NEWS
--Little Falls Township would like to report closed roadways within Little Falls Township due to the June 29th-30th rainfall. 123Rd Street East of Hilton Road to 140th Avenue south to 113th Street is closed, that is both roadways. They will remain closed for 10 days depending on the weather and saturation level of the soil for repair.
--Shortly after 11:00am Wednesday the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office received a report of a plane crash at a private grass airstrip located off of Oakridge Road in Long Lake Township. Upon arrival of deputies and Brainerd Fire Department, it was learned that a small plane with 2 individuals had come in for a landing and applied too much brake causing the plane to nose dive at a slow rate of speed. The pilot suffered a laceration on the forehead and was transported to Essentia E.R. by North Ambulance. The co-pilot suffered minor cuts and scratches. The accident is being investigated by the FAA.
--Latest numbers from the Minnesota Department of Health is 426 new cases with 4 new deaths related to COVID 19. Morrison County reported after reverifying numbers Wednesday we have had only 57 cases in the county (not 58 as previously reported). There was no reason cited for the reduction. There was still 1 confirmed Morrison County death linked to COVID-19.
--The St. Cloud Fireworks Committee has announced details of a flyover central St. Cloud Saturday as part of the "Salute to July 4th 2020". Two F-16 Fighting Falcons from the Duluth based 148th Fighter Wing of the Minnesota Air National Guard will make a low-level flyover of the Granite City at approximately 10:35-10:45am. The fireworks committee says the day will include a brief and meaningful fireworks salute from an alternate location, an online virtual 'best of' St. Cloud area fireworks show, and an online educational tribute to the history of Independence Day. St. Cloud area community members will be encouraged to look and listen from their doorsteps or backyard for the salute at 10:00pm on Saturday, July 4th. You will learn which direction to look and listen shortly before 10:00pm Saturday via area media outlets and social media. There will be no organized Fireworks activities in Hester or Wilson Parks this year. No pyrotechnics will be launched from a barge on the Mississippi River. The changes are being made in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions on large gatherings.
--Brainerd Community Action announced their fireworks display will be at 10:15pm on Saturday night but no other events this year in Brainerd. The event will be from a remote location but because of CDC guidelines no gatherings at public places can be done that night. You are encouraged to watch the fireworks from residences in Brainerd or from vehicles around the Brainerd High School area on Saturday night. Also Community Action announced they have moved their Arts in the Park event which would have been held this Sunday to October 10th at Gregory Park in Brainerd. Other 4th of July weekend events in Randall, Hillman, Bowlus and other towns have already been cancelled from earlier this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.
--The Great River Regional Library announced Wednesday that all libraries will be open to computer by appointment. This new service will be in addition to their curbside pickup and Print2Go services. To access a library computer, call your local library or the GRRL Hotline number at 1-833-GET-GRRL (1-833-438-4775). Appointments are limited to an hour time frame. Masks are required for staff assistance at computers and encouraged to be worn by all using the computers.
--A reminder that with the 4th of July (Independence Day) falling on a Saturday this year, the federal observance will be tomorrow. This means that federal, state, city and county offices that are not opened on Saturday will be closed on Friday this includes the Little Falls City Hall and the Morrison County Government Center closed tomorrow. Being a federal holiday it was reported that some banks and other financial institutions, may be closed Friday if they are open business hours on Saturday, for the holiday so best to call ahead. Banks, post offices and other businesses that are usually opened on Saturday will take the 4th of July off for the holiday and there may even be some exceptions where both days may be taken off for the longer holiday weekend. Again call the business or agency before heading out on Friday to see what is open. The offices of Little Falls Radio will be closed on Friday for the 4th of July holiday weekend.
--District 9 State Senator Paul Gazelka released the following statement in response to the lawsuit filed by PhRMA challenging the Alec Smith Affordable Insulin Act: "We are very disappointed with the drug manufacturers' lawsuit against the Alec Smith Act after so much work went into a compromise bill assuring no Minnesotan would have to go without insulin," said Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka.
--A St. Cloud Auto Dealership employee was taken to the hospital after being pinned by a vehicle. The incident happened around 4:15pm Monday afternoon in the 3600 block of West St. Germain. Police say 19-year old Syed Aziz, of St. Cloud, was getting his car looked at for a mechanical problem by an employee of the business. Aziz started the vehicle, which was a manual transmission vehicle that was still in gear. Once started, police say the vehicle lurched forward pinning the employee, identified as 37-year old Keith Novak of Oak Park, between the car and the business. Novak was taken to St. Cloud Hospital for non life threatening injuries.
--Tonight is the Rock Roll and Stroll in Pierz from 5-8pm. A classic car show to come and see. Due to guidelines from the CDC, no poker walk, registration or prizes tonight but come and look at the cars.
DEATH NOTICES
--Jerome “Jerry” H. Langer, age 67 of St. Cloud.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and warm, fog early, high near 90.
TONIGHT= clear night, humid and fog late, low 66.
FRIDAY= sunny and hot, high 93, heat index near 100, low 70.
4th of JULY= partly sunny, high 88, storms develop in afternoon.
SATURDAY NIGHT= thunderstorms likely, low near 68.
SUNDAY= T-storms early and late day, humid, high 89, low 67.
MONDAY= storms likely, remaining humid, high 86, low near 60.
SPORTS
TWINS= another classic Twins game today in the noon hour as we relive the first World Series in Minnesota from 1965, join it following the noon news on Q92 WYRQ and fallsradio.com.
NFL= The NFL announced they are planning to cancel the first two weeks of the preason this year and shortened the preseason scheduled to two games for each team. This means that the first preseason games will start between August 20th to the 24th for the NFL team. For now the regular season is still scheduled to start on time with the first game Thursday September 10th with the Vikings opening with Green Bay on September 13th.