NEWS --If the weather cooperates the first solar eclipse over the continental United States since 1979 will take place over the midday hours today in Minnesota. There is a chance of showers today which could hamper some sightings of the eclipse but if the skies clear the eclipse will start just after 11:30am and last until just after 2:00pm. Protective eyewear is suggested so that you do not look directly into the sun during the eclipse. For more information on the solar eclipse you can check out the weatherology page by clicking on the weather link at fallsradio.com.
--Around 6:35pm Thursday a Morrison County Sheriff‘s deputy attempted to stop a motor vehicle near Brandl Motors. The vehicle did not stop and a short pursuit took place through the parking lot. The vehicle eventually stopped and the driver fled from deputies on foot. After a search of the area the driver was located and taken into custody. According to the Sheriff’s Office, 21-year old Chase Fortier of Little Falls was arrested and is being held in Morrison County Jail pending formal charges.
--Residents, visitors and motorists in Pequot Lakes can now access Patriot Avenue/old Highway 371 from the south using the new Highway 371/Patriot Avenue reduced conflict intersection. The new intersection is one of three new ways motorists will find access to Pequot Lakes businesses, parks, residences and other locations after crews complete the new, four-lane Highway 371 project. The other two access points include the new Highway 371/County Road 11 interchange, which opened earlier this year, and the future Highway 371/County Road 112 reduced conflict intersection in north Pequot Lakes, which will fully open later in 2017. Also, motorists are reminded that Highway 371 between Nisswa and south Pequot Lakes will remain two lanes until further notice.
--The Minnesota State Patrol and Stearns County Sheriff's deputies responded Friday just after midnight to a call of a semi trailer on fire. The driver had unhooked from the trailer and moved the tractor to safety. He reported that the trailer was carrying various chemicals classified as oxidyzers. Paynesville Police Department responded and found the trailer fully engulfed and spewing toxic smoke. Deputies responded and assisted with shutting down the highway and diverting traffic. After consulting with the Paynesville Fire Department and the Minnesota State Patrol duty officer, it was decided that a half mile exclusion zone needed to be established. The Stearns County dispatch center made phone notification to those impacted and Stearns County deputies went door to door evacuating indivduals between County Road 85 and Highway 23 from Koronis Hills Golf course to Roseville Road. Those displaced from their homes were sheltered at the Paynesville High School for several hours until allowed back into their homes. Minnesota State Patrol was investigating the cause of the incident. Part of the highway remained blocked through the mid morning hours of Friday.
--A Brainerd man was injured when his motorcycle hit a deer early Tuesday morning. The Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office said that Ryan Shea Oehrlein hit a deer just after 6:00am at the intersection of county highways 22 and 23, near South Long Lake. The 29-year old Oehrlein was brought to a hospital by a private individual.
--The next Little Falls City Council meeting is Monday night at 7:30pm at the city hall council chambers.
--Join Morrison County Commissioners Mike Wilson and Jeff Jelinski today on KLTF Up Front at 9:05am on AM960 KLTF.
--The 24-year old woman arrested at a Los Angeles airport in July in connection to the 2015 death of a St. Cloud man was booked in Benton County Jail Thursday evening and made a court appearance Friday. Cheryl Oby Albert, of Eagan, was arrested on a warrant for second degree murder July 18th as a result of a two year investigation into the death of 37-year old Keletigui Keita. Judge Robert Raupp set unconditional bail at $2 million. Albert is charged with two counts of second degree murder and one count of third degree murder.
--Motorists will notice an increased number of bicyclists on north central Minnesota highways August 24th through the 27th for the annual Bicycling Around Minnesota event. The Minnesota Department of Transportation stated that approximately 300 bicyclists will travel through Walker, Bemidji, Park Rapids and Staples on several trunk highways, local routes and bicycle paths during the four days. MnDOT reminds all to share the road and follow all traffic safety laws.
--Fire has destroyed a business in the small town of Millerville. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office says firefighters responded to the Millerville Auto Center about 11:00pm Wednesday. The building was engulfed and later partially collapsed. It's considered a total loss. No injuries were reported. The State Fire Marshal's Office will help with the investigation into the cause.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS --Actor, entertainer and MDA host for their Labor Day telethon for many years, Jerry Lewis died Sunday at age 91.
DEATH NOTICES --Arlene Strack, age 78 of Randall formerly of Little Falls --Shannon Anderson, age 38 of St. Paul --Phyllis Super, age 88 of Little Falls. --Irene Dockendorf, age 94 a resident of Little Falls.
WEATHER TODAY= partly sunny to mostly cloudy, high 78 (eclipse today) TONIGHT= isolated T-storms in evening and overnight, low 52. TUESDAY= sunny and cooler, high near 70, low near 50. WEDNESDAY= sunny skies, high near 70, low around 50.
SPORTS TWINS= Sano hit 2, Escobar, Buxton, Dozier and Kepler all homered Friday as Twins win big 10-3 over Arizona. Twins win 5-0 Saturday over the Diamondbacks as Joe Mauer had a 3 hit game. Twins go long ball on Sunday again to win 12-5 and sweep the series. Twins play 2 today with White Sox starting at 3:30pm on Q92 WYRQ. 8C RECAP= Sobieski advanced 4-1 Friday over Springfield in Class C Tournament and will play Plato on Saturday at 11am. Blue Earth eliminated Fort Ripley Saturday 1-0 in 10 innings. St. Peter eliminated Avon Sunday 2-1 with a bottom of the 9th walk off hit. Buckman will play Raymond Saturday 11am on FM94 and Sobieski w ill take on Plato Saturday at 11am on AM960 KLTF from state tournament. VIKINGS= Russell Wilson 2 touchdowns, Seattle beat Vikings 20-13. LYNX= Lynx whipped Indiana 111-59 Friday, scoring 37 in a row at one point to take a 61-16 lead near halftime leading to the win. New York then beat the Lynx on Sunday 70-61 in New York.