NEWS
--The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has issued a severe drought warning and are issuing water restrictions to public water suppliers. The city of Randall will impose the following restrictions immediately. The City of Randall will be dividing the town at the railroad tracks. Residents on the West side of the tracks will be allowed to water their lawns, gardens, etc. on ODD numbered calendar days, (1st,3rd ETC.). Residents on the East side of the tracks will be allowed to water on EVEN Numbered calendar days (2nd,4thETC.). You may water between the hours of 8pm and 8am rather than during the heat of the day. Any filling of outdoor pools, lawn, garden watering should be completed on your allowed days and in the allowed time frames. Randall Mayor Danny Noss will be a guest on KLTF Community Focus today at 8:30am on AM960.
--The Morrison County Commissioners meet Tuesday at 9am at the government center boardroom. A proclamation will be made for County Staff Appreciation Day. The Sheriff's, Extension Public Health, Social Services, Community Corrections, Veterans's Office and Auditor will all give reports at Tuesday's meeting. There will also be two presentations at the meeting both on executive search items with organizations into the search for the next County Administrator following the announcement recently that administrator Deb Gruber plans on stepping down her position in early September.
--33-year-old Gloria Willard of Motley was sentenced in Morrison County District Court to 21 months in the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Shakopee on a felony conviction of second degree assault. The incident occurred June 2nd when Little Falls Police were dispatched to the back of the Rustic Saloon in Little Falls after they received a report of a female victim who was assaulted and bleeding. Willard told officers that she got into a fight with the victim, and that the victim was “swinging at her” so she “swung back.” Willard appeared uninjured and was arrested at the scene.
--Several fire departments helped put out a fire at an Albany business. Albany Fire Chief Gary Winkels says they responded to Nature's Best Ag Service at 1600 Railroad Avenue at about 2pm Thursday. They found a large amount of smoke coming from the building with flames visible through the roof. The building sustained significant damage. Everyone was able to get out of the building and there were no injuries to employees or firefighters. Because of the chemicals at the business, St. Cloud Fire Department's Chemical Assessment Team was called to the scene. It was determined that there was no threat to the public and the hazardous water runoff was contained. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
--A Watkins teenager was airlifted to the hospital after a crash in Meeker County Wednesday around 7:30pm east of 632nd Avenue in Forest Prairie Township, near Eden Valley. Authorities say 19-year-old Kobe Beattie was attempting to pass another vehicle when they lost control, went off the roadway, hit a field approach and rolled. Beattie was airlifted to St. Cloud hospital with serious, but non-life threatening injuries. No one else was injured in the accident.
--Organizers of the Morrison County Relay for Life announced that they were unable to get an event set for this year and so the Relay for Life in Morrison County has been cancelled for 2021 and hope to be back in 2022. There are relay events in Brainerd, Sartell and other area cities this summer. Check for details on their respected websites. Donations can always be made for cancer research through the American Cancer Society and local organizers for future events
--Much needed rain came into the area early Saturday morning. The Little Falls/Morrison County Airport reported 2.08 inches of rain, rain totals varied from 6-tenths in the northern part of the county around Fort Ripley and Randall, to 2.6 inches near Hillman and 2 ¼ inches near Elmdale with 1-2 inches totals from Little Falls, Royalton, Bowlus, North Prairie, Sobieski and then again in Lastrup. Though some areas saw larger amounts of rain, the county as a whole is still over 2-3 inches below average for the month and severe drought continues. Minimal chances of rain this week with still warm and dry conditions for the most part to finish out the month.
--The Pierz City Council meets tonight 7pm at Pierz City Hall.
IRS NEWS
--The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Unit is warning you about Child Tax Credit-related scams. They are advising you to be on the lookout for a variety of phone, e-mail, text message and social media scams targeting families eligible for the credit. They say there are simple ways to identify if it truly is the IRS reaching out. The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers via e-mail, text message, or social media channels. The IRS does not leave pre-recorded, urgent, or threatening messages. The IRS will not call taxpayers asking them to provide or verify financial information so they can obtain the monthly Child Tax Credit payments. The IRS will not ask for a payment via gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency.
DEATH NOTICES
--Ralph Lentner, age 90 of Pierz formerly of Hillman.
--Scott Axel, age 56, of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and warm, high 90, PM storms develop.
TONIGHT= strong storms possible before midnight, low 63.
TUESDAY= sunny and warm, hign near 90, low near 60.
WEDNESDAY= hot and humid, high 94, thunderstorms at times.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins win 5-4 Friday night over Angels. Angels had a no hitter into the 9th before the Twins broke it up but Angels still won on Saturday 2-1. Angels beat the Twins 6-2 on Sunday to take the series. Twins host Tigers tonight 6:30pm on Q92 WYRQ.
LF= The Litttle Falls Community School Athletics Department reported that the all sports meeting will be held August 9th at 7pm at the high school auditorium. This is for any student wanting to participate in any sports for grades 7-12 and their parents. Questions or for information call the Athletics Department at 616-2207.
LEGION= Pierz beat Tri Town (ACGC) 10-8 Saturday and move on to Sunday action in District Tournament play.
VFW= Little Falls VFW continues in District Play today at Sartell.
NHL= Wild traded two draft picks to get goalie Jesper Wallstedt on Friday with the 20th pick in the NHL Draft. Then picked Carson Lambos with the 26th pick on Friday night's first round.
VL= a wild weekend of Victory League Playoffs, first round winners included Nisswa, Pierz Lakers, Sobieski, St. Stephen, Buckman, Avon, Freeport and Foley. Winners Sunday included Avon, Upsala, Ft. Ripley and Sobieski in an 18-15 win over St. Stephen, Foley, Buckman, Randall and the Pierz Brewers. The playoffs continue on Saturday with another KLTF Game of the Week to be picked later this week.