NEWS
--Pierz Freedom Fest is tomorrow at the Genola Ballfields south of Pierz. Gates open at 2pm, music at 3pm with Diamondback, then at 6pm Maiden Dixie, followed by Little Texas and Sawyer Brown. Join Q92 WYRQ live at the event on Saturday with tickets still available at the gate Saturday.
--Due to Monday's storm and flooding, a state of emergency has been declared in Morrison, Aitkin and Crow Wing County. Morrison county has had to close County Road 234 in multiple spots, and County Road 254 at Minnesota Highway 25. County Road 244 was also closed after a large box culvert washed out, which was likely the most expensive occurrence of damage to Morrison county from the flooding. Preliminary damage assessments as of yesterday morning in Crow Wing County are at $330,000.
–Crow Wing Sheriff Todd Dahl is asking for the public’s help and cooperation when venturing out on our area lakes. Due to the recent heavy rain, our lakes and rivers are again at very high levels. Reports of docks under water and shore erosion have been reported to the sheriff’s office. Extensive wave action in these areas can cause a great deal of damage. Please use caution when boating and be mindful of the boat waves washing into shore. A special request to Wake Boats to operate far from shores when pulling wake boarders.
--The Minnesota Department of Transportation advises travelers to drive with caution in central Minnesota due to high water, flooding and damaged roads. Officials warn that road conditions can change quickly, and roads may close or be restricted without warning as flooding is difficult to predict. Motorists must be aware of immediate road conditions at all times and watch for cones and barrels on the roadways as they indicate potential hazards. Current known closures and areas of concern on state roads in central Minnesota include the following many in Stearns, Benton, Mille Lacs and Aitkin Counties were roads were washed out or damaged by the recent storms.
--A 17-year-old St. Cloud boy has been accused in a juvenile delinquency petition of participating in three robberies, including one in which a victim was beaten and robbed while playing Pokemon Go at Lake George early Monday. lzaya Hanson-Webb is accused of two counts of simple robbery, one count of aiding and abetting simple robbery and one count of fleeing police on foot. Hanson-Webb was arrested Monday along with 19-year old Malique Hanson. Hanson was charged with aiding and abetting simple robbery and fleeing police on foot. Hanson-Webb was also accused in the juvenile petitions of participating in robberies early July 7th and late July 10th.
--Helga Fleischhacker of Baxter and Aubrey Fillbrandt of Brainerd were honored Wednesday as the Crow Wing County Outstanding Citizens for 2016. The seniors will be honored at the Crow Wing County Fair, the Minnesota State Fair and the Distinguished Service Awards Banquet. The senior volunteers will compete with others for the Minnesota 2016 Outstanding Senior Citizen Award. Judges evaluated how the seniors have touched the lives of other people in the community by considering their diversity and quality of accomplishments, years of service and time commitments, variety and geographic area of services performed, involvement in organizations, amount of service after age 65 and involvement in innovative services. Morrison County will announce their Outstanding Senior Citizens for 2016 at the Morrison County Fair August 14th.
--The Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force concluded a year long investigation into the distribution of methamphetamine in the St. Cloud area with the arrest of a female suspect. 23-year old Macalla Knott of St. Cloud was arrested following a traffic stop. Knott is accused of selling multiple ounces of methamphetamine to undercover officers over the past 12 months. Knott was taken to Stearns County Jail where she was booked for two counts of 1st degree sale of methamphetamine.
--A reminder again that the Minnesota Military Museum will open a major exhibit commemorating the 100th anniversary of U. S. and Minnesota involvement in WW l next Friday July 22nd. The exhibit titled “In the Fight: Minnesota and the First World War” is the creation of curator Doug Bekke and museum staff & amp; volunteers. Bekke states “I have thought about creating this exhibit for the past 20 years and wanted to insure it’s completion before I retired”. The exhibit captures the experiences of Minnesota men and women who served and contributed to the “Great War” effort from 1916 to 1918. Bekke continued, “the purpose of the exhibit is to enrich the public’s understanding of how WW I helped change and shape state, national, and world history”. The exhibit opening will include period re-enactors, equipment, interpretive narratives, artifacts, and audiovisual displays and provide stunning witness to a critical portion of 20th century history. Museum Board member Dr. Jon Van der Hagen states, “the exhibit is built around a full size WW l trench and contains artifacts and stories that will interest visitors of all ages, it includes 14 static displays and 6 media displays”.
--The Filing for City Council and School Board seats in Little Falls and other cities that don't have primaries- opens at 8am August 2nd.
--Another busy weekend of events, including church festivals in Flensburg Sunday with a parade at 11:30pm, Rice has a two day festival Saturday and Sunday and Bulldog Lake north of Hillman has their festival Sunday which includes a large classic car show. There is a smorgasbord of food for a free will offering tonight starting at 4:30pm at Immanuel Lutheran Church of Hillman. Randall/Cushing Little Elk Lions chicken dinner Sunday at VFW at 11:00am.
DEATH NOTICE
--Gordon Gerling, age 94 of Little Falls
WEATHER
TODAY= partly sunny, chance of PM shower, high 72.
TONIGHT= partly cloudy, low 54, storms by early morning.
SATURDAY= storms early, partly sunny, storms late, high 78, low 61
SUNDAY= storms early some heavy, then hazy sun, high 80, low 60.
MONDAY= sunny skies, high 78, clear night cooler, low 53.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins returns to action after All Star Break hosting Cleveland tonight 6:30, Saturday 5:30pm and Sunday 12:30 on Q92.
LYNX= Lynx host New York tonight and are at Dallas Sunday.
VL= opening weekend of playoffs in the Victory League, there will be a game Saturday and Sunday at 1:30pm on AM960 KLTF.
Search and Like Little Falls Radio on Facebook for pictures of recent parades and events. Also check later this weekend for Freedom Fest Pictures at fallsradio.com and on facebook.