NEWS
--The Little Falls Fire Department was called out Friday morning at 8:46am to a gas leak on 160th Avenue north of 163rd Street near the Fairgrounds. A utility company struck a natural gas line while working in the area. CenterPoint Energy responded with several crews to mitigate the situation. It took several hours to stop the leak, so the Fire Department stood by at the scene until the leak was stopped. The road was closed until after 6:30pm Friday. Then on Saturday at 12:48pm the Little Falls Fire Department was dispatched to 800 6th St NE on a reported house fire. Fire crews arrived and contained the fire to the room of origin. There was extensive smoke damage throughout the house. Little Falls Fire was assisted by at the scene by Camp Ripley Fire. The residents were assisted by Morrison County Chaplaincy with housing needs. The cause of the fire is under investigation but is believed to be accidental.
--The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office reported two thefts on Friday. The first was a truck and flatbed trailer that were taken from a property off of 100th Avenue in Elmdale Township and last seen around 6:15am south of Bowlus. It was reported by the sheriff's office that the truck and trailer was found in St. Cloud later on Friday and that two suspects were arrested on possesion of stolen property. Then also on Friday in Buh Township the sheriff's office stated that a shed was broken into on 173rd Street and a 1963 Chevy Nova was stolen along with a Zuma moped. Around 5pm Friday it was reported the Nova was located near Shakopee in Scott County. There is a person of interest that has been identified then around 10:15pm it was reported the moped had been recovered too. A suspect is in-custody for possession of stolen property in Scott County.
--Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen talked on KLTF about many items. Sherrif Larsen stated the call load has been upticking, accidents (motor vehicle, ATV, watercraft) are on the rise, he asks those to please not multitask while driving, take your time and do it safely. Safety for those doing their own events for 4th of July and Father's Day as many large events are cancelled this year, a reminder to put safety first. Toward Zero Deaths will start in July through the summer month watching for speed enforcement, DWI and seatbelt violations to make sure that everyone is complying to the laws they have to enforce. Sheriff Larsen said with COVID-19 they have to follow guidelines, face shields, masks, gowns if need be, social distancing when possible but they have to do their jobs, jail visits are online now until further notice as many are glad to be out and about once again to help support our local communities and be at the local businesses to meet and hear from the people of Morrison County. Sherrif Larsen did state that with the recent developments in the Twin Cities Metro Area (Minneapolis and St. Paul), Sheriff Larsen sent down members from the area SWAT Team to help with the rioting to protect lives. The SWAT Team helped in Minneapolis, Washington County, St. Paul and Anoka County during that time period. Sheriff Larsen stated that work is expected to start on the southwest side of the old Historic Courthouse on a Memorial to remember Morrison County Sheriff John Stack and Chief Deputy Andrew Herlitz, who were killed in the line of duty October 15, 1965. The hopes is to have the Memorial completed later this year, more details to come on that. Sheriff Larsen stated if you have questions or concerns, if you notice anything suspicious or out of the ordinary call the office at 632-9233.
--Blood Drive at First United Church 1-7pm, call 632-0063 to sign up.
--The latest numbers from the Minnesota Department of Health showed Morrison County at 54 positive cases Sunday. Morrison County Public Health reported as of Friday there was still 1 person hospitalized and the 1 reported death from last week. Statewide on Sunday there were 311 new cases and another 15 reported deaths.
--The Minnesota State Patrol responded to a one vehicle accident Sunday afternoon on Highway 371 in Ripley Township north of Little Falls. A 2019 Ford Escape was traveling south on Hwy 371 at mile post 10 when a deer jumped out and was struck. The State Patrol said the driver had no injury but the passanger was transported and released for minor injuries. Names were not released in the report.
--Following the advice of public health experts, senior advocates, labor, doctors, hospitals, and long-term care providers, Governor Tim Walz signed Executive Order 20-75, extending the COVID-19 peacetime emergency that gives the state flexibility in responding to rapidly-evolving issues stemming from COVID-19. The Governor extended the order through July 13th.
--Governor Tim Walz announced an application process to select a new adjutant general to lead the Minnesota National Guard. The process follows the recent announcement that Adjutant General Major General Jon A. Jensen has been nominated to serve as the next Director of the Army National Guard at the National Guard Bureau, subject to confirmation by the United States Senate. As the Minnesota National Guard continues to support missions abroad, they have also been mobilized for domestic missions here in Minnesota. Since March, hundreds of guardsmen have served in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing logistics, planning, and transportation missions, as well as being integrated into the state’s testing response. The Adjutant General is appointed by the Governor to a seven-year term. Application materials should be addressed to Governor Tim Walz and due by this Sunday at 11:59pm.
--The Diocese of St. Cloud has added another name to the list of clergy likely to have abused minors. According to a news release Friday, Bishop Donald Kettler says Fr. Charles Meyer has been added to the list, after being notified by the Diocese of Bismark, North Dakota that Fr. Meyer was added to their list of "extern clergy with substantiated allegations of sexual abuse of a minor." Meyer served in the Diocese of St. Cloud as chaplain of Memorial Hospital in Perham and pastor of St. Lawrence in Rush Lake. He died in 1997. Bishop Kettler encourages all victims of abuse to come forward.
DEATH NOTICES
--Jean (Hadahl) Lemme, age 92 of Little Falls.
--Roger A. Weber, age 90 of Sauk Rapids.
--Florence Carry, age 83 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= isolated T-storm early, then hazy sun, high 83.
TONIGHT= mostly cloudy, windy and muggy, low 68.
TUESDAY= sunny, hot and humid, high 93, low near 70.
WEDNESDAY= sunny and hot, high 93, storms at night, low 58.
SPORTS
VL= the Victory League had some exhibition games last weekend and scheduled games to be played in the area for this weekend. Listen to Little Falls Radio for details on a possible return to the AM960 KLTF Game of the Week maybe starting this weekend.