NEWS
--Morrison County Maintenance Employees will be working on the following activities this week: Installing culverts on CSAH 26, CSAH 34 and CSAH 76, Mowing roadside ditches, Patching potholes on various roads around the county August 21st-24th. Expect daytime road closures on CSAH 47 and CSAH 48 for center line culvert repair. Please follow all detours. Please use caution and slow down around work crews and flashing lights. Be aware that loose material may be present in driving lanes during some of the maintenance activities. Construction continues on CR 234/North Hawthorne in Royalton has a continue closure, CSAH 6 closed at CSAH 12 for bridge construction. The 4th Street Project continues off of both directions of Highway 27 in Little Falls though last weekend 4th Street Southeast from 5th Avenue past Lions Park and St. Otto's was opened to through traffic again but more work will be done in the area over the next few weeks. Motorists are reminded to use caution in construction zones.
--Authorities have released the name of an Annandale man killed in a crash Friday. The Minnesota State Patrol says 66-year-old Scott Lampi was driving his car east on Highway 55 near Annandale just after noon when he left the road and crashed into a tree. Lampi died at the scene. Authorities say he was not wearing his seat belt, and alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.
--Two people were hurt in a crash near Lake Henry Saturday morning. The Minnesota State Patrol says two cars collided near the intersection of Highway 4 and County Road 19 just after 11:30am.
One of the drivers, 64-year-old John Eder of Kimball, was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The other driver, 28-year-old Derek Welle of Belgrade, also sustained non-life-threatening injuries but did not go to the hospital for treatment.
–The Officer Tom Decker Memorial was officially dedicated in Cold Spring on Sunday. Police Chief Jason Blum says Decker trained him when he joined the force. He talks about his memories of his fallen colleague. “He actually trained me in and we were on the same shift for quite a while. On our days off we’d go fishing together that type of thing so I knew him pretty well. He was always the jokester.”
Donations have poured in over the past couple years to give him a permanent tribute outside the combined city hall and department headquarters on Red River Avenue. Blum says the event should be light in nature, given Decker’s personality. “I think it’ll be lighthearted and just, you know, thank you to the community, thank you to the current officers and past officers, and I think it’ll be more light-hearted and happy,” says Blum. State Senator Jeff Howe and Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach spoke at the ceremony. Governor Tim Walz wrote last December that the “continued dedication to memorializing his life and career is a testament to his character and the love you all share in celebrating Officer Decker.”
--A pole holding power lines caught fire on Friday morning causing an outage in Sartell and north St. Cloud. Around 5,700 customers were affected. The company says crews were able to restore power to virtually all residents by noon and the rest would have power restored shortly after. The company reported they are still investigating to determine what started the fire.
--Much need rainfall fell in the Little Falls city and surrounding area after 1 ¼ inches fell quickly on Friday in parts of the city then another 1.08 inches fell Sunday into Monday reported at the airport.
--Even though many areas saw rain Friday through Monday in the state the drought conditions continue. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources stated Monday they as that cities like Little Falls, Pierz, Genola, Royalton, Sauk Rapids, St. Cloud and others from Morrison, Benton, Stearns, Sherburne and Wright Counties continue their water restriction policies that are in place at this time. Rainfall totals are still 3-5 inches in area below adequate totals at this time even with the 1-3 inches that fell in areas recently.
--The City of Brainerd announced that the boil water advisory will remain in effect until Wednesday. Last night the city of Brainerd for the second time in three days distributed free bottled water to residents at City Hall. They did this Saturday and then again last night. Officials stated Monday the water has been chlorinated and now they will wait up to 72 hours for all clear to take place which should happen tomorrow (Wednesday).
--Yesterday, Dr. Kristine Wehrkamp, Superintendent of Royalton Public Schools spoke on KLTF. She mentioned that the summer was busy with items at the school to get students ready for the school year. There are some social media and student disciple items that have been changed in the most recent school handbook that students and parents should review online before the school year begins. They are having a Big Trucks night on August 21st from 5-7pm at the school with firetrucks, ambulances and many other big trucks at the school. The Elementary, Middle and High School will be hosting nights for students and parents to come and see where their students classroom and teachers will be again you can check the Facebook and Royalton Schools website for information. If you have questions for Royalton Schools or wish to volunteer this year call 584-4000.
--The St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Pierz will pray the Patriotic Rosary on September 8th at 12:45pm sponsored by the Hearts of Faith, a local women's group. The decades of the rosary will be held by the Hearts of Faith, local Christian Women's Groups, American Legion and Auxiliary Members, Knight of Columbus and students from Holy Trinity School of Pierz. The Patriotic Rosary prays for each state in our country and also government officials. All are welcome for this.
DEATH NOTICES
--Robert Gall, age 85 of Foley.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, warmer, high 83.
TONIGHT= clear nights, low near 61.
WEDNESDAY= sunny, windy and warm, high near 90, thunderstorms develop around dark and some could be severe, clearing late, low 56.
THURSDAY= sunny and breezy, much cooler, high 74, low 52.
SPORTS
TWINS= after Monday off, the Twins host Detroit for 2 games starting tonight, pregame at 6pm on Q92 WYRQ.
CLASS C= Class C State Tournament games begins on Friday with Plato vs. St. Stephen at 7:30pm in Dassel, Avon vs. Red Wing will play at 1:30pm Sunday in Dassel, then at 4:30pm Nisswa takes on Carver at Delano Sunday. Sobieski opens the Class B State Tournament on Sunday against the Metro Knights in Litchfield that game is at 11am. Buckman will play the following Saturday (August 26th at 7pm). Hear baseball action this weekend on KLTF.