NEWS
--Morrison County law enforcement will be participating in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics again this year. Runners, bicyclists, and rollerbladers from the public are also welcome. The event is this morning. If you wish to participate meet in the Tractor Supply parking lot in Little Falls at 7:30am. The event will start around 8:00am. Participants will be shuttled to the start in Fort Ripley and continue down Highway 10 South to finish in Royalton. This is a group event, so participants will not be expected to complete the entire route. Most participants have biked in the past. There is a $25 participation fee. $20 will go towards your t-shirt and $5 will go towards a donation to Special Olympics. Food will be provided at the end of the event for all participants. There is no need to sign up for this event, just show up at the Tractor Supply parking lot at 7:30am. If you have a bike bring that with.
--The 2018 Miss Brainerd and Baxter United States Pageant will begin at 7:00pm this Saturday at the Tornstrom Auditorium in Brainerd. Sixteen contestants from the Brainerd and Baxter area, will compete in interview, on-stage questions, swimsuit and evening gown competitions. Along with the pageant competition, there will be a silent auction. Doors open at 6:30pm. Tickets are $15 and will be available at the door. The contestants are as follows: In the Jr. Teen division 14-year old Ava Aanes, 14-year old Alicia Frink, and 14-year old Esme Pool. In the Teen division are 17-year old Kat Evridge, 17-year old Haley Helmin, 16-year old Isabelle Prozinski, 15-year old Emily Rhoda, 17-year old AylaJean Madsen Root, and 16-year old Jasmine Townsend. In the Miss division 21-year old Amanda Imgrund and 21-year old Serena Schreifels. In the Ms. Division 22-year old Katelyn Tobias. In the Ms. Woman division 47-year old Michelle Kitchenhoff and 45-year old Melissa Wooden Solem. In the Mrs. division Sarah Rhoda and Ann Marie Root.
--Efforts to increase the number of hunters and anglers in Minnesota will gain new focus with advice from a 15-member council that the Department of Natural Resources is establishing to zero in on hunter and angler recruitment, retention and reactivation. Citizens can nominate themselves through Friday to serve on the 10 open seats of the council, for two year terms, with meetings scheduled every three months. The council will work with and advise the DNR on R3 efforts, programs and potential partnerships that will benefit the recruitment of new hunters and anglers, the retention of current outdoor enthusiasts, and the reactivation of individuals who have not been active recently in hunting or fishing. Applications and more information on R3 in Minnesota can be found at mndnr.gov/R3.
--Shortly before 1:30pm on Tuesday an injury crash occurred on Highway 23 in Benton County. 69-year old Daniel Kepner of St. Cloud was heading east on Highway 23 and struck a vehicle attempting to cross Highway 23 from 35th Avenue driven by 21-year old Ismahan Abdi of St. Cloud. Abdi was taken to Centra Care Health in St. Cloud for non life threatening injuries.
--In the past 10 days, the Todd County Sheriff's Office reported a major upswing in car/deer accidents in the area. In most cases there were no injuries to those in the vehicles, but the damage to the vehicle proved excessive. Most of the cases were around sunset and after dark making it more difficult to see the deer before they are right in front of you. Just a reminder to watch for deer.
--Cass County authorities recovered a body Monday from Upper Menton Lake near Remer. The drowning report was called in around 6:30pm and responders were able to find the body of the man within an hour after arrival but he was pronounced dead. The identity of the victim has not been released by the sheriff's office.
--For the second year in a row, health insurance premiums on Minnesota’s individual insurance market are lower as a result of innovative reforms passed by the legislature in early 2017. For the 2019 plan year, premiums will decrease by 7-12% on average, according to the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Senate Majority Leader Senator Paul Gazelka who helped push these reforms through in a press release stated, “It’s gratifying to hear the reforms I pushed for are still working – health insurance will be more affordable for Minnesotans for the second year in a row. After years of double-digit increases, we’ve all seen the disastrous effects of a government takeover of health care. The government needs to get out of the way so Minnesotans can have more freedom over their own health care choices, and I will continue to work toward that goal.” For the 2018 plan year, reforms were responsible for up to a 38% reduction in rates. Insurers also offered plans in every county with no enrollment caps, unlike the prior year. Legislation passed this May is expected to continue to lower health care costs by giving families more transparent out of pocket cost information for doctor visits and common procedures, allowing them to make better choices for their health and bank accounts. The proposed average change as calculated by each of the following insurers are: Blue Plus -11.8%, Group Health -7.4%, Medica Insurance Company -12.4%, Preferred One Insurance Company -3%, and UCare -7%.
DEATH NOTICES
--David Reznicek, who passed away at St. Otto's in Little Falls.
--Thomas F. LeMieur, age 78 of Little Falls.
--Alvin C. Pike, age 76 of Minnetonka.
WEATHER
TODAY= becoming mostly sunny, high 79.
TONIGHT= clear skies, low 56.
THURSDAY= sunny skies, high near 80, low near 55.
FRIDAY= partly sunny, high 82, low around 60.
SPORTS
TWINS= Escobar and Grossman come up big for a 4 run 8th inning to lift Twins to a 6-2 win over Boston last night, Twins and Red Sox continue series tonight 6:30pm on Q92 WYRQ.
LYNX= Lynx come out to a 25-10 lead early and hold on to beat Dallas last night 91-83 at Target Center. Maya Moore led with 21.
PGA= on Monday, the Professional Golfer's Association announced that Minnesota will receive a yearly PGA tour event starting in the summer of 2019. The 3M PGA open still needs to be given a date.
VL= Randall at Upsala for a double-header this Sunday. First game at noon and second game at 3pm. Both games live on AM960 KLTF.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1782= the Great Seal of the United States adopted by Congress.
IN 1793= Eli Whitney patented Cotton Gin.
IN 1840= Samuel Morse patented the telegraph.