News October, 2012

WEATHER
TODAY= partly cloudy, high 47
TONIGHT= mostly cloudy, few flurries, low 33. 
THURSDAY= mostly sunny, breezy, high 43, clear night, low 27.
FRIDAY= rain develops mixes with snow at night, high 42, low 32.

SPORTS
TWINS= the Twins announced they will not pick up the option on pitcher Scott Baker who missed all of last season after having elbow surgery, meaning Baker will become a free agent on Friday. Twins also announced their MVP of the season as Josh Willingham and Twins pitcher of the year as Scott Diamond.

TODAY IN HISTORY
--Today’s Halloween name refers to All Hallows' Eve. It is a yearly celebration observed in a number of countries on October 31, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows. According to many scholars, All Hallows' Eve was originally influenced by western European harvest festivals and festivals of the dead with possible pagan roots, particularly the Celtic Samhain. Others maintain that it originated independently of Samhain and has Christian roots.
IN 1941= Mount Rushmore in South Dakota was completed to show the likenesses of President George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.

“Halloween Costume Party” tonight with Hot Hits at West Side Bar

Tuesday- October 30th, 2012
NEWS
--A reminder to deer hunters, Election Day is in one week on Tuesday, November 6th. If you will be away from home for deer season please do not forget to vote before you leave. You may vote by absentee ballot at the Morrison County Auditors Office during normal business hours. Hours are weekdays 8:00am-4:30pm.

--On Monday’s KLTF Partyline program John Thomas discussed details for this year’s Wreaths for the Fallen program. The National Remembrance Ceremony for placing the wreaths takes place the second Saturday in December at 11:00am, this year that is December 8th. The mission of Wreaths For The Fallen is to honor our veterans and their families by providing Christmas Wreaths for the Minnesota State Veterans Cemeteries each year. This is a non profit organization and requires many donations and volunteers to conduct this annual effort. For more information brochures are available at the radio station or view the website WreathsForTheFallen.org.

--Three St. Cloud police officers received life-saving awards Monday at the St. Cloud Police Department for separate incidents in which the officers rescued suicidal people who were threatening to jump from bridges. Sgt. Jim Steve, Sgt. Jeff Janssen and Officer Justin Day received the life-saving awards for incidents in March, April and August. The cases involved suicidal persons who were threatening to jump from the University Bridge, the Veterans Bridge and the train bridge at Second Street and Fifth Avenue North. Steve and Janssen both were involved in two of the incidents, and Day was involved in the third incident. In each case, the suicidal person came down off the bridge and nobody was injured.

--The Minnesota State Patrol says a driver who ran out of gas triggered a seven-vehicle interstate pileup which killed a cab driver. The patrol says a tanker truck and six other vehicles crashed Monday during the morning commute on Interstate 494 in the Twin Cities metro. Authorities say a minivan that ran out of gas came to a stop in the right lane of the interstate. That caused three other vehicles in the right lane to crash. A taxicab swerved into the middle lane, sideswiped a vehicle and then was struck by the truck. State Patrol Lt. Eric Roeske said there's no reason to run out of fuel because there's a gas station every block or two in Bloomington.

--A Minnesota couple is breathing a sigh of relief after their son was rescued from a replica tall ship caught in Hurricane Sandy’s wrath. The HMS Bounty began taking on water, forcing the crew to abandon ship in rough seas off the North Carolina coast. Among them Nisswa native First Mate John Sevendsen who was one of 14 crew members rescued by the Coast Guard. Sevendsen’s father says his son is doing well and is being treated for a broken hand. Two crew members remain missing and it’s believed they were not able to make it onto a life raft.

--Former President Bill Clinton will be campaigning for President Obama this morning in Minneapolis and this afternoon in Duluth. The latest poll shows Obama with a three point lead in Minnesota over Republican challenger Mitt Romney.

