NEWS
--The 5th Annual Pierz Freedom Fest is tomorrow. Gates at the Genola Ballfield open at 2:00pm with music by Brothers Tone, Fabulous Armadillos at 3:00pm, Chris Hawkey at 6:00pm, Blackhawk at 8:00pm and Neil McCoy at 10:00pm. Parking is limited so the best way to get there is to take the shuttle busses from Pierz, Genola or from Johnny C's in Little Falls which start at 1:30pm and will travel to and from the event through the afternoon and night. General tickets are limited but some can still be purchased for $50 by calling the office at (320) 632-2992. Get full details on bands, times, bus and ticket info at fallsradio.com then click on Pierz Freedom Fest logo.
--The Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Driver and Vehicle services division will have an overhaul on their computer system beginning this coming Monday. Due to this, locally the motor vehicle offices inside the Morrison County Government Center in Little Falls will be closed starting at noon on Thursday, July 20th and remain closed all day Friday, July 21st. They plan to reopen by Monday, July 24th. This will only impact the motor vehicle portion of the Morrison County Government Center. All other offices inside the Morrison County Government Center will remain open.
--Shortly before 8:00am Wednesday the Bowlus Fire Department was called to a hay shed fire at the Scott Prokott residence located at 13169 65th Street in Morrison County. The size of the shed was about 44' x 120'. It was full of round bales. The estimated 1,000 bales or more and shed were a total loss. The Royalton and Upsala Fire Department aided Bowlus. Firefighters were on the scene until around 9:30pm Wednesday. There were no injuries and no livestock lost. While the Bowlus Fire Department was still on scene of the hay shed fire, another small shed fire was reported on Great River Road. The Little Falls Fire Department provided mutual aid in this incident. There were no injuries from that fire either.
--The National Weather Service ruled Wednesday that a tornado likely touched down Tuesday night in Douglas County northwest of Alexandria. Trees were uprooted or down, campers toppled, vehicles and homes damaged from winds that exceeded 80 miles an hour and it likely was an F0 or F1 tornado. Offiicial verification could come in the next few days. Cleanup continued Thursday in the area. There were no injuries reported.
--Four people were injured Sunday on Oak Hollow Road in Brainerd when the vehicle they were in was traveling at a high rate of speed, when the driver hit the ditch, a driveway approach and became airborne. The vehicle struck multiple trees and came to rest on its driver's side in the woods. The driver admitted to consuming alcohol and smoking marijuana before the crash. The driver and three passengers were transported to the Brainerd hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The passengers were 16-year-olds Aliya A. Kennedy and Chelsie A. Livingood from Pequot Lakes, and 16-year-old Hunter A. Fury, 16, Pillager. The driver's name was not released pending charges through the Crow Wing County Attorney's Office.
--Congratulations to the Crow Wing County Outstanding Seniors announced recently at an event at Lum Park in Brainerd. Karel House and James Koski were presented their awards for their years of teaching children, driving elders and cooking and serving breakfast for many in need and those who could not make it themselves. They will be honored during the Crow Wing County Fair next month.
--A Cass County judge Wednesday stated he would review how the body of a Watkins girl was discovered near Motley. 5-year old Alayna Ertl was kidnapped, sexually assaulted and murdered. 26-year old Zachary Anderson was indicted by a grand jury on 19 criminal counts for the death of the girl. At a hearing this week, it was asked to the judge to rule the discovery of the body inevitable, and defense again asked to dismiss the charges against Anderson as the judge had already ruled that his first statement to police was ruled improper and would not be allowed at trial. The defense also again asked for the case to be moved to another county as Anderson would not get a fair jury trial. The judge stated that all items brought up at the hearing will be taken under advisement and another hearing will be set up in the next 90 days after a ruling is made. A trial for Anderson is still set for January 16th, 2018 in Cass County.
--A 34-year-old man is accused in Crow Wing County District Court of downloading pornographic images of children and videos of females under 14 years old. Cameron Lee Drummond, whose address is listed as Los Angeles, was charged with 17 counts of possessing child pornography on a computer. His next court appearance is scheduled for July 25th.
--Weekend events include Sacred Heart Church Bazaar in Flensburg, mass 10:30am, parade 11:30, meal, games, raffle, auction and more, Holy Family Bulldog Lake has their church festival with car show and more Sunday. Immaculate Connecption of Rice also has their large Summerfest Church Festival Sunday in Rice. Get details on events by going to fallsradio.com and then click on the Community Calendar.
--The Brainerd Ski Loons will be performing a free water ski show at Lum Park on Sunday at 5:00pm. Watch human ski pyramids, ski jumpers, barefooters, and skiers being pulled 360 degrees around the boat. This event is great fun for the whole family. Concessions will be available. Please bring blankets or lawn chairs for seating.
--The Little Falls City Council meets Monday night 7:30 at City Hall.
--The Upsala Upstage Players present “The Little Mermaid” July 21st through the 24th at the Upsala High School Auditorium.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Jason and Candi Keehr of Fort Ripley, boy on July 12th
DEATH NOTICE
--Joseph Von Itter, age 94 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= gradual clearing throughout day, high 78.
TONIGHT= clear early, thunderstorms after midnight, low around 60.
SATURDAY= sunny skies, slight chance of PM storms, high 86, low 57
SUNDAY= sunny skies, high near 80, low around 60.
MONDAY= sunny early, high 85, storms likely late, low around 65.
SPORTS
TWINS= after four days off for the All Star Break, The Twins are at Houston for a three game set this weekend, pregame tonight 6:30, Saturday 5:30 and Sunday 12:30pm all live on Q92 WYRQ.
LYNX= Lynx return to action and are at Phoenix tonight at 9pm.
VL= the first weekend of Victory League playoffs begin this weekend and the KLTF Game of the Week will be Lastrup at Pierz Brewers Saturday at noon on AM960 KLTF.