NEWS
--The Little Falls Fire Department responded to three calls on Saturday. The first at 4:22pm with the DNR dispatched to 3730 Lennox Road in Fort Ripley Township on a reported grass fire. Upon arrival they found a large swamp fire. The fire was actively spreading. MN DNR requested air resources along with several track vehicles to assist with extinguishing the fire. We also requested assistance from Camp Ripley Fire Department. Firefighters were on scene until approximately 1845 hours. MN DNR is investigating the cause of the fire. Shortly after returning from that fire, we were dispatched at 7:28pm to another grass/brush fire behind the residence of 21453 165th Avenue in Ripley Township. A neighbor was able to prevent the fire from spreading prior to our arrival. Camp Ripley Fire assisted us at the scene and MN DNR followed up with investigating the cause of the fire. Then at 8:27pm firefighters were called to Knife River at 13504 Haven Road in Little Falls Township on a report of a semi truck on fire. When we arrived we found two semi trucks fully involved in fire. It appeared as if one of the trucks started on fire initially and spread to the truck next to it. Both trucks were a total loss. The cause of the fire is under investigation. No injuries in any of cases.
--The man killed in Wright County after being struck by a vehicle last Wednesday night at 11:54pm was 23-year-old William Francis O'Sullivan of Buffalo. O'Sullivan was standing in the roadway of Interstate 94 east of Highway 25 in Monticello when he was struck by an oncoming vehicle driven by 49-year-old John Hanson of Little Falls. Hanson was not hurt. An investigation continues in the case.
--Governor Tim Walz has ordered order all United States and Minnesota flags be flown at half-staff at all State buildings in Minnesota, from sunrise until sunset, today in honor and remembrance of Red Lake Nation Police Officer Ryan Bialke.
--St. Cloud Police have arrested a man believed to be responsible for firing several gunshots in south St. Cloud over the last few days. Police were first called to the alley east of Go For It Gas in the 1000 block of 9th Avenue South around 3:30pm Tuesday. Officers set up a perimeter and used a police dog to try to track the suspect but were unable to find him. Officers were then dispatched to the intersection near 8th Avenue South and 9th Street South on reports of gunshots Wednesday shortly after 5:00pm. Again, police were unable to find a suspect. Witnesses said in both incidents, multiple gunshots were fired and a single suspect had been seen leaving on foot and carrying a handgun. At approximately 3:00pm Thursday members of the police department's Community Response Team arrested 18-year old Kenneth Cook Jr. of West St. Paul in the parking lot of 1000 9th Avenue South. Police say Cook was carrying a stolen handgun. The initial investigation leads police to believe Cook was shooting at a vehicle that was leaving the area. Cook was booked into the Stearns County Jail on suspicion of 2nd-degree assault, being a felon in possession of a gun, possession of a stolen handgun, and two counts of reckless discharge of a firearm. No one was hurt and there doesn't appear to be any damage to property in the area.
--The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce their August Employee of the Month is Charles Koenig, from Coborn's Marketplace. Congratulations Charles Koenig, Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Employee of the Month.
--A special Thank You from the Morrison County Fair Board for all who attended the fair last week in Little Falls. Again a big Thank You.
--Officials say two people are dead and a minor is injured after an overnight house fire. The Wadena County Sheriff's Office said the report of the fire came in at about 3:50am Sunday. When crews arrived at the home, which is in Wadena Township's Section 32, they found a juvenile outside with minor burns. The child's age was not released. Fire crews went into the home and found two adults. Lifesaving measures were not successful, and the two adults were pronounced dead at the scene. The juvenile was treated at a local hospital and released a short time after, officials said. The victims' names are not being released at this time, pending family notification. Wadena County officials and the State Fire Marshal's Office are investigating the fire.
--The Centers for Disease Control has issued new mask-wearing guidelines for vaccinated Americans, recommending that all people wear face coverings while indoors in certain parts of the country. The update was prompted by concerns over a nationwide spike in cases fueled by the delta variant of COVID-19. Fourteen counties were added to the CDC list last week and then another 9 were added late Friday for having higher percentages of COVID-19 cases and masks should still be worn. Mille Lacs, Crow Wing and Todd are on this list. Governor Tim Walz Friday stated that store owners in those counties to consider masks be worn indoors and this is only the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and not a mask mandate like last year at this time as the governor stated that he will abide by the recommendations by the CDC but because he stopped his executive powers in July he will not order any mask mandates.
--Authorities stated that 51-year-old James Blue, the driver of a vehicle that crashed killing two young men has turned himself in to the Orono police department on Wednesday. Blue was the driver of a car that crashed into several trees in Orono and killed 20-year-old Mack Motzko and 24-year-old and Samuel Schuneman. Orono Police stated that Blue face charges of criminal vehicular homicide and was booked into the Hennepin County jail.
DEATH NOTICES
--Laurie Poegel, age 64 of Cushing.
--Joe Kuchinski, age 71 of Swanville.
--Jeanette Menden, age 89 of Pierz.
--Jerome W. Gohl, age 80 of Little Falls.
--Donald G. Popp, age 85 of Royalton.
WEATHER
AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL 3PM TUESDAY.
TODAY= widespread haze, sunny, high 81.
TONIGHT= clear skies, some haze and smoke, low 57.
TUESDAY= sunny and warmer, high 85, low around 60.
WEDNESDAY= sunny and warm, high 86, storms late, low 64.
SPORTS
TWINS= St. Louis beat Twins 5-1 on Friday, before the game Twins traded Jose Berrios to Toronto, other pitchers Happ to St. Louis and Robles to Boston before the trade deadline for many prospects. Twins win 8-1 Saturday night but then lose 7-3 on Sunday. Twins off today.
PLATTE= Ethan Kowalczyk of Pierz won the Platte River 5K Saturday for the men and Sara Daleiden of Foley was the top woman finisher.
OLY= Minnesota's Suni Lee took the Bronze Medal Sunday in the uneven bars at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. The United States were at 59 medals after Sunday, the games wrap up this Sunday.