NEWS
--A 44-year-old Lastrup woman suffered injuries Tuesday in a rear-end crash on Highway 25. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the crash occurred at about 4:00pm Tuesday, when two vehicles were traveling southbound on Highway 25 near the intersection with County Road 139. Lori A. Merritt rear-ended a vehicle driven by 25-year-old Samatha Rudolph of Fort Ripley who was slowing for a turn. Merritt was transported to Essentia Health-St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd with non-life-threatening injuries. Rudolph suffered no apparent injury. Both women were wearing seat belts.
--Governor Mark Dayton Tuesday authorized an estimated $5,467,599 in relief from the State Disaster Assistance Contingency Account for Morrison, Aitkin, Benton, Carlton, Crow Wing, Kanabec, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Pine, and Traverse counties. The 10 counties experienced significant damage to public property caused by severe thunderstorms, flooding, and high winds from July 9th through July 11th. Aid from the contingency account will reimburse counties for public infrastructure repairs and clean-up costs. Under Minnesota law, the state will reimburse 75 percent of eligible costs for public infrastructure repairs and cleanup, with localities responsible for covering the remaining 25 percent.
--25-year old Tyler Cronquist will face murder and attempted murder charges in Crow Wing County. A defense request to move the trial out of Crow Wing County was denied Tuesday. Crow Wing County District Court Judge Erik J. Askegaard said pretrial publicity was mostly factual in nature and was not enough to taint a potential juror pool. Cronquist faces charges of first-degree murder with premeditation and attempted first-degree murder with premeditation, both felonies. In January 2015, two victims—Joseph Kroll and Chelsey Crawford, both of Brainerd—were shot in the head in an apartment on the 800 block of Juniper Street in Brainerd. Both were airlifted to North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale. Kroll died as a result of the gunshot wound. Crawford survived. The trial date for Cronquist was set for September 26th in Brainerd.
--The Morrison County Solid Waste Management Facility is reminding residents that the landfill will be reverting back to winter hours for the remainder of 2016 after Labor Day. The facility is open all year, however beginning September 10th Saturday hours from Labor Day to Memorial Day will be 8am-12pm. Any questions on the landfill and their hours can be directed to 632-1944.
--The Minnesota Department of Transportation invites the public and transportation stakeholders to review and comment on three key transportation plans that will shape the future of transportation in the state and direct billions of dollars of investment during the next 20 years. Public Hearings will be held October 6th from 4 to 6pm. The public also may participate via videoconference at MnDOT offices statewide in offices such as Baxter and St. Cloud.
--During the early morning hours Sunday a 2016 ATV was stolen from a residential garage in the 5000 block of Highway 10 NW in Sauk Rapids Township. The ATV had a camouflaged color finish and had not yet been assigned a registration number. The key was taken with the ATV. Several tools, a rifle, and other miscellaneous items were also taken from the victim’s garage. Anyone with information about this crime or the suspects is asked to contact the Benton County Sheriff’s Office or Tri-County Crime Stoppers.
--Today is senior day at the Minnesota State Fair where the outstanding Minnesota Senior Citizens will be announced. Good luck to the Morrison County Outstanding Seniors Frank Rebnord and Betty Devreindt who are two of many vying for the prestigious award.
--The Morrison County Sheriff‘s Office wants to remind residents of a program their office provides, which is Project Lifesaver. Project Lifesaver is a 501 (C) community based public safety, non-profit organization. The program provides law enforcement and other caregivers with equipment and training to quickly locate and rescue individuals with cognitive disorders who are prone to life threatening behavior. Sheriff Larsen states that Project Lifesaver can benefit people who have Alzheimer’s disease, Autism, Down syndrome, Dementia and people who are susceptible to wandering. If you would like more information regarding the program, please contact the Sheriff’s Office at (320) 632-9233 and ask to speak with Project Lifesaver Coordinator, Deputy Al Yoder.
--Stearns County deputies along with firefighters from Cold Spring, Rockville, Richmond and Chain of Lakes battled a shed fire Wednesday night around 7:00pm in Richmond. The large shed was engulfed in flames when authorities arrived at the Michael and Eileen Stang residence. The fire is believed to have started from a lawn mower left in the shed after running which was hot enough to start some straw on fire. The shed was a total loss. Firefighters were able to save a nearby dairy barn. No one was injured in the fire.
--Mary Kenna of Live Better Live Longer (LBLL) is the Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce September Employee of the Month. Mary has been a Program Coordinator for Live Better Live Longer (LBLL) for the past eight years. Congratulations Mary Kenna!
--Tonight is the final Rock Roll and Stroll in Pierz for the summer season, classic car show, poker walk and more. The event is from 6-9 tonight in Pierz. Before the event help out the Pierz American Legion Auxiliary with their fundraiser at Thielen Meats in Pierz today.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Michael and Jody Browen of Long Prairie, boy on August 30th
DEATH NOTICES
--Lucille A. Shutter-Dehn, age 92 of Long Priarie formerly Little Falls
--Herbert Weyaus Jr., age 49 of Onamia
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, high 73.
TONIGHT= clear skies, low 52.
FRIDAY= sunny and breezy, high 75, low around 58.
SATURDAY= sunny and breezy, high 76, storms after dark low 61.
SUNDAY= storms likely, some heavy rain possible, high 71.
SPORTS
HS FB= Little Falls hosts Detroit Lakes tonight to open up the 2016 High School Football Season, 7pm kickoff on FM94 KFML.
COL FB= Gophers host Oregon State tonight to open up their 2016 College Football season, 7pm pregame on AM960 KLTF.
TWINS= Corey Kluber struck out 11 in 8 innings of work to beat the Twins 8-4 Wednesday. Twins have now lost 13 in a row. The Twins now at 49-84 host White Sox tonight 6:30 pregame Q92 WYRQ
NFL= Vikings host LA Rams tonight final preseason game at 7pm.