NEWS
--The filing period for city, school board and township elected officials begin today. If you wish to file for an open city council in you city that is up for election this November, same for school board seats or townships that hold their elections in November that do not have a primary election that file today after 8am until 5pm on August 13th. If you need information on where to file you can go the Secretary of State Website or contact your local city hall or school.
--Also with election season kicking into high gear, law enforcement are reminding those who display signs for their candidates: Keep them off the highway right of way. Highway rights of way typically include the driving lanes, inside and outside shoulders, ditches and sight corners at intersections. Violation of the law is a misdemeanor. County officials say civil penalties may also apply if the placement of such material contributes to a motor vehicle crash that injures a person or damages a motor vehicle that runs off the road. In addition, campaign signs may not be placed on private property outside the right-of-way limits without landowner consent. Any sign found illegally placed will be removed and impounded at the county garage for 30 days. During that time, the owners may come to claim the signs. County staff may throw the signs away if they are not claimed after thirty days. The primary election is set for August 13th. The general election is on November 5th.
--The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is releasing an updated photo of a runaway teen from Little Falls. Seventeen-year-old Shikita Katie Jones disappeared on May 25th. She was was last seen with an unidentified man in the St. Cloud Area. The BCA says she may have been sighted at a gas station on 9th Avenue South.
She is described as 5’5″, weighing 150 pounds, with brown eyes. Jones has short gold hair and a birthmark on her left cheek. She also has tattoos on her ankle and hip. Officials say she has kept in contact with her family but will not tell them where she is hiding. Investigators have released an updated picture of her current hair style. Police have been asking for the public’s help to find her since July 12th. If you have any information, please call 911.
–Morrison County Maintenance employees will be working on the following activities this week. Installing centerline culvert on CSAH 22. Detour will be in place. Installing entrance culverts on CSAH 14, CSAH 18 and County Road 226. Along with patching potholes, mowing and painting on highways. Contracted construction crews will be working on the following activities this week are the two bridge replacement projects on County Road 220 northeast of Swanville and CSAH 1 south of Flensburg continuing through the summer. Please use caution around work crews and flashing lights.
--A stretch of railroad track in southeast St. Cloud was closed for hours on Sunday morning after a vehicle was hit by a train. The St. Cloud Fire Department says it was called to the crossing at 7th Street Southeast and Lincoln Avenue just after 5pm. When they arrived, the vehicle was already fully engulfed in flames. Burlington Northern Santa Fe personnel also hurried to the scene to ensure that hazardous materials on board had not escaped. The fire department says the vehicle was empty when they arrived, and they’re not aware of any injuries. The accident remains under investigation. The track reopened by later in the day but backups were seen for many miles.
--Little Falls Fire Chief Craig Seelen reported yesterday that the fire department will be doing training with Flint Hills at the Pike Creek boat landing tonight from approximately 6-8pm. The training will be practicing techniques for containing oil spills on the water. Just be advised for those driving in the area this is only a training exercise.
--There will be a meeting for all fall, winter and spring sports Monday, August 5th at 7pm at the High School Auditorium. Fall athletes in grades 9-12 participating in football, soccer and volleyball must attend. Fall athletes in grades 7-12 participating in boys/girls cross country, girls swimming and girls tennis must attend. Winter and Spring athletes and parents who are not in a fall sport are also encouraged to attend. Head coaches of our fall sports will meet with their athletes and parents immediately following the all sports meeting. Starting August 1, parents/athletes will be able to complete the registration process is on the Flyer Activities Website. The Activity fee structure has changed for the 24-25 school year. First day of fall sports for high school athletes, middle school athletes in Football, Cross Country, Soccer, Swimming and Tennis is Monday, August 12th, First day of fall sports practice for MS football and volleyball is Wednesday, September 4th. All students must complete online registration, pay the activity fee and have an updated physical on file with the Activities Office before they will be allowed to begin practice. Call the activities office at 320-616-2207 with any questions.
--Stearns County Sheriff's Office reported that over the weekend their office have received several reports of a "missed jury duty" scam going around. No one from their office will call you and tell you that you missed jury duty and now have a "fine" of $3000. Law Enforcement also never asks for payment via gift cards or bitcoin. If you receive such a call, feel free to hang up on the caller. If you have a question on whether or not a call is really from your local sheriff's office, please call the office at 320-259-3700.
DEATH NOTICES
--Douglas “Dougie” Kowalzek, age 56 of Pierz.
--Donald A. Lubbers, age 59 of Little Falls.
--Esther M. Britz, age 92 of Buckman.
WEATHER
TODAY= AM t-storm, then sunny and humid, high 86.
TONIGHT= clear and humid, low near 68.
WEDNESDAY= sunny and hot, high 90, heat index values, near 100
WED NITE= storms some severe before midnight, low 65.
THURSDAY= sunny skies, bit cooler, high 82, low around 61.
SPORTS
TWINS= New York Mets blast the Twins scoring 15 runs on 17 hits to win 15-2 last night. Twins and Mets continue series tonight in New York, pregame begins at 5:30pm on Q92 WYRQ.
LEGION= Pierz will take on Champlin at 3pm Thursday then Farmington at 6pm Thursday and Osseo at 1pm Friday in the American Legion State Tournament this week in Osseo.
REGION 8C= The Region 8C Tournament begins Friday night with Avon vs. Pierz Brewers at 6pm, then Buckman and Randall at 8:30pm Friday, four games Saturday, 2 on Sunday, all live on AM960 KLTF.