--TV and radio ads, internet pop ups and lawn signs are some of the most noticeable forms of campaigning being seen and heard throughout the state. University of Minnesota Communications Ed Schiappa says between national, state, and local elections, plus constitutional amendments there is plenty to vote on next Tuesday. Minnesota has led the nation in voter turnout over the past few elections. In 2008 the state hit nearly 78% overall.

--Upsala and Swanville Area Schools will be closed Friday because of the High School Football game at the Fargo-Dome. Also Upsala schools are reminding parents and students that there was already no school also next Monday (November 5th). There is a fan bus going to the game Friday for information call the school at 573-2174.

--Minnesota has sent emergency teams to Massachusetts and New York to help in the response to Hurricane Sandy. The Minnesota Incident Command System, which typically deals with wildfires, has sent teams totaling 33 people to Massachusetts and New York. They include a 20-person saw crew sent to Fort Devens, Massachusetts, equipped to help open roads and remove trees toppled by the storm. They also include an 11-person incident management team sent to Albany, New York that will work in Albany and on Long Island.

NATIONAL NEWS
--No laughing matter as the ‘Frankenstorm’ struck the northeast yesterday dropping heavy rains, strong winds, and massive problems. As of this morning there have been 16 deaths, 7-million without power, roadways, subways and business districts in New Jersey and New York flooded over as the waves were 2-feet over the expected heights from the storm. The storm was felt across the eastern seaboard from Hurricane Sandy this weekend from Florida to New England and west into Ohio and Pennsylvania where flooding occurred. Rain from the system is expected today to end for the Jersey Shore and New York but rain forecasted from the system for Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and portions east through Friday.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Jason and Andrea Luksik of Browerville, girl born October 25th

DEATH NOTICE
--Angela “Angie” Beaumont, age 84 of Little Falls

WEATHER
TODAY= partly sunny, high 45.
TONIGHT= partly cloudy, low in the 20s. 
WEDNESDAY= sunny, a pleasant Halloween, high 50, low 32. 
THURSDAY= partly cloudy, breezy, high 43, low 25.

SPORTS
COL FB= Gophers host Michigan Saturday 10am on KLTF.
HS FB= Holdingford vs. Upsala/Swanvlle 3pm Friday on WYRQ.
NFL= Arizona at Green Bay at noon followed by Minnesota Vikings at Seattle at 3pm Sunday are the games on AM960 KLTF.

TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1938= Orson Welles presented his famous dramatization of H.G. Wells’ "The War of the Worlds" on CBS’s "Mercury Theater". The show was set up as a music program interrupted by news bulletins saying that Martians had landed near Princeton, New Jersey. Though a disclaimer was broadcast several times throughout the hour long program, most listeners did not pay attention to the explanation telling them that the story was fictional and a radio fabrication. Even the newspaper program guides printed the warning. 
IN 1964= Roy Orbison hit #1 with ‘Oh Pretty Woman’.

Halloween Costume Party with Hot Hits Wednesday at West Side Bar

Friday- October 26th, 2012

NEWS
--At approximately 7:25am Thursday morning Little Falls School District Bus #12 was involved in a one vehicle accident southeast of Little Falls on Iris Road. A total of 15 students were on the bus at the time of the accident when the bus failed to maneuver a curve and went into the ditch rolling one quarter turn. Of the 15 students on the bus 4 were taken from the scene to St. Gabriel’s Hospital and the remaining 11 were taken to the middle school on a different bus. At that site two additional students were taken to the hospital. As of 11:00am Thursday all 6 students were released from the hospital.

--Sgt. Curt Mowers of the Minnesota State Patrol informed Little Falls Radio this morning that the date for the grand opening for the Camp Ripley driving track has been pushed back to November 29th due to a number of factors. Again the grand opening will be November 29th at 1pm at Camp Ripley more details are expected next week. Also the Department of Public Safety stated that Minnesota State Patrol troopers, county deputies and municipal officers are increasing their DWI enforcement presence this weekend. During Halloween party weekends, 2007–2011, 2,342 motorists were arrested for DWI.

