NEWS --The Pierz School Board met Wednesday and set the preliminary tax levy. The preliminary tax levy for the Pierz School District had an increase of 6.9% for a total of 1.33 million dollars. The levy will be finalized on December 13th. It can not be raised at that time but could still be lowered. Due to changes in the state formula for how levies are calculated, if Pierz had passed the same levies the school did a year ago it would have had an increase of 8.4%. The school board was concerned over that hike so they took money away from levies they did last year to keep the rate increase to the lower amount with a 6.9% increase. Pierz also has their homecoming tonight against Eden Valley Watkins. A pep fest is at Pierz Healy High at 2:40pm.
--A free nitrate clinic will be held next week Monday through Friday from 8:00am-4:00pm daily at Morrison County Soil and Water. Residents are asked to bring a sample of water in a clean ziplock bag. Results are immediate and multiple samples can be tested. For more information, call (320) 616-2479.
--The Live Better Live Longer (LBLL) Belong Team is collecting items for Infant Kindness Kits. During the month of October, the team is requesting donations of packages of disposable diapers for infants (newborn and small sizes) and diaper wipes. Other items needed for the kits include newborn Onesies and other clothing items such as sleeper suits, sleep sacks and socks, infant (swaddling) blankets, burp cloths or bibs, and infant toys. All items must be new. Area churches are assisting with the collection. Items can be dropped off at the front (information desk) at St. Gabriel’s Hospital. Infant Kindness Kits are distributed by Morrison County Public Health home visitors and CHI St. Gabriel’s Health staff to welcome and celebrate newborn babies born to Morrison County families. To donate items to the Infant Kindness Kits or to learn about how to connect with the LBLL Belong Team, contact Kate Bjorge at (320) 631-5675.
--The Flyer Athletic Boosters (FAB) recently donated $75,000 to the Little Falls Youth Baseball Association. The monies will be used to help build four youth baseball fields at the Belle Prairie Complex. The fields will support summer and fall baseball for youth programs and will also provide a home for middle school, freshmen, and junior varsity baseball teams during the school year.
--The St. Cloud man who pleaded guilty to two robberies committed in 2016 was sentenced to more prison time Thursday. 24-year old Lavonta Devon Lofton was sentenced to five years and seven months following his felony conviction for first degree aggravated robbery with a firearm. Lofton admitted in June to robbing a gas station in St. Cloud on December 11th. As part of his sentencing, Lofton must also pay a restitution of $3,583. Earlier in the year, Lofton was convicted of first degree aggravated robbery for the robbery of a liquor store in east St. Cloud. He was sentenced June 16th in Benton County to four years and nine months for that offense.
--Brainerd Community Action announced a road closure to through traffic on Laurel Street from East River Road to South 5th Street on Saturday from 10:00am until 11:00am. Other roads that will be blocked include 5th & Maple, 5th & Norwood, 5th & Oak, 5th & Pine, 5th & Quince, 4th Street & Washington and the 4th Street roundabout. The closures are needed to allow for Homecoming Parade staging and parade route. The public is invited to watch the parade and show their Warrior pride. The Little Falls Homecoming Parade is next Friday, October 6th.
--There was a fatal crash Tuesday night in Meeker County, east of Eden Valley. The Minnesota State Patrol says it happened shortly before 9:00pm. A vehicle was going north on County Road 34 when it failed to stop at the stop sign at Highway 55 and collided with a van heading west. 75-year old Florence Deheer of Watkins died in the crash. Deheer was on Highway 55 and she was struck broadside by a 16-year old driver who failed to yield at a stop sign at County Road 34. The 16-year old and her 15-year old passenger were each taken to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
--A missing hunter was located in Cass County this past week after being missing for four days in the elements. The 57-year old from St. Paul was found safe near Remer and evaluated. Temperatures ranged from near 90 degrees and humid last Friday to only 37 degrees on Tuesday morning the day he was found. He had been missing since September 21st. The man was not seriously hurt.
--Two suspects were arrested Monday in a shoplifting incident at a general store in Garrison. A 26-year old was charged with felony robbery and a 20-year old charged with robbery and drug possession. The sheriff's office would not release names only that the theft was ruled under $500 dollars.
--There will be parent teacher conferences at the Little Falls Community Middle School on October 5th and October 9th from 4:00-7:00pm in the Little Falls Community Middle School Commons.
--Get details on weekend events like a harvest dinner Sunday in Motley, pancake breakfast Sunday at LF Senior Center and Quilt Bingo this Sunday in Lastrup at fallsradio.com community calendar.
ENTERTAINMENT --It looks like Justin Timberlake will be the halftime entertainment for the Super Bowl next February in Minneapolis. Timberlake stated on social media this week the deal has been finalized but the NFL has made no official announcement as of yet.
--Playboy founder Hugh Hefner died Wednesday. He was 91.
WEATHER TODAY= sunny skies, high near 60. TONIGHT= clear skies, low 36, some patchy frost after 4am. SATURDAY= sunny skies, high 63, showers after midnight, low 48. SUNDAY= showers likely, high near 60, more rain at night, low 50. MONDAY= showers likely early and late, high 64, low 47.
SPORTS HS FB= Eden Valley Watkins at Pierz tonight 7pm on FM94 KFML. HS FB= Little Falls at Zimmerman tonight 7pm on AM960 KLTF TWINS= Indians beat Twins 5-2 on Thursday to take 2 of 3 in the series. The Twins (83-76) wrap up regular season at home against Detroit this weekend. Pregame tonight 6:30, Saturday at 5:30 and Sunday is at 1:30pm all live on Q92 WYRQ. Twins will have a wild card game in the playoffs on Tuesday also on Q92 WYRQ. COL FB= Gophers vs. Maryland Saturday 10am on AM960 KLTF NFL= Vikings (2-1) host Detroit (2-1) Sunday at noon. LYNX= Lynx at LA for game 3 of finals tonight at 8pm, series 1-1. WRAP= Join Al Windsperger for the Saturday Morning Sport Wrap recapping the week in high school sports with names and stats and interviews with coaches, players and others, Saturday just after 9am on AM960 KLTF and online at fallsradio.com.