NEWS
--The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has announced a change to the camping and lodging reservation window, effective July 1st. In the past, people could reserve campsites, cabins, yurts, tipis and lodging facilities for up to one year in advance. That time frame will be reduced 120 days, or four months. This was always going to happen, but the DNR originally wanted to make the change this fall. However, the decision was made to make the change effective sooner due to the unpredictable nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated operational changes to things such as cleaning protocols. The DNR states that they already had to cancel more than 25,000 reservations in April and May this year due to the pandemic. A lot of those reservations were made outside of a four month window, so creating a shorter reservation window will make it easier to work through any future operational changes that may be needed. All reservations made before July 1, 2020 will be honored, even if they are for a date beyond the new 120-day reservation window. However, if you need to change an existing reservation, your new date will have to adhere to the new reservation window policy.
--On Saturday at 3:50pm, Stearns County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a motor vehicle crash with injuries at County Road 2 and County Road 139 in St. Joseph Township. The caller advised two vehicles collided and were blocking the road. 37-year old Angela Spoden of Sartell, was driving southbound on County Road 2. 48-year old Thomas Pelletier of Savage, was also southbound on County Road 2 behind the Nissan. Spoden pulled to the right at county Road 139, attempted to make a U-turn and pulled out in front of Pelletier who tried to swerve to avoid the collision, but the right front of his car struck the left front of Spoden’s vehicle. Both drivers were treated at the scene by ambulance personnel for minor injuries.
--This Saturday (June 27th) will be 25 years for the family of Jodi Huisentruit to have not seen Jodi. The Long Prairie, Minnesota native and Northern Iowa news reporter for KIMT-TV in Mason City disappeared on her way to work that 1995 morning. Her family, friends and those still looking for her and answers are asking you to do one thing to help keep her memory alive, turn on your porch light in memory of Huisentruit on Saturday marking the 25th anniversary of her disappearance. FindJodi.com also hopes "it will prompt someone to come forward with information on what happened to Jodi. The lights plan is one of several ways we [FindJodi.com] will push to keep Jodi’s case from fading from the public spotlight during these difficult times." The website has also recently started a new podcast series on the disappearance of Huisentruit that guides the listener through "the 24-48 hours before she was abducted in her apartment parking lot on her way to anchor the morning news at KIMT-TV in Mason City, Iowa, on June 27, 1995." There have been several times in the last 25 years that people have thought there might have been a break-through as to what happened that day and where Jodi is, but there hasn't been anything yet. If you have information on the case of Jodi Huisentruit you asked to call the Mason City Police Department (641) 421-3636 or Iowa Department of Criminal Investigations (DCI) (515) 725-6010 or email dciinfo@dps.state.ia.us.
--A reminder that the Pierz Grad Bash is holding an event tonight for the Class of 2020 at the Genola horseshoe arena to celebrate the class of 2020, expect some delays if in that area later this afternoon.
--There is a car show at the Boomerang north of Little Falls tonight.
--The COVID-19 numbers from Tuesday show at 245 new cases with 9 reported new deaths of COVID-19 in the state. Morrison County remains at 56 positive cases with the 1 confirmed death.
--Morrison County Maintenance employees will continue mowing roadside ditches and painting Stop Ahead Symbols this week in all areas of the county. Public Works will be installing culverts on CSAH 48 east of State Highway 371 and on County Road 212 by Green Prairie Fish lake. A Public Works Contractor will continue spray patching various roads around the county in the months of June and July. Please use caution around work crews and be aware that loose material may be present in driving lanes during some of these maintenance activities so please slow down.
--At 8:00pm Monday Stearns County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a farm accident in the 22000 block of 300th Street in Farming Township. The caller stated a 2-year-old boy fell into a liquid manure pit. Albany Fire and Rescue arrived and located the boy about a foot from the edge of the manure pit with both of his legs and right arm submerged. Albany Rescue tied a rope around one of their personnel to reach the boy to pull him out. The boy did not sustain any injuries.
--On Monday Make a Wish Foundation and Camp Ripley collaborated to bring a young boy's wish of being "a soldier for a day", come true. Dexter Preston along with his family visited Camp Ripley to experience a soldier's role in the National Guard. Prior to coming, Dexter was given a uniform with his last name, dog tags, and the rank as a Colonel. His day consisted of looking at the Environmental room, going for a ride in the General's jeep, looking inside an Abrams tank and a Bradley fighting tank, riding in a fire truck and spraying water, flying a simulated chopper and getting "pinned" with wings, with a final stop at Vahalla for lunch with General Kruse and LTC Cornwell. It was nothing less than a great day for Dexter, his family and all those involved. Camp Ripley sent out a huge thank you to everyone who made this happen!
--The New 2 You Thrift Store on the west side of Little Falls where proceeds go to the Boys and Girls Club of Morrison County reopened this week but they are asking that no donations be dropped off until at least July 2nd as they need time to get safety protocols in place.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Vincent and Denise Warzecha of Cushing, boy June 19th
DEATH NOTICES
--Valeria A. Sebek, age 93 of Long Prairie.
--Harold “Gordon” Kanten, age 97 of Long Prairie.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, high 77, slight chance of PM showers.
TONIGHT= isolated shower early, clearing skies, low 52.
THURSDAY= sunny and warmer, high 85, storms after midnight.
FRIDAY= storms likely, some strong early and late, high 81.
SPORTS
MLB= Major League Baseball will play in 2020 after the players union agreed to the safety protocols Tuesday to start the season on July 24th with 60 games and the expanded playoffs. Meaning that the Twins return to playing games next month live on Q92 WYRQ. Until then you can catch another replay of Twins Baseball will be Thursday just after the noon news, this time from 2019 live on Q92 WYRQ.