NEWS
--Tomorrow is the 4th of July, Independence Day marking the ratification of the Declaration of Independence for the birth date of the United States of America. The National/Federal and Legal Holiday means that most businesses, government offices, banks, libraries, post offices are closed for the 4th of July holiday. No regular mail delivery on Tuesday. There are festivities today and tomorrow around the state including Tuesday in Hillman with parade at 11am, Brainerd has their celebration Tuesday with parade at 6pm and fireworks at dark at the Brainerd High School. Make it a safe 4th of July.
--Mille Lacs County officials have identified a man killed Friday after the plane he was flying crashed into Mille Lacs Lake. Sheriff Kyle Burton said it was 47-year-old Ryan Comer of Blaine who was piloting the Icon A5. He is asking anyone who may have a Ring camera or similar camera pointed at the lake on the southwest side to check their cameras for any video of the crash. Anyone with video of the Friday night incident is asked to contact Mille Lacs County dispatch at 320-983-8257. Early on Saturday morning, law enforcement agencies said they removed the plane and the body of the pilot from the lake. On Friday, Mille Lacs County Dispatch received a 911 call from the pilot of another plane, who reported seeing a plane crash. Both planes took off from the Anoka County Municipal Airport around 1pm and flew to Mille Lacs Lake, where they planned on performing a brief water landing before continuing to a final destination in Aitkin County. The crashed plane was in approximately 26 feet of water and was occupied by only the pilot. The NTSB reports the plane involved is an Icon A5 aircraft; according to the plane's manufacturer, the Icon A5 is a sport plane that can seat up to two people.
--The Minnesota State Patrol and Department of Public Safety is asking if you take part in 4th of July celebrations please don't drink and drive, watch speeds and distracted driving on the roadways and the waterways. If you shoot off fireworks, put safety first especially if there are children around on the 4th of July holiday Tuesday.
--Several new laws took effect on July 1st in Minnesota. Among them new rules surrounding the use of no-knock warrants. It limits a judge’s ability to issue such warrants. No knock warrants will only be allowed if there is no way a search can be conducted when there is no one inside and only if the judge feels there is an imminent threat of death or injury to law enforcement if they make an announcement before entering. A new law will require up to 32 weeks of mental health treatment before a peace officer or firefighter with a psychological condition such as PTSD, or other serious mental health issue, can apply for duty disability benefits. Agencies must also pay the employee’s full salary and benefits during the treatment period. After 24 weeks of mental health treatment, an applicant for duty disability benefits can receive eight more weeks of treatment if they’re not ready to return to work but are progressing toward recovery. New veterans’ homes are due to open this year and will receive money for startup costs. The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Military Affairs will also receive increased funding. While the full adult use cannabis law doesn’t go into effect until August 1st, some parts began Saturday, like a 10% tax charged on retail cannabis sales. It also creates a new Office of Cannabis Management Board, appropriates money for the health department for education, and the Department of Public Safety for training.
--Next Rock Roll and Stroll will be Thursday night in Pierz.
--The Storm Prediction Center is stating there is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms today and tomorrow. Heavy rains overnight, strong winds, large hail and isolated tornadoes are in the vicinity starting later today into tonight and then throughout the day and night on Tuesday. Cooler and driers days are then forecast later in the week.
--A St. Cloud woman is facing a murder charge in relation to a drug overdose death in 2020, according to a Stearns County criminal complaint. 27-year-old, Ashley Anne-Marie Kapol is charged with one count of murder in the third degree, a felony, through a sale, gift, or distribution of controlled substances. Back on June 20th, 2020 a woman's body contained was found to have an extremely high level of fentanyl in her blood, and that the medical examiner determined that the cause of her death was an accidental overdose of fentanyl. Kapol was being housed in the Benton County Jail on separate charges, where she admitted that she sold pills, including Perc 30 pills, but denied selling any pills to the victim on the day she died.
--Two people were hurt in an ATV crash in central Minnesota. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office says the incident happened at about 4pm Thursday northwest of Alexandria. The ATV was driven by 46-year-old Brian Kielbasa of Roselle Park, New Jersey. There was also a child on the machine. The crash happened in the ditch of a county road causing the ATV to roll. Kielbasa suffered severe injuries and was airlifted to the hospital. The child has non serious injuries.
--A 73-year-old Ironton man was sentenced to more than 17 years in prison after being convicted on two charges of criminal sexual conduct involving two children. Donnelly was sentenced to 172 months in prison for the first-degree criminal sexual conduct charge and 36 months for the second-degree criminal sexual conduct charge. He also received 10 years of conditional release after he is released from prison, was fined $16,168 and ordered to pay $2,168.36 in restitution to the victims’ family.
--A North Dakota woman has pleaded guilty to burning down a Stearns County man's home. 40-year-old Jamie Morin of Wahpeton has pleaded guilty to 1st-degree arson of a dwelling after a mental illness exam found her mentally competent to face the charge. A deputy arrived to find the home fully engulfed and black smoke coming from the attic. The deputy made contact with Morin who, court records show, admitted she had started the fire and that no one was inside. When the deputy asked her why and how she had started the fire, she made comments about being kidnapped and wanted to escape, she later stated to officers that was not true. The house is considered a complete loss. Sentencing is September 7th.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and hot, high 94, isolated PM storms possible.
TONIGHT= thunderstorms overnight with heavy rains, low 65.
4th of JULY= severe thunderstorms afternoon & night, high 85
WEDNESDAY= rain showers, cooler and windy, high 70, low 48.
SPORTS
TWINS= Buxton and Gallo homer for Twins to win 8-1 Friday over Orioles. Twins win 1-0 Saturday but then lose Sunday 2-1 in a couple of pitcher's duels. Twins open series at home tonight with Kansas City Royals, pregame at 6:30pm on Q92 WYRQ. There 4th of July game at Target Field starts at 12:30pm also on Q92 WYRQ.
Little Falls Radio offices will be closed Tuesday, so there will be no newsletter Tuesday and back on Wednesday at businesses and online.