NEWS
--A fatal farm accident Monday killed a Little Falls man. Around 3:20pm Monday the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a man that was run over by a tractor at a residence off of Ginger Road, two miles north of Little Falls in Green Prairie Township. 84-year old Emil Groth of Little Falls was driving a tractor in a field behind the residence. Groth fell off the tractor and was run over. Groth was transported to St Gabriel’s Hospital by ambulance where he died from his injuries.
--The Little Falls City Council voted Monday night to move forward with the process of a potential ½ percent sales tax in Little Falls. City representatives are still working on the exact wording of the question that would appear on a ballot for city residents. Although the wording was not finalized Monday night, there was discussion as to what the council would like to see covered by this tax. The discussion Monday evening was to fund a Community Center or Complex, but there are still uncertainties of what would be included in that. The wording of the question needs to be finalized before the council can approve putting it on a ballot in November. That is expected to be voted on by the Little Falls City Council at their next meeting Monday night at 7:30pm at City Hall. If the council next week approves to put this question on the ballot in November, it would be voted on by city residents in the general election November 6th. If approved by residents, it would still need approval by the state legislature and then the council again before the tax could be enacted at the first day of the following quarter. Because of time lines, if this tax passes all obstacles, it would not go into affect likely until July 1st 2019.
--The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce has announced their August Employee of the Month is Steve Olson. Steve has been a Guest Service Manager for the past eight years at Perkins Restaurant & Bakery. Congratulations Steve Olson, Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce August Employee of the Month.
--Another plane crash, this time in Crow Wing County. Just after 10:00am Monday a single engine airplane crashed less than a mile and a half away from the Brainerd Airport. The couple in the plane were from Illinois and reportedly had non-life threatening injuries but were taken to the Brainerd hospital. The area was wooded terrain and a bit difficult to get to. The railroad tracks east of Brainerd were getting worked on by BNSF and had to be stopped for authorities.
--The rail crossing on Holt Road in Lincoln (Morrison County) was closed starting yesterday so that Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad Company can conduct track and crossing repair. Motorist are urged to use caution in this work zone, abide by the traffic control devices and plan on alternative routes.
--A fire destroyed a pole shed in Albany Township Monday around at 32192 Fifth Lake Road. The shed was completely destroyed by fire. There were no injuries. The cause is under investigation.
--The Crow Wing County Fair in Brainerd continues today with senior day. KLTF Party Line will be live at the fair at 10am. There is a Model T/Old Homestead Power tractor club parade at 10:30, senior day program at noon, music, food, white tiger exhibit and the Monster Trucks are back at the grandstand at 7pm. If the weather cooperates, the Little Falls Radio Cash Cube will be part of the grandstand event tonight during the monster trucks at intermission, registration 5-6:30 event starts at 7pm, Cash Cube at intermission.
--All five candidates whose term is expiring this year on the Little Falls City Council Tuesday filed for reelection. Mayor Greg Zylka, At Large Council person Brad Hircock, Ward 1 councilman Leif Hanson, Ward 2 councilman Wayne Liljegren and Ward 3 councilman Jeremy Hanfler all filed for reelection. The filing period continues through Tuesday, August 14th.
--A Police chase ended early Tuesday when an SUV crashed into the backyards of several houses. Sartell Police say it all started at about 11:45pm Monday when an officer tried to stop the vehicle for expired registration. The man took off and led officers on a chase into Waite Park. He eventually lost control and crashed through the backyards of several homes near Sunwood Park Lane. The driver then ran on foot but was later found and arrested. 28-year old Damon Rohde of Cokato is facing possible charges of fleeing in a motor vehicle, DUI, and driving after revocation.
--Legal issues continue to compound for 34-year old Gregory Allen Scheel of Paynesville who is accused of killing his grandparents in March. Kandiyohi County prosecutors last Wednesday filed a felony theft charge against Scheel. He is expected to make his first appearance on the charge August 16th. Scheel is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 2 in Stearns County, where he was indicted on first- and second-degree murder in the deaths of 90-year old Wilbert Scheel and 80-year old Gloria Scheel on March 21 at their home in Paynesville. Their bodies were recovered the next day in a vehicle in northern Kandiyohi County. Scheel is scheduled for a hearing July 31 in Chippewa County District Court. Prosecutors there charged him in December 2017 with misdemeanor theft, gross misdemeanor escape from custody, two first-degree felony burglary, felony third-degree burglary and misdemeanor driving while impaired.
--A home on North Long Lake burned down Monday night as part of a training exercise for the Brainerd Fire Department. Brainerd Fire Chief Tim Holmes said the property owners are planning to rebuild at the site, so the existing home was an opportunity to conduct live burn training for the department.
--The Green Fair Folk Festival is tonight at the St. Francis Convent in Little Falls. Music, food, vendors, kids games, horse drawn tours around the convent and more tonight 4-8pm free admission, and the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are only a quarter.
DEATH NOTICES
--Cecilia Mary Cichon Schlag, age 84 of Isanti formerly of Elmdale.
--Jeanne Pearson, age 64 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= mostly cloudy, turning breezy and cool, high 65.
TONIGHT= clearing skies, cool night, low 47.
THURSDAY= sunny skies, high 73, T-storms develop late, low 56.
FRIDAY= sunny and windy, warmer high 85, storms likely after dark.
SPORTS
VIKINGS= Vikings sign Stefon Diggs to a 5 year extension worth over 80 million dollars to remain a wide receiver with Minnesota.
TWINS= Twins trade Brian Dozier to Dodgers at end of trade deadline then lost last night 6-2 to Indians. Twins and Cleveland wrap up their series today with a pregame at 11:30am on Q92 WYRQ.
8C= catch Region 8C Baseball action this weekend on AM960 KLTF.