NEWS
--Expect heavy congestion on roadways as the 4th of July Holiday weekend is here and with many possibly starting out for a long holiday with Monday being a Federal Holiday as the 4th this year falls on a Sunday. Motorists should expect delays as many areas including around Little Falls and Morrison County have road work going on during the time period of the holiday weekend. Also firefighters, the DNR and Public Safety as asking those if you shoot off fireworks this weekend please remember safety first as many injuries occur from fireworks being mishandled during the holiday. Also the DNR and firefighters remind those in central Minnesota that the DNR has asked if you are in a moderate or high risk of fire danger due to lack of moisture to refrain from firework use due to the sparks starting wildfires in the area. You can check with your local DNR Conversation Office to see what restrictions are in effect for your area. In Morrison County contact the Little Falls Office at (320) 232-1064.
--There are many events this weekend to enjoy. Saturday is the celebration in Randall with parade at 11am, baseball game between Sobieski and Randall and 1:30pm, street dance at night with food and beer vendors in Randall. Sunday is the 4th of July Parade in Hillman at 11am also St. Rita's Church Hillman has moved Mass to 8:30am to make time for the registration and parade which starts in their parking lot. Bowlus Fun Day with outside polka Mass at 10am, parade at 11:15am events all afternoon and evening, water fights with area fire departments at 2:30pm, live music, cash raffle and fireworks at dusk in Bowlus. Brainerd has their large parade at 6pm on Sunday night with fireworks at dark at the football field. There are also 4th of July events planned in St. Cloud, Sauk Rapids, Annandale, Crosby and Longville. Nisswa events are on Saturday July 3rd. So again many things happening in many towns this weekend to enjoy.
--The City of Little Falls will be hosting a bulk appliance, electronics, tire and bulk garbage clean up day on July 16th and July 17th rain or shine. Have your items at the curb by 6am Friday morning. Your items will be picked up on your curbside and not in the alley. The city of Little Falls will pay for one item or 4 car or truck tires or two tractor tires. If you have additional items you may have them picked up for the cost of the recycling. You must pre-register all items with the City of Little Falls and pre-pay for additional items for them to be picked up and that is by the end of business by Tuesday, July 6th. The indication form that residents in Little Falls should have received can be turned in to City Hall, mailed as soon as possible to Little Falls City Hall or call City Hall with any questions at 616-5500.
--A Benton County judge has sentenced a Rice woman for illegally obtaining medical assistance while acting as the guardian and conservator for a man who was hurt in a car crash. 54-year old Sheila Burski was also charged with two counts of financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult for taking social security payments intended for that man, 69-year-old Norman Meinert. Burski was found guilty on all three charges following a three-day trial in April. She was sentenced to 10 days in jail, supervised probation for 10 years, and must pay more than $122,000 in restitution.
--Minnesota Power reported a power outage Thursday morning that impacted around 288 customers near Bowlus. Power had been restored according to the companies outage map.
--A reminder from the Morrison County DAV Chapter 12 that they are collecting clothes today at from 9am-12pm at 609 4th Street Northeast in Little Falls. For information call Dan at 232-9412.
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office stated that the trailer reported missing was located south of 30th street on 110th avenue in Two Rivers Township Wednesday afternoon. If you have any information as to who may have taken this trailer, call the office at 632-9233.
--On July 1st at 8:52am Brainerd officers responded to a man hit by a train on Southwest 4th Street and located that the deceased adult male party was around 100 yards to the west of the tracks. Burlington Northern Santa Fe informed officers that the eastbound train was at that intersection when the man was observed by the engineer walking towards the tracks, the man walked into the path of the train and was struck while the operator did apply the brakes. Officers were able to identify the 66 year old male party but his name is being withheld pending notification of family members. The investigation is ongoing and BNSF is cooperating with authorities.
--The Minnesota Senate passed the K-12 education funding bill and sent it to Governor Tim Walz for his signature, averting the lingering threat of partial state government shutdown late Wednesday night. Overnight, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed four omnibus budget bills and a bonding technical bill into law. The four bills include one making changes to bonding projects from last year's special session, money for businesses and Minnesota workers, changes to the state's public safety measures, funds for veterans and the largest increase to the state's education budget in the last four years. Because the bills that the Governor had asked for were in the bills late Wednesday and signed the Governor announced he was giving up his emergency powers in the state that were in effect since last year due to COVID. Governor Tim Walz also announced yesterday that Minnesota has reached the goal set by President Biden and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to vaccinate 70% of the state’s 18-and-older population by July 4. Minnesota is only the second state in the Midwest to meet President Biden’s goal before the July 4th weekend.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Josh and Kelly Boser of Lastrup, a baby boy born June 29th.
DEATH NOTICES
--Sister Joan Tuberty, age 92 of St. Francis Convent in Little Falls
--Roger Lindquist, age 66 of Little Falls.
--Danny E. Slimmer, age 64 of Royalton.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies and warm, high near 90.
TONIGHT= clear night, becoming humid, low 65.
SATURDAY= hot and humid, high 94, low around 70.
SUNDAY= hot and humid, high 97, PM storms develop, low 68.
MONDAY= sunny and hot, high 91, storms possible early & late.
SPORTS
TWINS= White Sox beat Twins 8-5 yesterday to take that series. The Twins are at Kansas City this weekend, pregame tonight at 6:30pm, Saturday at 2:30pm and Sunday 12:30pm on Q92 WYRQ.
VL= Sobieski at Randall Saturday at 1:30pm on AM960 KLTF.
A reminder that Sunday is the 4th of July and due to that Monday is the Federal Holiday, no mail, many banks closed and due to that the offices of Little Falls Radio will be closed on Monday and there will be no newsletter delivered.