NEWS
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office stated that Deputy Brady Pundsack was released from the hospital this week and had a police escort of vehicles back to Little Falls where he will continue with his recovery. Sheriff Shawn Larsen continues to thank all who have shown their support and care of Deputy Pundsack this past week.
--The Minnesota Department of Transportation has removed the detour on Highway 27 in Little Falls yesterday afternoon. Also the all way stop at 1st Street and 5th Avenue Southeast has been removed and is now open to through traffic on 1st Street again. Mn Dot stated the 27 part of the 4th Street Project was completed a bit ahead of schedule and they were able to remove the detour on 27 at this time. However the city part of the 4th Street project is still closed for the time being as they is still being completed the next weeks.
--Father Jimmy Joseph of St. Edward's Catholic Church wanted to thank everyone for their support and prayers this week following the fire at the church Tuesday afternoon. Father Jimmy said the electrical work is being done at the church right now, and cleaners will be starting inside the church to work on the smoke damage from the fire. He is asking that he understands that many want to see what is happening inside the church but you are asked not to enter the church as this time as it remains blocked off for repairs and also become of the ongoing investigation into the cause of it. Father again thanks all who are helping and said the church is very much repairable and hopes to be back open for Masses in the near future.
--Severe storms struck parts of central Minnesota on Wednesday afternoon and evening. The first line of storms prompted warnings in southeastern Todd, southwestern Morrison, and northeastern Stearns County just before 4pm for a storm that was carrying winds of 60 miles-per-hour and small hail that went over the Todd/Morrison line near Swanville and Grey Eagle. It went south of Little Falls dropping only a few hundredths of rain but intensified as it went further south. Another storm cell developed near Avon just before 5pm and headed toward St. Cloud. A severe thunderstorm then developed just to the west in Freeport at about the same time. The National Weather Service says Belgrade also saw a severe storm develop just after 5pm with 60-mile-per-hour winds and half-dollar size hail. As the storms pushed eastward, severe thunderstorm warnings were issued for parts of Stearns, Meeker, Wright, and Kandiyohi counties. Storms were spotted over Paynesville, Watkins, Rockville, and Waite Park again dropped large hail. Stearns County Emergency Management received reports of crop damage from high winds in places like Belgrade and St. Martin. A trained weather spotter reported a wind gust of 74 miles-per-hour in Richmond. Stearns County Emergency Management says large 18-25-inch diameter trees were snapped off south of St. Martin and additional tree damage was reported in Richmond and Cold Spring. Frequent lightning and small hail were reported throughout the storm cells too. Over 40,000 power outages were reported during the storms in areas on Wednesday.
--A man from Proctor, Minnesota has pleaded guilty to a felony charge after getting caught in an undercover child sex sting in St. Cloud. According to the charges, 28-year-old Joseph Farley logged onto an online chat room and began a sexual conversation with whom he thought was a 15-year-old girl. Farley exchanged text messages and pictures on two separate occasions last July. Investigators used a search warrant to find electronic devices at the man’s home and search for evidence. Farley has pleaded guilty to distributing material describing sexual conduct to a child through electronic communication. His sentencing hearing is October 13th.
--Another busy weekend of events. Concerts include Mid Summer Music Fest in Menagha tonight and Saturday with 94ROCKS there with the Rockin' RV. Moondance Jam is this weekend in Walker with Classic Rock, Firefest is Saturday in Cold Spring for Country Music lovers, a reminder from Lieutenant Gordon Shank from the Minnesota State Patrol that that congested roadways are expected in areas due to these music festivals, outdoor activities and summer like events please slow down on roadways and expect delays around these areas also please watch for law enforcement officers patrolling traffic coming and going from the event to avoid a situation like last weekend when a Morrison County Sheriff's Deputy was injured after being struck by a vehicle. Other events include at the St. Francis Convent tonight The Spirit Singers will perform which is a strong Minnesota vocal ensemble, the concert is at 7pm and free for all to come and enjoy the family friendly event, a free will offering will be accepted at the door to help with their expenses. There is a free will breakfast Saturday by the American Legion Riders 8-11am at the Little Falls American Legion, the DAV Motorcycle Ride and Classic Car event begins with registration at 10am at the Little Falls VFW and then returns after the ride for free meal and live auction with proceeds going to the DAV Chapter 12. Sunday is St. Rita's Parish in Hillman annual bazaar with Mass at 10:30am, chicken and ham dinner at 11am, bingo, auction, raffle and lots of food and games all afternoon in Hillman. The next 100 Women Who Care event is Monday at the Falls Ballroom starting at 4:30pm and going until about 6:30 if you want more info contact Kathy Lange 320-616-2084. Check out the weekend events at fallsradio.com.
--Minnesota fishing license sales are up 3% compared to last year at this time. In 2022 Minnesota had 762,300 license sales and Minnesota has 783,000 so far in 2023. Northern Minnesota has seen the biggest increase in fishing license sales this year for 2023.
--The Pierz City Council meets Monday at 7pm at Pierz City Hall.
--If you are interested in advertising your business with Little Falls Radio call the sales staff today at 320-632-2992.
WEATHER
TODAY= AM sunshine, isolated PM shower & storm, high 81.
TONIGHT= storm early, then clearing, low 56.
SATURDAY= sunny early, storms possible midday, high 84, low 58.
SUNDAY= sunny and warm, high 87, storm overnight, low 62.
MONDAY= sunny and warm, high near 90, storms late, low 63.
SPORTS
TWINS= Seattle beats the Twins 5-0 Thursday to split the four games series taking 2 each. Twins open series at home against the Chicago White Sox tonight, pregame at 6:30pm, Saturday pregame is at 5:30pm and Sunday starts with Inside Twins at noon. Hear the games live all weekend long on Q92 WYRQ.
VL= it is the opening round of the Victory League playoffs this weekend with games tonight in Nisswa, many games on Saturday and then more games on Sunday, the final weekend of playoffs next weekend and then the Region 8C Tournament begins August 5th.
WNBA= Lynx beat LA Sparks for 4th time this year last night 73-70.