NEWS
--Today is the first of three Markets and Music in the Park events in Little Falls. The markets part starts at 3pm at LeBourget Park on the west side of Little Falls. See all the attractions and organizations showing off what they have to offer this afternoon. The music starts at 6pm tonight local artist Michael Shynes. All are welcome, there is no admission fee but there will be food vendors and other items to purchase at the event tonight. Another one is set for July 22nd and a 3rd for August 26th this year in Little Falls. For more details contact Kris at the CVB at 616-4959 or go to littlefallsmn.com.
--There has been a spike in gun violence in St. Cloud in the recent weeks as the city has had four murders already since May 1st which is the most in the city since 2015. St. Cloud Police Chief Blair Anderson addressed many issues in the city yesterday and said that the community and police working together is ways to keep bad people in the jails. Anderson says in most instances the people involved know each other, however, that of course was not the case in the murder of Ed Ward on Sunday morning. He says the man charged in the murder, Jason Beckman, was not known to the local police department either which was particularly disturbing. Those are things that are quite disturbing, but the good news is that we've got that individual in custody and hopefully he will stay in custody this time. Anderson says, even before this recent spike in violent crime, his Assistant Chief Jeff Oxton had already convened a panel of county attorneys, judges, and even people from CentraCare to try to figure out a way of keeping the most violent offenders locked up. As for the recent shootings in the downtown area, Anderson says bar close can be a bit of a challenge sometimes. But, he says they have some short-term solutions to try and curb the violence downtown. With large events like Summertime by George and Granite City Days starting up today, he is asking anyone who notices something out of the ordinary, not sure of a situation or stops anyone with a weapon, call 911 immediately for police to investigate.
--A Cold Spring man faces a felony assault charge after allegedly attacking his neighbor Saturday. Stearns County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to the area of Highway 2 and 224th Street in Wakefield Township around 2:30pm on a report of an assault. The deputies spoke with two witnesses who said 47-year-old Phonsy Xomphouchanh was punching and kicking an older man who was on his hands and knees. They said Xomphouchanh was yelling at the victim to stay off his property. Both witnesses say the older man was not trying to defend himself during the assault. Officers met up with the victim who said the attacker is his neighbor who lives on a small portion of land that borders the Sauk River. The victim said he was walking on a portion of land that does not belong to Xomphouchanh. The victim said that's when Xomphouchanh started walking toward him and yelling for him to get off his property. He said all of a sudden Xomphouchanh began punching him in the face multiple times, knocking him to the ground. Witnesses said once on the ground, Xomphouchanh kicked the older man in the head or face. The victim suffered a ruptured eardrum and a fractured skull in the assault.
--Sister Julien continues to thank all who gave blood as Tuesday they met their goal of 76 units. The blood drive wrapped up yesterday at First United Church. Another blood drive at the church will be in August then Sister is hopeful the October one will be at the convent.
--The Agram Township picnic/event is tonight social 5pm, food at 6.
--One of the first big concert events kick off tonight with Lakes Jam at Brainerd International Raceway. There will be races along with the music. Tonight rock night with Slaughter and Ratt, tomorrow country with Tracy Lawrence and Big and Rich and it wraps up with plenty more country stars on Saturday. Get ticket details at lakesjam.com.
--One person died in a motorcycle crash in Douglas County near the town of Brandon. The Sheriff's Office says dispatch got a 911 call just before 9:30pm Tuesday from Levi Donson of Brandon who reported the crash on County Road 108 Northwest. He says he was riding his motorcycle with another couple when they crashed their bike. The driver of that bike was 44-year-old Shawn Olson of Brandon. He was hurt and his passenger was not breathing. Olson was airlifted to Sanford Hospital in Fargo with what is believed to be life-threatening injuries. His passenger was pronounced dead at the scene. Their name has not been released yet.
--A large garage is destroyed after a fire broke out in St. Cloud Tuesday night. Fire crews were called to 106 Columbia Avenue Northeast at around 9:40pm. Firefighters arrived to find a 1,500-square-foot detached garage fully engulfed. The fire also destroyed two vehicles inside the structure and damaged two more outside. A nearby garage also sustained heat damage. No one was hurt and the cause is under investigation by the state fire marshal's office. Damage is estimated at $250,000.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
--Elton John is going out in style. The legendary singer announced he will be doing one large farewell tour all around the world. It begins in Philadelphia on July 15th and will wrap up in Los Angeles in November of 2022. Next year March 22nd and 23rd Elton John will play St. Paul.
DEATH NOTICES
--Lawrence “Larry” Poser, age 65 of Minneapolis.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, warm, more humid, high 85.
TONIGHT= clear night, low near 58.
FRIDAY= partly cloudy, high 81, PM showers possible, low 55.
SATURDAY= partly sunny, high 80, PM storms, low around 60.
SUNDAY= scattered storms likely, high 77, low around 63.
SPORTS
TWINS= after Wednesday off the Twins (31-42, last in the AL Central) open series with Cleveland tonight 6:30pm on Q92 WYRQ
VL= the Victory League Game of the Week has been moved to Saturday and now will be Foley at Buckman at 4:30pm on KLTF.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1509= Henry VIII became the King of the England.
IN 1901= first public display of paintings of Pablo Picasco in Paris.
IN 1930= Radar detection of airplanes first introduced.
IN 1949= Hopalong Cassidy debuts on television, this becomes the first Western to be shown weekly on network television on NBC.
IN 1955= Harmon Killebrew debuts for the Washington Senators, on this third at bat he homered. Killebrew would go on to hit 573 total homeruns for the Senators, Minnesota Twins and KC Royals.
IN 1957= I Love Lucy ends its 7 year run on CBS television. Lucy would return to CBS in 1962 with “The Lucy Show” without Desi.