NEWS
--Authorities say a Foley man died in an accident in the parking lot of TEAM Industries in Audubon, Minnesota. The Becker County Sheriff's Office received a report of equipment touching a power line. Emergency crews found a Northern Metal Recycling semi-truck parked in the parking lot with the hydraulic bed extension resting against an overhead power line. The driver, 43-year old Joseph Boyle, was dead at the scene. The incident remains under investigation.
--Angie Petersen of the Morrison County Area Foundation stated yesterday on KLTF that the foundation is seeking grant applicants for their large grants they distribute to groups, schools, parks and other entities around the county to help with cirruculum, upkeep or rennovating those places. For more information go to the Morrison County Area Foundation website, the deadline for grant applicants is coming up on June 15th. Also they are starting up a new fundraiser to replace the Cheers to Morrison County this year called Ride the River Fundraiser on July 24th from 10am-3pm starting at Belle Prairie Park and canoeing and kayaking riding down the Mississippi River to LeBourget Park where an after party will be held with food trucks and beer, music and activities for young and old alike. You can bring your own watercraft or rent one for the event. The ticket of $40 includes a T-shirt, meal ticket for the after party and chance to win the grand prize they will give away of a new kayak. Tickets are $40 until July 1st then they will go up in price after that. Tickets are available from the Eventbrite site for the foundation or at the Convention and Visitors Bureau at 616-4959. All proceeds benefit the Morrison County Area Foundation for their projects and helping with grant recipients.
--Three people are charged in an incident where a St. Cloud man said he was beaten and robbed at knifepoint after buying drugs from one of them. Prosecutors have charged 28-year-old Omar Ahmed Abdi of St. Cloud and 30-year-old Mursal Fatah Shire of Waite Park with aiding and abetting 1st-degree aggravated robbery and aiding and abetting 2nd-degree assault with a dangerous weapon. A third suspect, 31-year-old Chantel Schardin of St. Cloud, is charged with one count of aiding and abetting 1st-degree aggravated robbery. Court records show the victim told police he bought a Percocet pill from Abdi, but Abdi gave him two and said the man could pay for the other one later. The next day, the suspects went to the man's house and knocked on the door. When the victim opened the door, he said the men rushed him and began punching and kicking him. Records show the men then forced him into the backseat of a car and held him at knifepoint. According to the charges, Schardin drove the group to TCF Bank and Kwik Trip where they used the victim's ATM card to try to get money. Police say when Abdi was arrested, he had the victim's debit cards on him and a knife matching the description used in the robbery.
--If you are approached this morning by the Stearns County Sheriff's Office don't be alarmed if you are given a donut. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office is celebrating National Donut Day Friday June 4th by giving out free donuts right on Division Street in St. Cloud. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office staff will be handing out free donuts at the intersection of 25th Avenue and Division Street in St. Cloud from 6:30am at 8:30am. National Donut Day is the first Friday in June and was started by the Salvation Army Lassies who back in 1917 reportedly went to the front lines and offered soldiers baked goods to help boost morale.
--Authorities are investigating another suspicious death in St. Cloud. Police say a woman's body was found on the edge of the road around 9:30 Thursday morning in the 4300 block of Cooper Avenue South. This is the second death authorities are investigating in the last two days. Investigations continue after another woman was found dead in an apartment in the 1400 block of 12th Avenue North Wednesday. The body was taken to the Midwest Medical Examiners Office for formal identification and an autopsy. The BCA is helping in the cases.
--The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is hosting an online public forum to give updates on the Little Rock Creek sustainable groundwater use action plan. The DNR says there are indications that groundwater use is affecting stream flows in Little Rock Creek, an important coldwater trout stream in Central Minnesota. The DNR's groundwater flow analysis completed in March 2021 shows that groundwater use in the Little Rock Creek area is reducing some of the seasonal low flows by more than 20% in four of the twelve years analyzed. A fish habitat analysis showed that the amount of change in streamflow results in a loss of fish habitat during those periods. The online meeting will be on Thursday, June 17th from 9am until 11:30am. There is no pre-registration required. To join the meeting, click on the link to the DNR's website.
--In an effort of celebrate outstanding customer service provided by employees of member businesses, the Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is requesting nominations for its Employee of the Month recognition program. Anyone who has been on the receiving end of great customer service is asked nominate that individual for Employee of the Month. Nominating is easy — just share a few sentences about the experience. Nomination forms are available on the Chamber’s website at www.littlefallsmnchamber.com under the nominations link. Make sure the business is a Chamber member by looking at the listing on the website. For more information or to submit a nomination contact the Chamber by calling (320) 632-5155 or send an email to: ginav@littlefallsmnchamber.com.
DEATH NOTICES
--Catherine A. Rausch, age 86 of Cushing.
--Lester R. Thies, age 91 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
FIRE WEATHER WATCH 12PM-9PM INTO TONIGHT.
TODAY= sunny and hot, high 95, winds pick up in afternoon.
TONIGHT= clear and warm, low around 66.
SATURDAY= sunny and hot, high 98, clear night, low 72.
SUNDAY= sunny and hot, high 93, late PM storms develop.
SUN NITE/MON= storms at night, low 61, sunny Monday high 88.
SPORTS
TWINS= Kansas City holds off Twins last night 6-5 in KC. The Twins continue series at Kansas City tonight with pregame at 6:30pm, Saturday at 2:30pm and Sunday Inside Twins starts at noon with pregame to follow on Q92 WYRQ.
HS SB= Pierz softball team wins 5-1 over Sauk Centre last night, Holdingford 12-2 win over Cathedral. Because Holdingford has graduation tonight, Pierz will take on Holdingford today at 1pm and the loser would play again this afternoon. Game on 94ROCKS.
HS BAB= Pierz at Foley in high school baseball playoffs. The game will be heard live on AM960 KLTF today at 5pm, news at 4:30pm.