NEWS
--As hundreds of thousands of avid deer hunters head out this weekend for the firearm deer hunting opener, Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen reminds those to refrain from trespassing and be respectful of other peoples property, be alert at your target and what may lie behind it or around it at the time of the shot. Please be as visible as possible with blaze orange, also use caution around tree stands. Sheriff Larsen said the biggest injury issue they have had in previous years is falls from tree stands or equipment misuse or faulty items. Also make sure to tell someone where your are and when you plan on returning in case of an emergency, have a charged cell phone and also refrain from alcohol while deer hunting. Let's all have a safe and successful deer hunt from the Morrison County Sheriff's Office.
--At 3:37pm Wednesday the Little Falls Fire Department was dispatched to 4006 Sweet Road in Fort Ripley Township on a report of a grass fire. It was reported that the fire was spreading toward a residence due to the strong winds. Brainerd Fire was requested for assistance. When the fire departments arrived, they found the fire was burning in the woods. The fire was quickly brought under control with no damage to any structures. Then at 7:52pm Wednesday the Little Falls Fire Department was dispatched to 213 1st Street NE in Little Falls on a report of a trailer on fire. Little Falls Police arrived quickly and found it was brush burning in the trailer. The owner was keeping the fire contained with fire extinguishers. Firefighters wet the brush down to make sure the fire was completely out. There was minimal damage to the trailer. The fire likely started due to a discarded cigarette. Firefighters cleared around 8:15pm.
--Morrison County Administrator Matt LeBlanc spoke on KLTF yesterday and after nearly a year in office gave a review of the past year showing more road work, the Randall flooding, a fire at the public works shop, state audit and now election night coming up on Tuesday made for a busy 2022 so far. Election Day is Tuesday and if you still want to do early voting you will need today or Monday to go to the auditor/treasurer office. Due to the Census the Commissioner's redistricting means some may be voting for a different Commissioner next week and also unlike other years all 5 Commissioner seats are up for election on November 8th. LeBlanc stated that Chelsey Robinson is still on the ballot for auditor/treasurer though she resigned that position on September 16th after the ballot was finalized. LeBlanc said if she wins election from the ballot they will ask her first if she wants the position again or the Board is likely to ask for options and LeBlanc said he will give options for filling the next position in that office. He also said that early voting has been going on in the county although the actual numbers were not stated, LeBlanc knows the votes are coming in. LeBlanc said that the Board recognized many members in the county for their years of service to the county and if you have questions please reach out to his office at the County Government Center.
--A reminder that all Little Falls public and Catholic schools are off today and also on Monday. Also there is no school today for both Upsala and Swanville schools due to the football game at 12:30pm.
--Remember to “Fall Back” at 2am Sunday as clocks get turned back one hour to Central Standard Time. Little Falls Fire Chief Craig Seelen reminds everyone this is also a good time to check the batteries in your smoke detectors to make sure they are working properly. It is also a good time to check carbon monoxide detectors to verify they are working correctly too. Again we fall back at 2am on Sunday.
--The Morrison County Sheriffs Office recently shared an article from KSTP reported last month discussing sex trafficking and reminding citizens it can happen anywhere. The US Justice Department says up to 17,500 people are trafficked nationwide every year. In Minnesota, we saw a 175% increase from 2019 to 2020 in the number of victims and survivors who reached out to a hotline called Polaris Project which is a non profit that works to combat and prevent sex trafficking in the U.S. Nearly 2,900 people from Minnesota have contacted that hotline since 2007. As of a month ago, about 75 people in Minnesota since 2021 have been arrested on human trafficking or commercial sex act charges. One way authorities are combating this issue is by setting up fake online profiles often used by sex traffickers. These traffickers think they are chatting with an underage individual and create terms for sexual acts, but when they meet they find out they were visiting with undercover officers. Since social media has been a tool for criminals, it is important for parents to have an open dialogue with their children about online activities. That way if a child comes across this illegal behavior from a predator online, the child will feel comfortable sharing what they experienced. Then the information can be passed on to authorities who can investigate. If anyone is a victim of this type of crime, please reach out to the various help offered.
--Thursday's update from the U.S. Drought Monitor says 52 percent of the state is now in a Moderate Drought, which is up from 45 percent a week ago. They say 19 percent of the state is in a severe drought, an increase from 16 percent last week. And, seven percent is in an extreme drought, up from four percent last week. The National Weather Service says most of the state is around 3 inches of moisture below normal since September 1st. Again as Stearns, Benton, Sherburne and areas south and east of Little Falls are in moderate to severe drought; Morrison, Mille Lacs and most of Crow Wing are showing no drought issues or very slight drought issue in northern Crow Wing and far western Morrison County. Rain was in the forecast last night and in the forecast for next week.
--Weekend events include Zion Lutheran Church Fall Bazaar 9-1 on Saturday in Little Falls, Beef Stew Supper at St. Michael's in Buckman Saturday night at 5pm. Little Falls Senior Center Breakfast on Sunday from 8am-12pm in Little Falls, Our Lady of Lourdes quilt bingo Sunday at 1pm in Little Falls, Pro Life raffle and bingo at Holy Trinity Church in Royalton Sunday at 1:30pm. Details at fallsradio.com.
DEATH NOTICE
--Rosetta K. Weber, age 90 of Pierz
WEATHER
TODAY= morning clouds, then sun, high 42, clear night, low 26.
SATURDAY= sunny skies, high 46, rain/snow late, low 32.
SUNDAY= snow shower early, then sunny and windy, high 47, low 27.
MONDAY= partly sunny and windy, high near 40, cool night, low 22.
SPORTS
HS FB= Upsala/Swanville vs. KMS today at 12:30pm from the FargoDome live on Q92 WYRQ and also fallsradio.com.
HS FB= Royalton vs. Eden Valley-Watkins tonight 7pm from St. John's University will also be live on Q92 WYRQ fallsradio.com.
WS= Houston beat Philadelphia 3-2 last night to take game 5 of the World Series, game 6 in Houston Saturday night, Astros lead 3-2.
COL FB= Gophers at Nebraska Saturday at 11am
NFL= Vikings at Washington Sunday at noon.