education offices. The facility will attach to the current high school on the north side of the building.
--A St. Cloud woman was hurt in a crash in northern Minnesota. The Minnesota State Patrol says it happened at about 4:30pm Tuesday on Highway 6 north of Outing in Cass County. 74-year old Lili Engels was driving north when she fell asleep, drifted off the road, and hit a tree. Engels was taken to Crosby hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Her 11-year old passenger was not hurt.
--The Minnesota State Fair begins next Thursday in Falcon Heights. Hundreds of foods, grandstand and free music events, lots of attractions, new buildings and more. Details at mnstatefair.org.
--A 16-year-old was injured just before 6pm last night near Foley. 17-year-old Kyle Schaeffler of Prior Lake was on Highway 23 when the steering of his vehicle locked up causing him to cross the median, strike two yield signs and going off the other side of the road ending up in a field of hay. He was not hurt. His passenger 16-year-old Brianna Stouder of Savage was treated in St. Cloud for her injuries.
--One of two suspects charged in a St. Joseph park robbery in April has pleaded guilty in adult court. 17-year old Tanner Crane of Rice pleaded guilty to felony 1st-degree aggravated robbery with a dangerous weapon. He was also charged with felony 2nd-degree assault with a dangerous weapon felony 3rd-degree assault great bodily harm and an additional felony charge of illegally having a gun after committing a previous crime of violence. 18-year-old Sebastian Terres has also been charged with weapons and ammunition charges. Officers were called to Millstream Park on the morning of April 27th and met with a 21-year-old Rice man who said he was robbed and assaulted by two people. Police were able to find two young men matching the description of the suspects riding bikes nearby. Police say when the pair spotted officers they ditched their bikes and took off on foot into the woods. They were arrested at gunpoint and police say two handguns were found at the scene. Crane will be sentenced October 3rd. Terres is set to stand trial on September 10th.
--Two people received minor injuries in a three vehicle crash near Clearwater Tuesday just after 4:00pm on Interstate 94 at Grover Avenue in Clearwater. A car driven by 21-year old Larry Fox of Browerville was traveling west on I-94 when it rear ended a car driven by 22-year old Mikaela Johnson of Sartell. The impact pushed Johnson's car into the back end of another car, driven by 32-year old Eric Freihammer of Sartell. Johnson and her passenger, 21-year old Kayla Shelley of Roseville, were taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non life-threatening injuries. No other injuries were reported.
--Weekend events include blood drive today at Pine Grove Zoo, Jason Schommer and Michael Shynes perform tonight at GRA, Minnesota Military Museum hosting Helicopters up Close Saturday from 1-3 free event though donations accepted in front of the museum, you do need photo ID to enter Camp Ripley. Living Hope Family Fun Day from 10am-2pm on Sunday where everything is free during the event at the church north of Little Falls. Details on events can be found at fallsradio.com then click on Community Calendar.
WEATHER
TODAY= becoming sunny, high 78.
TONIGHT= clear skies, low near 58.
SATURDAY= fog early, then sunny, PM storms develop, high 80.
SAT NITE= showers & storms likely, some strong, low 56.
SUNDAY= sunny skies, pleasant day, high 75, low near 51.
MONDAY= sunny and warmer, high 82, low around 60.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins slug another 3 homeruns on route to beat Texas last night 13-6 to keep their lead in the division. Twins at Texas tonight 6:30pm, Saturday at 6:30pm and Sunday at 1:30pm all on Q92.
VIKINGS= Vikings host Seattle Sunday night in preseason game #2.
CLASS C= Class C State Amateur Baseball Tournament begins tonight, Buckman plays tomorrow at 4:30pm in Delano, Avon plays Sunday at 11am in Maple Lake, Ft. Ripley plays Sunday at 4:30pm in Delano. Nisswa plays next Saturday. All games live on AM960 KLTF.