NEWS
--This is Pierz Oktoberfest Weekend. The medallion hunt has been going on all week for $500 in Pierz Bucks and as of print time this time has not been turned in. Saturday is the 5K Run for Hospice event at Horizon Health for details call 468-6451. Sunday is the parade at 11am starting at the High School and the route will be the same, even with construction that roads will be ready for the parade however some sidewalks may not be in place so watchers should be aware of that. After the parade events are at the Pierz Park from 12:30-4:30pm, food, games, shows and music and drawings for prizes from those with Pierz Oktoberfest Buttons purchased at a number of area businesses. There will be some parking at new lot near the golf course, handicap parking is available. There is one shuttle bus this year going from the school to the park. Come and enjoy the fun of Oktoberfest in August in Pierz this weekend.
--A two vehicle accident Thursday at 11:59am in Morrison County injured one person. The Minnesota State Patrol reported that 72-year old Roger Rudnitski of Foley was southbound on Highway 25 near 133rd Street south of Pierz, when a vehicle turned from 133rd and collided with Rudnitski. The other driver, 18-year old Abby Bednar of Pierz was not injured. Rudnitsky was taken to the Little Falls Hospital and treated for his non life threatening injuries.
--A St. Cloud man died in a crash on Interstate 94 in Wright County Wednesday afternoon. The incident happened around 3:15pm near Clearwater. The Minnesota State Patrol says a semi was heading east on Interstate 94 when it left the road and rolled in the south ditch. Authorities say the 64-year-old driver, whose name has not yet been released, was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash.
--The Minnesota State Patrol is reminding motorists that enhanced speed and DWI enforcement are underway through the end of September. In 2021 nearly 300 people have died on Minnesota roadways (286 as of August 8am August 25th) compared to 232 at the same time last year. Of the 286 deaths, 118 were considered speed related and 47 alcohol was a factor in. As of August 19th the State Patrol reported they have handed out 54,736 citations on Minnesota State Highways alone (not including county deputies and local police). Of those 785 tickets going over 100mph on roadways this year. The State Patrol again stresses to motorists to slow down.
--Three people were injured in a two-vehicle crash just before noon Wednesday at the intersection of Cypress Drive and Highway 210 in Baxter. The Baxter Police Department reported three occupants of one of the vehicles were transported to Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd with unknown injuries. The driver of the other vehicle was not injured but was arrested for driving while intoxicated. The Brainerd Fire Department assisted at the scene and performed extrication. Also assisting at the scene were the Brainerd Police Department, North Memorial Health Ambulance and the Minnesota State Patrol. Names were not released in the report.
--There will be a fundraiser Cruisin' For Bri's Lodge Sunday which is facility being built for those grief stricken by loss. The event will be 11am-4pm at Trobec's in St. Stephen. Classic Cars and trucks, a free will offering spaghetti meal and more during the event on Sunday.
--Due to yesterday's weather the announcement was made after 2:30pm that Markets and Music on the Mississippi was cancelled. A special thank you to all you helped organizing the previous events and look forward to working with them all again in 2022.
--After an initial announcement from schools in Benton and Stearns County about masks being worn in schools some schools have now voted to change that ruling. In the previous week, ROCORI and Sauk Rapids Rice Schools have now made masks optional in their school buildings and not required. Schools like Holdingford and Foley had decided beforehand that they would not require masks in the schools for the upcoming year. All schools in Morrison County, Little Falls, Pierz, Royalton, Swanville, Upsala and Staples-Motley are not requiring masks when schools resume September 7th for most students some return the following day. The requirement is still for school buses too and from school as that is a federal mandate.
--An Eden Valley man is charged with sexually molesting three young girls over multiple years. 42-year-old Casimiro Sosa Saavedra is charged with three counts of 1st-degree criminal sexual conduct with victims under 16 and involving multiple acts over time. According to the criminal complaint, the girls, ages 12, 10, and 7 were brought to St. Cloud Hospital for sexual assault exams Tuesday. The mother believed Sosa Saavedra had been abusing them. Court records show the two older girls tested positive for a sexually transmitted disease and all three recounted events when Sosa Saavedra performed various sex acts on them when they were as young as seven-years-old. The oldest girl said the abuse started with her in 2015 and has taken place at two separate homes, one in Waite Park and one in Eden Valley. Sosa Saavedra is being held in the Stearns County Jail awaiting his first court appearance.
--Governor Tim Walz has ordered flags to be flown at half staff due to the recent situation in Kabul. Flags are to flown at half staff in Minnesota now through sunset Monday, August 30th.
--Join the new Princess Kay of the Milky Way Anna Eurle from Litchfield in Meeker Count who was crowned Wednesday at the state fairgrounds Monday at 8:30am live on AM960 KLTF.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
--Two suicide bombers and gunmen attacked crowds of Afghans flocking to Kabul's airport Thursday. At least 13 people were killed and many wounded. Several Marines were killed and a number of other American military were wounded making the report state the deadliest day for American Troops since 2011.
WEATHER
AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT TODAY DUE TO SMOKE.
TODAY= showers and thunderstorms at times, high 72, low 63.
SATURDAY= showers and storms, some strong ones, high 81, low 61.
SUNDAY= sunny, cooler and breezy, high 73, low around 55.
MONDAY= sunny skies, less wind, high 78, storms start at night.
SPORTS
TWINS= Boston blows out the Twins 12-2 last night to take the series. Twins open series with the Milwaukee Brewers tonight at Target Field, pregame at 6:30, Saturday pregame at 5:30pm and Sunday at 12:30pm, then Monday the Twins have a makeup day game with Detroit Tigers at 12:30pm all live on Q92 WYRQ.
VIKINGS= Vikings at Kansas City in preseason tonight at 7pm.
CLASS C= Foley vs. Waconia tonight at 7:30pm on AM960 KLTF then Sunday at 11am Watertown vs. Avon at 11am and Sobieski vs. Isanti at 4:30pm both live on KLTF and online at fallsradio.com. Due to the weather, listen to Little Falls Radio for any changes in times this weekend of the baseball games on AM960 KLTF.