NEWS
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office posted Wednesday morning that a 1998 Freight-liner truck with a trailer was stolen from Casey's Store in Randall believed to have happened sometime between 3pm Tuesday and 2am Wednesday morning. The license plate of the semi-truck is PZA2301. The DOT# 1470564 is located on the passenger side of the truck and the semi is purple in color. Surveillance video is being reviewed by the sheriff's office. If you have seen or located the semi and trailer please contact the sheriff's office at 320-632-9233.
--Doug Luepke of the Royalton Lions spoke on Little Falls Radio yesterday on 28th Platte River Day on Saturday in Royalton. The day begins with a 5K run at 8:30am, parade 11am, auction at 12:30pm, minnow races, duck races, egg toss, Lions meal at 5pm, raffle will be drawn at 5:30pm and Fabulous Armadillos at 8pm Saturday. Congratulations to the Navarro family who found the Platte River Day Medallion which was at the splash pad park and wins $250 in gift certificates from businesses and the Lions. Luepke mentioned there are dozens of items at the Royalton Lions give too throughout the year and recently have to the Royalton FFA, Royalton Library and the purchases of a flag pole with flag at the splash pad park. Many more items will be on had at Platte River Day for all to enjoy with great food (squealers), beverages, petting zoo and The Teddy Bear Band that afternoon, find out more Saturday in Royalton.
--A 35-year-old Brainerd man was found guilty Friday of 10 felony criminal charges for sexual contact with a boy under the age of 13.
The jury deliberated for almost three hours Friday evening before finding Anthony Dimitri Limogianni guilty in Crow Wing County District Court. Limogianni was charged in May of 2022 with eight counts of felony first-degree sexual conduct and four counts of felony second-degree criminal sexual conduct. Each first-degree count carries a maximum sentence of 30 years confinement and $40,000 fine, with each second-degree felony carrying a maximum sentence of 25 years confinement and $35,000 fine. During trial, two second-degree criminal sexual conduct charges were dismissed. Limogianni is in the custody of the Crow Wing County Jail and he is scheduled for sentencing on September 29th.
--A Sherburne County judge has sentenced a Zimmerman man for attempted murder, theft, and burglary stemming from a 2021 incident. The Sherburne County Attorney's Office says 20-year-old Manuel Buck was sentenced to 30 years in prison for trying to steal guns from a pawn shop and then trying to kill witnesses who saw him run from the scene. Authorities say Buck tried to break into the Zimmerman Trading Post in July 2021. When the alarms sounded, Buck ran through a nearby yard. Witnesses gave chase and had to fend off Buck who was swinging a machete at them. They were able to subdue Buck and detain him until the police arrived. The FBI and Sherburne County investigators learned that Buck planned to steal guns from the pawn shop and then use them in a mass shooting. A cache of ammunition and bomb-making materials was found hidden in a county park. Investigators said Buck researched previous mass shootings dating back to 2018. Buck was convicted of attempted 2nd-degree murder, attempted theft, and attempted burglary.
--Fire severely damaged a St. Cloud home on Monday. Firefighters were called out to 425 9th Avenue South just before 5pm. Fire crews arrived to find a fire in the attic of the home and extinguished the flames. No one was hurt and the cause is under investigation.
--Tonight is the Markets and Music on the Mississippi at LeBourget Park in Little Falls. Markets begins at 3pm, free kids games, face painting and balloon art will be available starting then also. Music begins at 4:45pm with the St. Francis Music Center members then Michael Shynes performs at 6:30pm tonight at the park. Food trucks and beverages available along with other items to enjoy tonight. For information call Erika at Great River Arts today at 320-632-0960.
--Tony Housey of Camp Ripley was on KLTF yesterday and spoke that it has been a very busy summer at Camp. A lot of booming and that will end over the week or so. Other camps, recruits and training is still scheduled into the fall. Brigadier General Lowell Kruse was given a farewell earlier this month as he passes on the torch as Senior Commander and takes another step forward in his career. His 17 years of dedicated service to the post has helped shape Camp Ripley and he will be missed. Then days later Colonel Bryce Erickson passed on the responsibilities as Camp Ripley Garrison Commander to Lieutenant Colonel Troy Fink. Later this year Camp Ripley will have their open house September 17th for those to come and see what is happening on the base. For information on items at Camp Ripley you can call the base or check out their many social media platforms.
--Bethany Lutheran Church of Cushing is hosting a free open house on Saturday to check out their new solar energy system to help them harness God's sunshine to power their church and the community. From 1-4pm you can view the solar journey, talk to the partners, and learn more about renewable energy. There will then be a barbeque dinner starting at 5pm and a dedication service will start at 6pm. The church is located at 25430 Bison Road, Cushing and all are welcome.
MUSIC NEWS
--Controversial singer Sinead O'Connor has died at age 56. She rose to fame in 1990 with “Nothing Compares Too You” written by Prince.
DEATH NOTICES
--Mark A. Gessell, age 61 of Florida formerly of Swanville.
WEATHER
TODAY= AM storms, hazy sun, humid, high 92, PM storms develop.
TONIGHT= strong evening storms before 10pm, then clearing 63.
FRIDAY= partly sunny, isolated T-storms possible, high 84, low 57.
SATURDAY= sunny and cooler, breezy, high 80, low near 53.
SUNDAY= sunny and less windy, high 82, storms late night, low 60.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins lose 8-7 to Seattle Wednesday and drop the series at home. The Twins have today off, at Kansas City on Friday night.
VFW= The Little Falls VFW team beat St. Cloud Blue (Cathedral) Tuesday night 10-0. That gave Little Falls the District 6 Championship and a trip to the state tournament. This is the first VFW State Tournament for the Little Falls team since 2011. The VFW State Tournament begins next Thursday in St. Cloud.
PIERZ= The Pierz All Sports meeting for parents, athletes and coaches will be in person and has been scheduled for Monday, August 7th. This meeting is for all 7-12 graders involved in any sport in any season. The meeting will take place at Pierz Healy High School in the MAC gym. Registration will start at 6:30pm with the meeting to follow at 6:45pm. All forms and fees should be completed online.