NEWS
--The City of Little Falls is reminding those that candidate filings for open city council seats and others up for election in November begins at 8am next Tuesday July 30th at City Hall and goes until 5pm on August 13th. This is also for all city races around Morrison County, school board seats, township officials that have their general election in November can all begin filing for these non primary races next week on Tuesday. More details contact your local City Hall for information, for the City of Little Falls call 320-616-5500.
--The Initiative Foundation has awarded 19 grants totaling $750,000 to nonprofits in Central Minnesota. The grants range from $10,000 to $75,000 and are part of a partnership with the Otto Bremen Trust and its Community Responsive Fund. They aim to address basic needs, community asset-building, health and well being, and restorative and responsive services. Some of the grant funding includes: Oasis Central Minnesota of Little Falls: $60,000 to help those experiencing homelessness by providing emergency shelter, a pathway to permanent housing, and housing support for those on the verge of homelessness in Morrison County. Recovery Community Network of St. Cloud: $60,000 to provide peer support, education, advocacy, and prevention strategies to reduce substance use disorder impact and improve health and well being in Benton, Crow Wing, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, Sherburne, Stearns, and Wright counties, and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. Feeding Area Children Together of St. Cloud: $50,000 to support a weekend food gap program for students facing food insecurity in Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, and Wright counties. YES Network of St. Cloud: $50,000 to respond to the youth mental health crisis by providing community-based afterschool and summer health and wellness programming in Benton and Sherburne counties. Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity of St. Cloud: $45,000 to help low-income families achieve homeownership, focusing on those with generational barriers in Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, and Wright counties. Central Minnesota Dementia Community Action Network of St. Cloud: $41,000 to support dementia-informed counseling for patients, families, and caregivers in Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, and Wadena counties. Wright County Community Action of Maple Lake: $40,000 to expand services supporting independent living for low-income older adults in Wright County. Too Much Talent of St. Cloud: $25,000 to reduce disparities experienced by children and families of color, providing tutoring and community programming in Benton and Stearns counties. The Initiative Foundation serves as the administrative hub for all six Minnesota Initiative Foundations and distributes $3 million in OBT grants across rural Minnesota. The Initiative Foundation received nearly 90 applications for this funding opportunity.
--The Minnesota State Patrol reported a number of fatal accidents this week reminding motorists to watch speeds, reports of a fatal accident in Stearns, two fatal accidents near Willmar in Kandiyohi County, fatal accident in Itasca, Traverse and two more in Hennepin County since last Sunday. The State Patrol is increasing patrols through the summer on Minnesota roadways. This year is on pace to become the deadliest year ever on Minnesota roadways.
--Mid Summer Music Fest is today through Saturday in Menagha. Check out the 94ROCKS crew out there the next 3 days.
--This Saturday is Platte River Day in Royalton. Doug Luepke of the Royalton Lions on KLTF Party Line Wednesday said this fundraiser has raised thousands of dollars to help out dozens of groups, organizations, splash pads, parks, events and more to the Royalton Community and beyond. The event starts with a 5K Run at 8:30am, parade at 11am, auction of many unique items at 12:30pm, duck races at 3pm, car show, Theatre group performs, petting zoo, lots of food and games through the afternoon and then Crystal Breeze performs from 5-8pm and the Fabulous Armadillos take the stage from 8-11pm Saturday night for the 29th Platte River Day event in Royalton. More info at fallsradio.com.
--A 52-year-old woman reportedly jumped off the Paul Bunyan Trail bridge that goes over Highway 371 near Patriot Avenue on the south side of Pequot Lakes in the early morning yesterday. Pequot Lakes Police Chief Mike Davis said law enforcement received a call at 4:20am Wednesday after a passing car saw the woman, whom Davis called suicidal. Crow Wing County deputies responded and the woman was airlifted to the Twin Cities. No more information was available, including the extent of the woman's injuries.
--Thomas George Biatek, age 61 left his home Wednesday in Lino Lakes and did not return. The BCA reported yesterday evening that a Kops alert was sent out for local authorities to search for Biatek was won seen on surveillance video at a gas station in Princeton and then again at a station in Onamia where he purchased fuel and traveled back south on Highway 169. He did have a cell phone also in Milaca. Anyone who have know where Biatek is and his turquoise blue Subaru Forester license plate EXV170 should contact police. The family is concerned as he does suffer from health problems.
DEATH NOTICES
--Madeline Hoheisel, age 83 of Pierz.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, warmer temps, high 81.
TONIGHT= clear night, more humid, low 64.
FRIDAY= sunny and warm, breezy, high 88, low near 70.
SATURDAY= sunny, hot and humid, high 92, low near 68.
SUNDAY= AM storms, then hazy humid sunshine, high 87, storms redevelop late in the day and some could be severe into evening.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins battle back playing short ball after a walks, wild pitches, hit batters, bunting led Max Kepler to a walk off infield hit in the 9th to win 5-4 over Phillies to take series. Twins have today off.
VFW= Congratulations to the Little Falls VFW Baseball Team who defeated Willmar with a walk off hit by John Ahlin in the bottom of the 8th inning 2-1 to win the District 6 Championship and advance to the state tournament for the second straight year in VFW baseball. The state tournament is next week in St. Cloud.
LEGION= The Pierz American Legion wins again 15-5 last night defeating the St. Cloud Chutes in Legion playoff action. Pierz moves on to the semi-finals tonight against Sartell in Sartell at 7:30pm. Pierz is now 2 wins away to advancing to the Legion state tournament.
ALEX= listen to the new sports guy Alex mornings on LF Radio.