NEWS
--After nearly a week of boiling water in Brainerd, the boil water advisory that was in effect for Brainerd was lifted by Brainerd Public Utilities officials Wednesday afternoon. Brainerd Public Utilities reported all water samples collected Tuesday were absent for total coliform bacteria. However, BPU will continue to feed chlorine into the water system and the water will continue to be sampled and tested for total coliform bacteria to "ensure public safety and meet the Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Water Act. Information about how long the city will chlorinate its water was not known but they said the water is safe to drink again.
--Some significant rainfall Sunday and Monday has eased some of the drought conditions in Minnesota. The 2.28 inches of rain in St. Cloud means the dry conditions have improved from extreme drought to even some moderate drought in Stearns and Benton County. Little Falls area some heavy rains in spots last Friday and another inch of rain in Little Falls Sunday night into Monday. Some areas again around 1-3 inches but others much less, Morrison County remains in parts of the moderate to severe drought. The eastern sliver of Stearns County and a good portion of Benton and Sherburne Counties still in the severe drought category. Approximately 73% of Minnesota is in a moderate drought and nearly all of the state is considered abnormally dry. Even those rains have some to the state recently, the DNR is still asking central Minnesota (Little Falls, Pierz, Genola, Royalton, Sauk Rapids, St. Cloud and others) to remain with their recent water restrictions as still more need is definitely needed.
--Two people were injured Wednesday in a two-vehicle accident in Todd County near Hewitt. 70-year-old Boyd Palmer was southbound in a roadster and collided with a vehicle driven by 24-year-old Hannah Larson of Wadena at the intersection of Highways 71 and 210 around 2pm. Palmer and his passenger, 66-year-old Doris Palmer of Fargo were both taken to St. Cloud Hospital with injuries that were deemed non life threatening. Larson was not injured in the crash.
--Bishop Patrick Neary is standing by his decision to close St. Agnes School in Osakis. Notice of the decision was posted on the school's Facebook page on August 5th. Officials were informed of the initial decision on July 21 by a letter that said the school was closed, effective immediately. The reasons cited by Bishop Patrick Neary of the Diocese of St. Cloud in a statement on July 24 were long-term and included the inability to recruit and retain teachers and a principal, insufficient resources for proper staff compensation and necessary training, and diminishing enrollment “This was not an easy decision to make, and I know it has saddened many people,” Neary said in the statement. “As the former pastor of a parish with a Catholic school, I know how much students and families love their school and appreciate the Catholic education they receive. I’m grateful to the teachers and staff who carried out this ministry with great care and love. But the ongoing difficulties point to the need for change so that children have long-term, accessible options for an excellent Catholic school education.” The school asked parishioners to write emails to Neary reconsidering his action. In a letter dated that same day, Neary wrote to thank those who sent messages in support of the school but stands by his decision. Neary did state that the those of the parish are welcome to petition the Pope on the matter.
--The next Little Falls City Council meeting is Monday at 7:30pm with a special work session to precede it at Little Falls City Hall.
--Southwest Fourth Street between May and Ethel streets in Brainerd will be closed until further notice due to a hazard adjacent to the roadway. The detour around the street will be May Street to Southwest Fifth Street to Ethel Street and back to Southwest Fourth Street. The hazard is a washout on the bank of the Mississippi River and is the result of a sewer outfall failure. The city plans to use money from its stormwater fund to pay for the repairs. No timeline was given for when the road will be reopened in Brainerd.
--A Minnesota man has pleaded guilty to killing his 93-year-old grandmother with a hatchet. A guilty plea for 2nd-degree intentional murder from Dustin Tinklenberg was made in the September 2022 killing of Stella Anderson. Back on September 13th of last year, Anderson’s daughter found her dead at her home at 1386 Highway 23 in Ogilvie. She had suffered multiple injuries to her face and head, and an autopsy determined she had sustained seven cuts to her head from a Tomahawk-style hatchet. The 43-year-old Tinklenberg was seen at Anderson’s home the night before and yelling that could be heard coming from inside. He was seen later that evening with an object on his belt resembling a hatchet. Tinklenberg stated that he was heavily under the influence of methamphetamine. By Minnesota law a guilty plea can be made even if the defendant has no memory of the crime being committed.
--The Little Falls School Board meets Monday at 5pm at the Middle School Media Center. They will receive a presentation on Flyer Flight Camp during summer school. The board will discuss the E-Learning plan that goes into effect this year. Childhood Facility Bid Process Approval is on the agenda and approval of the Student Handbook for the upcoming school year in Little Falls.
--The Pierz Area Commercial is hosting their 1st Walkin' Wings event on Saturday, August 26th. Walk main street from 10am-2pm to watch the chefs cook the wings and then walk and eat wings from 2-6pm from the chefs for $1 a wing while supplies last. There are many other events planned and live music too. If you wish to sign up contact a Pierz Area Commercial Club member by this Saturday.
DEATH NOTICES
--James M. Cluka, age 68 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, hazy at times, high 82.
TONIGHT= partly cloudy skies, warmer night, low 66.
SATURDAY= sunny and hot, high 94, clear night, low 63.
SUNDAY= sunny and cooler, breezy, high 80, low 57.
MONDAY= sunny skies, high 82, low around 58.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins open series tonight with Pittsburgh Pirates, pregame tonight at 6:30pm, Saturday 5:30pm and Sunday Inside Twins starts at noon live on Your Home for Twins Baseball Q92 WYRQ.
VIKINGS= Vikings host Tennessee in preseason play Saturday 7pm.
CLASS C= The Class C State Amateur Baseball Tournament begins tonight with St. Stephen vs. Plato at 7:30pm live on AM960 KLTF. Sunday Avon vs. Red Wing at 1:30pm and Nisswa vs. Carver will then play at 4:30pm Sunday in opening round play. In Class B State Tournament Sobieski takes on Metro Knights at 11am Sunday from Litchfield. Hear all these games live this weekend on AM960 KLTF.