NEWS --The Little Falls City Council met Tuesday night. The 2015 audit was received and reviewed. The council looked at a design of the proposed parking lot at the location of the old boys and girls club. The council approved ten foot wide parking spaces instead of nine foot wide spaces. That will accommodate larger vehicles but it will reduce the total number of spaces from 42 to 38. The city will also be working to apply for additional storm water improvement grants. The Little Falls city council meets again on Monday July 18th at City Hall.
--Cass County authorities are investigating a drive by shooting Sunday on Fourth Street in Cass Lake. Officers said that 26-year-old Robert Sayers of Golden Valley was found with a gunshot wound and was flown to a Fargo hospital. Though the Leech Lake Band Fourth of July Powwow was going on the shooting is not connected to it. Cass County is investigating and have no suspects in custody as authorities could not say if there was motive for the shooting. Sayer's health status was not released but the Sheriff stated he was alive.
--The 15-year-old who went missing after competing in a pageant in Brainerd June 25th has been located safe. Brainerd police stated that Ayla Madsen turned herself in to authorities after the department undertook a large social media campaign to locate her. Madsen, told officers that she moved from Brainerd to another state but did return to the area as she had already signed up for the pageant before the move occurred. Authorities thanked all who helped in the search.
--A Crosby man has been arrested for allegedly recording and narrating 40 videos of his neighbors through her bedroom window and then repeatedly sexually harassing her. 65-year-old Bradley Fordyce will appear in Crow Wing County Court Monday on charges of felony second degree burglary of a dwelling, stalking and interference with privacy. Fordyce apparently left inappropriate notes, indecent exposure and used surveillance cameras with lenses where he was able to videotape into the house, even when dark, when the victim was in her bedroom. Fordyce has previous convictions for growing and possessing marijuana plants.
--The early ice out this year means that Minnesota Lakes have had a large number of swimmer's itch. The condition is caused by microscopic parasites that lurk in lake water. Swimmers and others in the water can't feel them right away but as they step out of the water in time an itchy skin rash occurs. For some there is no symptoms, but others end up with large red welts that itch and can cause some pain and discomfort. The best remedy is the shower or bathe thoroughly using soaps with antibacterial remedies after being in the water. The itch usually only last less than a day. If it persists a few days or more than it is best to contact your local doctor.
--Hillary Clinton is coming to the Twin Cities. According to Hillary for Minnesota, the presidential candidate will be in state on Monday, July 18th. She'll be speaking at the American Federation of Teachers Convention in Minneapolis.
--The Franciscan Sisters of the St. Francis Convent invite all to an open house event Saturday 1-4pm as the convent celebrates 125 years this year. The event will feature indoor and outdoor tours of the facility including, the garden area, library, wellness center and more. Refreshment will also be served as many members of the Franciscan community will be on hand to talk about the heritage of the sisters.
--The Minnesota Military Museum's latest special exhibit, "In the Fight: Minnesota and the First World War," is set to officially open on Saturday, July 23rd. It replaces "Minnesota's Two Civil Wars, 1861-1866," which closed last September. The new exhibit anticipates the 100th anniversary of America's 1917 entry into what was initially known as "The Great War" (later called World War I). The First World War began in August 1914. Although most of the fighting took place in Europe, 32 nations from throughout the world were drawn into the conflict. The new exhibit explains the origins, conduct, and outcomes of the war, but with special attention to Minnesota's part in an event that was cataclysmic in its consequences. You'll be guided through a simulated trench on the Western Front. World War I re-enactors will be present during the opening on July 23rd. The Minnesota Military Museum is located just inside the gates of Camp Ripley and is open 10:00am to 5:00pm seven days a week through September, including holidays. Adult visitors to Camp Ripley need a photo ID for entrance.
--Two Colorado men have been charged with two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, accused of raping a drunk teenager at a west St. Cloud residence early Sunday. 19-year old Ryan Rees and 18-year old Wyatt Swindler made their first court appearances on the charges Wednesday. Complaints filed against them accuse them of sexually assaulting the 15-year-old girl at a residence on Sierra Lane. The complaints indicate that the girl was drunk to the point of vomiting during the assault. She told the men she didn't want to have sex with them. Rees denied having any sexual contact with the girl and told police he saw the girl vomiting and saw Swindler in a room with the girl. Witnesses told police that Swindler admitted having sex with the girl but said it was consensual and that he didn't know her age. Swindler declined to give a statement to police.
--A bicyclist was injured after crashing into the side of a vehicle in Brainerd Saturday. The Brainerd Police Department responded to the crash at 10:38am Saturday at Laurel and Fourth streets. The bicyclis 71-year old Margaret Mattila of Brainerd crashed into a vehicle driven by 44-year old Denise Osvold of Brainerd. Mattila was taken to Essentia Health-St. Joseph's Medical Center with minor injuries. Osvold suffered no app arent injury.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT --Benjamin and Leslie Burggraff of Little Falls, a girl born July 3rd --Daniel and Katie Van Heel of Swanville, a baby born boy July 1st.
DEATH NOTICE --Leonard Vnuk, age 92 of Little Falls
WEATHER TODAY= mostly cloudy, strong afternoon storms possible, high 78. TONIGHT= strong to severe storms early, clearing late, low 59. FRIDAY= partly cloudy, breezy, chance of storms, high 72, low 50. SATURDAY= sunny, high 78, clear night low around 60. SUNDAY= sunny, high 81, late day storms develop.
SPORTS TWINS= Ervin Santana pitches a complete game 2 hit shutout for the Twins in defeating Oakland Wednesday 4-0. Twins travel to Texas tonight to start a four game series, pregame 6:30pm on Q92 WYRQ LYNX= Lynx at Connecticut tonight at 6pm.