NEWS
--Royalton is the latest city to announce lawn watering restrictions effective immediately. The city of Royalton will be using lawn watering restrictions on an odd/even day system. Properties with an odd house number, such as 823 will be allowed to water on odd days. Properties with an even house number such as 824 will be allowed to water lawns on even days of the month. No watering is allowed on the 31st of each month. Outdoor watering is restricted to the hours between 8pm to 6am. This applies to all residents and businesses using water from the city services. Residents who use private wells or other outdoor uses are strongly encouraged to follow the same restrictions. In addition, the Royalton Splash Park was closed for the season Monday due to restrictions.
--The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover from the severe drought. As agricultural producers move into recovery mode and assess damages, they should contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program options available to assist in their recovery from crop, land, infrastructure and livestock losses and damages before 2021 harvest.
--On July 25, 2021 while stationed at the Enbridge Willow River pipeline crossing, Aitkin County Sheriff Dan Guida was advised that two individuals had just climbed inside the east end of the pipe. The pipe itself was capped at one end, which created a trapped air environment for the two people who had climbed inside. The trapped air inside the pipe was estimated to be near 130 degrees with reduced Oxygen concentration. A firefighter, wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus and harness, entered the pipe to attempt to remove the two people. The Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) allowed for 30 minutes of air in the tank. The fire fighter reached the people in roughly 15 minutes, but they refused to exit with him and remained in the pipe with their sleeping dragon gear. Having thus far used 20 minutes of air, the fire fighter signaled and was pulled back to safety outside the pipe. A member of the law enforcement team then donned the SCBA gear and entered the pipe. When he reached the two people in the pipe, he noted they were wearing respirators but were exhibiting signs of fatigue and heat stroke. One of the two announced they had 3.5 minutes of oxygen left in their respirators. After numerous attempts to assist them in leaving the pipe voluntarily, the SCBA signaled there was only 5 minutes of air left. Because the people still resisted leaving the pipe, and air was running out, force was used to rig the individuals with ropes so the exterior crew could pull them out to safety. Upon exit, both parties were treated by an ambulance crew for abrasions sustained by contact with the pipe and oxygen and heat related issues. Once stabilized, 21-year old Amory Lei Zhou-Kourvo of Ann Arbor Michigan, and 20-year old Madeline Olivia Bayzaee of Northfield Minnesota, were taken into custody. After being cleared by the medical professionals, they have been booked into the Aitkin County Adult Detention Center where formal charges are pending.
--Crow Wing County Sheriff's Deputies along with DNR Conservation Officers are reminding ATV riders to please follow the laws when using the vehicles. This comes after a string of ATV rollovers, vehicles tearing up fields and resident owners stating that ATV operators were traveling at high rate of speeds and causing a number of close calls with others on the roadways, ditches and property along the ATV trails and ditches. Officers ask ATV riders to please slow down.
--Little Falls Community Schools is holding Registration Week August 10th-12th. All families of the District, both new and returning, are urged to come to the Community High School Commons during the week to register students who will be attending school in the District. Representatives of all five buildings will be available to help make sure all necessary paperwork is completed before school begins. Registration Week will allow families to complete all necessary paperwork for all of their children in one location, quick and easy. Registration Week will be held at the High School on the following dates and times: Tuesday, August 10th from noon-7:00pm; Wednesday, August 11th from 8:00am – 3:00pm; and Thursday, August 12th from noon – 7:00pm. There is no need to set up an appointment--just find a time slot that works well for your family. If you have any questions contact the District Office at 320-632-2002.
--Last Thursday at Markets and Music on the Mississippi the Little Falls Fire Department did some kitchen fire simulations which focus on tips to prevent kitchen fires or lessen the risks if one does occur. Cooking fires caused an average of $4.5 million in damage each of the last five years in Minnesota. The top two factors last year in cooking fires were unattended equipment and combustibles too close to a heat source. The Little Falls Fire Department reported that tips can be found on the state fire marshal's and firefighters website.
--The Commission on Judicial Selection announced a new vacancy in Minnesota’s Fifth Judicial District. The vacancy occurred upon the creation of a new district court judgeship effective July 1, 2021. This seat will be chambered in Mankato in Blue Earth County. The application process is now open for this vacancy. The Commission is searching for fair, experienced, and civic-minded individuals to serve on the bench and offer their talents to Minnesota’s judicial system. Per statute, the Commission will consider the following qualifications for judicial office: integrity, maturity, health (if job related), judicial temperament, legal knowledge, ability, experience, and community service. The Commission is seeking applicants who reflect Minnesota’s full diversity. Individuals wishing to apply may request an application by contacting the Office of the Governor and Lt. Governor via e-mail at Judicial.Selection@state.mn.us. Application materials are due by 4pm on Monday, August 16, 2021, and should be addressed to the Chair of the Commission, Ms. Erin Sindberg Porter. The Commission expects to hold interviews in early September.
WEATHER
HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT 10AM TO 9PM TODAY.
TODAY= AM storms, some strong, then sunny and hot, very humid, highs around 96, heat index value at 102, storms develop late day.
TONIGHT= evening storms, some severe, then clearing, low 64.
THURSDAY= sunny, smoke in the sky, high 83, low near 57.
FRIDAY= sunny skies, smoke and hazy possible, high 81, low 58.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins get Grand Slam in the 1st, Tigers get a Grand Slam in the 9th to tie and Tigers win 6-5 in 11 last night. Twins and Tigers wrap up series today at 11:30am from Target Field on Q92 WYRQ.
VFW= Little Falls VFW lost Monday to Sartell then beat Willmar 12-1 Tuesday to avoid elimination and will play Cold Spring this afternoon.
OLY= U.S. Women's Gymnastics takes silver at Olympic Games in Tokyo after Simone Biles opts out from the finals and then announced late yesterday she will not compete in the individual competition.