NEWS
--Minnesota Power in a statement Tuesday stated that a large power outage effected Little Falls Monday night. Reports started around 10:25pm and at one point the entire northeast and southeast side of town were without power effecting over 3,700 customers of the power supplier. Power crews worked for hours in restoring power to the outage area and power was being reported shortly after 12:30am for some and after 2am for others depending on the outskirt areas of the outage. The outage spanned from Highway 10 to the Mississippi River, with power staying on to customers east and north of Highway 10, and west of the river. The outage also affected 310 customers of Little Falls Towship, more customers in Belle Prairie and Bellevue Township. Though an official report on the why the outage occurred was not released, power line work was being seen by many residents in the overnight hours in southeast Little Falls.
--A semi-driver died in a crash on Interstate 94. The Minnesota State Patrol says it happened just before 9pm Monday on eastbound I-94 just south of Clearwater. Fifty-three-year-old Ronald Biggerstaff of Antigo, Wisconsin was hauling a pickup when the semi left the road and rolled into the ditch. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
--Authorities have released more information on the shooting in Long Prairie Sunday. The Long Prairie Police Department says the victim has been identified as 33-year-old Antonio Francis Rodriguez Fortes of Perham. The Midwest Medical Examiner's Office says Fortes died of homicide due to multiple gunshot wounds. Long Prairie police says the two other individuals who were shot and injured during the incident remain hospitalized and there names will be released at a later time. There are no suspects in custody. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Long Prairie Police Department at 320-732-2156 or Todd County at 320-732-2158.
--A Paynesville man accused of burning down the mobile home he was living in has been found incompetent to face the charge against him. Court records show a mental competency evaluation returned earlier this month determined 42-year-old Nicholas Voss is not currently capable of aiding in his defense. Paynesville Police responded to the 400 block of Minnie Street on July 8th to find a trailer fully engulfed and Voss standing near it. Police confirmed Voss was a tenant in the trailer and detected the smell of gasoline on him. Police say Voss ultimately admitted to starting the fire using gasoline and a lighter. Voss was charged with 1st degree arson of a dwelling. The court records don't indicate a motive behind the fire.
--Minnesota anglers who fish Lake Mille Lacs will again be able to harvest one walleye per day this fall. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says catch-and-release regulations continue through Wednesday, but starting Thursday anglers will be able to keep one walleye between 21-23 inches or one over 28-inches. The one-fish harvest regulations will continue through November 30th. Changes to night fishing regulations also start Thursday. The fishing hours will be 6am until midnight for all species which is a two-hour extension to the current hours. The DNR says muskie and northern pike anglers who use artificial lures or sucker minnows longer than eight inches will be allowed to fish during the midnight to 6am night closure. Questions can be directed to the Minnesota DNR.
--Pierz Schools announced that Ninja Anywhere a (Ninja Warrior type style event) is coming to Pierz Schools September 22 for grades 3-8. Parents MUST have a waiver signed before students can participate, details on the Pierz schools website and facebook page.
--Father Ben Kociemba of the Haven of Mercy Catholic Community including the Little Falls Catholic Churches stated yesterday on KLTF that the guidelines by the Bishop continue to ease, as they do recommend masks be worn in the church building it is not required and they are not requiring vaccinations for any staff and church members. Father Ben said that hand sanitizer and other safety protocols are still be used in the Catholic churches and schools but again the big thing is the return of parishioners and students to return to some normalcy. He mentioned that constructions on the parking lot at St. Mary's and most of the work in and around Our Lady of Lourdes has or will be coming to an end soon. He also wants to invite all to the Holy Family-Belle Prairie Fall Fest this Sunday with mass at 10:30am, food and fun through the afternoon and their large crash raffle with two $2,000 grand prizes to be given away. If you have questions for the churches you can contact any of the church offices during their regular business hours.
--Governor Walz signed Executive Order 21-31, establishing the new Governor’s Council on Economic Expansion. The Council brings together 15 labor, business, philanthropic, and non-profit leaders from across the state to provide recommendations on expanding Minnesota’s economy. The Council will first identify immediate actions, potential policy changes, and recommendations to leverage remaining American Rescue Plan funding to advance equitable economic growth. The group will then focus on developing a long-term roadmap to achieve a more equitable, inclusive, sustainable, and resilient Minnesota through public, private, and nonprofit systemic change. The Council will be co-chaired by Jeff Ettinger, former Hormel CEO, and Paul Williams, CEO and president of Project for Pride in Living. The Council will work with state, local, and tribal governments; businesses; workers; higher education institutions; nonprofits; grassroots movements; and communities who have been disproportionately impacted by the inequitable systems of the past and by the pandemic.
--Join AM960 KLTF Party Line Thursday morning for the first day of the Albany Pioneer Days and Threshing Show in Albany. Many guest will give a preview of the 4 day event this year in Albany. Listen to Partyline at 10:05am on AM960 and online at fallsradio.com.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
--Saturday Night Live alum, comedian and actor Norm MacDonald died Tuesday after a 9 year battle with cancer. He was 61 years old.
Norm anchored the Weekend Update during his tenure with SNL in the 90s and worked with Adam Sandler in Billy Madison and did voice over work including the voice of Death on Season 1 of Family Guy.
WEATHER
TODAY= AM fog, then sunny, high 73.
TONIGHT= storms in the evening, then clearing, low near 60.
THURSDAY= AM sun, PM storms, some severe, high 80, low 50.
FRIDAY= cloudy and cooler, spotty showers, high 67, low 55.
SPORTS
TWINS= Cleveland took game 1 of a double header 3-1 Tuesday. Twins win the nightcap 6-3 on long balls to split the two game double header. Twins (64-82) continue series with Cleveland tonight at Target Field, pregame at 6pm on Q92 WYRQ.
LOCAL= listen each day for local sports scores on Little Falls Radio.