NEWS
--The Little Falls Fire Department had a busy weekend. On Friday at 1158am, the Little Falls Fire Department and MN DNR were dispatched to 10364 Airport Rd in Little Falls Township on a reported grass fire. Upon arrival we found a grass and brush burning. We were able to stop the fire before it spread into a nearby swamp. Then Saturday at 3:27pm, the Little Falls Fire Department and MN DNR were called to the area of Iris Rd and 180th Ave on a reported grass fire. MN DNR was nearby tending to a fire from two days prior. They were on scene almost immediately but were unable to contain the fire. We found the fire was spreading rapidly so we requested assistance from Royalton Fire and Camp Ripley Fire. MN DNR also requested air resources. Firefighters were on scene until 8:30pm.The cause of the fire is believed to be from a spark from equipment cutting hay which was also to blame for the fire in that area Thursday. Then Sunday at 12:55pm, the Little Falls Fire Department was dispatched to 18768 213th St in Ripley Township on a vehicle fire. We found the pickup truck was fully engulfed in flames. The owner was able to disconnect the trailer to prevent that from being damaged. The truck was a total loss and there was minor damage to a nearby garage. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
--Mayor of Upsala Rollie Johnson informed KLTF Friday that Upsala is in the works of building a new assisted living facilty and also October 29th and 30th they will have an robotics event from the high school and bringing in a large number of people to view that event he also thanked all who came to Upsala over the weekend for their Heritage Days event. He also wanted to give congratulations to the Chris and Abby Fuchs family who found the Upsala Medallion Thursday evening by the football field. Their prize is $100 in Upsala Bucks.
--Swanville School Superintendent Gene Harthan said Swanville is trying to be as normal as possible. No mask requirements in the school but again still on the buses by a federal guideline. The split lunch times will continue and activities and athletics are going strong. Swanville schools will have a board meeting and then they will finalize their back to school plan by the end of the this week. Any questions for the Swanville schools call 547-5100.
--Two pedestrians were seriously injured Friday at 1:17am when they were struck by a truck while walking through a crosswalk in front of the Grand Casino Mille Lacs. 58-year-old Ronald R. Sternquist of Palisade was driving a Ford F-150 north on Highway 169 near Grand Avenue, when the truck struck two pedestrians. The driver was not injured. The pedestrians, 36-year-old Joseph M. Nickaboine and 18-year-old Kiala M. Ryle both of Onamia suffered life-threatening injuries and were transported to North Memorial Health Hospital in Robbinsdale. Alcohol was not a factor in the crash.
--A 3-year-old girl is dead as a result of an accidental shooting in the Cass County town of Bena. According to a news release from the Cass County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded Friday around 4am and learned that a girl had been shot by accidental gunfire by a 5-year-old boy in the household. The victim was taken to the Deer River Hospital by family members and was intercepted by an ambulance from Deer River and lifesaving efforts were attempted. The victim was pronounced dead at the hospital. Authorities continue to investigate but stated this was a tragic fatal accident.
--The Little Falls City Council meets tonight at 7:30 at City Hall with some of the members meeting via Zoom for the meeting.
--A 14-year-old St. Cloud boy faces several charges including robbery, driving a stolen vehicle, DUI, and fleeing police after crashing the car early Friday morning. St. Cloud Police were called to a robbery complaint around 1am in the 300 block of Laudenbach Court. An 18-year-old man said he was jumped by three males while walking home from a party. The attackers got his backpack and car keys before the victim was able to flee and call the police. The victim said he then saw his car being stolen. Officers spotted the stolen car heading east on University Avenue and tried to make a traffic stop. Police gave chase when the car accelerated but called off the pursuit due to the high speeds. The car was spotted again early in the morning, but the driver refused to pull over, sped away, and eluded pursuing officers. A short time later, officers found the car in the train yard just north of Breckenridge Avenue and 14th Avenue North. The car had crashed into an elevated track platform and was on fire. The 14-year-old driver was still trapped inside. Officers worked to extinguish the fire and pull the teen from the wreckage tool him to St. Cloud Hospital for treatment of injuries he received before being arrested.
--A Grey Eagle man was taken to the hospital after falling asleep behind the wheel and crashing in a ditch. The crash happened around 3pm Wednesday at the intersection of County Road 167 and Long Lake Road in Millwood Township, near Freeport. 55-year-old Jon Stone was heading north on County Road 167, when he fell asleep and missed a curve. Stone was treated at Melrose Hospital.
--Two people were hurt and two others were arrested after a shooting in south St. Cloud Thursday night. St. Cloud Police were called to the 1000 block of 9th Avenue South at about 10pm on a report of gunshots. Officers arrived at the scene and found evidence of shots fired but no victims were found in the area. A short time later, a 21-year-old St. Cloud man arrived at the hospital with multiple gunshot wounds which appeared to be non-life-threatening. A short time later, a 16-year-old boy from Sauk Rapids arrived at the hospital, also with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. An argument led to the shootings and twom men have been arrested in the case.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Joshua and Katie Bretzman, of Hillman, a baby girl on August 12th.
DEATH NOTICES
--Frederick J. Lentz, age 91 of Swanville.
--Debra J. Gerwing, age 55 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and warm, high 90.
TONIGHT= clear night, low around 65.
TUESDAY= sunny and hot, high 94, low around 70.
WEDNESDAY= sunny and hot, high 92, low around 66.
SPORTS
TWINS= Tampa Bay beat Twins 10-4 on Friday. Twins beat up the Rays on Saturday winning 12-0 with plenty of power. Max Kepler scored to walk off the Rays with a win on Sunday 5-4 for the Twins. Twins host the Cleveland Indians tonight at 6:30pm on Q92 WYRQ.
VIKINGS= Denver beat up the Vikings 33-6 on Saturday preseason.
REGION 8C= St. Stephen eliminated Ft. Ripley 4-3 and Foley eliminated Buckman 6-2 Saturday to advance to state. Avon won the Region 8C Championship Sunday 6-5 over Sobieski. Foley won the third place game over St. Stephen. State Tournament begins Friday.