NEWS
--Little Falls Community Schools Superintendent Greg Johnson and City of Little Falls Administrator Jon Radermacher spoke on KLTF about the plans that started last week at a school board meeting on a partnership with the city and school to work on a childcare facility. The city needs a plan in place by December 31st for the HUD grant to be used for the facility. The leading idea plan is to build onto or next to an existing building owned by the school district, Lincoln Elementary School that has a kitchen and other items that would be worked into place that could house up to 100 children for childcare facility. This is still in the early phases as nothing has been voted on yet and won't be until their next school board meeting October 17th for the school board. Then the city council would vote to work with the school board at their following meeting. Radermacher said it is hard to pindown any timeline on this as this is very early in the works but if everything gets approved they would look at about 18-24 months to date of completion. If you have questions or concerns reach out to the city of Little Falls or Little Falls Community Schools. The school board meeting this is expected to be voted on will be at 5:00pm October 17th at the Little Falls Community Middle School media center. If approved the city would bring it up shortly after.
--A student was injured Friday after they fell in a stairwell at Forestview Middle School in Baxter. Forestview Middle School sent out a news release Friday stating that during the fourth hour of the day, a student crossed over a stairwell railing and hung on to the other side before falling into the stairwell. The school liaison officer, school nurse and multiple staff members responded and the student was taken by ambulance to the hospital. At the time of the incident, classes were in session and a limited number of students were in the area. School staff met with these students and have been in contact with their families. Forestview officials stated they were in contact with the family of the injured student and the family said the student is doing well and will make a full recovery.
--Two people were killed and one seriously hurt in a crash in Kandiyohi County Saturday afternoon. The incident happened around 4:30pm on Highway 7 at 195th Street Southeast near Lake Lillian. The Minnesota State Patrol says one SUV was going west on Highway 7 and a second SUV was going south on 195th Street Southeast when the two vehicles collided in the intersection. The driver of the first SUV, 86-year-old August Faber of Lake Lillian, and the driver of the second SUV, 35-year-old Jacob Dahlheimer of Faribault, both died at the scene. Authorities say neither of them was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. The passenger in the first SUV, 83-year-old Gertrude Faber of Lake Lillian, was taken to HCMC with life-threatening injuries.
--Two people were arrested and face drug-related charges following a search at a Litchfield home. Members of the CEE-VI Drug and Gang Task Force used a warrant to search a home in the 63000 block of 173rd Street Friday. During the search, authorities found about 1.2 pounds of methamphetamine, 51 counterfeit Oxycodone pills they believe also contain fentanyl, psilocybin mushrooms, THC, a firearm, ammunition, and cash they believe came from drug sales. Officials say two people were taken into custody and face controlled substance and firearms charges. One of the people arrested has several other controlled substance and possession cases pending in Meeker County dating as far back as 2020 and had multiple warrants issued for their arrest. Neither of the people has been identified.
--Congratulations to the Little Falls Community High School Homecoming royalty crowned last night. King Hudson Filippi and Queen Korrin Gwost. The homecoming game is Friday night.
--Congratulations to Pierz Homecoming King and Queen crowned Monday afternoon. The Pierz King is Eddie Westmoreland and Queen in Pierz is Carissa Andres. Homecoming game is Friday night.
--Congratulations to Royalton Homecoming Royalty for 2022 they are King- Connor Carlson and Queen- Mya Yourzcek. Homecoming game for Royalton is Friday, parade at 5:30pm before the game at 7pm.
--The City of Genola will hold their curbside clean up day for residents and businesses in the city of Genola on Tuesday October 4th. Items must be placed on the curbside in the city of Genola by 7am.
--The Stearns County Sheriff's Department is reporting a hit and run crash that happened on Sunday in the area of Beaver Wood Road in Linden Township. A vehicle was driving on County Road 44, missed the turn and crashed into the victim's garage located on Beaver Wood Road. The victim reports items inside suffered heavy damage and vehicle parts were left behind. The items left behind include a 6-foot black plastic bed rail and a piece of the rear quarter panel that displayed the graphics 4X4. Based on determination it appears these parts would belong to a Ford F-150, possibly dark gray. Anyone with information on the hit and run incident should contact the Stearns County Sheriff's Office to help identify the driver.
--A woman was rescued from a St. Cloud apartment fire Sunday afternoon. The call came in just after 2pm in the 600 block of 11th Street South. Fire crews arrived to find black smoke coming from the back side of the first floor of the apartment. Authorities say a woman was found unconscious inside and was rescued. She suffered minor burns in the fire. Fire crews worked quickly to contain the fire to only one room in the unit. The fire caused roughly $90,000 in damage and remains under investigation.
--Benton County residents can expect to pay more in property taxes next year. With estimated home valuations going up by an expected 17%, that will translate to homeowners paying more on the county portion of their taxes. Benton County commissioners approved a budget increase of more than $13 million in 2023 or an increase of 26.6%. Documents from the county indicate about 1/3 of that increase is due to a larger road construction program next year. The levy increase is just under 5.5% or an increase of just over $1.1-million from 2022. With the increased growth of nearly 20%, the county's tax rate will drop by 6.4%. It means a home valued at $235,000 would see an increase of $70 per year on the county portion of their property taxes.
--Royalton High School announced they will be having a blood drive sponsored by the National Honor Society on October 31st from 10am-4pm at the Royalton High School Gym.
DEATH NOTICES
--Florian S. Gosiak, age 89 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, less windy, high 57.
TONIGHT= clear skies, calm winds, frost possible, low 31.
WEDNESDAY= morning frost then sunny, high 60, low near 40.
THURSDAY= sunny skies, high 66, showers overnight, low 47.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins host White Sox tonight at 6pm on Q92 WYRQ.