NEWS
--The Little Falls Fire Department was dispatched Wednesday morning at 8:33am to 205 7th St Southeast in Little Falls on a report of a house fire. When the fire department arrived, the fire was found in the kitchen area and heavy smoke throughout the house. There were no residents home at the time of the fire, but there were two pets inside that were able to get out on their own. The fire caused extensive damage in the kitchen with some extension into the attic above the kitchen. There was smoke and water damage throughout the house. There were no injuries to residents or firefighters. The residents were assisted with temporary housing by the Morrison County Chaplain and the American Red Cross. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the MN State Fire Marshal’s Office, but is believed to be accidental. Firefighters cleared around 11:15am.
--The Initiative Foundation delivered 233 grants during the second quarter of 2022 totaling nearly $2.8 million. 123 grants for a total of $1.4 million as part of DEED’s Minnesota Main Street COVID Relief Grants program. 15 grants totaling $1 million-plus to regional nonprofits. Projects range from a sweeping homeless shelter remodeling project in St. Cloud to bilingual advocacy services in Long Prairie to a business training program with long-term poverty-reduction implications for Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe youth. Through its Innovation Fund, the Initiative Foundation awarded 23 grants totaling more than $151,000. The grant awards support housing security programs for renters; a planning study and preparations for senior housing in Eagle Bend; and a September Cultivating Communities conference hosted by the Region Five Development Commission. See the full list of grantees. Also in the second quarter of 2022, Initiative Foundation-hosted Partner Funds awarded 71 grants totaling more than $196,000. Among other efforts, these grants supported a splash pad project in Pequot Lakes; a back-to-school fair in the Staples-Motley area; and a science, technology, education, arts and math lab for Royalton schools. The following organizations were among those receiving Initiative Foundation grants during the months of April, May and June 2022: HousingLink—Beyond Backgrounds: Creating Housing Security for Vulnerable Renters: $5,000 to help vulnerable renters find and secure stable housing opportunities. Eagle Bend Area Development Corporation—Hilltop Senior Campus: $5,000 to support planning and preparation for a Hilltop senior campus. St. Cloud State University Foundation, Inc.—Diversity in Teching Initiative: $5,000 to support recruitment, retention, graduation and placement of people of color in teaching positions within Central Minnesota. City of Swanville—Implementation of Energy and Environmental Plan: $5,000 to support a Region Five Development Commission partnership to enhance energy efficiency, including conversion to LED lighting and investment in a more efficient furnace. The following grants were among those made by our Partner Funds during the months of April, May and June 2022: Rum River Community Foundation: $1,000 to the city of Milaca to support trail expansion. Hackensack Lakes Area Community Foundation: $1,000 to the Hackensack Gamechangers for seasonal community decorations. Little Falls Education Foundation: $1,300 for a middle school fitness room. Memorial Hospital Foundation (Serving Greater Isanti County): $12,500 to the Anoka Ramsey Community College Foundation for a telehealth simulation lab for healthcare students. For more information visit ifound.org/generosity/our-funds.
--The Little Falls City Council meets Monday at 7:30pm at City Hall.
--SBA resources are available to Minnesota businesses and residents affected by severe storms and flooding in June 2022. The declaration covers Morrison County (primary) and adjacent counties of Benton, Cass, Crow Wing, Mille Lacs, Stearns and Todd. SBA's Disaster Loan Outreach Center at Randall Fire Hall is closing permanently today at 4pm so this is the final day for one on one consultations. Following today, applicants may yet apply online via SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov. Paper applications may also be obtained by calling 1-800-659-2955 for applications to be mailed. If approved for a loan, an applicant is under no obligation to accept it. They can turn it down now, and still “reactivate” their application for up to 6 months from the date of their determination letter. An SBA loan is one tool in a person’s recovery toolkit as they consider all their options. It’s important to know that low-interest federal disaster loans are for homeowners and renters plus businesses of all sizes, non-profit organizations, faith-based organizations, small aquaculture businesses, and small agricultural cooperatives impacted by the storms. All can apply for their uncompensated losses if their insurance wasn’t enough to complete their repairs or they didn’t have insurance. Rates are very low and terms are up to 30 years to make the payments affordable, with no collateral required for loans of $25,000 or less. There is no pre-payment penalty. The application deadline for physical damage is September 23rd. The application deadline for economic injury (Business only) is April 25th, 2023.
--The Parent-Athlete-Coach meeting in Royalton will be at 6pm tonight in the Cafetorium. This is for all sports for all seasons in the upcoming school year in Royalton.
--A reminder to parents and students in Swanville that tonight is the all student athletes for students entering grades 7-12 is the athletic information meeting at 7pm in the auditorium. Eligibility papers and fees can be finalized that evening.
--Area Catholics will celebrate rural life and century farms this Sunday from 10am-3pm in Princeton. The 2022 Diocesan Rural Life Celebration begins with an outdoor Mass with Bishop Donald J. Kettler at the David Trunk Farm near Princeton. During the Mass, the Diocese will award the Catholic Century Farm and Catholic Rural Business Awards. Receiving the award this year: Czech Family Farm of Morrison County est. 1899, Bauer Family Farm of Benton County est. 1915, Ebnet Family Farm, Stearns County est. 1906, Kern Farm Wadena County est. 1914, Michael Farm of Isanti County est. 1910, Rausch Family Farm of Stearns County est. 1872. Following the mass, a meal and entertainment will follow.
DEATH NOTICES
--Marlene A. Dubla, age 86 of Little Falls.
--Earl R. Malone, age 77 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and pleasant, high 77, showers overnight, low 60.
FRIDAY= showers and storms early, then cloudy, high 74.
FRIDAY NIGHT= isolated T-storm before dark then clearing, low 55.
SATURDAY= sunny skies, high 84, clear night, low 56.
SUNDAY= sunny skies, high 81, storms form overnight, low 61.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins blow an early lead as Dodgers come back to win 8-5 last night L.A. Twins are off today, face the Angels tomorrow night.
WNBA= Lynx beat Phoenix 86-77 last night, have Seattle Friday.