NEWS
--Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen reported last week on Tuesday at approximately 2:55am, their office received a report of an explosion at the address of 1863 150th Avenue, two miles south of North Prairie, in Two Rivers Township. The Bowlus Fire Department responded to the scene and the abandoned house was fully engulfed in flames. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the fire was believed to have been set intentionally and it is being investigated as arson. The State Fire Marshal’s office is assisting the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office with this active investigation. The Minnesota Arson Reward Project is offering up to a $5,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this incident. If you have any information please contact the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office at 632-9233.
--The Little Falls Carnegie Library was still closed Monday due to repairs from a lightning strike last week. The library is hoping to reopen today. Listen to Little Falls Radio for details and changes.
--The Minnesota State Fair's eighth annual Military Appreciation Day will take place today and provide an educational opportunity for all fair goers to learn about Minnesota's military community. This year's theme is honoring Minnesota's women veterans. A program at 9:45am at the Bandshell will feature keynote speaker Kay Bauer, a Navy nurse and Vietnam veteran. The program will conclude with a rotary wing flyover from the Minnesota National Guard's 34th Combat Aviation Brigade. Several activities are planned for Military Appreciation Day at the State Fair this year. There will be nearly 60 educational booths along with military and family friendly entertainment. The Minnesota National Guard's 34th Infantry Division Red Bull Band will perform at 10:30 and 11:45. The State Fair's 2pm parade will feature women veterans from several of Minnesota's Yellow Ribbon companies. The State Fair is offering discounted tickets ($9 rate) for military members, veterans and their families today.
--On Sunday a Benton County Sheriff’s deputy found and arrested a man who illegally possessed a handgun and controlled substances. Around 1:00am, a Benton County deputy was patrolling an area in Sauk Rapids when he noted a vehicle with a malfunctioning taillight. The deputy stopped the vehicle and made contact with the driver, Ryan David Hackler; age 27 of Foley. While conducting this traffic stop, the deputy learned that Hackler had an active arrest warrant and took Hackler into custody for this warrant. While searching Hackler, the deputy found cash, a spoon with the residue of a white powdery substance, and several rounds of 45 caliber handgun ammunition. Following this discovery, Hackler’s vehicle was searched. Inside the vehicle, investigating deputies found a 45 caliber handgun, additional rounds of 45 caliber ammunition, an antique handgun, drug paraphernalia, over 300 prescription pills believed to have been prescribed to other individuals, over 30 documents and identification cards in the names of several other individuals, and several electronic devices and tools. A check of Hackler’s criminal history indicated that, due to his current conviction status, Hackler was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. Hackler was transported to the Benton County Jail where he is being held on his previous warrant as well as charges of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, 5th degree controlled substance crime, and possession of drug paraphernalia. The investigation into Hackler’s possession of other people’s identification documents continues.
--Authorities say a Minnesota state conservation officer has died after being pinned under his tractor near his home in Frazee. The Becker County Sheriff's Office says 26-year old Kyle K. Quittschreiber's tractor rolled on a hill Friday and emergency responders declared him dead at the scene. Quittschreiber's assignments with the DNR included fishing and boating enforcement and monitoring bear baiting activity. He also assisted law enforcement in searching for a missing child and in finding illicit drugs that were thrown from a vehicle during a traffic stop.
--A 25-year old Waite Park woman is facing charges on suspicion of cutting and hitting a man, according to a criminal complaint filed Monday in Stearns County District Court. Constance Marie Grandidier was charged with one felony count of second degree assault with a dangerous weapon and two misdemeanor counts of domestic assault. According to the complaint, officers responded to a report of a domestic assault about 2:00pm Saturday where an adult man told officers Grandidier assaulted him. The man, who knows Grandidier, told officers she cut him with a knife on his shoulder and forearm and hit him with a closed fist two or three times, striking his eye. Officers observed a 4-inch cut on the man's shoulder and swelling under his eye. She is scheduled to make her first court appearance today.
--The Winter Wonderland Figure Skating Club is getting ready for registration night on September 16th. Their mission is to provide educational training, build resiliency, instill confidence, and foster good sportsmanship amongst the local youth populace. They offer lessons for girls and boys, ages 2-18. Registration night for the club again September 16th at 4pm at the Little Falls Exchange Arena.
--Royalton schools will host an open house 5-7:30pm on Wednesday to show off the facility and get students ready for the new school year. School starts in Royalton on September 4th.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Alex and Larissa Kulus of Little Falls, a girl born August 25th.
DEATH NOTICES
--Linda Ledbetter, age 61 of Little Falls.
--Rose Bollin, age 70 of Upsala formerly Little Falls.
--Lydia “Sis” A. Goodwater, age 91 of Motley.
WEATHER
TODAY= cloudy skies, few showers, cooler, high 64.
TONIGHT= clearing and seasonably cool, low 45.
WEDNESDAY= sunny skies, pleasant, high 70, low 50.
THURSDAY= sunny early, late day storms, high 73, low 52.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins are in Cleveland tonight, 5:30pm on Q92 WYRQ
NFL= Cold Spring native and former University of Minnesota wide receiver Eric Decker announced his retirement of the NFL. Decker was with New England in the preseason but reportedly was not expected to make the team. He caught 53 touchdowns in his 8 year career with Denver, Tennessee and New York Jets.
COL FB= New Mexico State at Gophers in opener Thurs 5pm KLTF.
HS FB= Pierz is at Milaca Thursday at 7pm on FM94 KFML.
HS FB= Royalton hosts Sauk Centre Thursday 7pm on Q92 WYRQ
HS FB= Little Falls hosts Dassel-Cokato Friday 7pm on AM960.