NEWS
--The City of Little Falls will be implementing lawn watering restrictions within the City in accordance with notification they have received from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. More than 50% of the State is experiencing a severe drought and the DNR has determined that the State is now in a “Drought Warning” phase. The City will be using lawn watering 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 City water for lawn watering. The Minnesota Department of Health or the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources may have restrictions for other water sources (sand points, river water, etc.). If you have any questions on the City’s lawn water restrictions, please contact City Hall at 616-5500.
--A 38-year old Brainerd woman faces more criminal charges for assaulting the same man she had apparently assaulted before. Amanda Marie Baldwin was charged last week in Crow Wing County District Court in Brainerd with felony second degree assault with a dangerous weapon and two misdemeanors of domestic assault to cause bodily harm and property damage. According to court documents, she also was charged in May for domestic assault for allegedly going after the same victim with two kitchen knives and slashing his tires. The complainant reported Baldwin was upset and breaking things. He reported he was struck with a tire iron and she smashed the windows of his truck during an incident on July 11th. Officers arrived on scene and began speaking with the complainant. Earlier in the day, the complainant grounded Baldwin’s daughter and that made her upset, he told police. A verbal argument ensued and the man said he went into the backyard of his residence to get away from her as she was yelling and screaming at him. Baldwin had been arrested on two prior occassions for similar situations against the same man from the most recent incident.
--A former teacher and coach in the Albany School District has pleaded guilty to having a sexual relationship with a student. 32-year-old Daniel Fragodt changed his plea on a 3rd-degree criminal sexual conduct charge to guilty on the morning his jury trial was to begin. Fragodt is charged with 3rd-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a victim who was 16-17-years-old at the time. After many interviews the girl ultimately admitted to having sex with Fragodt when she was 17-years-old which included other sex acts at various places like at the school. He will be sentenced in September.
--The next Markets and Music on the Mississippi event is Thursday markets open at 3pm at LeBourget Park, music starts at 6pm with Brothers Tone also a sneak peek of the summer musicial Darling to be performed Thursday at the park and the plan is that the Little Falls Radio Cash Cube will be back and at the event on Thursday so everyone is welcome to LeBourget Park to come check it out.
--Oasis Central Minnesota announced another drive thru style Share a Meal will take place next Thursday July 29th at 5:30pm in the parking lot of First Lutheran Church on Riverview Drive on the north end of Little Falls. All are welcome, you must be present to receive a meal as it is first come first serve at the event. For info call 632-9140.
--Ride the River event this Saturday, details at the Morrison County Area Foundation facebook. Bazaars Sunday at Our Lady of Lourdes in Little Falls and St. Rita's Church in Hillman, details at fallsradio.com.
--Clint Kathrein spoke on AM960 KLTF this week on the Morrison County Fair. He mentioned that the fair July 29th-31st will be full of items supporting the agriculture, farm animal upkeep, 4H and Dairy industries like in years past. There is the hay bale contest going on through the Ag Learning Center. There will be entertainment, live music, grandstand shows, Gopher State Carnival from St. Cloud coming this year which is to bring in a midway of rides and wristbands can be purchased from some Little Falls businesses or listen in to Little Falls Radio next week to win those on our airwaves. There has been some work done at the grandstand area for concessions and for handicap accessibility for those to get to the bleachers easier. Parking is $3 for the day or $5 for a 3 day pass for each vehicle. Car pooling helps with this or if you walk into the fairgrounds there is no charge. Food and beverages and much more events and contests through the three 3 days. Come to the Morrison County Fair next week. Details can be found at fallsradio.com logo right on the home page.
--School districts across Minnesota are still deciding how to handle the upcoming fall semester, with Monday bringing another wrinkle as the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended universal masking for all kids older than two. Due to the uncertainty of variants and vaccine accessibility for some age groups, the AAP says students should wear masks in school buildings even if they are fully vaccinated. According to state data, only 34% of kids 12 through 15 have completed their vaccine series; for kids under 12, the FDA has indicated vaccines might not be available until winter. These guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics conflict somewhat with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which has said only unvaccinated students need to wear masks in school.
--The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office and the St. Cloud Police Department have been invited to apply for a 2021 Edward Byrne Memorial JAG Program grant in the amount of $34,680.00. The funds will be evenly divided between the two agencies. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office intends on utilizing the funds to purchase Fireaway Stat-X 1st Responder fire suppression canister kits and Crime Prevention and Community Engagement materials. The St Cloud Police Department will utilize the funds for a Verkade Pole Camera system, a HURST Jaws of Life multi-purpose tool, and for crime prevention and community engagement materials.
DEATH NOTICE
--Hugh Aloysius Scanlon, age 85 of Tuscon, AZ
WEATHER
TODAY= smoke and haze, cloudy skies, high 83.
TONIGHT= mostly clear, hazy still in the sky, low 67.
THURSDAY= sunny and hot, high 94, clear night, low 68.
FRIDAY= sunny ahd hot, high 96, storms late night possible.
SPORTS
TWINS= White Sox score 5 in the 8th inning to come back to beat the Twins last 9-5. The Twins wrap up series with Chicago tonight, pregame at 6:30pm on Q92 WYRQ.
NBA= The Milwaukee Bucks are NBA Champions for the first time since 1971. Bucks win 105-98 over Phoenix, win series 4-2.
VL= Pierz Lakers at Ft. Ripley Saturday at 10am for the first of two Game of the Weeks on AM960 KLTF. Game Sunday is still TBD.