NEWS --Little Falls Police and the Minnesota State Patrol responded last night around 11:00pm to a domestic assault in progress in Little Falls. Upon arrival 26-year-old Carlos Weems of Little Falls fled the scene at a high rate of speed. The vehicle continued to flee the trooper when it entered a curve at 11th Street Northeast and 13th Avenue and left the roadway rolling multiple times before striking a tree. The driver, Weems was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. He sustained serious injuries and was taken to the hospital. The investigation into the domestic assault is ongoing.
--The Morison County Sheriff's Office stated Monday afternoon that the three year old boy who had been pulled out of Lake Alexander on Saturday afternoon was released from Children's Hospital on Sunday afternoon and is expected to make a full recovery. The boy was wearing his floation device when he became pinned underneath a water trampoline on Lake Alexander. He was not breathing but first responders administered CPR to revive the boy. Because this is still an active investigation the boy's name is being withheld.
--Staff from Department of Public Safety Homeland Security and Emergency Management division (DPS-HSEM) will visit Morrison, Benton, Kanabec and Mille Lacs counties this week to assess damages sustained in a thunderstorm on the night of July 11th. Local emergency managers reported the following estimates in their Initial Damage Assessments: $218,00 in Morrison County; $180,000 in Benton County; $370,000 in Kanabec County; and $417,000 in Mille Lacs County. The preliminary estimates account for damage to public infrastructure only and are subject to change following additional field assessments. At this time, the damages do not meet federal requirements for FEMA’s Public Assistance Program, but they could qualify for funds through the Minnesota State Disaster Assistance Program. Assessments were being made yesterday in Morrison and Benton counties; today in Mille Lacs County; and tomorrow in Kanabec County. On July 11th, 6-11 inches of rain fell in Minnesota’s central region causing rivers and creeks to quickly rise. Emergency managers in all four counties reported numerous washed-out roads and culverts which prompted closures and detours. Storm debris caused additional damages. Road repairs are necessary.
--Two people were killed in a five vehicle accident Sunday afternoon on Highway 23 in Mille Lacs County. 35-year-old Travis Kiel of Foley was turning left onto 160th Avenue when his vehicle was struck from behind by 19-year-old Ryan Allen of Milaca, which caused Kiel's vehicle to cross the center line and collide head on with a motorcycle driven by 62-year-old Robert Ehrlichman Jr. of Holdingford. Another cycle was unable to avoid the Kiel vehicle and got pinned underneath it. This caused the first vehicle to then strike another vehicle before stopping. Kiel was pronounced dead at the scene. The second driver Allen was not injured. The first motorcycle driver, Robert Ehrlichman Jr. was dead at the scene. The second motorcyclist, Ehrlichman's wife 52-year-old Brenda Ehrlichman of Holdingford who on impact got pinned under the Kiel vehicle was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. The last vehicle was barely struck by the Kiel vehicle and the 17-year-old driver was not injured.
--The Green Fair is Wednesday from 4-7pm outside on the front lawn of the St. Francis Convent. U Rock bands performing, many crafters, teddy bear clinic, food and tours of the grounds will all take place.
--Two people were hurt in an accident Saturday in Cass County west of Pillager. Around 4:20pm, 23-year-old Emily Doss of Pillager was eastbound on Hwy 210 and was stopped to turn left onto Janick Trail when two motorcycles attempt to stop behind her, lost control and struck the car. One cyclist fell to the roadway on top of the first rider on the right shoulder. The first rider, 61-year-old Kelly Thronson of Ada sustained serious injuries. The second rider, 60-year-old Bryan Thornson of Ada sustained non life threatening injuries.
--Pillager firefighters battled a house fire that made a pastor of a Brainerd church and his family homeless. Firefighters were called out around 11:00am Saturday to the East Gull Lake residence of Mark Bjorlo, pastor at the Journey North Community Church. His three children were home and able to escape without injury. The fire started in one of the children's bedrooms, and when the children were unable to put it out they escaped the house. The fire had spread quickly and was burning rapidly when firefighters arrived and were on scene for over 5 hours. The house, attached garaged and walkout deck were destroyed. The cause though officially undetermined is believed to be a candle and incense being burned in one of the bedrooms.
--Another accident in Mille Lacs County around 7:20pm Sunday night sent three people to the hospital. 63-year-old Donna Hall of Northfield was on Highway 169 near Onamia when her vehicle collided with 16-year-old Kaycee Voshell of Onamia who was crossing lanes to turn south. Both driver's and Hall's passenger 65-year-old Gary Hall of Northfield all sustained non-life threatening injuries.
--County Fair time is here in central Minnesota as the Crow Wing County Fair begins today in Brainerd and runs through Saturday with many events for all and the Benton County Fair begins today in Sauk Rapids and runs through Sunday. The Morrison, Todd and Mille Lacs County Fairs begins next week. Get information on the Morrison County Fair that runs August 11-14th at fallsradio.com.
--The Pierz Community Picnic will be held from 5-7pm Wednesday at the Pierz Park. All are invited to attend the free event.
DEATH NOTICE --Eleanor M. Tillman, age 95 of Sauk Rapids formerly of Little Falls.
WEATHER TODAY= morning clouds, afternoon sun, high 84. TONIGHT= clear skies, low around 60. WEDNESDAY= sunny and warm, high 87, late night storms, low 70. THURSDAY= storms likely, some strong, high 85, clear night low 53.
SPORTS TWINS= Max Keppler hit 3 homeruns and had 6 RBIs as the Twins rock Clevleland 12-5 Monday. Eddie Rosario and Joe Mauer also hit homeurns. The Twins and Cleveland tonight 5:30 on Q92 WYRQ. TRADE= Twins trade Ricky Nolasco and Alex Meyer to the Angels for Hector Santiago, Twins also traded reliever Abad to the Red Sox. Little Falls VFW Baseball= Little Falls was defeated by Foley yesterday 4-3. Little Falls plays Cold Spring today with the winner getting to play Foley. The winner of the Little Falls vs. Cold Spring game needs to beat Foley twice to win the championship. REGION 8C= The Region 8C Tournament resumes Saturday in Freeport, three games Saturday starting at 1pm on AM960 KLTF.