NEWS
--Effective immediately, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has moved the Mississippi Headwaters into a “D-2” Drought Warning Response Phase. The Mississippi Headwaters watershed includes all of Morrison County and Little Falls. This Phase requests that the City and its residents reduce water usage to 50% above January levels. By voluntarily reducing our water consumption for non-critical needs, (i.e. watering the lawn, washing vehicles, etc.), we can hopefully avoid the Department of Natural Resources “Restrictive Phase”. You may still water your food gardens and new grass, but we ask that you limit all other water usages.
For additional information on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Statewide Drought Plan and current conditions, visit the Minnesota DNR website and there is a link for drought conditions.
--On Saturday at 11:47am the Morrison County Sheriff's Office reported to a tractor accident where the operator had struck an underground propane tank valve that sparked and caused an explosion on Lakewood Drive, three miles north of Randall in Cushing Township. The driver, 65-year-old Joseph Then of Randall had severe burns from the explosion and was airlifted to Hennepin County Medical Center where he later died from his injuries.
--On Sunday at 11:10am, Morrison County Sheriff's deputies responded to a motorcycle accident on 320th Street east of 20th Avenue six miles south of Motley in Scandia Valley Township. The driver, 61-year-old Curtis Sievert of Cushing was west on 320th Street went around the curve and left the roadway. Sievert was not wearing a helmet and pronounced dead at the scene when deputies arrived.
--Voters will cast a ballot at the Upsala Recreation Building, 320 Walnut Avenue, Upsala today on two referendum questions for the Upsala School District today with polls open from 10am to 8pm.
The Upsala School District encompasses the cities of Upsala and Elmdale and the townships of Elmdale, Two Rivers, Swan River and Swanville in Morrison County; Krain Township in Stearns County and Grey Eagle Township in Todd County. More information regarding the referendum, what the plans are should the referendum pass, funding from the state that will be available should the referendum pass, as well as impacts on property taxes are outlined on the Upsala School District website with a bond-referendum-information link.
--Morrison County maintenance employees continues work this week on shouldering county roads 43, 264 and 263 with some delays. County Road 234/North Hawthorne in Royalton continue to be closed for road reconstruction. CSAH 1 North of Randall open to traffic, but expect delays for construction traffic, CSAH 47 East of TH 25 is open to traffic, but expect delays for construction traffic. CSAH 6 closed at CSAH 12 for bridge construction and with the City of Little Falls 4th Street/CR 257 continued closure for road reconstruction. Motorists are reminded to use caution in construction zones and obey
construction signing and flaggers.
--Four people were sent to the hospital after a rollover on Interstate 94 near Sauk Centre. The crash happened at around 5:15pm Sunday. The Minnesota State Patrol says 37-year-old Paulette Zarzar of New Brighton was driving eastbound when she lost control and rolled. Zarzar and three juvenile children were all taken to Sauk Centre Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
--The next Coffee with the Cop event is scheduled for Thursday at Country Inn and Suites in Little Falls at 8:30am, all are invited.
--Little Falls Community Schools has registration Wednesday and Thursday this week at the high school gym. Wednesday is 12-7pm and Thursday is 8am-3pm. All students are asked to have someone come and get their items parents/guardians or the students for the five public schools for this coming school year. Questions can be directed to Little Falls Community Schools at 320-616-2200.
--Three central Minnesota companies are among the 15 statewide picked to get aid to expand and encourage hiring. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development announced over $13 million to help businesses. Renegade Truck Equipment, Inc. in Richmond is getting $400,000. The company’s proposed project will add 20,000 square feet to its Richmond facility. That will increase manufacturing space and upgrade the factory. The project is expected to cost $3.3 million and create 15 new jobs with an average wage of $36.92 per hour. Falls Fabricating LLC in Little Falls received $365,000. The proposed project will expand its building by 40,000 square feet and update its equipment. The project is expected to cost $15 million and create 32 jobs with an average wage of $22.34 per hour. Elemet Group Inc. in Princeton is getting $1.8 million. The proposed project will build a new facility to support their growing business and manufacturing needs. It is expected to cost $26.4 million. The company wants to hire 45 new workers within three years at an average wage of $29.59 per hour. The money comes from DEED’s Job Creation Fund and Minnesota Investment Fund. The funds give cash to help add new workers and keep high-quality jobs in an area focusing on industrial, manufacturing, and technology industries. The idea is to increase the local and state tax base.
--No one was seriously hurt after a semi-truck crashed and blocked traffic on Interstate 94 in Stearns County for hours. The Minnesota State Patrol was called around 2:30 on Friday afternoon to milepost 155, about three miles east of Avon. The truck driver says he was headed east when he swerved to avoid a collision and rolled. The truck landed on its side and blocked both lanes of traffic for more than three hours. The 43-year-old driver from Franklinton, Louisiana, was taken to to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
--The Morrison County Farmers Union will hold its convention and banquet at 7pm on Tuesday, August 22nd at the Royal Cafe in Little Falls. There will be guest speakers and door prizes. Tickets can be obtained from area merchants or at the door. For more information, you are asked to contact 320-573-2328 or 320-632-9432.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Preston and Kylie Gravelle of Little Falls, a girl born August 3rd.
DEATH NOTICES
--Curtis C. Sievert, age 61 of Cushing.
WEATHER
AIR QUALITY ALERT NOON TODAY TO NOON WEDNESDAY.
TODAY= sunny skies, high 84. showers/storms overnight, low 61.
WEDNESDAY= showers early, then sunny, high near 80, low 52.
THURSDAY= sunny skies, high 79, storms overnight, low 57.
SPORTS
TWINS= Jeffers and Correa go long as the Twins beat Detroit last night 9-3. Twins and Tigers game 2 at 5pm tonight on Q92 WYRQ.