NEWS
--A Little Falls man was driving the truck that struck and killed a man standing on the interstate. The Minnesota State Patrol says it happened at 11:54pm Wednesday on westbound Interstate 94, just east of Highway 25, in Monticello. The man who died is a 23-year old from Buffalo. His name has not been released yet. The driver of the pickup that struck him was 49-year old John Hanson of Little Falls. Hanson was not hurt. The State Patrol has not released any other details about this incident or given any indication as to why the man was on the interstate.
--A day after the CDC reversed its course on indoor masking, Minnesota health officials said Minnesota teachers, students and visitors should mask up in schools this fall - even if they're vaccinated. Officials from MDH and the state's Department of Education stated Wednesday that these recommendations are no longer mandated, but rather the guidance is meant to "support local school boards and school leaders as they make decisions for the upcoming school year." Here are the MDH's recommendations: Everyone 12 years and older should get vaccinated against COVID-19 before going back to in-person school and engaging in activities, including sports. All students, teachers, staff, and visitors in school buildings should wear masks indoors, even if they're fully vaccinated. Schools should keep at least 3 feet of distance between kids in the classroom "whenever possible." When this is impossible, MDH said other measures are especially important. Students, teachers and staff should stay home if they're showing signs of any infectious illness. Those who are fully vaccinated do not need to stay home after having close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case, as long as they don't have symptoms and don't test positive. People fully vaccinated and returning to in-person school or activities should get tested for the virus regularly. Schools should "continue to strengthen" ventilation, contact tracing, handwashing, disinfection and other preventative measures. Other recommendations include 3-foot social distancing and vaccinations for those 12 years of age and older.
--The Stearns County Attorney's Office has charged one of three men accused of robbing a downtown St. Cloud pawn shop last August. 39-year old Johnathon Herring of Waite Park is charged with one count of 1st degree aggravated robbery. St. Cloud Police were called to Security Coin and Pawn Shop in the 600 block of St. Germain West on August 21st. Two employees were assaulted and numerous pieces of jewelry were taken. Police say three black men originally walked into the store and one of the men then left. The remaining two suspects grabbed the 75-year-old female clerk and 76-year-old male clerk and started punching them in the face. The two then jumped over the counter and ransacked a jewelry case and then fled on foot. St. Cloud Police were able to identify Herring as one of the suspects through DNA testing completed at the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension lab. The BCA determined the match by running the DNA sample through the Minnesota Convicted Offender Database. Herring was already in the Stearns County Jail being held on an unrelated offense and remains in custody. Police have no further information on the remaining two suspects in the case.
--The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has put the latest regulations handbook online at the DNR website for all to view. Hunters can buy their 2021 hunting licenses beginning this Sunday.
--Stream Little Falls Radio 24/7 at fallsradio.com.
--The Morrison County Fair continues today and tomorrow. Gopher State Midway of rides, exhibits, food and plenty of events including today Classic Car Show from 2-7 from Lone Eagle Auto Club. Smear Card Tournament at 12:30pm, Bingo, livestock show, United Way Bean Bag Tournament at 6pm, Horse show tonight, Truck Pull tonight, music RJ Graff Band and plenty more to see today at the Morrison County Fair. Saturday is kids day and plenty for the kids all morning into the afternoon, Paw Patrol, Balloon Twisting, 500 card tournament, painting event, Social Security Express plays old time music, Slew Foot Family Band, Century Farm Recognition at 3:45pm, 4-H Blue Ribbon Auction, Chocolate event, talent shot at night and Demolition Derby and Red Letter Band brings the fair to a close on Saturday night. Join AM960 KLTF Party Line today at 10am from the Fair and get fair details at fallsradio.com and click on fair logo.
--Approximately 65 soldiers from the Minnesota National Guard’s C Battery, 1st Battalion, 194th Field Artillery Regiment, headquartered in Alexandria, will be returning to Minnesota Saturday after a nine-month deployment with personnel stationed in Afghanistan and Iraq in support of Operation Freedom Sentinel and Operation Inherent The soldiers provided security in support of critical military infrastructure and personnel through the use of the Land Based Phalanx Weapon System (LPWS) which intercepted enemy rocket, artillery, and mortar attacks.
--Plenty of other events this weekend to view including Platte River Day on Saturday, parade at 11am, auction at 12:30, Duck Races at 3pm and Fabulous Armadillos at 8pm Saturday Royalton. Little Falls Senior Center Breakfast on Sunday 8-12. St. Joseph's in Pierz has their annual bazaar with outdoor events after that 10am Mass. The Brainerd Ski Loons have another show 5pm Sunday at Lum Park. The Stearns County Fair continues through this weekend then the Crow Wing County Fair begins on Tuesday in Brainerd. Get details on events at fallsradio.com then click on Community Calendar.
--The Little Falls City Council meets Monday at 7:30pm at LF City Hall.
DEATH NOTICES
--Dorothy J. Koopman, age 79 of Little Falls.
--Rosmary J. Wielinski, age 94 of Little Falls formerly Swanville.
WEATHER
AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT THROUGH 3PM TODAY.
TODAY= smoke and hazy, then sunny skies, high 83.
TONIGHT= clear skies, some haze and smoke, low 60.
SATURDAY= partly cloudy, breezy, smoke and haze, high 80, low 53.
SUNDAY= sunny skies, cooler, high 76, low near 50.
MONDAY= sunny skies, mild, high 78, low around 54.
SPORTS
TWINS= After a day off on Thursday the Twins are in St. Louis tonight at 6:30pm, Saturday pregame at 5:30pm and Sunday at 12:30pm all live against the Cardinals on Q92 WYRQ. Then Twins are off on Monday. The Major League Baseball trade deadline is this afternoon and many feel that a number of Twins players may go.
VL= Freeport at Upsala Saturday at 1:30pm in an elimination playoff/region qualifying game on AM960 KLTF.
OLY= In Minnesota they are calling today Sunisa Lee Day after winning the gold medal in women's gymnastics earlier this week. Lee is from St. Paul where her family has been watching her viturallly.