NEWS
--The City of Little Falls has been directed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to implement water reduction measures within the City of Little Falls. The DNR, due to 42% of the State being in an “Extreme Drought Warning” phase, has instructed the City to not produce more than 1.25 million gallons of water a day. Because of this notification, the City as of Monday, August 23rd has now implemented a lawn watering BAN within the City. Residents may continue to water shrubs, bushes, flowers, vegetable garden and trees. Community sports fields are exempt from this ban. This applies to all residents and businesses using City water, well water or a sand point for lawn watering. The Minnesota Department of Health or the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources may have restrictions for other water sources (i.e. river water, etc.). Please check their offices to ensure compliance. This lawn watering ban will continue until further notice. Questions on this lawn water restriction are directed to contact City Hall (320) 616-5500.
--A direct marketing company has announced plans to close its facility in Little Falls. IWCO Direct sent a letter to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development announcing its intentions of closing the facility on or about January 1st, 2022. They say a change in business needs is the reason why. The facility closure is expected to be permanent. Company CEO, John Ashe, notified the team in Little Falls at an in-person employee meeting Monday morning. About half of the employees, approximately 165 people, will have their last day on November 1st. The remaining 165 employees will work through January 1st. They are offering retention bonuses to eligible employees who remain with them through their scheduled termination date and who meet performance guidelines.
--A woman from St. Cloud allegedly led police on a high-speed chase in St. Paul while an infant was in the car with her. The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office says it started at about 12:15am on Saturday when a deputy noticed a suspicious vehicle at a gas station. That gas station had been burglarized numerous times and was not open at that time. As the deputy tried to speak to the woman driving the car she took off at a high rate of speed. Her vehicle eventually hit a retaining wall and rolled onto its passenger side. Deputies found a nine-month-old child inside the car who had no visible injuries. The Sheriff's Office says the suspect is 20-year-old Angelica Henry-Schmidt of St. Cloud. She is facing a number of charges including criminal vehicular operation, drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, child endangerment, fleeing police, and an outstanding warrant in Wisconsin.
--A jury trial was scheduled to begin yesterday for the last of three suspects in a fatal stabbing at the Red Carpet Nightclub in St. Cloud. 29-year old Bryant Stephenson is charged with two counts of aiding and abetting 2nd degree murder in the death of Unity McGill in 2019. 28-year old Christopher Johnson has been sentenced to 40 years in prison while his brother, 29-year-old Lawrence Johnson was sentenced to 34 years behind bars.
--Due to a power failure at First United Church yesterday the Franscican Sister blood drive had to be cancelled for Monday. They are still planning to have their blood drive today from 12-6pm but the venue could still change. Listen to Little Falls Radio today for details. If you have questions on appointment call Sister Julien 632-0663.
--Listen to weather updates on storms today on Little Falls Radio.
--A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect this morning for most of the southern half of Minnesota. Showers and Storms likely in areas before noon with some storms as earlier this morning in Stearns County having damaging winds, hail, lots of lightning and thunder and heavy rainfall. This system will move across Minnesota this morning and then redeveloping storms could happen later tonight.
--As weather permits Morrison County maintenance employees will be working on the following activities this week: Culvert work on CSAH 46 northeast of Little Falls, and CSAH 38 south of Pierz. Shouldering work on CSAH 8, CSAH 6, CSAH 53, CSAH 36 south of Littls Falls, and County Road 236 west of Buckman. Traffic will be controlled by flaggers. Please use caution around work crews and flashing lights. Public Works employees continue to practice social distancing guidelines in their travels and on the various job sites as we continue to preserve and maintain Morrison County infrastructure.
--Pierz Food Shelf will be having an open house on Thursday, September 2nd from 5-8 pm at our new location at 220 Main Street next to the fire hall. The open house for their new facility was to be last year but postponed due to the pandemic. Donations of cash and non-perishable food items are welcome. This is also the same time of the last Rock Roll and Stroll event in Pierz 5-8pm September 2nd.
--On Friday, August 20, 2021, deputies from the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Gowan Pump Station, west of Floodwood, on a report of numerous people trespassing on critical infrastructure. Deputies arrived and encountered approximately 50 people found to be trespassing and blocking the roadway. Verbal commands were given to the people to vacate the area and not obstruct traffic. Most refused to leave with even three people had locked themselves down and an extrication team was called in to remove the people from the “sleeping dragon-style” locking devices. One person was also elevated approximately 25 feet in the air in a tri-pod structure. After many times told to disperse, law enforcement personnel then moved in and arrested those who chose to stay. 32 people were arrested as a result of their actions. At no time did law enforcement utilize any chemical munitions or other non-lethal weapons during today’s civil unrest. Of the 32 arrested, 25 list a birthplace outside of Minnesota and 20 were females.
--Listen to Little Falls Radio this morning for clue #3 of the Pierz Oktoberfest Medallion Hunt. If you believe you have found the wooden medallion in Pierz bring it to Pierz City Hall for verifying.
DEATH NOTICES
--Joe Gruber, age 63 of Pierz (died last November)
–Sister Mary Therese Lenz of St. Francis Convent (died last October)
--Sister Mary Siena (Annella) Wald of Convent. (died January 2021)
--Loretta “Lori” Gustafson, age 87 of Little Falls (died in November)
WEATHER
TODAY= strong storms this morning, then partial sun, high 85.
TONIGHT= partly cloudy, storms possible before midnight, low 58.
WEDNESDAY= sunny and cooler, high 74, low around 53.
THURSDAY= sunny early then PM storms develop, high 70, low 56.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins are at Boston today with pregame at 5:30pm, this is weather permitting after Hurricane Henri from over the weekend. If the game is played hear it at 5:30 on Q92 WYRQ.