NEWS
--The Little Falls Township would like to provide notice that both Inca Road and 133rd Street between 195th Avenue and 210th Avenue will be closed until further notice. Questions please call 232-9554.
--This is a big election year in Minnesota with a number of seats to be decided at the city, school, county, and state levels. The candidate filing period for the August 9th Primary Election is from today May 17th through Tuesday, May 31st. In the State of Minnesota there is a vote for Governor, State Representative and State Senate along with other state offices. With redistricting across the state for State House and State Senate seats, check with your county or local election official on if your site to vote and who you are voting for has changed in the November election. City and County elections for sheriff, auditor-treasurer, county commissioner, mayor, city council and school board members will also be on the ballot this November.
--The Stearns County Sheriff's Office is advising kayak and canoe enthusiasts to stay off creeks and rivers until the water levels recede to more normal levels. Two kayakers were rescued from the Mississippi River in St. Cloud Saturday around 6pm Authorities say they helped the first kayaker and her dog get off a nearby island where they had taken shelter. The St. Cloud Police Department and Stearns County Water Patrol helped search for the second kayaker who was last seen holding onto his overturned boat while it floated down the river. Authorities located the man on the shore by Island View Drive where he had already been helped to shore by some people fishing in the area. Both kayakers were checked out and released at the scene. The sheriff's office says three people in kayaks were tossed into the Sauk River near Heim's Mill Saturday around 8pm. The Sartell Police Department arrived on the scene Saturday to find the three men on the shore. They say 21-year-old Preston Silver of St. Cloud, 22-year-old Cole Roach of Sauk Rapids and 21-year-old Aaron Euteneuer of Sauk Rapids were checked over by Mayo ambulance but were not hurt. Authorities say all three men were wearing their life jackets.
--The Minnesota House and Senate along with the Governor have announced a budget compromise for this session. The deal includes $4 billion in new investments. The plan includes $1 billion for education, $1 billion for health care and human services, $450 million for public safety, $1.5 billion in additional investments, and a $1.4 billion bonding bill. Another $4 billion will go to a tax bill in the form of some sort of tax relief for Minnesotans. The specific details on all of these bills will still need to be worked out over the next week. The lawmakers are leaving another $4 million on the bottom line to help the state manage future economic uncertainty. The Minnesota State Legislature is set to adjourn on Monday, May 23rd.
--The body of an unknown person was recovered from the Otter Tail River in Fergus Falls by law-enforcement authorities Saturday. A deceased individual had been discovered in the river between Robert Hannah Park and Broadway Avenue. The body was recovered from the river and was sent for an autopsy. It is believed that the individual had been in the river for an extended period of time.
--Due to the heavy rains last week, the National Weather Service has extended the flood warnings through Friday for many rivers in the state. This includes the Mississippi River in Fort Ripley, Brainerd toward Aitkin and continues southeast through areas south of St. Cloud and into Wright County near Buffalo beyond the Twin Cities and into Wabasha County, along with the North Shore of the State.
--The Morrison County Board of Commissioners will meet at 8:15am this morning to consider declaring Morrison County in a “State of Emergency” following the storm damage last week.
--Midwest Dairy is proud to announce the finalists named for the 69th Princess Kay of the Milky Way. After a three-year hiatus, dairy princesses from across Minnesota convened at the Dairy Promotion and Leadership Event held May 13-14 in Minneapolis. The finalists include: Alex Christen, 20, of Sauk Centre, representing Stearns county; daughter of Glen and Becky Christen, Hailey Frericks, 19, of Albany, representing Stearns county; daughter of Steve and Tammy Frericks, Kallie Frericks, 19, of Albany, representing Stearns county; daughter of Steve and Tammy Frericks, Briana Maus, 18, of Freeport, representing Stearns county; daughter of Darrel and Lisa Maus, Aly Dieball, 19, of Green Isle, representing Sibley County; daughter of Jim and Wendy Dieball, Ashley Holst, 20, of Kellogg, representing Wabasha county; daughter of Jary and Celene Holst, Kiley Lickfelt, 20, of Hutchinson, representing McLeod county; daughter of Trudy Lickfelt and Ryan Lickfelt, Amber Post, 19, of Lake Wilson, representing Murray county; daughter of Grant and April Post, Rachel Rynda, 19, of Montgomery, representing Le Sueur county; daughter of Francis and Theresa Rynda and Allison Wright, 19, of Hutchinson, representing McLeod county; daughter of Paul and Heather Wright. These ten young women will have their likeness carved in butter during the 2022 Minnesota State Fair. To compete as a finalist for Princess Kay of the Milky Way, candidates submitted an application, participated in a personal interview, prepared and delivered a speech, and conducted a mock media interview. After these events, ten finalists were selected to compete for the title of Minnesota’s 69th Princess Kay of the Milky Way, who will be crowned in August, the night before the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights.
--Members of the Brainerd VFW Post 1647 and Freedom Festival Committee invites the public to celebrate freedom in our country, thanks to our military. Everyone is invited to the Freedom Festival on Saturday from noon to 4pm in the parking lot at the Brainerd VFW. There will also be an educational element regarding flag etiquette. Enjoy the presenting of the colors, flag folding and retirement of the colors. If you have a flag that is no longer serviceable, you are encouraged to bring it with you and it will be retired properly. The goal of the Freedom Festival Committee is to reach out to the community to share ideas of how and why one can support our military, veterans, and community.
--Royalton High School presents there 2022 Royalton Senior Art Showcase on Friday 4-6pm and Saturday 12-3pm at the high school cafetorium. Students showing off their unique styles of art pieces.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Juliana and (the late) Nathan Rothstein of Pierz, a boy born May 3rd.
WEATHER
TODAY= increasing clouds, late day showers & t-storms, high 64.
TONIGHT= showers and t-storms in evening, low 48.
WEDNESDAY= sunny and warmer, high 72, possible PM shower
WED NITE/THURS= cloudy night, low 50, storms likely Thurs high 68
SPORTS
TWINS= Gary Sanchez homers, Royce Lewis scores twice and Twins win 3-1 over Oakland last night. Game 2 tonight 8pm on Q92.
HS SB= Pierz at Little Falls today 5pm on KLTF, news at 4:30pm.