NEWS
--On Monday at 2:20pm, the Little Falls Fire Department was dispatched to 16334 133rd St in Little Falls Township on a report of a shed on fire. Firefighters arrived and found four small sheds and a large pile of firewood on fire. The fire also spread up into several large pine trees and into a garage nearby. Firefighters were able to stop the spread of fire any further into the garage. The fire was brought under control quickly but required extensive overhaul by having to move the large pile of smoldering firewood and piles of wood that were stacked inside the sheds. The cause of the fire is under investigation. There were no injuries reported.
--Rich Prairie Sewer and Water District will be implementing lawn water restrictions within the Cities of Pierz and Genola in accordance with notification we have received from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has moved the Mississippi Headwater into a “Drought Warning” phase. The District will be using lawn water restrictions on an odd/even day system effective immediately. Properties with an odd house number (1,3,5,7,9) will be allowed to water on odd days. Properties with an even house number (0,2,4,6,8) will be allowed to water their lawns on even days of the month. This applies to all residents and businesses using water from the District for lawn watering. The Minnesota Department of Health of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources may have restrictions for other water sources (sand points, rivers, etc.). If you have any questions on lawn water restrictions call Pierz City Hall 468-6471.
--Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen, Sheila Watercott of Stand Up 4 U and Alex Wiggers from Country Inn and Suites appeared on KLTF Tuesday to discuss the next Coffee with the Cop Event at the Country Inn Thursday from 8:30am-10m. Sheriff Larsen said community involvement, communication is parts of what keeps drugs off the streets and getting to our kids. Overdoses were big in 2021 and 2022 though down in 2023 still a problem and they need to get the word out. Watercott spoke on being in a hotel this time to stress sex trafficking that has been an issue across the state recently and what steps can be taken to stop these horrible crimes in the state and if they reach our area and Wattercott said that students need to talk to parents, and check out social media which is the #1 issue with these kids becoming more vulnerable to meet with suspects after a few kind words that lifts self esteem to become a victim in these horrible crimes. Larsen said to get the information to the sheriff's office by calling 320-632-9233 or their toll free drug tip line at 1-888-378-4847. Larsen also mentioned the legalization of marijuana in the state as of August 1st and they will still be pulling over those under the influence as a role of public safety, though some laws on usage and what to have in possession has changed this is a not a free pass if you are driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol so still follows the rules in place as of August 1st so you do not end up in jail. The event again is Thursday at 8:30am at Country Inn and Suites in Little Falls and all are welcome.
--Join Morrison Soil and Water today for a soil health field day at the Sobieski Community Center. Featuring equipment demos, farmer panel, information on government cost share, registration is at 9am, and there a lunch at noon, more items in the afternoon today in Sobieski. That is today put on by Morrison Soil and Water.
--Deputies from the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office Saturday converged on Highway 25 south of Brainerd in Long Lake Township after receiving a request to locate a person suffering a mental health condition. The sheriff’s office responded to a call at 6:31am asking for help in locating the person after the person had fled into an area near Crow Wing County Road 144. A resident reported law enforcement could be seen along Highway 25 for several hours Saturday morning. Deputies were not able to locate the person at that time and, as the person had not committed a crime, the search was called off around 9:05am Saturday. The missing person was located and arrested around 9:50am on an assault charge and was taken to the hospital for evaluation.
--A 67-year-old Aitkin man was injured in a two-vehicle crash Saturday on Highway 210 near Aitkin in Aitkin County. The crash happened about 11am west of the Highway 210 intersection with 9th Avenue Northwest, the Minnesota State Patrol reported. Both vehicles were traveling west on Highway 210 when a Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Tate Kuppich, 21, Aitkin, made contact with a Ford Mustang driven by Gary Weston. Weston suffered non life-threatening injuries in the collision but was not transported to a health care facility.
--The Department of Natural Resources is looking for public input regarding several special fishing regulation proposals that include lakes in central Minnesota. The DNR is looking at new or changes to existing experimental and special fishing regulations for the 2024 fishing season. An experimental protected slot limit for northern pike in Pearl Lake in Stearns County expires in 2024, and survey data indicate the regulation is not achieving management objectives. A proposal for the lake would allow the regulation to expire and revert to the North Central Zone northern pike regulation. In Wright County, officials are considering maintaining and increasing the size and quality of crappie and sunfish in Clearwater and Maple lakes. That proposal would reduce the daily limits in both lakes, which have heavy fishing pressure. In the popular Brainerd lakes area, The DNR is looking at an experimental regulation to provide better protection for large northern pike in the Gull Lake chain and reduce enforcement complexities by applying the same regulation to all connected waters covering Cass and Crow Wing counties. Each year the department proposes new ones that apply to individual waters, which are reviewed continuously. Anyone can provide input about these proposals via an online survey through Friday, October 20th. Information can be found on the Minnesota DNR website
DEATH NOTICES
--Joseph “Crazy Joe, CJ” Then, age 65 of Randall.
WEATHER
AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON TODAY.
TODAY= morning fog, partial sun, possible showers, high 80.
TONIGHT= shower early, then clearing, low near 50.
THURSDAY= partly cloudy, high 78, rain likely at night, low 53.
FRIDAY= showers early, then sunny, high 81, low near 57.
SPORTS
TWINS= Detroit shuts out the Twins 6-0 last night ending their winning streak. The Twins continue series with Detroit again tonight the pregame begins at 5pm on Q92 WYRQ.