NEWS
--Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, 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 15th annual Accessible Deer Hunt for hunters with disabilities. The dates of this fall’s hunt are Tuesday, October 11th and Wednesday, October 12th and a maximum of ten hunters can participate. During the hunt, the refuge is closed to all other activities. The 2,000-acre refuge is located in Central Minnesota, approximately 30 miles north of St. Cloud and 8 miles southeast of Little Falls. From State Highway 10, take Morrison County 35 east five miles to refuge headquarters. The refuge features a unique sand plain wetland/upland complex with a rich mosaic of healthy sedge meadow, shallow lake, oak savanna, prairie, shrubland and forest habitats. Selected hunters are responsible for travel to and from the refuge, sleeping accommodations while at the hunt, purchasing their license, and providing for their personal needs such as warm clothes, guns, ammunition, attendants, etc. Hunt organizers will assist hunters with getting from the refuge headquarters to and from their hunting site, provide volunteers to assist with the handling of the animal after it is shot, and serve hearty meals. Final event details and logistics will be shared with hunters once participants have been selected. Completed applications need to be sent to Options Resource Center for Independent Living in East Grand Forks, MN. Applications must be postmarked by August 31st, 2022 to be considered. Options will gather applications and select hunters based on certain criteria, including hunter disability and success in prior years. If all is equal, a random drawing will take place. Interested in applying for this year’s hunt? Contact Ron Beam at 320-632-1575 or find the application online on the website fws.gov/refuge/crane-meadows/.
--A St. Cloud man who pleaded guilty to raping two 15-year-old girls has been given a stayed sentence. A Stearns County judge has sentenced 36-year-old Mowlid Muktar Osman to a stayed sentence of four years in prison. He gets credit for having served 60 days in the county jail. According to the charges, Osman bought the girls alcohol and cigarettes one day last November. He then brought them back to his south St. Cloud apartment. The girls gave a statement to police saying that they were drinking and smoking with Osman when he told the first girl that it was "time for sex". Osman is accused of taking the girl into the bedroom and forcing her to perform a sex act before raping her. The girl said Osman stopped and said she was too young. The second victim said Osman then brought her into the bedroom and raped her. Officers later taped a phone call between Osman and the girls and court records show he admitted to having sex with both of them.
--Emerald Ash Borer has been found in another central Minnesota county. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has confirmed EAB in Sherburne County. It's now the 36th county in Minnesota with the invasive species. The infestation came to light when a professional tree care company suspected a tree in Elk River had the pest. EAB larvae samples were collected and then confirmed by federal officials.
EAB was first discovered in Minnesota in 2009. The insect larvae kill ash trees by tunneling under the bark and feeding. The discovery means emergency quarantine has been implemented in the county which limits the movement of firewood and ash material out of it.
--Pierz Oktoberfest is August 28th in Pierz, listen in starting Monday for the Pierz Oktoberfest Medallion Clues on Little Falls Radio.
--On Thursday at 5am, the Little Falls Fire Department was dispatched to 14193 210th Street in Green Prairie Township on a report of a trailer house fire. The house was reported to be vacant. When the fire department arrived, the building was fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters extinguished the remains of the building. The building was a total loss. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the MN State Fire Marshal’s Office.
--There will be the final meeting Monday at 5pm on 130th Street being discussed by Pike Creek Township. At the Myron Czech residence off of Highway 238 near 130th Street. Anyone who wishes to attend.
--The St. Cloud Police Department stated that since the start of the Safe Streets Initiative earlier this summer, the Task Force has conducted over 300 traffic stops, seized various amounts of marijuana, methamphetamine, over 1,000 Percocet tablets, 2 handguns, and approximately $5000 in cash that was associated with illegal drugs. The stops and seizures have led to warrant arrests and/or new charges that to date have resulted in 29 felony arrests and 54 other arrests or citations including traffic-related violations. The enforcement efforts have been focused on areas consistent with the feedback from the residents and supported by calls for service for related call types. The Safe Streets Initiative will be conducted for an undisclosed enforcement period organized by the St. Cloud Police Departments Community Engagement Division.
--Sister Julien stated there are very few spots still open for the blood drive next week August 22nd from 1-7pm and August 23rd 12-6 at the convent. If you need an appointment call 320-632-0663 but you might be put on a waiting list. Monday was completely filled up and there were a handful of spots open Tuesday. If you have to cancel an appointment call Sister Julien as soon as possible at 320-632-0663 so that they can fill the slot with someone on the waiting list.
--Weekend events include Staples Railroad Days today through Sunday with a number of events including fireworks tonight, parade at 5pm Saturday and more items. Sacred Heart School is Staples has their junk in the trunk fundraiser event with many items in the playground area and also in the alley today and tomorrow for sale. Rice will hold their Rice Family Summer Festival on Saturday with a day full of events in the city of Rice. Holy Family Bulldog Lake will have a special Mass at 10am Sunday calling it their special summer service with cookies and coffee after Mass on Sunday.
WEATHER
TODAY= showers and T-storms likely, some heavy rain, high 72.
TONIGHT= showers and T-storms early, then cloudy, low 60.
SATURDAY= partly sunny, isolated PM storms, high 70, low 55.
SUNDAY= sunny skies, high 77, clear night, low 54.
MONDAY= sunny skies, high 76, clear night, low 56.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins open a 4 game series at home with Texas Rangers. Pregame tonight at 6:30pm, Saturday at 5:30pm, Sunday at 12:30pm with Inside Twins at noon and Monday at 5:30pm on Q92 WYRQ.
NFL= Vikings vs. San Francisco in preseason game #2 Saturday night at 6pm at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
BAB= State Tournament Baseball on KLTF all day and night Saturday with Class C Games for Avon at 11am, Pierz Lakers at 4:30pm and Buckman at 7pm. Also a Class B state game with Sobieski at 1:30pm Saturday on KLTF. All teams must win to move on to next weekend. Nisswa plays next Saturday at 11am on KLTF.