NEWS
--A crackdown on driving while impaired netted 1,140 arrests recently. It ran from August 18th to September 4th, covering late summer and the Labor Day holiday weekend. Over 250 law enforcement agencies took part in the state. The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office tied for first among agencies in Greater Minnesota with 23 arrests. The Minnesota State Patrol St. Cloud district recorded 22. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety says driving while impaired arrests are up by about 800 in 2023 compared to last year (19,035 vs. 18,223). The data covers from January 1st to September 11th. Several repeat offenders were caught in the dragnet. In Blooming Prairie, a driver was arrested for first-degree DWI. They have been convicted of the same charge five times in the last ten years. The Winona County Sheriff’s Office arrested the same driver twice in three days for DWI. The Nobles County Sheriff’s Office had an arrest where the person’s blood alcohol content was 0.44, over five times the legal limit.
--Almost the entire state of Minnesota is now in a drought. Thursday's weekly update from the U.S. Drought Monitor says 99 percent of Minnesota is in at least a Moderate Drought, up from 85 percent last week. Just the far tip of the Arrowhead region is not in a drought, but they are listed as abnormally dry. The Severe Drought is impacting 62 percent, up from 55 percent last week. The Extreme Drought area is up to 19 percent, three percent higher than a week ago. And, the Exceptional Drought area remains at just over one percent. The rainfall numbers are as of Tuesday, so any rain that fell since Tuesday won't be accounted for until next week, so the heavy rain the fell in Duluth Tuesday night isn't factored into this report.
--After a 19-year-old man was charged with holding a Saint Catherine University student captive for three days and abusing her, an advocate is shedding light on how common campus sexual assaults are. About 25 percent of female college students have reported being victims of college sexual assault, that's according to the American Psychological Association. It's also the most prevalent campus crime, claiming 43 percent of total on-campus crimes, according to recent data. Major universities in the state have resources and support for students experiencing sexual assault, including Saint Catherine. The school offers a report form on its website. The school that were interviewed also said security is on campus 24 hours a day. The schools said if you're ever unsure about your own relationships or a friends', or ever in need of someone to reach out to organizations like the sexual violence center. Call Minnesota's Day One Crisis Line at 1-866-223-1111.
--A very busy weekend of events with high school football tonight, Saturday a fundraiser for Deputy Brady Pundsack at the Cave in Hillman, Albany Pioneer Days today through Sunday, Man vs. Beast Rodeo Saturday and Sunday at the Morrison County Fairgrounds, St. Michael's Church Bazaar is Sunday in Buckman, Camp Ripley Open House is Sunday at the base from 10am-2pm with groundbreaking ceremony for the new Military Museum at 2pm at the new site off of Highway 115 and Haven Road. There is a bingo at Sacred Heart in Flensburg on Sunday afternoon and many more events this weekend to enjoy. Details on events can be found at fallsradio.com.
--Join AM960 KLTF Party Line live today from the 49th Annual Albany Pioneer Days and Threshing Show in Albany with speakers and items on the large event, 10:05am on KLTF.
--With coronation set for Monday at 2:45pm in the MAC, Pierz Healy High announced the candidates for homecoming queen and king. Candidates for king include Joey Stuckmayer, Wyatt Dingmann, Kyle Winscher, Max Barclay and Logan Gross. Queen candidates are Maddie Lochner, Destanee Pekarski, Alex Thielen, Lily Poser and Lilah Bednar. Once crowned, the king and queen will preside over a week of activities, with the homecoming game set for next Friday night against Albany at 7pm and heard live on 94ROCKS KFML.
--A northern Minnesota resort is regrouping after a raging fire destroyed its lodge building and main cabin late Tuesday. Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk said fire crews were dispatched at 11pm to reports of a structure fire at Cass Lake Lodge in Pike Bay Township. Firefighters arrived to find the structure fully engulfed in flames. While crews were unable to save the lodge, the sheriff says it was unoccupied and that no one was hurt in the incident. The cause of the fire is under investigation and the cabin was a total loss.
--A fire that destroyed a vehicle and damaged part of a garage early Monday in rural Dassel was arson. According to a news release, a report of a vehicle on fire was made at 3:49am Monday in the driveway of a residence within the 72900 block of 240th Street in Dassel Township. Meeker County deputies along with Dassel and Cokato firefighters responded to the scene. Deputies quickly discovered the fire was the result of arson and the Minnesota Fire Marshal's Office was called to assist. Detectives are also reviewing surveillance video in an effort to identify a suspect. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to call the Meeker County Sheriff's Office at 320-693-5400.
--A 46-year-old from St. Cloud was injured Thursday around 12:33pm on Highway 15 near Sartell in Benton County. Pedro Hernandez was northbound on Highway 15, lost control, struck the guard rail and rolled over. Hernandez was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non life threatening injuries from the accident.
--The St. Gabriel's Hospital Advocates are hosting the White Sidewalls Rock-n-Roll Revue of 50s and 60s classic rock songs on Friday, September 22nd at 7:30pm at the Falls Ballroom. Silent Auction, Spin the Wheel, food and beverages at the event that night. Presale tickets are $30 at the St. Gabriel's Hospital gift shop until next Friday then they will be $40 at the door. Come help the Advocates with this.
WEATHER
TODAY= AM showers, then clearing skies, breezy, high 74.
TONIGHT= clear skies, cooler temps, low 46.
SATURDAY= sunny skies, breezy, high 65, low near 40.
SUNDAY= sunny skies, not as breezy, high 70, low near 48.
MONDAY= sunny and warmer, breezy again, high 77, low 53.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins pound the White Sox 10-2 last night. The Twins continue series with Chicago White Sox tonight, pregame at 6pm, Saturday at 5:30pm and Sunday Inside Twins at noon Q92 WYRQ.
NFL= fumbles and miscues early cost the Vikings in the end as the Eagles win 34-28 last night in Philadelphia. Vikings off until 24th when they take on the Los Angeles Chargers. Vikings are now 0-2.
COL FB= Gophers at North Carolina Saturday at 2:30pm.
HS FB= Morris Area at Little Falls tonight 7pm on AM960 KLTF.
HS FB= Pierz at Minnewaska Area tonight 7pm on 94ROCKS.