NEWS
--One person was injured Wednesday afternoon at 3:19pm on Highway 10 and 103rd Street in Little Falls Township. 57-year-old Juanita Vandermey of Little Falls was on 103rd Street when she crossed Highway 10 and struck a vehicle driven by 44-year-old Andrew Prose of Sartell. Vandermey was not hurt, while Prose was taken to the hospital in Little Falls for non-life threatening injuries.
--The Minnesota Board of Animal Health is expressing concern about the deadly spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) after infections from a Beltrami County deer farm were found in other parts of the state and beyond. A deer in the Beltrami County herd tested positive in April for the fatal, brain-wasting disease. As a result, 54 deer at the farm were killed and 12 tested positive for CWD. Following the discovery of the initial positive case in the Beltrami County herd, deer remains from that farm were discovered on adjacent county-managed land, which elevates the risk of CWD for wild deer in the area. Researchers from the DNR and University of Minnesota immediately surveyed the land for additional remains and confirmed the presence of CWD-causing prions in at least one bone. Now, investigators have confirmed linked infections to farmed deer herds in other counties, including Hennepin, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison and Mower. State animal health officials say about 200 deer will eventually be killed. CWD is a neurological disease of the deer and elk family caused by prions, and is always fatal. It can be spread by both direct (animal-to-animal) and indirect (environmental) contact with infected animals. Prions are shed through saliva, urine, blood, feces and antler velvet, and are known to persist in the environment for years.
--Essentia Health wants everybody who wants a vaccination with a shot, they are expanding opportunities for those in the Brainerd Lakes area. Essentia Health St. Joseph’s-Baxter clinic is extending their COVID-19 vaccination hours on a limited basis. On Wednesday’s June 2, June 23, and June 30, the vaccination clinic will be open until 6:00pm. The extended hours allow those working a day job, or students increased availability to get the shot without having to take time away from work or class. On Saturday’s June 5 and June 26, they will be open from 9:00am to 1:00pm. They will be accepting first dose appointments on June 5 and immediately scheduling second dose appointments on June 26 so patients can easily and seamlessly get their vaccine series scheduled and completed. Walk-ins will be accepted, but making an appointment is encouraged as it is the best way to ensure you can receive a vaccination. Essentia Health in Baxter is still offering vaccinations Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm.
--Two people were hurt in an ATV crash near Melrose Tuesday evening. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office got a 911 call just after 6pm that a side-by-side ATV had rolled at the intersection of County Road 168 and Thunder Road in Melrose Township. When deputies arrived, they spoke with the driver, 34-year-old Roxane Johnson of Melrose. She said they were eastbound on County Road 168 when she began to negotiate a turn at Thunder Road, felt the machine lean to the right and tip over on its side. All of the five occupants were wearing their seatbelts. Sheriff's officials say the front seat passenger, 50-year-old Trina Hinnenkamp of Melrose, suffered road rash to her right arm and right knee. A juvenile passenger in the right rear suffered an ankle injury when the ATV landed on it. The sheriff's office stated no other injuries from the accident.
--Be safe this Memorial Day weekend from Little Falls Radio.
--Alan Poser informed Little Falls Radio that there will be food distributions Sunday at St. Joseph's Church in Grey Eagle at 2:30pm, also in Perham and The Twin Cities Metro Area. He also stated they are still working on getting one in Morrison County this weekend but further details are still being worked out at this time.
--Pierz Healy High School announced they will be live streaming their graduation ceremony on Friday night starting at 7pm in the parking lot of the high school. The graduation is again planned to be outdoors on Friday night so dress for the weather.
--Royalton High School announced that their graduation is a ticket only event from students to parents or invited guests and is not open otherwise to the general public. The event will be live-streamed Friday night at 7pm for those unable to attend to view on the school's website and facebook page.
--Swanville High School announced that graduation is at 7pm on Friday and will be outside on the football field. Seniors and immediate family members we will be grilling and serving from the concession stand on the football field beginning at 5:45pm. All seating will be on the football field but no chairs will be povided so bring either your lawn chairs or blankets. Because this is an outdoor event in Swanville there is no capacity limit and masks are not required. In case of inclement weather the event will be moved into the school gym where spacing restrictions and make requirement would be done.
--The Little Falls Summer Musical is gearing up for the premiere production of a new play with music titled Darling, about the 1905 murder of Annie Kintop and the failed investigation that followed. The play is written by former Little Falls resident Taryn Verley with a new musical theme and arrangements of period music by Music Director Lucas Burr. The director is Abby Schnobrich, who is an LFCHS English teacher and play director. Auditions wil occur at Charles D. Martin Auditorium June 7-8 from 5:30 to 8:30 each evening. The performances are scheduled August 5th through the 8th. More info at www.lfsummermusical.com/darling-auditions.html.
--The new site manager for the Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site and Interpetive Center in Little Falls Kayla Sielow announced the site is planning to open for the season on Friday, July 2nd. There will be house tours and events planned for later this summer.
DEATH NOTICES
--Lee Ann Maslowski, age 79 of Little Falls formerly Sobieski.
WEATHER
TODAY= rain likely, windy and very cool, high 48.
TONIGHT= rain early, freeze watch overnight, low 33.
FRIDAY= partly cloudy skies, high 57, clear night, low 35.
SATURDAY= sunny early, high 63, isolated storm in afternoon.
SUNDAY= partly sunny, high 68, isolated storms early and late.
MEMORIAL DAY= isolated PM storms possible, high 73, low 48.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins win 3-2 Wednesday to sweep the Orioles and win their 4th in a row. Twins have today off host Kansas City Friday night.
WILD= The Wild have forced a game 7 in the Stanley Cup playoffs by winning Game 6 last night 3-0 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Game 7 is tomorrow night in Las Vega to decide it all.
RODGERS= The agent for Green Bay Packer quarterback Aaron Rodgers is stating that he will sit out the upcoming NFL season.