NEWS
--A ribbon cutting ceremony was held outside Great River Arts in Little Falls, Thursday, in celebration of the community mural that was installed above the non-profit organization. The 52-foot by 4-foot mural was a project that was spearheaded by summer intern Hannah Moller in collaboration with the weekly Big Dig events during the Highway 27 road construction. It was painted by 235 individuals who ranged in age from 3 to their mid-70s and features the words, Live Love Local Little Falls. Stop downtown and see the beautiful mural.
--A motorcyclist was injured Saturday around 9pm on Highway 27 east of Long Prairie in Bruce Township in Todd County. A Ford F350 was traveling westbound on highway 27 west of 335th ave. A Harley Davidson motorcycle was also traveling westbound behind the F-350. The F-350 slowed to turn left. The motorcycle thought the F-350 was turning right and tried to pass on the drivers side. The F-350 turned left and struck the passing motorcycle. Three women ages 19, 20 and 21 were not injured in the pickup truck. The motorcycle driver 58-year-old Delbert Schultz of Long Prairie was taken to Long Prairie hospital and treated for what the State Patrol stated was non-life threatening injuries.
--A 25-year-old from Brooklyn Park is dead after a one-vehicle rollover accident in Pequot Lakes of Crow Wing County Saturday night. Just after 7:30, the driver was south on Highway 371 when the vehicle left the roadway and rolled striking a tree. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The name has not been released.
--The Minnesota State Patrol reported Saturday was a deadly day on Minnesota roadways as at least 5 people were killed Saturday on state highways. Fatal accidents were reported in Crow Wing, Lac qui Parle, Hubbard and Chippewa Counties on Saturday alone. A reminder to please buckle up and play it safe on the roadways.
--The Minnesota State Patrol announced their next safe and sober enforcement campaign which begins August 15th and runs through Labor Day. More than 400 law enforcement agencies will take part in cracking down on impaired drivers during the late summer travel period and Labor Day Holiday Weekend. The State Patrol will also be enforcing hands free laws in effect over 500 tickets have already by cited from the State Patrol alone and with local agencies reporting nearly 300 tickets given for hands free violations in the state since the law went into effect on August 1st.
--Following the recent shooting in El Paso, Texas- Walmart is removing from all of its stores signs, displays or videos that depict violence. The retailer instructed employees in an internal memo to remove any marketing material, turn off or unplug video game consoles that show violent games, and to make sure that no violence is depicted on screens in its electronics departments. Employees were also ordered to turn off hunting season videos in the sporting goods department. Walmart is taking the actions, "out of respect for the incidents of the past week where 22 died. No videos or video games that depict violence will be removed from shelves and there is no change in the company's policy regarding gun sales.
--Congratulations to the winners of the Upsala Heritage Days 5K run on Saturday morning. The men's winners was Adam Pangrac of Moorhead followed by Josh Hodgson of Upsala and Christopher Borash was 3rd. For Women the top finisher was 15-year-old Clara Pflueger of Albany followed by 13-year-old McKenna Graves of Grey Eagle and then 15-year-old Emily Press of Burtrum finishing third.
--2018 DFL Candidate for Congress Joe Radinovich announced Friday that he will not seek the 8th Congressional Seat in 2020 against 8th District Congressman Pete Stauber. “While I believe that our country faces its most important elections in 2020 -- one that will determine whether our nation embraces a return to governing in pursuit of our founding principles of justice, equality, and freedom and on behalf of all Americans,” Radinovich wrote, “my most immediate priorities are at home, with my fiance and our family as we plan our future together.” The former state lawmaker and DFL insider, Radinovich lost to Stauber but close to 20,000 votes a 50 to 45% margin of victory.
--A 43-year-old from Montrose was injured Saturday night just before midnight in Wright County on county road 35 when the vehicle left the roadway and struck a power pole. Jessi Ernst was taken to the hospital in Robbinsdale for non-life threatening injuries.
--Beloved local baker, eternal optimist and a guest on many local, state and national shows including appearing on AM960 KLTF, Marjorie Johnson has another milestone as she turned 100 on Friday. Marjorie has won thousands of blue ribbons over the years for her baked goodies. She has also made appearances on national television such as the 'Tonight Show' and 'The Talk.' Johnson in a television interview stated if the Lord is willing she will be at the Minnesota State Fair making over 40 years in a row at the fair for the “Blue Ribbon Baker” who is originally from Robbinsdale.
DEATH NOTICES
--Bernice Held, age 88 of Hillman.
--Isaac W. Harer, age 37 of Little Falls.
--Anne Brausen, age 83 of Pierz.
WEATHER
TODAY= scattered showers & T-storms, some heavy rain, high 76.
TONIGHT= showers and storms likely, some heavy rain, low 58.
TUESDAY= showers early, then partly sunny, windy, high 68, low 51.
WEDNESDAY= sunny skies, low humidity, high 72, low around 50.
SPORTS
TWINS= Cleveland beat the Twins 6-2 on Friday night Twins win 4-1 on Saturday thanks to homers from Kepler and Gonzalez. Twins rallied Sunday to tie the game in the 9th only to watch the Indians win in the 10th 7-3 to take 3 of four in the series and tied the Twins on top of the division with a 71-47 record. Twins are off today.
NFL= Vikings beat New Orleans 34-25 Friday in preseason game #1, their 2nd game is vs. Seattle at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday night.
REGION 8C= Buckman beat Avon on Saturday 3-2, meaning Avon will be the 4 seed in the state tournament out of the region. Ft. Ripley beat Buckman 5-0 and Buckman is the #3 seed. Nisswa defeated Ft. Ripley Sunday 5-2 to win the Region Championship meaning Nisswa #1 seed and gets a bye. Ft. Ripley #2 seed and will play as will Buckman and Avon this weekend in Class C Tournament.
CONF= many area teams will be starting up in new conferences this fall season, including Pierz joining the Granite Ridge Conference (excluding Football) with teams like Little Falls and Foley. Royalton will take Pierz's place in the Central Minnesota Conference to take on teams like Holdingford and Eden Valley Watkins. Becker will be joining the Mississippi 8 Conference with teams like Big Lake & Princeton. The fall sports seasons starts with tennis this week.
LYNX= Lynx win on Friday, then lose on Sunday, now 12-12.