NEWS
--The Brainerd Lakes Chamber will present three awards at its 7th annual Celebration of Excellence on November 15th - the traditional Business Excellence Award, which goes to an outstanding local business, the Business Legacy Award, which celebrates individual lifetime achievements as well as community and economic contributions, and the new Lakes Proud Small Business of the Year Award, which will be presented to a business that personifies the spirit of entrepreneurship, pride and success that forms the backbone of our local economy. The Business Legacy Award winner was Paul and Lynn Hunt. The first-ever Lakes Proud Small Business of the Year Award winner is Jack Pine Brewery. This year's Business Excellence Award winner is Cuyuna Regional Medical Center.
--August marked the first time in four months where fatalities dropped below 30 traffic related deaths during a single month, Minnesota Department of Public Safety statistics show. During the 100 deadliest days (Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day), 116 people were killed on Minnesota roads. That’s 52 percent of all traffic fatalities so far this year and a decrease of five deaths from the same period in 2017. Preliminary numbers show at least eight deaths are known to be caused by distraction, 32 are speed related, 30 involve alcohol, 17 were not wearing seat belts and 40 were motorcyclists. Of those 40 bikers, 70 percent were not wearing helmets. During Labor Day weekend authorities made 408 DWI arrests, bringing the year to date total to 18,130.
--In honor of National Voter Registration Day, the Morrison County Historical Society is hosting a voter registration event at The Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Memorial Museum on Tuesday, September 25th from 10:00am – 5:00pm. A healthy democracy depends upon engaged voters. In order to be an engaged voter, one needs to be registered to vote. Registering to vote in Minnesota requires that one must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years of age on Election Day, a resident of Minnesota for 20 days, and finished with all parts of any felony sentence. If a person has moved since last voting, their voter registration needs to be updated. Museum staff will assist people in registering to vote in Minnesota. Registrants will have a choice to register online or use a paper application. Those who wish to register online will need their Minnesota driver’s license or Minnesota identification card number, or the last four numbers of their Social Security number. These forms of identification can also be used with the paper application, although they are not required. Museum staff will also be able to assist with checking to see whether someone is already registered to vote. This event is free and open to the public. There is no charge to enter the museum. During the event, those registering to vote are encouraged to view the museum’s exhibits, including Central Minnesota Remembers Vietnam.
--A St. Cloud man and woman have been charged separately in connection with a robbery and threats to kill people in an apartment Sunday night. 28-year old Larry Rosenbloom and 21-year old Deonna Jackson were charged Wednesday. Rosenbloom faces one felony count of 2nd degree assault with a non-firearm dangerous weapon, three felony counts of terroristic threats and one misdemeanor count of 5th degree assault. Jackson faces one felony count of simple robbery. Rosenbloom's charges each carry a maximum sentence of seven years in prison and a $14,000 fine. Jackson's faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and $20,000 fine.
--The 2018 roadside survey for pheasants in Minnesota has shown a surprising 19 percent increase over last year. While the count is similar to the 10-year average, it is still 52 percent below the long-term average. Weather and habitat are the two main factors that drive Minnesota’s pheasant population trends. Weather causes annual fluctuations in pheasant numbers. Habitat is more important for long-term pheasant population trends. This year’s statewide pheasant index was 45.5 birds per 100 miles of roads driven in the DNR’s August roadside survey. The pheasant numbers increased in all regions except the south-central region, which decreased by 36 percent from 2017 because of heavy rains and late snowstorms in the area. The highest pheasant counts were in the west-central, southwest and central regions where observers reported 48 to 65 birds per 100 miles driven. Minnesota’s 2018 pheasant season is open October 13th - January 1st. The daily bag limit is two roosters through November, and it increases to three roosters on December 1st.
--The Minnesota State Fair broke the all time attendance record and five daily records from this year's fair. On Tuesday it was announced that the total attendance of 2,046,533 breaking the old record from last year which was under 2 million. Attendance records were also broken on opening day August 23rd, Saturday 25th, Wednesday 29th, Thursday 30th and Saturday September 1st at the fair making for the first time that 5 days and total attendance records were achieved.
--Highway 371 is now closed to through traffic in the construction area north of Highway 87 to the city of Hackensack. The contractor is now working at location C and it is impassable. They are also working at location D. Traffic can still get through at this location until Thursday morning. At that time this will also be impassable. The approved detour west of Backus is now officially open.
--The Friends of the Carnegie Library will be hosting a book sale fundraiser today starting at 10am, tomorrow at noon and Saturday at 10am, Saturday is their bag sale. Proceeds from the fundraiser go to a number projects the Friends of Carnegie Library.
--The final Rock Roll and Stroll of the summer is tonight in Pierz, poker walk, food and classic cars, from 5-8pm in Pierz.
DEATH NOTICES
--Cordelia Mary Fiero, age 91 of Royalton.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, high 68.
TONIGHT= clear skies, low 47.
FRIDAY= sunny, a bit warmer, high 73, low around 50.
SATURDAY= sunny skies, high near 70, low around 50.
SUNDAY= partly cloudy, high 70, storms late, low 55.
SPORTS
TWINS= Houston beats up on Twins relievers to win 9-1 and sweep the 3 game series. Twins are off today, host Kansas City Friday.
NFL= The 2018-19 NFL Season opens tonight with the Philadelphia Eagles taking on the Atlanta Falcons, 6:30pm on AM960 KLTF.
HS FB= Little Falls at Delano Friday 7pm on AM960 KLTF
HS FB= Pierz at Holdingford Friday 7pm on FM94 KFML.
The KLTF Memory Game is back, listen between 6:30-9am weekdays mornings for a chance to play and win prizes.