NEWS
--Tuesday evening at 5:00pm was the deadline to file for local city offices. According to the Secretary of State's website here are the contested local races. On the Little Falls City Council Mayor Greg Zylka will be challenged by Robin Hensel; Alderman At Large Brad Hircock is being challenged by Laura R. Wright; Ward 1 City Councilman (Southeast Little Falls) Leif Hanson challenged by Jamie Luberts; Ward 2 Councilman (Northeast Little Falls) Wayne Liljegren running unopposed; Ward 3 Councilman (West Little Falls) Jeremy Hanfler challenged by James Storlie. In Elmdale John Kulla and Ray Kurowski filed for Mayor and Shelli Schloemer and Tracy Zimmerman filed for the same council seat. In the Randall City Council (Elect Two) the four who filed are Gerald Adamski, Jennifer Ann Peterschick-Hand, Jeffrey Wright, and Brian Zilka. In Swanville City Council (Elect Two) the three who filed are Tony Maciej, Jim Molitor, and Debora Wood. In the Upsala City Council (Elect Two) the four who filed are Crystal Benson, Brian Lange, Joan Olson, and Donald Trettel. There are numerous races where candidates are running unopposed and several races where no one filed, but these are the contested races.
--In Morrison County there were 5,257 votes for an estimated 26.6% voter turnout in the Tuesday primary. As a state Minnesota had over 400,000 votes for a voting turnout estimated at 12.37%. In Morrison County in the Republican Governor race Jeff Johnson received 53% of the votes (43% Pawlenty and 4% Matthew Kruse). In Morrison County Democratic Governor Race Lori Swanson lead all candidates with 43% (37% Tim Walz, 16% Erin Murphy, 3% Tim Holden, 1% Ole Savior). Walz won the overall statewide race and will face Jeff Johnson in November's general election. There were 3,216 votes Republican and 1,902 votes Democrat county wide in the governor race Tuesday. Other than the Democratic Governor race, all vote leaders in Morrison County won their overall races. Voters in Morrison County supported Jim Newberger (70%) and Amy Klobochar (92%) for US Senate. In the US Senate seat formerly held by Al Franken, Morrison County supported Tina Smith (75%) and Karin Housley (57%). In US 8th District House Seat Morrison County supported Joe Radinovich (48%) and Pete Stauber (85%). Attorney General leading vote getters in Morrison County were Keith Ellison (43%) and Doug Wardlow (47%).
--A 9-year old boy may face felony criminal charges after allegedly lighting two Crosby businesses on fire. Both fires were minor and no one was hurt. The Crosby Police Department is investigating the fires on August 5th at Mel's Mercantile and on Friday August 10th at Family Dollar, both on West Main Street in Crosby. The estimated property damage for both businesses combined is $600. The juvenile male was located after the fire Friday and police believe he is responsible for both fires.
--Chuck Zwilling informed Little Falls Radio that his group of the Sunny Zwilling Memorial Ice Carousel Extravaganza will attempt again in January to reclaim the world record for an ice carousel that they did this year in January. Finland reclaimed it later this year. Zwilling is asking for sponsors to help fund the event which goes to the Flyer Pride Pack weekend food backpack program for elementary kids. There are different levels of contributing to the cause and other donated items to be used on Green Prairie Fish Lake which will take place on January 11-13th 2019. Call for details at (320) 249-1504.
--Habitat for Humanity of Morrison County is celebrating 20 years of service in Morrison County. Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all. Their 20th anniversary picnic is today from 4-7pm at the Breezy Inn which is on the east lawn of the St. Francis Convent in Little Falls. In June, HFHMC began work on its 19th home. The next HFHMC event is the Fabulous Armadillos on Friday, September 28th at the Falls Ballroom. This is one of their biggest fundraisers of the year.
--Anyone interested in deer can talk with area wildlife managers from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources at meetings scheduled across the state meant to encourage discussions about deer and deer management, enhance local relationships and foster two-way communication. These area level engagement meetings organized by the DNR are one of the first steps identified for implementing the state’s new White-tailed Deer Management Plan. These local open house style meetings will provide hunters and others interested in deer a forum for sharing their observations, talking to DNR wildlife managers, reviewing new deer related information, including the final deer plan, and discussing options for the future. No formal presentations have been planned, so people can arrive any time during the scheduled meeting times. The meetings are August 22nd at 10-4:30pm at the Little Falls DNR Office, 6-8pm in Brainerd, August 28th from 6-8pm in Sauk Rapids, August 29th from 11-4 in Onamia. Contact your local DNR office for info.
--Stearns County Public Works Director Terry Thene says the restrooms at the Lake Wobegon trailhead and Centennial park had thousands of dollars in damage done to them. Thene says in the Wobegon trailhead facility several fixtures, an electric heater, a hand dryer and power outlets were damaged with some type of metal pipe. At Centennial Park, the suspect(s) kicked in the door, dumped sand in the toilets and urinals, spread feces on the walls and mirrors and damaged the soffit on the outside. Estimated damage is over $8,000. Thene says he wants the public to know this is not a joke and to call police if you see something unusual happening.
DEATH NOTICES
--Roger Tomala, age 78 of Pierz
--Donald C. Wuellner, age 88 of Little Falls
--Dennis W. Stebe, age 88 of Little Falls
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and warm, high 85, clear night low 58.
FRIDAY= sunny and warm, high 88, clear night, low 58.
SATURDAY= sunny and more humid, high 88, low 63.
SUNDAY= storms likely early and late in day, high 78, low 53.
MONDAY= showers at times, cooler, high 70, low 50.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins win over Pirates Wednesday 6-4 to take the 2 game series. Twins (56-63) host Detroit tonight 6:30pm on Q92 WYRQ.
HS= The Pine River-Backus High School announced that due to not being able to fill a full team they have canceled the entire varsity football season this year for their school. They will play 5 Junior Varsity games this year against some of the area teams.