NEWS
--There will be a free open house/picnic at the Little Falls Food Shelf on Thursday from 11:30am-1pm. All are invited to come and get at tour of the food shelf and learn about how those wishing to use the food shelf can and also how to donate to the food shelf to keep it going. There will be a free lunch, grilled outside (if weather cooperates) for those to enjoy too. Questions you can reach out to the Food Shelf at 320-632-8304 for their regular hours of operation.
--A mountain biking crash at Cuyuna Country State Recreational Area in Ironton sent a rider to the hospital Friday. A rider, identified as a man from out of state, suffered internal abdominal injuries after crashing while riding on Drawpoint Trail at 5:43pm. Deerwood Police Sgt. Jesse Smith reported. Drawpoint is rated as a black diamond
Smith said he did not know the exact circumstances of the crash, but the rider appeared to have been riding with a group and was transported by Cuyuna Regional Medical Center Ambulance for non-life-threatening injuries. The Ironton Fire Department also assisted.
--Stearns County Attorney Janelle Kendall says they were close to a record setting number of trials last year. Kendall says the trials included the 3 Red Carpet homicides which were a big expense for the county. She says they have not had any problem getting jurors. Kendall says many cases get settled prior to a trial taking place. Kendall says often times they know what the end result in the case will be before it happens based on the evidence. She says very commonly a defendant and their lawyers see what the result will be and come to a plea agreement to avoid the trial. Kendall says trials are everyone's right and they have no problem when cases go to trial. She said they had almost 1,300 felonies in Stearns County last year and only 40 trials. It is not just in Stearns County, Kendall stated that most of central and southern Minnesota have seen a larger number of felony arrests and trials since the COVID pandemic began in the early part of 2020 and unfortunately with the next few months trial schedule the busy trial season looks it it will continue for a while.
–The hottest day of the year so far will be today across Minnesota with the southern third of state seeing temps in the upper 90s and heat index values around 110. Central Minnesota will see temps for the first time this year over 90 degrees with Heat Index Values ranging from 95-100 degrees today. The heat only lasts one day with temps back in the 70s tomorrow however, more heat and humidity is forecast for the weekend with highs in the 90s.
--Sister Julien of the Franciscan Sisters stated Monday on KLTF that there are many appointments will available for the Red Cross Blood Drive next week at St. Francis Hall. And best of all, the cookies are back from the convent to enjoy for giving blood. Appointments must be made as they still not able to accept walk-ins for the event so call Sister at 320-632-0663. The next blood drive is June 20th from 1-7pm then June 21st from 12-6pm and June 22nd from 8:30am-2:30pm.
--Agram Township residents are invited to the fifth Annual Township Picnic to be held on Thursday evening June 23rd at the Town Hall located on Lake Road. This is a great opportunity for families and neighbors to take time out of their busy schedule to come together for an evening of food and friendly conversation. Plan to arrive any time after 5pm with food being served at 6pm. Residents are asked to bring a “potluck” dish to share and their beverage of choice. Paper products, hotdogs, lemonade and condiments will be provided. Rain or shine. For more information, contact a town board member.
--MMFCU Medallion Hunt clues are heard at 8:50am on Little Falls Radio Q92 WYRQ, 94ROCKS KFML and AM960 KLTF.
--The Upsala Upstage Players are presenting “Brigadoon” July 22nd through the 25th. More details will be released closer to date as currently the Upstage Players are deep into rehearsals for the play.
--The St. Cloud Police Department's Community Response Team conducted a special detail in south St. Cloud Friday. The effort was based on complaints from area residents who reported drug issues and problem homes. The police department said the detail led to the arrest of three people on drug offenses, one DWI, one minor consumption, four people were arrested on outstanding warrants, three trespassing tickets, two citations for minor drug offenses, and a juvenile runaway who was returned to the family. Additional special details will continue to be held throughout the summer, targeting problem areas in the city.
--A handful of central Minnesota highways are getting some new technology to help the Minnesota Department of Transportation monitor driving conditions. MnDOT is installing nine new Road Weather Information Systems over the course of the summer. The RWIS is an environmental sensor station in the field that collects weather data, pavement conditions, and visibility. The information is used in conjunction with camera footage to send to the National Weather Service and Minnesota's 511 traveler information system. There will be short-term lane closures on Highway 23 near Richmond, Highway 47 near Isle, Highway 169 near Princeton, and Highway 371 near Nisswa, among others. In all, an additional 19 RWIS systems will be installed by the end of October bringing it statewide to 139.
FLAG DAY HISTORY
--In the United States, today is Flag Day is celebrated on June 14. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. The Flag Resolution, passed on June 14, 1777, stated: "Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation." The United States Army also celebrates the U.S. Army birthday on this date; Congress adopted "the American continental army" after reaching a consensus position in the Committee of the Whole on June 14, 1775. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day. Flag Day is not an official federal holiday.
DEATH NOTICES
--Doris Larson, age 88 of Decatur, Illinois formerly Little Falls
--Charles Larson, age 53 of Long Prairie (mother and son)
WEATHER
TODAY= becoming sunny and hot, high 93, heat index 98.
TONIGHT= increasing clouds, muggy, low 70.
WEDNESDAY= showers & storms likely, some strong, high 77, low 57.
THURSDAY= sunny and breezy, high 78, low near 55.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins hold off Mariners last night 3-2 out west. Twins continue at Seattle tonight with pregame 8:30pm on Q92 WYRQ.
GOLF= Good luck to Abby Turkowski of Little Falls and Emily Virnig of Pierz competing at State Girls Golf Tournament in Jordan today.
BAB= the state baseball tournament begins today with teams including in Class A, New York Mills and Bertha Hewitt Verndale, Class AA Wadena Deer-Creek, Class AAA Alexandria and Class 4A Sartell.