--At 12:15pm Tuesday the Little Falls Fire Department responded to a Cement Truck fire at Tri City Paving located at 13504 Haven Road. 17-firefighters were on the scene for around 45 minutes. The cab of the truck was a total loss. There was no other damage or injuries from the accident. Little Falls Fire Chief Mike Nieman did state yesterdays snowfall will help limit the number of future grass fires.

--The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Forestry Division will begin improving the Pillsbury State Forest Road, which is located northeast of Pillager in Cass County. The project is scheduled to begin within the next week and will start at the south end of the state forest road and then proceed north. The project will consist of loading, hauling, spreading and compacting approximately 5,000 cubic yards of Class V gravel. For additional information on the project contact the Backus Forestry Office at 218-947-3232.

--The Minnesota Department of Transportation is reporting that with the colder temperatures and yesterday’s snowfall, most of their road construction projects are being halted for the winter months. That includes work on Highway 10 south of St. Cloud, Highway 24 in Clearwater, Highway 15 in St. Cloud to County Road 120 and other projects throughout the state.  They do remind motorists that cleanup in some areas continues this weekend and early next week, weather permitting and almost all of the projects including Highway 23 from St. Cloud to Foley and Highway 15 projects will resume work next spring and summer in Minnesota. For information on road work and traffic details go to www.511mn.org.

--It’s big weekend for community events including the Pine Grove Zoo-Zoo Boo Saturday 3-7pm info 616-5595, Habitat for Humanity Bowl to Build event Saturday at noon, info 616-2084 and the Randall Fall Fest with events throughout the day, they have moved the 6pm movie for the fall fest inside the park building tomorrow night. More events are scheduled for Sunday around the area. A reminder to everyone to dress appropriately as temperatures will only be in the 30s Saturday across the area. Get more on these events and many others at www.fallsradio.com.

--Congratulations to Diane Waytashek who won the $900 pair of shimmering diamond earrings from Goldsmith Jewelers last night at FM94 KFML’s Ladies Night Out.

--The leaf pickup in Little Falls will be Saturday. Residents are to have their leaves in untied bags at the curb, not the alley, by 6:00am on Saturday. Since the hauler is going to be leaving the empty bags they ask that residents leave a rock or a brick that they can place on top of the empty bags so they don’t blow away. Haulers will also be collecting brush. Brush has to be bundled together in a manageable size tied together. It can’t be any larger than an inch in diameter and 4 feet in length. Pine needles are not included.

--The Royalton Splash Park has taken a move forward to becoming a reality. Water and sewer access is being done at the park on the north end of Royalton. If all continues as planned the water installation will continue into next month then next summer the mechanical room/restroom building will be built first. Fundraisers are being planned for the winter months on the Splash Park.

--Brandl Motors of Little Falls announced that on October 15th they purchased the MacDonald-Wold Inc. dealership in Aitkin. Owners Gary Posch, Joe Sexton and new managing partner Troy Atwater are excited about working together and expanding the needs to central and northern Minnesota.

NATIONAL NEWS
--Travel plans to the northeast next week; be aware Meteorologists are calling it a “Frankenstorm” for Halloween. Remnants of Hurricane Sandy and arctic air from the north and west will bring heavy rain and snow to the eastern United States. The storm could bring 5-7 inches of rain in Florida, and over a foot of snow to New England.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS
--Wade and Melissa Smieja of Little Falls, a boy born October 24th.

DEATH NOTICES
--Norma Nelson, age 91 of Randall.

WEATHER
TODAY= mostly cloudy, breezy, high 35 to 40. 
TONIGHT= clear skies, cold, low around 20. 
SATURDAY= mostly sunny, high 38, low 25, flurries overnight. 
SUNDAY= rain or shower at times, cloudy, high 40, low 28. 
MONDAY= partly sunny, high around 45.

