NEWS
--In accordance with the proclamation issued by President Barack Obama Friday, Governor Mark Dayton has ordered all United States flags and Minnesota flags to be flown at half-staff at all state and federal buildings in the State of Minnesota. As directed by the President, flags will be flown at half-staff until sunset tomorrow night as a mark of respect for the victims of the attack on police officers in Dallas, Texas. On Thursday a terrible attack on police officers occurred in Dallas, and the victims and their families deserve our honor, respect, and remembrance.
--The Linden Hill Community Garden Walk is tomorrow from 3-8pm in Little Falls. The Garden and Grounds Committee has arranged for touring four garden sites, all in the Little Falls area, in addition to the 40 vintage gardens throughout the Linden Hill Estate. The variety of garden sites will appeal to a diverse audience of horticulturists, beginning gardeners and all who appreciate the beauty of those summer treasures. Other gardens include Lois and Doug Anderson on Riverwood Drive, Linda and Jim Weiss on Riverview Drive, Linda and Bob Mueller on Hilton Road south of Little Falls and Roxanne Wyatt on Hilton Road about 6 miles south of Little Falls near Royalton. The cost to take part in the tour is $10 per person. Tickets can be purchased at Linden Hill or any individual family garden.
--The Little Falls Police Department in just over the past week, arrested a 24-year-old for felony drug possession after a traffic stop last Tuesday night on Fifth Street Northeast. Arrested a 31-year-old woman a week ago Sunday for disorderly conduct at CHI St. Gabriel's Hospital. Police responded to a grass fire a week ago Monday around 3pm on Hilton Road where officers extinguished the fire and grass without injury. Police also battled a car fire at the gas station a week ago Sunday around 5pm where officers used several fire extinguishers to contain the fire to the engine compartment of car. Police of Little Falls also responded to a number of theft reports of people taking wallets, purses, items from vehicles and outside garages. Again a reminder to leave items locked up and out of sight.
--A Brainerd man has been charged with two felonies and two misdemeanors after threatening others at a gas station on the 4th of July. 28-year-old Shane Sigler has been charged after Sigler and a female driver he was with got into an argument with two other men at a gas station when Sigler, who was intoxicated, threatened the two other men with a knife. After Sigler was arrested four other men also came forward stating that earlier that night Sigler had also threatened them and in one instance put a knife to a victim's chest. Sigler faces charges of assault, making terroristic threats and disorderly conduct in Crow Wing County District Court.
--The owner of the Blue Smoke BBQ in Alexandria which shut down three years ago after it was damaged by fire has been charged with arson. 26-year-old David Galbraith of Alexandria was charged July 7th with three felonies including conspiracy to commit arson, swindle and fraud. The complaint said in 2013 that Galbraith paid his then manager Derrick Bradley to burn down the building for insurance proceeds. From the fire Galbraith received $266,000 from the insurance. Bradley came forward to Douglas County and gave his information on the fire. Because of that the judge ruled that Bradley will not be charged for his role in the crime.
--Pierz Freedom Fest is this Saturday- details at fallsradio.com.
--The Pierz City Council meets tonight 7pm at Pierz City Hall. Agenda items including opening bids for the new Essentia Health Systems building and demolition of the Old Bank Restaurant building. Other items include asbestos inspection, hazard mitigation plan resolution, a groundbreaking date for the new clinic, accept resignation of Mark Dziewecynski and hear from city administrators and supervisors.
--A 28-year-old Brainerd man has been charged in connection with a 4th of July weekend garage fire. Clinton Janowiak has been charged with felony first degree arson of a building using a combustible material. Witnesses say on July 3rd that Janowiak was seen running from a northeast Brainerd garage right before an explosion caused a fire and a large hole in the roof. The State Fire Marshal found the cause of the fire was an accelerant being poured in a line and a melted gas container used in the blaze. Janowiak remains jailed in Crow Wing County with his next court hearing on Friday.
--A 17-year-old from Fargo was injured Friday night in a one vehicle accident on Interstate 94 in Stearns County. Just after 11pm, Mckayla Rothstein entered the left median ditch, went through the cable median barrier entering the westbound lanes, swerved back into the median and rolled. Rothstein was taken to Melrose Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
--Stearns County reported a watercraft accident with injuries Friday afternoon around 4pm on Long Lake in Eden Lake Township. Caleb Alixander Slouha was operating a 2005 Crestliner with his sister, Lauren McKay Slouha, and step brother, Caden Samuel Peters as passengers. All are from Atkins, Iowa. Their watercraft was struck broadside by a 2002 Crestliner being operated by Duane Curtis Putnam of Ham Lake. The watercraft being operated by Slouha was towed to shore where rescue personal were waiting. Caled Slouha sustained a possible broken wrist and some cuts and bruises. Caden Peters was airlifted to the St. Cloud Hospital by North Memorial Air for a head injury. Lauren Slouha and Duane Putnam did not appear to sustain any injuries.
--The Morrison County Commissioners hold their next meeting Tuesday morning at 9:00am at the Government Center.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS
--John and Kelsey Corrigan of Rice, baby girl born on July 6th
--Brock and Christine Weber of Upsala, a baby girl born July 7th.
--Lucas and Nichole Bialke of Little Falls, a girl born July 7th.
DEATH NOTICES
--Marliss (Smude) Olson, age 87 of Onamia.
WEATHER
TODAY= showers & t-storms, morning and late day, high 86.
TONIGHT= storms likely, some severe, low 63.
TUESDAY= sunny and breezy, high 83, clear night low 60.
WEDNESDAY= partly cloudy, chance of a T-storm, high 77.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins (32-56) head into the all star break winning 3 of 4 over Texas this past weekend. Texas won 6-5 Friday, Twins come back to win 8-6 Saturday and rout Texas 15-5 on Sunday.
LYNX= Lynx rout Dallas at home Saturday 93-56 in WNBA.
VL= Victory League playoffs begin this weekend on KLTF.