NEWS
--Emergency crews responded to a building explosion in Princeton around 12:15pm on Thursday. Helicopter pictures show a two-stall garage standing seemingly untouched, with the building next to it, which appears to be a home, reduced to rubble. Nothing of the structure remains intact. A manager at a nearby Casey's Gas Station said that the blast rocked their building early Thursday afternoon. Family members via social media stated that one person is dead and two others injured but the police department has released no official details. The State Fire Marshal and the Office of Pipeline Safety has been called into investigate the explosion.
--The Mille Lacs County Sheriff's Office is warning residents and visitors of the increase in catalytic converter thefts in the area. The Mille Lacs County Sheriff's Office has seen an increase as of late in the amount of reported thefts of catalytic converters. More specifically, a majority of these catalytic converter thefts have been reported while the vehicles were parked at public lake accesses around Mille Lacs Lake and Shakopee Lake in Mille Lacs County. The sheriff's office shared that the times of these thefts are random, happening day and night. The same vehicles that are having the catalytic converters cut off, are also being broken into so do NOT leave valuables in the cab or truck bed, even if it is locked. Mille Lacs County Sheriff's Office is proactively patrolling these areas, but citizens need to take precautions as well. Boat landings aren't the only places catalytic converter thefts are taking place in the area. The sheriff's office has also received reports of thefts on vehicles parked in private driveways and yards. They ask if you have a vehicle parked on your property and you haven't used it in a while, please check on it. The Mille Lacs County Sheriff's Office is asking citizens to report any suspicious vehicles or people lingering at public lake access around Mille Lacs Lake or Shakopee Lake in Mille Lacs County. The suspicious behavior can be reported by calling 911.
--The Little Falls Police Department responded to a variety of incidents this past week. They received numerous domestic reports, a few thefts, numerous traffic stops, they assisted with vehicle lockouts, a few theft reports and many more incidents too. If you notice suspicious activity you are encouraged to contact authorities.
--With ongoing drought conditions around the state, the risk of wildfires is up and the Minnesota DNR is urging off-road vehicles, heavy equipment, and agricultural operators to be cautious. They are also asking if you're mowing your lawn, or mowing out on your property, watch that you're avoiding rocks. Even a blade hitting a rock can send sparks out that can start a wildfire. Area forestry supervisors says it's a good idea to have a bucket of water or fire extinguisher nearby. They also state to make sure your equipment is in good working order, if you have a breakdown or if you have a bearing go out or grass caught up in a belt, those can also start fires. Minnesota’s wildland fire management agencies are reporting an uptick in recent weeks of equipment-caused wildfires due to extremely dry grasses and brush.
--Events this weekend include Ride the River event tomorrow morning at 10am kayak and canoe from Belle Prairie Park to LeBourget Park then 11-3 after party with music, food and fun for all. Proceeds go to Morrison County Area Foundation. Bazaars at Our Lady of Lourdes Little Falls, and St. Rita's Hillman on Sunday. Details on events can be found at fallsradio.com then community calendar.
--One of two St. Cloud men accused of beating and shooting another man on Halloween last year has pleaded guilty. 19-year old Gabriel Harding changed his plea on 2nd degree assault with a deadly weapon to guilty. As part of the plea agreement a charge of 1st-degree assault with a deadly weapon while committing a burglary has been dropped. He will be sentenced in September. According to the criminal complaint police responded to the 400 block of 17th Avenue North to find a man laying in the doorway with a bullet wound to his thigh and several .40-caliber shell casings on the ground. Police learned the victim and two men, Harding and 19-year old Malik McCurtis, had a heated argument on Facebook, stemming from the victim breaking out the back window of Harding's car. Court records allege Harding and McCurtis went to the victim's home, kicked in the door and began kicking and hitting the victim. When the victim tried to run, one of the suspects shot him. Witnesses saw the two men kick in the door and heard gunshots before seeing them run out the door and leave in a car with a broken back window.
--Stearns County Sheriff's Deputies and their bloodhound tracked down a man who had become lost. The Sheriff's Office says on Wednesday at 10:30am they were called to the report of a vehicle found in a drainage ditch on the 12000 block of 130th Avenue in St. Wendel Township. Deputies met with family members who were searching for 86-year-old Ambrose Gertken who had been driving the vehicle. Gertken had put his vehicle in the ditch and attempted to walk back to his house. While walking to his home he became lost and disorientated. A search was conducted using the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office drone and the Sheriff’s Office K-9 Bloodhound, Storm. Storm was able to lead deputies to Gertken who was sitting under a tree, alert and conscious. Gertken was transported to the hospital but only a precaution at the family's request to be checked out.
--The Morrison County Fair is next week July 29th through the 31st get details at fallsradio.com on the home page. Also AM960 KLTF Party Line will be live from the Fair next Thursday and Friday at 10:05am.
DEATH NOTICES
--Julie Marie Blanchard, age 62 of Baxter.
--Bernadine J. Bartkowicz, age 89 of Elmdale.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and hot, high 94, PM storms possible late day.
TONIGHT= showers and storms, some strong before 1am, low 65.
SATURDAY= sunny, haze and smoke possible, high 90, low 58.
SUNDAY= sunny and hazy, less humid, high 86, low near 60.
MONDAY= sunny and warm, high 92, storms develop at night.
SPORTS
TWINS= The Twins Thursday traded Nelson Cruz to the Tampa Bay Rays for two minor league pitchers. Angels beat Twins 3-2 last night. Twins and Angels continue series tonight at 6:30pm, Saturday at 5:30pm and Sunday at 12:30pm on Q92 WYRQ.
VL= Victory League playoffs begin this weekend, the schedule is Pierz Brewers at Nisswa tonight at 7:30pm, Saturday there are four games at 10am including Pierz Lakers at Ft. Ripley on AM960 KLTF. Other games at 10am are St. Wendel at Sobieski, Royalton at Foley and Opole at Avon. Saturday at 1:30pm Upsala hosts St. Stephen and Buckman hosts St. Mathias then Freeport at Randall at 4pm. Sunday's games are still to be decided wth another game on KLTF Sunday.