NEWS
--The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for most of Minnesota today with temps in the 80s, low humidity and high winds of 20-35mph at times this afternoon, there will be a very high risk of fire danger in the area today from 11am-8pm.
--Yesterday, the Minnesota National Guard inducted thirteen retired members into this year's Court of Honor at Camp Ripley north of Little Falls. Over 530 inductees are presently memorialized and honored for their heroism, outstanding professionalism, and service to both the military and their community. Each inductee served as a member of the Minnesota Army National Guard or a civilian employee of the Minnesota Department of Military Affairs. This year’s inductees include: Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Ross S. Fortier of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Kevin S. Gerdes of Mahtomedi, Minnesota Col. (Ret.) Larry Herke of Sauk Centre, Minnesota Col. (Ret.) William A. Hose of Alamo, Texas Col. (Ret.) Chad M. Sackett of Little Falls, Minnesota
Col. (Ret.) Mark G. Wiens of Lake Elmo, Minnesota Chief Warrant Officer 5 (Ret.) of Elk Park, North Carolina Command Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Erik R. Arne of new London, Minnesota Command Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Robert L. Klinkner of North Mankato, Minnesota Command Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) John M. Lepowsky of Sauk Centre, Minnesota Command Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Michael P. Worden of Brainerd, Minnesota 1st Sgt. (Ret.) Virgil D. Cochran of Hastings, Minnesota DMA Civilian (Ret.) Mrs. Mari E Erickson of Valley Springs, South Dakota. Memorialization began in 1933 as a perpetual monument in memory of a grateful State and Nation, terrain features on the Camp Ripley Military Reservation, Little Falls are at this moment named in honor of Minnesota citizens, now deceased, who served honorably in our armed forces during time of war." A total of 159 individuals were honored at that time. In 2009, the Memorialization Board added a “Special Recognition” segment to their annual Court of Honor Induction Ceremony to recognize past Service Members for their sacrifices, bravery, and historical significance to our organization with a Special Recognition.
--An East-Central Minnesota woman was taken to the hospital after crashing her car Friday morning. It happened on Interstate 94 just after 6am. The Minnesota State Patrol says 20-year-old Jasmine Johnson of Grandy was eastbound when her car left the road into the center median and rolled. Grandy was taken to the Hennepin County Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. The State Patrol was assisted by the Wright County Sheriff's Office, Monticello Fire, CentraCare Ambulance, and Lifelink Helicopter. The patrol says Johnson was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
--The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has canceled the alert for 15-year-old Madison Allen. It was believed she walked away from her family’s Maple Lake home around 10pm Saturday night, and no one had seen or heard from her since. She had just moved to the area this summer after living in western Wisconsin, which was where authorities believed she may have been headed. They did not say where she was found, only that she had been found safe and thanked all in her search in finding her safe.
--Tomorrow (Tuesday) the Pierz American Legion Auxiliary will host pillow cleaning at the Red Rooster Parking Lot in Genola. Get pillows cleaned, fluffed and ready for fall and winter. The event runs from 7am-3pm on Tuesday. Proceeds help Auxiliary Projects.
--State officials announced that the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State received a suspicious package and the office was evacuated Friday afternoon. The FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Minnesota State Patrol are investigating the incident. According to a news release, the package was addressed to the office with a return address to the "United States Traitor Elimination Army." The Minnesota Secretary of State is responsible for overseeing the state's elections. State officials said several other Secretaries of State and state election officials received similar suspicious packages earlier this month. There was no confirmation if the package had a suspicious white powder like in the other states. In a social media post Friday, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison linked the suspicious package to political intimidation with the upcoming elections.
--Two people were hurt in a crash near Long Prairie on Friday afternoon. The Minnesota State Patrol says at about 2:30pm an SUV driven by 27-year-old Morgan Meyer of Burnsville was going north on Highway 71, and a pickup driven by 20-year-old Zachary Tschida of Sauk Centre was going south when they collided. Both Meyer and Tschida were taken to CentraCare Long Prairie Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The state patrol says alcohol was a factor with Meyer in the crash.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
--Actress Dame Maggie Smith of Harry Potter films and Downton Abbey died Friday at age 89. Smith started acting back in 1952.
--Country singer and actor Kris Kristofferson has died at age 88. He also wrote numerous songs for the likes of Johnny Cash, Janis Joplin, Sammi Smith, Ray Price and Barbra Streisand who he starred with in the 1976 version of “A Star is Born”.
DEATH NOTICES
--Rodney “Rod” Tiemann, age 88 of Royalton.
--Herbert “Herbie” Haselkamp, age 86 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
RED FLAG WARNING TODAY 11AM TO 8PM.
TODAY= sunny and windy, high 81.
TONIGHT= isolated evening sprinkle, clearing, cooler, low 43.
TUESDAY= sunny and cool, high 64, low around 46.
WEDNESDAY= sunny and warmer, breezy, high 76, low around 41.
SPORTS
TWINS= Baltimore beat the Twins 7-2 on Friday which eliminated the Twins from the 2024 playoffs. Baltimore wins 9-2 on Saturday then Orioles win 6-2 on Sunday to sweep the series. The Twins end their season on Sunday with an 82-80 record.
LYNX= Connecticut beat the Lynx 73-70 last night to take game 1 of the best of 5 series in the WNBA playoffs. Game 2 is Tuesday.
NFL= Vikings beat Green Bay 31-29, now 4-0 on the season.
COL FB= Michigan holds off Gophers Saturday 27-24, keep the jug.
NBA= Timberwolves trade Karl Anthony Towns to New York Knicks.
HS FB= DGF beat Little Falls 50-20, Pierz wins 56-26 over Melrose, Eden Valley Watkins 48-15 over Royalton, USA 28-8 over BBE while Holdingford, Staples-Motley, Pillager and Foley all picked up wins.