NEWS --Camp Ripley received significant storm damage after 10:00pm Wednesday night as storm cells passed through Morrison County. There were no injuries caused by the severe weather, though several buildings used for housing, training and maintenance received major damage. There was also major damage to the nearly completed 10-megawatt solar array that was set to be dedicated next week. The dedication has been postponed to next spring on a future date yet to be determined. Damage assessments continue, but most damage consist of collapsed roofs, fallen trees, debris and damaged vehicles throughout garrison areas of Camp Ripley. In a press release from Minnesota Power initial assessments indicate 25 percent of the 97 rows of solar panels sustained damage, including twisted and broken racks that hold the solar panels in place, broken solar panels and damaged wiring. Solar panels were crushed by a large storage container and other debris blown into the array by high winds. Construction of the solar array began in May. When complete, the $25 million project will be the largest nationwide solar power plant on any National Guard base, covering an area the size of about 62 football fields. The array was designed and built to American Society of Civil Engineers structural codes to withstand 105 mph winds and panels are tested to withstand the impact of golf ball sized hail.
--The 44th Annual Little Falls Arts and Crafts Fair and the West Little Falls Antiques and Collectibles Fair is this weekend. The hours are 8:00am-6:00pm Saturday and 9:00am-4:00pm Sunday. Hundreds of crafters, food vendors, antique and collectible finds along with thousands of visitors will head into Little Falls this weekend for the event. Also the 42nd Annual Lone Eagle Auto Club auto show and swap meet is Sunday at the Morrison County Fairgrounds from 7:00am-4:00pm. Shuttle buses will be going from the fairgrounds to the downtown area. There is also shuttle buses on west side of Little Falls and the north end of Little Falls to guide you downtown. If you choose to park, there are organizations that will be selling parking places for monies to be used for fundraising efforts. A reminder from local law enforcement to be safe this weekend, watch for traffic congestion in Little Falls, watch for many pedestrians and children out and about. Also watch your valuables and belongings by locking vehicles and keep valuables hidden if possible. Our Lady of Lourdes of Church will have an early 7:00am Mass on Sunday for crafters who want to attend church before the craft fair. They will also be serving a Belgian Waffle breakfast on Sunday morning to enjoy before heading to the events. Get more details on weekend events at fallsradio.com.
--Tomorrow at 9am there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony and groundbreaking for the new track at the Little Falls Community Schools. Superintendant of Little Falls Schools Stephen Jones will be a guest on Party Line today at 10am on AM960 KLTF and online at fallsradio.com to discuss the recent work on the track and other projects leading up to the school year that started this week. Also Little Falls Radio's Al Windsperger and Corey Fink will be live from the track Saturday morning at 9am for Coaches Corner live on AM960.
--A parade will be held for Silver Medalist of the 2016 Rio Olympics Games Alyse Post Saturday at 10:00am at Rivers Edge in St. Cloud. Post won the silver medal in BMX racing at the summer games.
--Listen to radio broadcasts of high school football tonight including Little Falls @ Milaca on KLTF and Maple Lake @ Pierz on FM94.
--The St. Mary’s Chuch in Melrose Steering Committee along with church officials are hosting a set of three meetings to figure out what should be done to the church after it was devestated by fire nearly six months ago. The big question is should the church be restored to resemble the original church or be made into a more modern church. A consultant will help lead each meeting trying to answer questions and update any progess that is being done. The consultant will gather the information from tonight’s meeting and use it to form a discussion at the meeting which will be hosted on September 14th. On the final meeting, September 27th, the consultant will review, summarize comments and let both the committee and church officials know what the community’s thoughts are on the church's future. St. Mary’s Church caught fire on March 11th. Investigators believe the cause of the blaze was arson. The investigation is still active and anyone with information is asked to call Arson Hotline 800-723-2020.
--A Princeton man was injured in a collision at 9:31am Thursday at U.S. Highway 169 and Freemont Avenue. 27-year old Jonathon Steinhart of Princeton, was driving north on Highway 169 when he broadsided a westbound vehicle driven by 57-year old Norma Larson of Zimmerman in the intersection. Steinhart was taken to Fairview Hospital in Princeton with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Larson was uninjured.
--It's been nearly a month since anyone has heard from Alice Whim of rural Motley who left a group home August 12th in Cass County and not been seen since. Cass County continues to search for Whim as she has ties to the Twin Cities metro area. If anyone knows where she is you are asked to contact the Cass County Sheriff's Office at (218) 547-1424 or a local law enforcement agency. Whim is described as having dark brown hair and olive-colored eyes, being 5-feet tall and weighing 100 pounds. Whim was last seen wearing gray sweatpants and a red shirt.
--Kinship of Morrison County will be having their annual Kids Day event Saturday, September 17th at the Morrison County Fairgrounds from 9-11:30am. For info call Aaron at 632-8806.
--The Pierz City Council meets Monday at 7pm at Pierz City Hall.
DEATH NOTICES --LuAnn Wagner, age 81 of Staples --Lester Koopman, age 90 of Little Falls.
WEATHER TODAY= partly sunny, chance of afternoon T-storms, high 72. TONIGHT= evening showers, then clearing, low 50. SATURDAY= sunny skies, high 68, clear and cool night, low 47. SUNDAY= sunny and breezy, warmer, high 78, low around 54. MONDAY= sunny early, afternoon T-storms, high 67, low 45.
SPORTS HS FB= Little Falls at Milaca tonight 7pm on AM960 KLTF HS FB= Maple Lake at Pierz tonight 7pm on FM94 KFML. TWINS= after Thursday off, Twins host first place Cleveland this weekend at Target Field. Pregame tonight 6:30, Saturday 5:30 and Sunday at 12:30pm all live on Q92 WYRQ. COL FB= Gophers host Indiana State Saturday 10am on KLTF. JACOB= The Twins will honor the life of Jacob Wetterling at tonight's game with #11 patches, The Gophers will on Saturday.