NEWS
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office reported multiple calls regarding storm damage Monday night between 7:30pm and 11:30pm. In the city of Little Falls alone, a transformer that possibly blew up, 100 block of 3rd street NE, Report of power lines down on Edgewater Dr, Report of a tree down on a residence 700 block of 11th street NE, Tree on power line 500 block of 3rd street SW, Tree on power line 500 block of 4th street SW, Tree on power line 9th street and 2nd Ave NE, Tree on power line 300 block of 6th street NE, Tree across roadway 5th street and 3rd AVE NE and Power line across roadway 5th ave and 9th street SE. The Little Falls Fire Department assisted on calls involving the city. Around the county included Tree down on HWY 238, north of 90th street Swan River Twp, Damage to outbuildings and a residence off 200th and 215th street, Parker Twp (Randall Fire involved), Tree across roadway 7500 block, Cottonwood Road(Scandia Valley Twp), Tree across roadway 6000 block of Bear Road (Scandia Valley Twp), Power line down 4500 block of Badger Creek Road (Swanville Twp), Power line across roadway 8000 block of 215th street Randall (Darling Twp), Trees down along Cottonwood Road, (Scandia Valley Twp), Trees down 1300 block of 200th street (Parker Twp), Report of power line across roadway 70th ave and Birch Road, (Scandia Valley Fire handled call) and Report of a tree across Dove and Bear Road. On Tuesday, crews will be out assessing storm damage during the daylight hours. According to Sheriff Shawn Larsen there was no reported injured Monday night. Other reports to the radio station included trees down and damage to some buildings west of Randall, hail in North Prairie and many power outages. Minnesota Power reported over 2,500 customers were without power at one point Monday and still a line from Brainerd through Little Falls to Upsala having isolated outages on Tuesday morning.
--Crow Wing County Sheriff Scott Goddard said they were very busy last night with storm damage. Numerous large trees toppled over onto some buildings and homes. Boats having to be helped from lakes and rivers, a paddleboat operator helped to shore after being trapped on the lake. Power lines down along roadways leaving thousands without power into Tuesday morning. There were some vehicles caught in high water and stalled that were removed by tow trucks. Sheriff Goddard stated that no reports of any injuries.
--A man died near Alexandria during Monday night's strong thunderstorms. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office says they received multiple reports of storm damage shortly after 11pm. At 11:40pm a call came in from Elmwood Resort on Lake Mary stating people were screaming for help from a camper that a tree had fallen on. Responding deputies found the camper that had a man and a woman trapped inside. The woman was taken to the hospital, her condition is not known. The man died at the scene.
--A St. Cloud man had to be rescued from the rocks at the Quarry Park and Nature Preserve Saturday. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office says they were notified of a medical emergency at around 1:30pm Saturday afternoon. They say 43-year-old James Stanley was seen on top of a restricted 100-foot high rock pile and was yelling for help. Sheriff's officials say Stanley was unable to stand up or walk on his own. Area fire departments responded to the scene to provide medical care and perform a technical rope rescue. Stanley was lowered from the granite pile using a rope and basket. He was taken by to St. Cloud Hospital for treatment of heat exhaustion.
--Randall's Medallion Hunt begins Monday for their 4th of July week.
--The Little Falls Fire Department yesterday afternoon held scheduled training exercises at the following locations; Lin Furniture, Buckman Apartments; Lake Shirts (Old Crestliner Building) and a city building at 8th street NE and 7th Avenue. Again, there was no concern to the public as these were scheduled training situations.
--A weekend motorcycle crash sent a man to the hospital. Stearns County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call just after 1:00am Sunday to County Road 12 in St. Martin Township. They found a motorcycle on its side. The driver, 43-year-old Charlie McCool of Paynesville explained he got his foot caught under the motorcycle while trying to make a turn. He was sent to St. Cloud Hospital with serious, but not life-threatening, injuries. Authorities believe alcohol was a factor in the crash.
--A new date has been set for the state trial of former Minneapolis police officers Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng, charged for their roles in the death of George Floyd. Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill heard arguments from defense attorneys Thomas Plunkett and Robert Paule, and prosecutor Matthew Frank on June 21 before setting October 24, 2022 as the day jury selection will begin.
--Area farmers are now able to sign up for drought relief. Minnesota livestock and specialty crop producers are eligible for up to $7500 in 2021 drought-related expense reimbursement. The Minnesota Legislature approved $8.1 million for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s “Agricultural Drought Relief Program” or “ADRoP”. Eligible expenses for specialty crop producers include: water handling equipment, water hauling, wells, irrigation equipment, replacement plants, seeds, or seedlings, additional hired labor, farmers’ market fees for canceled markets, feed-related expenses, custom bailing, equipment rental, livestock transportation, livestock pond dredging, cover crop, pasture, or forage replanting, fencing, grazing rights and additional hired labor. Producers have until July 6th to apply. It is strongly suggested to apply online by logging on to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture website.
--Sister Julien at the St. Francis Convent wanted to thank all who came to the blood drive Monday, it was a difficult day with the high heat and that the air conditioning went out a few times on Monday during the blood drive. They did receive 62 units of blood from their goal of 83 but there were no shows and other issues that arose. The blood drive finished yesterday as again there will be no blood drive today at the Convent. The next blood drive will be held at St. Francis Hall and scheduled for August 22nd and 23rd and who can already call or go online for appointments at redcrossblood.org or 632-0663.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and very nice, high near 80.
TONIGHT= clear skies, still pleasant, low near 60.
THURSDAY= sunny and more humid, high near 90, afternoon and evening thunderstorms could develop, possible isolated strong ones.
FRIDAY= showers and storms early and late, some strong, high 87.
SPORTS
TWINS= Cleveland beat the Twins 6-5 in 11 innings last night at Target Field. The Twins have game 2 with Cleveland tonight, pregame starts at 6pm on Q92 WYRQ.
NBA= The NBA Draft is Thursday night, the Timberwolves currently have the 19th and the 40th pick in the draft, but trades could happen.
NHL= Game 4 of Stanley Cup Finals tonight Colorado leads 2-1.
WNBA= Lynx win over Phoenix 84-71 last night currently are 4-13.