NEWS
--Saturday is Independence Day in the United States on the 4th of July. Historically the Declaration of Independence was adopted July 2nd, 1776 and ratified by congress two days later. On a usual 4th of July weekend it would be filled with parades, some county fairs, festivals and many events but this year COVID-19 stopped all of that. There are some fireworks displays reported to happen in Brainerd, St. Cloud, Garrison, Pequot Lakes and other spots from remote locations but no gathering spaces to watch, has to be done in vehicles or at residences. Some are allowing some parking areas and around the riverbanks to be open but social distancing is required. The Minnesota State Patrol is out enforcing speed and drunk driving this weekend as the Department of Public Safety stated with less events more people might be looking for things to do closer to home and at home events, barbecues, fireworks shows could still become issues on roadways afterwards, and your are asked to please use caution when shooting off legal fireworks in Minnesota this weekend. With the 4th of July on a Saturday this year, there will be no mail delivery on Saturday for the holiday, there is today on the 3rd however government agencies (City Halls, Government Centers and other agencies and busineses), may be taking today off for the observance of the holiday, others may be closed Saturday so it is best to call ahead before venturing out today to make sure what is open.
--Little Falls Township provided more information Thursday on an update to the closed Roadways within Little Falls Township due to the June 30th rainfall event. 113Th Street is now closed from US Highway Route 10, westerly to 140th Avenue. This is in addition to the previous closures of 123rd Street East from Hillton Road to 140th Avenue, and, 140th Avenue South from 123rd Street to 113th Street. Both roadways will be closed for a week to ten days depending on the weather and saturation level of the soil for repair.
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office posted on their Facebook information from Morrison County Social Services that during this time of uncertanity, if you are feeling depressed or suicidal, please utilize the free services. These services are put in place for everyone, so please take advantage of them. Crisis Line and Referral Service provides a free, confidential, nonjudgmental, 24-hour crisis line at (218) 828-HELP Toll-Free: (800) 462-5525 Hours: Available 24 hours/day; Crisis Text Line, The Minnesota Department of Human Services announced that as of April 1, 2018 Crisis Text Line is available to everyone in Minnesota and across the nation 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The support is designed to provide Text-based suicide prevention and crisis services to those who are contemplating suicide or those who find themselves in a challenging situation. Trained crisis counselors are continually available to provide collaborative problem solving, help defuse the crisis, and connect the texter to local resources. Text: MN to 741741. Wellness in the Woods Warmline offers a peer to peer telephone support line. It’s a safe and supportive place for people to call and speak with peers who are there to listen and support adults experiencing emotional distress. Phone: 844-739-636. The other option available is to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
--It was announced Thursday morning that Lakes Jams in Brainerd this August has been cancelled now due to COVID-19 restrictions. It was first moved from July to August earlier this year but now has been offiically cancelled this year iN Brainerd.
--Listen to Little Falls Radio this weekend for a number of Independence Day specials. Today on KLTF from 9-11am there will a reciting of the Declaration of Independence, History of the day itself and speeches given by former President Ronald Reagan and John F. Kennedy, then a Jerry Stewart special to discuss the real reason our country if free this 4th of July weekend. See the entire lineup of programs this weekend on KLTF on the homepage at fallsradio.com. Our other stations Q92 and FM94 will also have musicial specials this weekend for you to enjoy listening to for the 4th of July holiday.
--There were two new cases of COVID-19 in Morrison County Thursday making the total positive cases at 59 with 1 confirmed death. Overall the state had 500 new cases, and 13 new deaths.
--Stearns County responded to a dirt bike accident Wednesday at 4:17pm in Holding Township. A 15-year-old male riding a dirt bike in the area of County Road 17 and 155th Avenue. Wyatt Miller of Albany, was riding his dirt bike eastbound on County Road 17 when his rear wheel locked up and he lost control of the bike. A witness, who was following him, saw the incident happen and called 911. Miller was taken to the Melrose Hospital for minor injuries.
--Two women were critically injured in a two vehicle accident Thursday just before 1pm on Highway 169 in Mille Lacs County. 78-year-old Joanne Koenig of Onamia was on 169 turned east into the northbound lane of 169 and was struck broadside by 53-year-old Jeffrey Boldenow of Elk River. Koenig and her passenger 82 year old Joan Vivant of Onamia were both air lifted to North Memorial in the Twin Cities with critical life threatening injuries. Boldenow and his two passengers, age 19 and 24 of Elk River were not injured in the crash.
--The yearly tradition in the Twin Cities the Aquatennial parade and events have been cancelled this year, were to be July 22-25th.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
--longtime broadcaster Hugh Downs died Wednesday. Downs was the host of TV''s Concentration game show in the 50s and 60s, the announcer for the Tonight Show with Jack Paar and was the longtime host with Barbara Walters for TV's 20/20 news magazine show. Downs died in Scottsdale, Arizona he was 99 years old.
DEATH NOTICES
--Sister Mary Cecelia Schmitt, age 92 of Little Falls born in Rice.
--Donald Czech, age 82 of Little Falls.
--Dawnette Thilquist, age 60 of Little Falls.
--Steven “Trapper” Christle, age 71 of Royalton.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and hot, high 91, head index around 100 in PM hours
TONIGHT= clear night, muggy, low around 67.
4th of JULY= sunny and humid, high 90, storms after 7pm, low 66.
SUNDAY= storms early, then sunny, high 87, more storms late in day.
SUN NIGHT= storms likely, some severe, low near 65.
MONDAY= storms likely, some heavy rains, high 85, low around 65.
SPORTS
TWINS= another classic Twins game Sunday, the clubhouse show begins at noon followed by the 1965 All Star Game played at the old Met Stadium, coverage live on Q92 WYRQ and fallsradio.com.
VL= there will be no Victory League game of the week this weekend but games Saturday July 11th and Sunday July 12th at 1:30 on KLTF.