NEWS
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office reported an accident Thursday morning at 6:13am on 190th Avenue north of Iris Road in Little Falls Township. A 17-year-old male swerved to avoid a deer and flipped his vehicle onto its roof, then the vehicle started on fire. The driver was taken by private vehicle to a hospital with unknown injuries. The Little Falls Fire Department was called in to extinguish the car fire.
--The Minnesota State Patrol and Morrison County Sheriff's Office reported an accident occurred south of Little Falls on Highway 10 yesterday afternoon. No details have been released at this time.
--An Albany man was injured in a one-vehicle accident Wednesday afternoon in Todd County. 87-year-old Robert Klassen was southbound on Highway 287 left the roadway and rolling into the ditch. Klassen was taken to Long Prairie Hospital and treated for his injuries in the accident that happened around 2:40pm.
--Despite the fire earlier this week, events at the River's Edge Convention Center will go on. A posted statement from the River's Edge Convention Center stated "We're happy to report we anticipate no interruption to our clients or scheduled events". Their website indicates while this is a quieter week at the River's Edge next week they have a large Christian conference that will be taking over the building for several days. There's also a wedding scheduled there next weekend. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. St. Cloud Police Chief Jeff Oxton says they are asking anyone who may have seen something unusual in that area late Monday night or early Tuesday morning to call the police department's non-emergency line. The fire early Tuesday morning caused an estimated $200,000 in damage to the roof of the building.
–The Benton County Sheriff’s Office warns residents about increased black bear sightings. The sheriff’s office says they are becoming more common in the area. Residents in Benton County have reported around 15 sightings this year, with months left before hibernation season in late September or October. Stearns County has 19 reported sightings, and Sherburne County residents have reported 44 black bears around the area. Experts say as the population expands, conflicts with people will inevitably occur. Officials say, in general, black bears are cautious animals and avoid people. But that can change if people consistently provide a food source for them. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says the best way to avoid conflicts with bears is to deny them a free lunch. That means securing any potential food sources like bird feeders or garbage cans.
If you spot a bear, best not to approach, contact your local law enforcement or your local DNR Conservation Officer.
--Engine problems may have led to a recreational vehicle catching fire Monday on Highway 371 south of Brainerd. The Brainerd Fire Department responded to the fire, reported at 3:06pm in Crow Wing Township, north of the Brainerd Lakes Welcome Center. Brainerd Fire Chief Tim Holmes said the vehicle was traveling south on Highway 371 when the operators heard a bang come from the engine compartment. Holmes said the state patrol was first on scene and found the camper engulfed in flames. Firefighters were on scene for about an hour with no reported injuries.
--The next Coffee with the Cop event is scheduled for August 10th from 8:30am-10am at Country Inn and Suites in Little Falls. Members of the Sheriff's Office and Police Department of Little Falls will be on hand to answer questions and community members are welcome to come and hear the latest on drugs and investigations in the area.
--The Pierz City Council meets Monday at 7pm at Pierz City Hall.
--get info on Pierz Freedom Fest July 15th at fallsradio.com.
--A very busy weekend of events includes the 60th Annual Swanville Mid Summer Carnival is this weekend beginning at 5pm on Friday with Chicken BBQ and midway going that night, Saturday at 3pm midway and items get going and Sunday parade at 11:30am then items get going just after 12pm. Live music all three days, lots of food, and midway games all three days. Many other items this weekend to enjoy in Swanville. Harding Days is tomorrow with a parade at 11am, kids pedal tractor pull, mutton busting and a large rodeo event at 5pm, street dance at 8pm and fireworks tomorrow night around 10pm to finish the night in Harding. There is the Bethany Lutheran Church annual picnic at their church in Ramey east of Little Rock Sunday from 11am-1:30pm food, fancy work and other items at their event on Sunday. St. Lawrence Church of Duelm has their large bazaar and festival toward Foley on Sunday which includes bingo, food, music and a large raffle at 4pm. Also there is Holdingford Daze going on this weekend with parade and fun. Details on many of the events and more can be found at fallsradio.com.
--There are 4,000 fewer jobs in Central Minnesota now than there were in 2019. That’s the takeaway from the latest Minnesota Economic Trends newsletter from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. Since 2019, Central Minnesota jobs have disappeared in mainly in accommodation, management of companies, and nursing and residential care facilities. However, companies still struggle with a tight labor market.
--A Park Rapids woman and a Farmington woman were injured in a two-vehicle crash Tuesday on Highway 10 in Verndale. The accident occurred when a 2020 Toyota RAV4 was southbound on Brown Street in Verndale, a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox was westbound on Highway 10, and they collided in the intersection. The Equinox was driven by Cassandra Ann Cloud, 34, of Park Rapids and the Rav4 was driven by Laurel Susan Vannyhuis, 68, of Farmington. Both suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Vannyhuis went to Astera Hospital in Wadena. Cloud did not go to the hospital. All of the passengers were not injured in the accident and all involved were wearing seat belts.
--Linden Hill is hosting their garden tour Wednesday from 3-8pm at four sites in Little Falls and Bowlus. Tickets are $10 and proceeds go to the upkeep of the gardens and grounds at Linden Hill. For details or ticket information call Linden-Hill at 320-616-5580.
WEATHER
TODAY= sun and clouds, warmer, high 78.
TONIGHT= showers and T-storms in evening, low near 60.
SATURDAY= sunny and breezy, bit cooler, high 74, low 55.
SUNDAY= sunny and warmer, high 83, storms late day, low 61.
MONDAY= storms early, then sunny and warm, high near 85.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins open series with Baltimore tonight at Target Field. Pregame begins at 6:30pm, 12:30pm on Saturday and Inside Twins starts at noon on Sunday all live on Q92 WYRQ. The Twins then are off until next Friday due to the 2023 All Star Break. The All Star Game is played in Seattle on Tuesday night. Sonny Gray there for Twins.
LYNX= after 4 straight wins the Lynx host Phoenix tonight at 7pm.