NEWS
--F-16s of the U.S. National Guard’s 148th Fighter Wing and planes of the Civil Air Patrol flew above the city Pequot Lakes between 1:30 to 3pm Tuesday, as well as Monday. Two Duluth-based military pilots engaged in a series of training exercises from Brainerd to Bemidji and Park Rapids to Grand Rapids. In conjunction between civil patrol aircraft and fighters of the 148th, pilots undertook training exercises labeled “aerospace control alert” that simulate the intercept of noncommunicative or distressed aircraft in two emergency scenarios. Residents of Pequot Lakes contacted their law enforcement expressing curiosity with regards to military flights over the Brainerd lakes area. It was reported from the 148th Fighter Wing that central and upper-central Minnesota pose as good areas for these flyovers as there’s less chance for disruption both in terms of population density and air traffic. During these exercises, aircraft were flying about 3,000 feet to roughly 7,000 feet high, sometimes engaging in maneuvers at speeds ranging from pacing Civil Air Patrol aircraft at 100 knots, or about 115 mph, to much, much faster velocities on intercept. The pilots are instructed to locate and interact with any other aircraft to alert them of their presence.
--Three people received non life-threatening injuries after a crash in rural Todd County. The Minnesota State Patrol says the two-vehicle crash happened at the intersection of Highway 71 and Todd County Road 6 in Little Sauk Township on Wednesday, shortly before 2:00pm. A car driven by 23-year old Avery Amundson was westbound crossing Highway 71 after stopping at the stop sign and was then struck by a pickup, driven by 73-year-old Elmer Vavra. Vavra, Amundson and her passenger, 29-year-old Bridgette Becker, all received non life-threatening injuries. None of the involved persons' home cities were listed on the report. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash.
--A 56-year-old North Branch man was killed and his driver was injured in a three vehicle crash east of North Branch in east-central Minnesota. The Minnesota State Patrol said 17-year old Andrew James Vaneerden of North Branch, was westbound on Highway 95 in the right turn lane to go northbound on Hornsby Street when a vehicle driven by 47-year old Tracy Marie Hartmann of North Branch, was eastbound on Highway 95 and was preparing to go northbound on Hornsby when her vehicle was rear-ended by a third causing a reaction. 56-year old David Lavern Winberg of North Branch, a passenger in the first car was killed in the crash. The driver of the third vehicle, 21-year old Madison Rae Amundson of Cambridge, was not injured. Hartmann was transported to Fairview Lakes Medical Center in Wyoming, Minnesta.
--The Crow Wing County Fair is next Tuesday through Saturday at the Crow Wing County Fairgrounds on the south end of Brainerd. Events include mutton busting/bull riding Tuesday; Truck and Tractor pull Wednesday; Baha Races Friday and Saturday; Ag Day on Thursday; Senior Awards and a Model T parade on Wednesday; Kids Day on Saturday and much more. There is no admission fee and plenty of parking available. There are prize drawings each night and ceremonies with the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem to be played each morning at 10:00am at the Fairgrounds. Fair guides are available at Little Falls Radio. KLTF Party Line will be live at the Crow Wing County Fair next Thursday at 10:00am.
--Morrison County Fair is August 8th-10th, details at fallsradio.com.
--The Little Falls Fire Department was called to Charlie's Pizza around 5:30 Thursday morning for what was called a small kitchen fire. The fire was contained to the kitchen area. There was some smoke damage to the kitchen area but ruled not serious. There were no injuries. The fire department said that the cause was not determined.
--A Foley man with a lengthy criminal history and who's serving prison time for a Rockville bar break-in has pleaded guilty to a number of Benton County burglaries. 38-year-old Jason Carson has pleaded guilty to four counts of 3rd-degree burglary, one each for the break-ins at Goodfella's Bar in Ronneby, Mr. Jim's in Foley, Foley Lumber and a private home. Carson pleaded guilty in March to felony 3rd-degree burglary for the break-in at Stoney's Bar in Rockville last July. He was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison for that crime. Carson was also charged with breaking-in and stealing tools and a truck from Foley Lumber in December 2017, taking cash and bar items from Goodfella's Bar in Ronneby and Mr. Jim's in Foley last July and a chainsaw and power drill from a home in Foley last March. Carson has a lengthy criminal history involving burglaries in central Minnesota dating back to at least the year 2000. He'll be sentenced on the Benton County string of crimes on September 25th.
--Weekend events include Our Lady of Lourdes Church Bazaar, Mass at 4pm Saturday, music and auction that night, Sunday polka/gospel Mass at 8:30/10:30am, music, food, bingo, raffles and more. Bean Bag Tournament at Starry Eyed Brewery for Franciscan Sisters Saturday afternoon at 2pm, Another free dicussion on Lindbergh's Legacy Sunday at 1:30pm at the Lindbergh Historic Site, St. Rita's Church Bazaar is Sunday in Hillman, Mass at 10:30, dinner, kids games, food, beverage, auction and raffle all Sunday afternoon. Details on all the events can be found at fallsradio.com.
--All are welcome to enjoy an evening of gospel, jazz and Dixieland music as The Jumpin’ Jehosafats return to Little Falls Saturday, August 3rd for a concert benefiting the Haiti Partnership. Starting at 7pm the band will perform in Little Falls’ Maple Island Park. Guests are invited to bring a lawn chair and encouraged to come early to browse Haitian craft items and fair-trade coffee. In the event of rain, the concert will move indoors to First United Church, 1000 First St. SE, Little Falls. An offering will be taken to support the Haiti Partnership’s 2019 projects including mobile medical and dental clinics, water filter distribution, and micro-credit loans for small businesses. For more information on the Haiti Partnership and its work, visit their Facebook page or haitipartnershipmn@gmail.com.
WEATHER
TODAY= becoming sunny, breezy and warm, high 91.
TONIGHT= clear skies, low around 62.
SATURDAY= sunny skies, high 85, clouds increase late, low 60.
SUNDAY= morning storms, partial sun, PM storms likely, high 79.
SUN NITE= storms ending, clearing and cooler, low 56.
MONDAY= partly cloudy, cooler and less humid, breezy, high 73.
SPORTS
TWINS= Nelson Cruz hit 3 homeruns in a 10-3 win for the Twins over the White Sox. Twins continue series at Chicago against White Sox tonight at 6:30pm, Saturday 5:30pm and Sunday 12:30pm with pregame coverage before the game on Q92 WYRQ.
REGION 8C= The Region 8C Amateur Baseball is this weekend in Pierz, hear all 8 games (4 Saturday and 4 Sunday) live on KLTF.