NEWS
--This is Wildfire Prevention Week. Wildfires are on the rise across the nation already this year up 46% from April 15th of last year. Most wildfires start from the escaped debris by residents as they try to dispose yard waste by burning it. In Minnesota since March 1st there have been over 400 wildfires with many across the central region with over 3 dozen in the Brainerd lakes area alone burning over 1000 acres. Burning restrictions are in effect for the following counties in our area: Morrison, Aitkin, Benton, Cass, Crow Wing, Mille Lacs, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, Wadena, and Wright counties. Recreational fires like campfires less than three feet in diameter are permitted at as long as they are monitored at all times. For information on the week and burning permits contact your local DNR conservation office.
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office in the last 10 days responded to a barn fire April 8th in Hillman, a wood pile on fire April 8th in Royalton, assisted Little Falls firefighters with a house fire April 7th on Third Street Northeast and helped the DNR with grass fires on Tuesday, one by Pierz, another near Motley and a third near Cushing. The Sheriff's office also responded to suspcious activity, theft, disputes, fights and scam reports all in the last week. Sheriff Shawn Larsen states that if you encounter suspicious activity to contact their office at 632-9233. If you receive a call that sounds like a scam, it is best to hang up immediately and not to give out any type of personal information over the phone or by email in case of a scam.
--Habitat for Humanity of Morrison County invites the public to participate in the dedication ceremony of their seventeenth home in Morrison County on Thursday, April 20th at 4:30 pm in Little Falls. The address of the home is 14486 Oak Ridge Drive in Little Falls. The dedication of the home is a celebration of a community effort built on the foundation of God’s love. Friends, family, and volunteers from all walks of life have helped build this home. Board president Kelly Stavish commented, “We welcome volunteers who helped build the home, contractors, suppliers, neighbors, friends and Habitat supporters to attend and celebrate. Please join us.” Once the home is completed, the family signs mortgage papers and begins making payments to Habitat for Humanity that include taxes and insurance. To volunteer, learn more, or apply to be a Habitat for Humanity homeowner partner, please call the office at 320-616- 2084.
--It has been over a year since a devastating fire destroyed St. Mary’s Church in Melrose and now the community is left searching for answers. In response to several months of discussion the church community met on the steps of St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud Saturday night to fight for a full restoration of the Melrose church. Spokesperson for the assembly, Joe Finken says restoring the church and preserving its history is important to the group. The Diocese Building Commission for St. Mary’s has been leading the project. The commission has been discussing the possibility of a full restoration of the church with Bishop Donald Kettler. In a letter to the commission, Kettler says one of his main concerns about the restoration of the church is that it must serve current and future needs of parishioners.
--The Minnesota State Fair will be losing one of its orignial items this year. Cheese Curds fans will be losing the original cheese curd spot at the fairgrounds. The iconic yellow building on Dan Patch Avenue started in 1975 by Dick and Donna Mueller will be closing this year as the Muellers announced they are retiring from state fair vendings.
--Motorists traveling Highway 238 between Upsala and Albany in Morrison and Stearns Counties will encounter detours and possible delays when a project to improve the road begins Monday, May 1st. Motorists should plan their travel in advance, and expect the following lane and road closures: Highway 238 north of Stearns County Road 17 – Highway 238 between Stearns County Road 17 and Morrison County Road 21/Walnut Avenue in Upsala will close May 1st through mid-June; Highway 238 in Albany – Highway 238 at County Road 10 in Albany will close for 1—2 weeks beginning in mid-June; Highway 238 south of County Road 17 – Highway 238 between County Road 17 and County Road 10 in Albany will close late-June through mid-September. The closures are needed as part of a project to improve Highway 238 between Albany and Upsala. The project will resurface the roadway and improve the roadbed, shoulders and replace or repair culverts along 14 miles of rural Minnesota roadway.
--A 16-year-old boy was killed after the car he was driving was hit by a semi in Otter Tail County Thursday. The crash happened about 6am on Highway 210 at milepost 56 near Vining when a semi pulling a trailer heading west crossed over the centerline and struck a car. The driver of the car, the 16-year-old male, was killed, the patrol said. He was the only occupant in the vehicle. The patrol hasn’t publicly identified him. 32-year old Jason R. Vadner was driving the semi. His are not considered life-threatening.
--The Little Falls City Council meets tonight 7:30 at City Hall.
DEATH NOTICES
--Margaret “Margie” R. Scholz, age 50 of Upsala
--Joseph “Joe” John Dembouski, age 83 of Pierz
--Sister Elizabeth Martell, age 89 of St. Francis Convent in LF.
--John Starr, age 83 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny, less windy, high 54.
TONIGHT= showers & t-storms toward morning, low 42.
TUESDAY= showers & t-storms likely, turning windy, high 57.
TUES NITE= mostly cloudy, cooler, low 35.
WEDNESDAY= cloudy, showers at times, cooler, high 47.
SPORTS
TWINS= White Sox beat Twins 2-1 Friday after a rain delay. Ervin Santana shut down White Sox 6-0 Saturday pitching a complete game 1 hitter. White Sox beat the Twins Sunday 3-1 in 10 innings due to a Garcia homer in the 10th. Twins (7-5) open a 4 game series at home against Cleveland tonight at 6:30pm on Q92 WYRQ.
WILD= St. Louis beat the Wild again 2-1 in game 2 Friday then won 3-1 on Sunday to lead 3-0 in the best of 7 series. Game 4 of the series is Wednesday night in St. Louis, Blues wrap it up with a win.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1817= first licensed school for the deaf opened in U.S. (Hartford)
IN 1869= first professional baseball team established in Cincinnati.
IN 1937= Warner Brothers introduced Elmer Fudd and Daffy Duck to Porky Pig cartoons. Bugs Bunny would be introduced in late 1940.
IN 1970= Paul McCartney released his first solo album.
IN 1985= The U.S. Post Office issues their LOVE stamp. The stamp sold for 22-cents and was one of the most popluar sold ever.