NEWS
--The Little Falls Fire Department had a busy weekend. Around 5:10pm Sunday 25 firefighters responded to a motorhome pulling a trailer on fire. This motorhome was on 371 North near Sleepy Hollow Road. The driver David Juntunen was able to escape. The fire department was challenged because the trailer was hauling racing equipment so firefighters had to deal with racing bikes, propane and racing fuel in the trailer. Traffic was rerouted for over two hours while firefighters battled the blaze. Earlier on Sunday around 10:05am 20 Little Falls firefighters responded to a grass fire at Highway 371 and Lawson Road. Firefighters were on scene for 30 minutes. Back on Friday firefighters responded to the Kelsey Caauwe residence at 17843 Riverwood in Little Falls for a mattress fire. Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the mattress. This fire was believed to have started when the resident plugged in a charger to a tablet near a mattress and a spark started the fire. Firefighters also responded to another car Fire Friday and an alarm Saturday. No one was injured in any of these incidents.
--The Douglas County Sheriff's Office had two plane crash reports within 24 hours Friday to Saturday. Friday night around 7:00pm authorities were called to Lake Winona. The Pilot left the Alexandria airport doing “touch and goes” when he went down in the lake. He was able to walk away without any injuries. Shortly before 7:00pm Saturday authorities were called to West Town Hall Road west of Alexandria to a plane that crashed and sheared a power pole ending up in a ditch. The pilot was the lone occupant found at the scene and was pronounced dead. The pilot, 64-year old Kenneth James Ryan was an instructor at the Alexandria Technical and Community College, a member of the Alexandria Municipal Airport Commission and also served on the Alexandria Planning Commission. The FAA has been called into investigate both crashes in Douglas County.
--Helen McClennan of Morrison County Soil and Water stated Monday that the DNR and Conservation Officers have found oak wilt in 10 sites in Morrison County. Oak wilt is a fungal disease that affects the trees from over watering or heavy moisture from rains this spring and summer. That causes the trees to have discoloring of leaves, wilting and can lead to the death of the tree. Soil and Water is working with the DNR to accept the oak wilt control, which they do to keep the tree from spreading oak wilt to other sources. They are receiving funding from the legislature to help with this. If you need more information call Helen at Soil and Water at 631-3551, or your local Little Falls DNR Office at 616-2450.
--Filing for various local offices, such as city, township and school district seats, begins today and runs through 5:00pm August 14th. During this two week period, candidates can pay their $2 filing fee at their City Hall, with the city clerk, township clerk or school district office. The following townships are holding elections in November that have two supervisor and one clerk or treasurer seat expiring — Elmdale, Hillman, Morrill, Mount Morris, Pierz, Richardson and Scandia Valley. Rosing and Pulaski townships have two supervisor seats expiring. There are mayor and city council seats open in just about every Morrison County town that holds general elections including Little Falls, Pierz, Royalton, Upsala, Swanville and many others. The same goes for School Board elections in each of those towns. The General Election will be held Tuesday, November 6th.
--Around 1:15pm Monday a Ford Econoline driven by 25-year old Jerome Scott of St. Cloud was traveling south on Highway 25 in Buh Township of Morrison County when he swerved to the right, over corrected to the left and rolled, landing on the tires. Jerome Scott and the passenger 54-year old Suzanne Curtis of Foley were taken by ambulance to St Gabriel's hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
--Little Falls Mayor Greg Zylka and Little Falls City Administrator Jon Rademacher were both recognized by the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC) during the Coalition’s three-day summer conference in Mankato for their excellence in service to Greater Minnesota. The Excellence in Service Award is given annually to a city leader who demonstrates knowledge, leadership and active participation in CGMC program areas over the past year. CGMC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization representing 97 cities outside of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The Coalition educates legislators about issues important to Greater Minnesota.
--Work on the University Bridge in St. Cloud will reduce traffic to one lane in each direction. The work will get underway today and will last for only one day. The bridge inspection will prompt one lane traffic from 5th Avenue South to Killian Boulevard so expect slowdowns and minor delays until the work is completed.
--It's County Fair Time as both the Benton County and Crow Wing County Fairs begin today. Benton County is hosting Remember the Fallen a large walking tribute to the men and women of the military who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Crow Wing County also Military Day today in Brainerd with opening ceremonies, music and a rodeo tonight at the grandstand. KLTF Party Line will be live at the Crow Wing County Wednesday at 10am. The Morrison County Fair begins next week August 9th-11th and details on that fair can be found at fallsradio.com click on the fair logo.
--A motorcycle driver from Minneapolis suffered non life threatening injuries when his cycle struck a deer. Around 9:30pm Saturday 58-year old Keith Smith was southbound on Highway 371 near mile marker 84 in Cass County when he struck the deer. Smith was taken to St. Joseph's medical center in Brainerd for his injuries.
--Platte River Day in Royalton Saturday, parade at 10:30am.
DEATH NOTICES
--Dolores Warga, age 90 of Holdingford.
--Emil J. Groth, age 84 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and warm, little more humid, high 85.
TONIGHT= storms after midnight, some heavy, low 60.
WEDNESDAY= storms early, then partly sunny, cooler, high 70.
THURSDAY= sunny, less humid, high 73, low around 55.
SPORTS
TWINS= Garver with a walk off double last night as Twins beat the Indians 5-4. Twins and Cleveland game 2 tonight 6:30pm on Q92. Twins traded pitcher Lance Lynn to the Yankees for future prospects and Twins traded Zach Duke to Mariners. Trade deadline is today.
REGION 8C= more games Saturday now in Upsala starting with Nisswa and Lastrup at 11am, Ft. Ripley and Upsala at 1:30 winners to state, losers eliminated. Winners bracket game at 4pm Saturday between Sobieski and Buckman, all heard live on AM960 KLTF.