NEWS
--The Little Falls city council met Monday. At the meeting the council approved a preliminary levy increase of 7.31 percent. A reminder that this is only a preliminary number as the city is required to approve a levy by September 30th. The final levy will be approved in December. The final levy can be lowered but not raised above the amount approved in a preliminary levy. The preliminary 2018 budget was also approved at $10,921,645. Also at the meeting, the council heard from police chief Greg Schirmers on the department's 2016 annual report. The council approved additional work at Pine Grove Zoo, sidewalk improvements while denying both a request to vacate right of way on a portion of 13th Street SW and variance requests by Aaron and Becky Olson. The next meeting will be October 2nd at 7:30pm.
--On Tuesday, the Little Falls Chamber of Commerce held an informational meeting on the MnDOT Highway 27 project scheduled for 2019. At the meeting Luke Wehseler, project manager with MnDOT, explained that Highway 27 between 15th Street West to 6th Street West and from 2nd Street East to 9th Street East will be resurfaced; Highway 27 from 6th Street West to 2nd Street East will be fully reconstructed which will include new road surface, side street connections, curbs/gutters, sidewalks and approach ramps, bike lanes, railroad crossing, city water and sewer underground utilities. The project will also include updating three traffic signals. Wehseler stated that, barring weather delays, the project will hopefully begin in mid April 2019 and be completed by that Labor Day. Wehseler also addressed concerns regarding access to impacted businesses. He stated that the preliminary detour plans do intend to keep the Highway 27 bridge and limited crossing of Highway 27 will be available. City Public Works Greg Kimman stated that the city has begun work on 1st Avenue SE to accommodate the expected detour. Kimman also stated that there will be signs directing motorists to the local business district. The chamber is planning to hold additional meetings as the project gets closer.
--Minnesota Monthly has chosen St. Cloud as one of the Top 10 finalists for the best city in the state. The criteria for the contest included scenic beauty, great access to nature, rich history, a charming downtown, and lively arts and culture scenes. You can vote up to 10 times per day until Midnight on October 13th. From there, the votes, along with a group of judges, will narrow the field to five. The 10 finalists include: Austin, Bemidji, Duluth, Grand Marias, Hopkins, New Ulm, Owatonna, St. Cloud, Waconia and Walker. The winner will be showcased in a multi-page editorial feature, receive a media campaign valued at over $50,000, and have a party thrown in their honor in their town. Over 30 towns were nominated for the contest. A winner will be chosen November 30th.
--Cass County is investigating shots fired during a home invasion Saturday night in Pine River Township. Around 11:00pm, an intruder apparently made entry into a residence. The homeowner spotted the intruder and fired a shot at him and the intruder exited the home. Reportedly the intruder was not injured. The homeowner gave a description of the intruder of 6'5 inches tall, very large body, wearing all black clothing. The incident remains under investigation.
--Congratulations to Darrel and Bev Welle as they were nominated for Volunteers of the year and received an award from the Minnesota Sheriff's Association. Darrel and Bev have been coordinators for the jail's REC (Residents Encountering Christ) program for over 25 years.
--A wet and stormy morning as storms between 1-3am dropped 1-2 inches of rainfall in Little Falls and wind gusts between 40-50 miles an hour. Northwestern Minnesota had possible tornadoes that the National Weather Service will investigate today.
--Homecoming Week at Royalton High School begins this Sunday with coronation Sunday at 6:00pm at the Royalton gym. On Friday, September 29th there will be a homecoming parade followed by a tailgate party in the senior parking lot before the game. Royalton hosts Kimball next week in the homecoming game. Queen candidates are Jordan Tiemann, Kalli Poster, Emily Prokott, Deanna Burczyk and Brooklyn Pekarek. King candidates are Marshall Meehl, Brock Snyder, Dustin Burczyk, Jason Kasella and Cole Wentland.
--Students at Upsala High School selected their candidates for homecoming queen as Gabrielle Bieniek, Anna Woidyla, Stefani Pohlmann, Ashley Biniek and Samantha Thieschafer. Finalists for king are Andrew Prokott, Kyle Bushaw, Bennett Westrich, Dalton Louden and Mathew Herzog. The queen and king will be crowned at ceremonies Sunday at 2:00pm in the Upsala auditorium. The homecoming game is September 29th in Swanville vs. Browerville Eagle Valley.
--St. John's Abbey has added the names of three former monks to its list of those likely to have sexually abused children. A statement on the abbey's website names Casimir Plakut, Augustine John Strub and James Kelly, all of whom are deceased. All three had severed their relationship with St. John's Abbey before their deaths. The addition of Plakut, Strub and Kelly brings the number of current and former monks on the St. John's list of likely abusers to 21. Thirteen are deceased and two have permanently left the order.
--The State Fire Marshal has been called in to investigate the house fire Sunday on Pine Street in Brainerd. Around 3:30pm firefighters responded to the fire. Flames were not visible although there was a lot of smoke coming from the home. The bedroom was the main focus of the fire. The cause is unknown. Firefighters would not elaborate if it was suspicious in nature. The state fire marshal has been called in to determine the official cause. There were no injuries as no one was at home at the time of the fire.
--Century 21 New Horizons Realty in Little Falls is hosting a 20th Anniversary Customer Appreciation Open House 3-7pm today with grilling, dessert bar and live music. All are welcome.
DEATH NOTICES
--Lucy Jean Miers, age 52 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= clearing skies by afternoon, less humid, high 70.
TONIGHT= clear and cool, low 47.
THURSDAY= sunny and warmer, high near 80 and breezy.
THURS NITE= storms developing, muggy night, low 67.
FRIDAY= storms early, hazy sun and hot, high near 90.
SPORTS
TWINS= Yankees beat Twins 5-2 after an hour rain delay Tuesday night. Twins wrap series with Yankees today, pregame begins at 11:30am on Q92 WYRQ. Twins at Detroit tomorrow night.
HS FB= St. Cloud Cathedral at Little Falls Friday 7pm on KLTF.
HS FB= Pierz at Melrose Friday 7pm on FM94 KFML.