NEWS
--Severe Thunderstorms went through Minnesota and Morrison County Friday afternoon. Around 2pm, storms developed south of Brainerd with large hail, gusty winds and heavy rains they reached the northern half of Little Falls and dropped half-dollar to golf ball size hail around 2:30pm and very heavy rains. Winds toppled a lot of debris, branches, small limbs off of trees in Little Falls and some heavier ones near Pierz and north of Buckman. Rain totals varied from well over an inch in area north of Highway 27 to around 8 tenths of an inch by the radio station in about 20 minutes to just a few hundredths at the airport on the south end of town. Severe storms continued through eastern and southeastern Minnesota Friday night.
--The Minnesota State Patrol is asking for your help investigating a fatal crash. Officials say the crash occurred about 3:30am Friday morning on Highway 10 between Rice and Sauk Rapids. A Nissan Pathfinder SUV was eastbound on Highway 10 when it left the roadway, went into a ditch, and rolled coming to rest on its roof. A passenger in the SUV was ejected during the crash and was struck by a GMC pickup. That individual has died. The driver of the SUV was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with serious injuries. Another passenger in the SUV was not injured, and it’s not believed the driver of the GMC Pickup was injured. Authorities are asking the person in the pickup to please come forward as they left the scene of the accident. Authorities also stated it is believed that alcohol was a factor in the crash. If anyone witnessed the incident, believes they may have hit the person in the roadway, or has more information, please contact the Minnesota State Patrol by calling 507-285-7410.
--The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help to find a missing amphibious vehicle. It is a beige Max IV amphibious 6×6 vehicle, similar to the one in the picture and was stolen from a house off Highway 27, approximately five miles north of Hillman in Richardson Township. The serial number on it is 17274. A chainsaw and some tools were also taken. Investigators say they believe the theft happened about 6:15pm on Sunday, August 6th. Anyone with any information regarding the theft is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 320-632-9233.
--Morrison County Sheriff's Deputy Brady Pundsack stated last week quote: I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for all the kind thoughts, prayers and unwavering support that everyone has shown after my recent accident. Throughout my recovery I have received cards, donations, and many visits from people wishing me well. I’m on the road to recovery and your ongoing support continues to inspire me every day. I can’t thank you enough. Pundsack was injured when struck by a vehicle while patrolling outside of Pierz Freedom Fest on July 15th. He only spent a handful of days in the hospital before being released and continues to recover from injuries at home in Morrison County.
--Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen and Sheila Watercott of Stand Up For U Sheila Watercott stated that there was fantastic support for Thursday's Coffee With A Cop. Thank you to Country Inn & Suites of Little Falls for hosting. Thank you to the Little Falls Police Department and Morrison County Sheriff's Office for your amazing community partnership. Thank you to community members for your questions, insight, and passion for safe communities. Pictures have been sent to the Little Falls Radio Facebook page.
--The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce has been made aware of a potential scam in the area. Some people have been going around to local businesses pretending to be a part of the school. They are asking businesses to buy ads for a Calendar/folder that is supposedly going to be utilized or distributed by the Little Falls Area School. The school has noted that they only utilize Range Printing to print their literature and other items, so if these folders/calendars are not printed by Range, more than likely, it is a scam. The school recommends businesses to ask the seller to produce a certified letter from the school saying they are authorized to sell these ads and or folders. If you have any questions in regards to this, please contact Kevin Jordan at Little Falls School. kjordan@lfalls.k12.mn.us. Jordan stated this has happened in previous years also and again is a scam if they say they are affiliated with Little Falls Schools.
--Pierz School's Superintendent George Weber spoke on KLTF Friday and said they area ready for another great school year in Pierz. Athletic practices are starting up this week for Volleyball, Football and Cross County and have started for tennis. They are still in need of some preschool helpers and bus drivers for the school year and those interested can call the school at 320-468-6458. Weber was very pleased with the reading numbers for Pierz grades 3 through 12th showing over 60% of students in the exceptional reading level from the state tests last year while the state as a whole was under 50%. Weber wants to thank all of the community and district for their continued support for the students, faculties and programs in the entire Pierz Schools District 484.
--A Rice woman was hurt in a crash Friday night. The incident happened around 6:30pm at the intersection of Highway 10 and 105th Street Northwest between Rice and Watab. The Minnesota State Patrol says a pickup truck was going west on Highway 10 and an SUV was going west on 105th Street Northwest when the two collided in the intersection. The driver of the SUV, 73-year-old Diane Volk, was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver and passenger in the truck, 59-year-old Richard Lucius and 59-year-old Paula Lucius of St. Cloud, were not hurt.
--A man from Annandale died in a single-car crash Friday. The Minnesota State Patrol says the man was traveling east on Highway 55 in Corina Township just after noon Friday. His vehicle left the road and crashed into a tree. The man was not wearing a seat belt. More details on the crash, and the identity of the man, are being withheld pending notification of relatives.
WEATHER
TODAY= morning rain, afternoon sun, high 74, clear night, low 52.
TUESDAY= sunny and warmer, high 81, low around 60.
WEDNESDAY= sunny and even warmer, high 87, storms late, low 60.
SPORTS
TWINS= Philadelphia routs the Twins 13-2 on Friday night. Twins come back Saturday and win 8-1 over Phillies. Twins get the series win with a 3-0 shutout by Sonny Gray and company on Sunday. Twins have today off.
REGION 8C= Buckman holds off Nisswa 5-3 Friday to win the Region 8C Championship. Buckman will get a first round bye this weekend and won't play until the 2nd weekend at state tournament. Avon wins in 13 innings 8-7 over Foley Saturday. St. Stephen eliminated Freeport 12-6 Saturday night. St. Stephen then beat Avon Saturday 10-0 for 3rd place to finish tournament. State Tournament begins on Friday night.