NEWS
--A reminder that Monday is now a Federal and State Holiday as reported back in 2021 President Joe Biden has made June 19th a Federal Holiday for Juneteenth. The day that southern states were made aware of the end of the Civil War announcing the end of slavery. Because of the Holiday, Monday banks and financial institutions are closed, government agencies like City Halls and Government Center and courthouses are closed. Some libraries and other offices are closed Monday. Best to call ahead. There will be no regular mail delivery on Monday as Post Offices will be closed. However the USPS said there will be special delivery and 1 day priority mail running and all parcel/package services stated they would have their regular schedule of deliveries on Monday the 19th.
--A Little Falls semi-driver was involved in an accident on Thursday morning at 6:11 on Highway 4 in Lake Henry Township of Stearns County. 21-year-old Tyler Tougas of Avon was westbound and turned in front of a southbound semi truck driven by 44-year-old Troy Kruzel of Little Falls. Kruzel was not hurt. Tougas was treated in Paynesville for what the state patrol said was non-life threatening injuries.
--Fruit blends sold at Walmart are under recall due to a possible Hepatitis A contamination. Willamette Valley Fruit Company is voluntarily pulling select packages of frozen strawberries and frozen fruit blends containing frozen strawberries off store shelves. They are sold under Walmart’s Great Value label and include sliced strawberries, mixed fruit containing strawberries and its antioxidant blend. They were sold in Minnesota’s stores between January 24th and June 8th, 2023. Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that results from exposure to the Hepatitis A virus, including from food. It can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious illness lasting several months. Illness generally occurs within 15 to 50 days of exposure and includes fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, abnormal liver tests, dark urine and pale stool. Consumers are urged to check their freezers for the recalled product, not to consume it, and either discard the product or return it to the store for a refund.
--State safety officials are raising a red flag after statistics revealed 70 people died in fires during 2022, making it one of the deadliest years in nearly three decades. The yearly audit, which is built on internal investigation reports and fatality records from the Minnesota Department of Health, suggests that many of these deadly fires were not just accidents. The State Fire Marshal's Division (SFMD) says nine of the deaths resulted from careless smoking, 13 of them involved vehicle crashes that resulted in a fire, and 29 of the 70 total deaths occurred when drugs or alcohol was present. Brainerd Fire Chief Tim Holmes said during a media briefing that while deadly fires impact all areas of the state, outstate Minnesota is especially vulnerable. Statistics gathered for the 2022 report show 59% of Minnesota's deadly fires took place outside the Twin Cities metro, accounting for 41 of the year's 70 deaths. Holmes said one reason for that is that most fire departments in smaller communities are staffed by volunteers, who generally have to travel longer distances to fire stations before gearing up and responding to a fire. Longer response times can impact survival rates when people are trapped inside a burning structure or vehicle. Of the 70 deaths, 48 of the deaths were men and 22 were women. The average victim is 56 years old, although victims ranged from six to 90 years old.
--Listen today at 2:05pm on 94ROCKS to see who wins the Lakes Jam VIP Tickets from Live on Location registrations that were taken at participating businesses this past week.
--Weekend events include the Little Falls Dam Festival tonight and tomorrow with parade at 11am on the northern half of Little Falls details through the Festival's Facebook Page with fireworks at dusk. The ribbon tree ceremony with CHI Health at Home will be Saturday at noon at Billig Park in Pierz and then at 2pm at Maple Island Park in Little Falls bring your own ribbon to put on the tree to remember a loved one who has died or a ribbon can be provided for you. Motley has their June Fest this weekend at the Motley fairgrounds. Our Lady of Lourdes Church has their final day of their rummage sale fundraiser today with a bag sale at the school Mary of Lourdes located behind the church. St. James Church is doing a farewell and God's Blessing for Father Jimmy Joseph who has been reassigned to the Parishes of Upsala, Elmdale and St. Francis beginning on June 28th there will be chance to wish Father Jimmy well after the 10:30am Mass on Sunday at St. James in Randall. Sunday is also Father's Day remember to think of Dad on Sunday. Get details on events at fallsradio.com and then community calendar.
--A confessed gang member has been detained on drug charges in Kandiyohi County. Drug and Gang Task Force members conducted a search warrant on a Willmar home on Wednesday and arrested a 40-year-old man. The suspect claimed he was a Latin Kings member and was part of an investigation into methamphetamine being sold in the area. During a search of the home, police allegedly found more than six ounces of meth, 11 ounces of psychedelic mushrooms, three pounds of marijuana, and two pounds of butane hash oil. Investigators also seized cash and a handgun. It is believed that the suspect has sold drugs in seven different counties, including Stearns, Todd and Benton Counties in central Minnesota and possibly more.
--Agram Township residents are invited to the sixth Annual Township Picnic to be held on Thursday evening June 22nd at the Town Hall located on Lake Road. This is a great opportunity for families and neighbors to take time out of their busy schedule to come together for an evening of food and friendly conversation. Plan to arrive any time after 5pm with food being served at 6pm. Residents are asked to bring a “potluck” dish to share and their beverage of choice. Hotdogs and lemonade will be provided. For more information contact one of the Agram Town Board members.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, not as hazy, high 78.
TONIGHT= clear night, low around 54.
SATURDAY= isolated AM shower, humid, high 84, night storms likely.
SUNDAY= showers & storms early, then some sun, high 81, low 60.
MONDAY= sunny and warmer, high near 88, low around 64.
SPORTS
TWINS= Detroit beats the Twins (35-34) last night 8-4. The Twins continue series at home against Detroit this weekend, pregame at 6:30pm tonight, 12:30pm on Saturday and Inside Twins begins at noon on Sunday, all live on Q92 WYRQ.
HS BAB= The State Baseball Tournament wraps up today at CHI Field in St. Paul with all four championship games to wrap up season.
WRAP= Saturday Morning Sports Wrap tomorrow will get an update on Pierz Clay Target shooters at the state tournament and a wrap up from the state tournament with the Flyer baseball coach. That is tomorrow morning at 8:30am on AM960 KLTF & fallsradio.com.