NEWS
--The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality alert for west central, northwestern and north central Minnesota. The alert took effect yesterday at noon and goes into effect through 9pm tonight. The affected area includes all of Morrison County and also St. Cloud, Brainerd, Alexandria, Roseau, Baudette, International Falls, East Grand Forks, Moorhead, Detroit Lakes, Bemidji, Ortonville, and the tribal nations of Leech Lake, Mille Lacs and Red Lake. Everyone should take precautions when the air quality is unhealthy, especially those who have asthma or other breathing conditions. When the air quality is unhealthy, people with these conditions may experience symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, or fatigue.
--With little rain over the past seven days across the state the drought conditions continue to get worse. The U.S. Drought Monitor says 35 percent of the state is now in an 'extreme drought' up from 22 percent last week. Also, 79 percent of the state is listed in a 'severe drought' up from 75 percent the week before. So far for the summer months of June, July and August, central Minnesota is down nearly 6 inches of mositure with some areas more or less depending and who got some rain and under 2 inches for July into August. The drought shows very little chance of improving in the next 2-3 weeks event though there is rain in the forecast for the state but in many cases the rain totals will be less than 1 inch in total compared to the 2-3 inches needed to get grassy areas replenished once again.
--Police are looking for two men who stole a generator from a car dealership in Milaca. At about 6:30am Wednesday the men pulled into Milaca Motors in a mid 90s black Ford Taurus and checked several vehicles. The suspects stole a red and black Porta-Source 3200 generator. Their vehicle has black painted rims and after-market LED lights on the front bumper. If you know anything you can contact the Mille Lacs County Sheriff's Office at (320) 983-8240.
--The Minnesota State Patrol has responded to three deadly crashes in the past few days. On Wednesday just before noon, there was a crash on Highway 65 in Aitkin county. Three vehicles were involved when one vehicle tried to pass another causing a head-on collision. At least two people died in the crash. Seventy-five-year-old Sandra Erickson-Brown of Jacobson, Minnesota died along with her passenger 84-year-old Wayne Brown of Jacobson. The driver of another car was a 23-year-old man from Brooklyn Park. His name has not been released. Also on Wednesday at about 7am there was a deadly crash on eastbound Interstate 94 in Minneapolis. An SUV rolled causing one occupant to be ejected from the vehicle. The driver who died was not wearing his seatbelt. He was a 47-year-old man. His name and hometown have not been released yet. On Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. a motorcycle driver was killed in a single-vehicle crash on Highway 52 in St. Paul. The State Patrol stated speed kills in Minnesota so slow down. In the last case speed was a factor and the others are under investigation.
--Listen in to the KLTF Community Program next week as each day a local school superintendent will give an update on the their school's upcoming year. Upsala Superintendent Vern Capelle on Monday, Little Falls Superintendent Stephen Jones Tuesday, Pierz Superintendent George Weber Wednesday, Royalton's new Superintendent Kristine Wehrkamp Thursday and Swanville Superintedent Gene Harthan on Friday on AM960 KLTF.
--Another very busy of events to take in around the area. The Little Falls Summer Musicial “Darling” continues tonight through Sunday at the Charles D. Martin Auditorium, 7pm tonight and Saturday and 2pm Sunday, tickets sold at the door. The Benton and Crow Wing County Fair continue with events today and tomorrow in Brainerd Teen Day today and Kids Day Saturday with many items for the kids and Baja Races tonight and Saturday at the Crow Wing County Fair then today through Sunday is Benton County Fair in Sauk Rapids. A corn boil and hamburger meal today 4:30-7pm at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hillman. The Scandia Valley Summerfest is Saturday with bake sale by the Lincoln Ladies Aid at 9am, 10-4 craft sale, 11am- turkey BBQ, fundraiser for the firefighters, kids games, music, beer garden, ice cream fundraiser, petting zoo and more, Anna from Scandia Valley did state yesterday that the fireworks Saturday were cancelled due to the drought, the event is at Scandia Valley Town Hall near Cushing. Then on Sunday is the St. James Augustfest in Randall with Mass at 10am, chicken and corn on the cob dinner at 10:30am, jumbo ice cream cones for 50-cents, live music, games, country store, bingo and the grand raffle with top prize is $2,000 cash this Sunday at St. James in Randall. There is a benefit ride Saturday for Cody Pelzer starting at 11am at the Cave Bar in Hillman. Check out the details on events at fallsradio.com then community calendar.
--Pierz Schools announced that there will be a formal 7th-grade orientation on Monday, August 30th and all new 7th grade students are expected to attend. Parents: please drop your new 7th-grade student off at the MAC entry between 11:40-12:00. Please have them eat lunch ahead of time, and they are welcome to bring their backpack and any school supplies to leave in their locker.
--The Pierz City Council meets Monday night at 7pm at Pierz City Hall.
DEATH NOTICES
--Steven Bruns, age 65 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL 9PM TONIGHT.
TODAY= sunny and hazy, high 85.
TONIGHT= partly cloudy, hazy, low 61 storms overnight.
SATURDAY= showers & storms likely early and late, high 81, low 64.
SUNDAY= storms early, then hazy sunshine, high 80, low 65.
MONDAY= hot and humid, hazy and sunny, high 90, low 66.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins score 4 runs early and hold on to a 5-3 win over the Astros last night. Twins continue series in Houston tonight, pregame at 6:30pm then 5:30pm Saturday and noon Inside Twins and 12:30pm pregame on Sunday all live on Q92 WYRQ.
OLY= The U.S. Women's Soccer team won Bronze Thursday 4-3 over Australia in Tokyo. U.S. Beach Volleyball wins Gold and the U.S. Women's Basketball team goes for gold later tonight. The Olympic Games wrap up Sunday with the closing ceremonies. As of this morning United States has 92 total medals leading all other countries.
REGION 8C= The Region 8C Amateur Baseball Tournament begins tomorrow morning at 11am with Sobieski and Ft. Ripley, then Upsala takes on Buckman, Avon vs. Pierz Lakers around 4:30pm and Foley takes on St. Stephen in the final game of Saturday, there are also 4 games on Sunday starting at 11am, all live on AM960 KLTF and all the games will be streamed at fallsradio.com.