NEWS
--Flooding efforts started early Friday morning in Randall after heavy rains flooded the community Thursday night into Friday after over 8 inches in areas Thursday and over 12-15 inches in 4-5 days time and even more is some areas. By Friday roadways were flooded over and Highway 10 in Randall had to be closed along with many other roadways. Mn Dot later on Friday closed Highway 10 from Motley to Little Falls completely due to safety. MnDot opened the eastbound lane on Saturday afternoon and Dove Road from Randall to Pillager was also reopened on Saturday. Then on Sunday they did open Highway 10 westbound to one lane from Little Falls to Motley but ask the drivers use caution and use slower speeds in the area. Pictures from the sheriff's office showed cars under water, businesses flooded, residents looking like islands and heavy water in many areas of the city. Bridges and the railroad tracks were under water. A command center was started and evacuations began Friday where 30 people had to be evacuated from their homes some by boat from the DNR and water patrol to shelters set up at St. James Catholic Church, Randall Presbyterian Church and Dr. S.G. Knight School until further notice. The city of Randall reported that the water treatment plant had to be shut down due to the flooding and the city was using an emergency well which still meets all the requirements and their was not water emergency to the city. The post office was temporally closed, they stated that the mail was not damaged by the flooding and Randall residents could pick up their mail at the Little Falls Post Office for the time being. By later on Saturday the waters were receding to where the laundromat was reopened to the community, sandbagging efforts Friday and Saturday helped with getting some city businesses going again, the fire hall helped with water and food services for displaced residents, City Hall was open Saturday and Sunday to help with questions. The City of Randall wanted to thank all you have helped and know in time they will be in need of volunteers but not right now as the safety of the those involved comes first and the safety personnel is taking care of all of those efforts. Randall Mayor Danny Noss on Sunday stated he has signed a disaster declaration and it was ratified by city council Saturday. The city will have a disaster evaluation tentatively starting on noon on Tuesday. Morrison County Emergency management will be requesting that the Morrison County Commissioners declare a "State of Emergency" based on the severe weather and damages throughout Morrison County. Additional updates will be provided as more evolve. The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by Randall Fire and Rescue, Little Falls Fire Department, Camp Ripley Fire Department, MN State Patrol, MN DNR, Scandia Valley Fire Department, Pierz Fire Department, Swanville Fire Department, Upsala Fire Department, Flensburg Fire Department, MN DOT, BNSF, Todd County Sheriff’s Office, Pipeline Safety, American Red Cross, Morrison County Public Works, Morrison County Land Services, Morrison County Emergency Management, Morrison County Public Health and Mayo Clinic Ambulance. Volunteers will likely be needed in the future but emergency personnel are still doing that for now due to the safety concerns and the city will release that information when it is needed. The sheriff's office did want to thank the gentleman from Brainerd who wanted to help and gave City Hall $500 Saturday to help with flood efforts in Randall.
--The Motley man's name who was injured Thursday has been released. A two-vehicle accident happened Thursday at 9:23am on Highway 210 in Cass County in Sylvan Township between Motley and Pillager. A 39-year-old Jeremiah Pikkaraine of Motley was eastbound on Highway 210 when his vehicle crossed the center-line and collided with a semi-truck driven by 52-year-old Michael Richardson of Oakdale. Richardson was treated for injuries at Brainerd Hospital. Pikkaraine was taken to St. Mary's Medical Center for Life Threatening injuries. According to the report from the state patrol, Pikkaraine was wearing his seatbelt but alcohol was a factor.
--A female is in the hospital after suffering a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Wadena County. The Wadena County Sheriff’s Office received the call just after 7:30pm Thursday. Upon arriving at the scene, officers found a female with a gunshot wound and began rendering aid. The victim was transported to Tri-County Health Care in Wadena and later airlifted to a Fargo hospital, where she remains under treatment. Her condition was unknown Friday.
--Another area of heavy rains and flooding Thursday night was in the St. Cloud metro area. The National Weather Service says St. Cloud had 3-5 inches of rain. As of 7am Friday, St. Cloud Public Services Director Tracy Hodel says 9th Avenue is closed under Highway 23. Hodel says there were five stalled vehicles on 9th Avenue overnight. Veterans Drive is closed from 33rd to 37th Avenue. There is also flooding on 7th Street behind the Armory, and the big pond by 33rd Avenue is full causing some flooding in that area. It is making for difficult travel in that area. It was asked to take alternate routes around the St. Cloud Metro Area. More heavy flooding was also reported in parts of Benton and Sherburne County Friday.
--The Minnesota State Patrol stated they will have a large saturation project for the 4th of July holiday weekend with extra officers out watching for speeding, impaired drivers and distracted driving.
--Bowlus Fun Day is this Sunday, Polka Mass then the Parade scheduled to start 11:15, water wars 2:30, fireworks at dark.
NATIONAL NEWS
--The Supreme Court on Friday overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling which legalized abortions in the United States. The overturning on the ruling does not ban abortions nationally but now gives each state to make the ruling what they want done which will not lead to many states banning abortions all together or others like Minnesota allowing abortions to continue with the woman being penalized by law if that occurs. Since the ruling many states have ruled already on if abortion will be allowed or prohibited in their state.
DEATH NOTICES
--Jerome “Jerry” Waldvogel, age 80 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, lighter winds, high near 80.
TONIGHT= slight chance of T-storms overnight, low 52.
TUESDAY= early shower, then partly sunny, high 82, low 58.
WEDNESDAY= sunny, more humid, high 88, storms late, low 67.
SPORTS
TWINS= Colorado shut out the Twins Friday night 1-0. Twins rebound and shut out Rockies Saturday 6-0. Twins take the series with the Rockies Sunday winning 6-3. The Twins open series at Cleveland tonight, pregame begins at 5:30pm on Q92 WYRQ.
NHL= Colorado wins their first Stanley Cup Finals since 2001 beating Tampa Bay last night 2-1 to win the series 4- games to 2.