NEWS
--Authorities have released more information Friday on a deadly crash on Highway 25 in Sherburne County reportedly 12 miles south of Foley. Just after 2:30pm a semi driven by 29-year-old Michael Gallagher of Ogilvie was going south on the highway. A car driven by 77-year-old Daniel Riordan of Cushing was going east on County Road 16. The vehicles collided in the intersection. Riordan died in the crash. Gallagher was taken to St. Cloud Hospital for minor injuries.
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office posted Friday that communicating during an emergency is critical. People need to know what's happening and what they need to do to protect themselves and their loved ones. That's why there will be a National Emergency Alert Test to get the it working before disasters strike. On Wednesday at 1:20pm FEMA and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are conducting a wireless emergency alert test on all cell phones, radios and TVs. This will also occur at 1:20pm live on all three Little Falls Radio Stations Q92 WYRQ, 94ROCKS and AM960 KLTF.
Cell phone users will receive a message that says, “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” Participating radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers and wireline video providers will display a message that reads, "This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 1:20 to 1:50pm This is only a test. No action is required by the public. For more information on the test go to fema.gov and FCC plan.
--Minnesota’s Driver’s License For All law takes effect today. As a result, the Minnesota Department of Vehicle Services is working to make the process simpler for non-English speakers, while still ensuring that each driver knows the rules of the road. The DVS is offering forms, including the written test, in several languages and has included instructional videos in many languages as well. Several groups have also developed programs. The Minnesota Immigration Movement is planning on offering driver’s education classes, while COPAL is planning to open written testing centers. For more information and links to multilingual videos go to the Minnesota Department of Vehicle Services website.
--Pine Grove Zoo is looking for people of any age to help them carve pumpkins for their BooFest event. The carved pumpkins will stay at Pine Grove Zoo and line their pathways at the event. Creativity is in the eye of the beholder. Carving will be on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. The doors will open at 3:45pm to begin carving at 4pm. Pine Grove Zoo will provide the pumpkins for you to carve for them. If you have any extra pumpkins, you would be willing to donate, please let them know and bring them with you. There will be a drawing at the end of the pumpkin carving for those carvers in attendance to win free tickets to Pine Grove Zoo’s family fun BooFest on October 21st. Bring your favorite carving tools. Pine Grove Zoo does ask that you let them know you will be coming by calling them at 320-616-5595 or emailing them at info@pinegrovezoo.com.
--There will be a Trunk or Treat event on October 13th at the Morrison County Fairgrounds. The event will be from 5-6:30pm for kids to come and enjoy and also they will be collecting donations for local schools while kids grab candy from the trunks of vehicles. Bring the kids and help out the schools October 13th at the Fairgrounds.
--Stream Little Falls Radio all 3 stations online at fallsradio.com.
--A hot October 1st as records were broken around the state and in Little Falls as the temp reached 91 degrees. That is only the 3rd time since weather records were kept back in 1872 that the state had 90 degrees in October and most of the state could see it again today.
--The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Employee of the Month for October is Michael Bednark who works at Hilmerson Sports Center. Michael has been there for over 3 years and as an employee of the month, Bednark received a number of gift certificates from chamber businesses. Congratulations to Michael Bednark.
--Governor Walz has ordered all U.S. and Minnesota flags to fly at half-staff in honor of the life and legacy of California Senator Dianne Feinstein. The order covers flags at all state buildings and remains in effect until sunset on the day of Feinstein’s burial, which has not been determined. Governor Walz expressed his condolences to the Feinstein family for their loss. The longtime serving Senator died on Thursday night. Feinstein started her Senate career in 1992 and was in her 5th term, she had announced she was not running again in the 2024 Senate race in California as in failing health. She was 90.
--Upsala had coronation on Sunday afternoon and the King and Queen are Noah Boeckermann and Isabelle Lenars. The USA homecoming game is on Friday at 2pm vs. KMS in Upsala.
--The threat of a federal government shutdown was suddenly easing Saturday after the House quickly approved a 45-day funding bill to keep agencies open. The rushed package would leave behind aid to Ukraine, but increase federal disaster assistance by $16 billion.
DEATH NOTICES
--Lucille “Lu” Kerfeld-Sauer, longtime resident of Little Falls.
--Thomas “Tom” Leiferman, age 72 of Little Falls formerly Rochester.
--Angeline Mary Kempenich, age 94 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and warm, high near 90 and breezy.
TONIGHT= clear night, warm, low around 66.
TUESDAY= AM sunshine, high 80, storms in afternoon, low 55.
WEDNESDAY= showers & storms, breezy, high 63, low near 51.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins get a 9th inning run to beat Colorado 7-6 on Friday night. Twins rout the Rockies on Saturday 14-6. Rockies beat the Twins Sunday in 11 innings 3-2 to end the regular season. The Twins finish the season 87-75 and will open the Wild Card playoff best of 3 series at home on Tuesday against Toronto Blue Jays. First pitch is scheduled at 3:38pm on Tuesday, pregame at 2:30pm and you can hear all the playoff games for the Twins on Q92 WYRQ.
COL FB= Gophers win homecoming Saturday 35-24 over Louisiana. The Gophers will take on #2 Michigan in prime time Saturday.
VIKINGS= Kirk Cousins throws two touchdown passes to Justin Jefferson and Harrison Smith has 3 sacks as the Vikings hold off the Carolina Panthers 21-13. The Vikings host Kansas City on Sunday.
HS FB= lightning halted some games on Friday night as DGF beat Little Falls, Pierz downed Melrose, Royalton, Upsala/Swanville and Holdingford all lost on Friday night some halted due to lightning.