SPORTS
NFL= turnovers, inconsistent offense, and a running back for Tampa Bay getting over 220 total yards helped Tampa Bay Buccaneers rout the Vikings last night at the Dome, 36-17. Vikings fall to 5-3.
MLB= Giants win 2-0 over Tigers to go up 2-0 in the World Series. 
COL FB= Gophers host Purdue Saturday 1:30 on AM960 KLTF
HS FB= Upsala Swanville at Crosby-Ironton Saturday 6pm on Q92.
HS FB= Pierz at Holdingford Saturday 7pm on FM94 KFML.

TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1825= the Erie Canal opened boat traffic to New York City.
IN 1881= The Earp Brothers and Doc Holiday fought off the Clanton Gang in what was called the Shootout at the O.K. Corral in Arizona.
IN 1935= Judy Garland made her radio debut on Wallace Beery Show
IN 1970= Doonesbury by Gary Trudeau debuted in the comics.

Join West Side Bar for their Halloween Costume Party Saturday night

Halloween Costume Party with live music, Saturday at West Side Bar

Wednesday- October 24th, 2012

NEWS
--Soaking rain and thunderstorms moved through Morrison County Tuesday morning. More rain fell in the 4 hours between 4am to 8am, then did the entire month of September and first 22 days of October combined. Little Falls Radio received .75 rain Tuesday morning while areas southeast of Little Falls received nearly or just over 2 inches of rain, some areas in Little Falls and toward Pierz received over an inch of moisture. In September only .26 inches of rain fell at Little Falls Radio studios and only .23 of rain from October prior to yesterday. More rain is forecasted today and Thursday before much colder air this weekend.

--Firefighters battled a garage fire Monday afternoon on Cherrywood Drive in Brainerd. Just after 2:30pm, firefighters were called to the David Lange residence where black smoke and fire could be seen shooting out of the unattached garage next to the home. The garage and an enclosed trailer parked in front of the garage was a total loss. A work shed behind the garage sustained moderate damage, and there was smoke and water damage to the attic to the nearby home. It is believed the fire started due to a wood stove in the garage with a damage estimate around $150,000. No one was injured in the fire.

--The Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an all-terrain crash that killed a St. Paul man. Authorities say that 50-year-old Mark Moser was traveling in Farm Island Township when he lost control and rolled the ATV on the roadway. Moser was pronounced dead at the scene. While investigating this crash, Aitkin County received word of another ATV accident, just blocks away on 297th Street when the vehicle left the roadway and struck several trees. 38-year-old Christopher Gareis of Woodbury and 48-year-old Robert Haffley of Farmington were both taken to the Aitkin hospital with injuries. Gareis was treated and released then arrested on charges of criminal vehicular operation as alcohol was found to be in his system. Aitkin County said both accidents occurred around 6:45pm Friday night.

--The walleye population in Mille Lacs Lake is at its lowest level in 40 years, based on a DNR survey that came up with half the number of walleyes per test net as last year. Agency officials say they don’t know why and it’s too early to speculate but they think one issue is a bit higher mortality on some juvenile fish. Over the next several months, the DNR and other specialists will be trying to find out why the walleye population dropped on Mille Lacs Lakes. The DNR is also planning to talk to tribal officials on the subject.

--Regular unleaded gas is back under $3.50 a gallon on average and analysts believe that gas prices could drop close to another 50 cents a gallon in coming weeks. Minnesota-gas-prices.com reports the state as an average is at $3.46 a gallon with some stations reporting as low at $3.19 a gallon. The national average is at $3.67 as of Monday and Minnesota gas prices have dropped 40 cents a gallon since the Labor Day holiday last month.

--Otter Tail County is reportedly that an 11-year-old girl injured in a rollover accident last week has died. Claire Turner of Underwood died Monday at a hospital in Fargo. The accident happened on October 14th on Highway 81 near Inspiration Point in Otter Tail County. Turner was a back-seat passenger in the one-vehicle rollover. The driver and two other passengers were treated for injuries sustained in the accident and released. The accident is under investigation.

--Randall Fall Fest is this Saturday with events in Randall throughout the day-details at www.fallsradio.com then community calendar.

--The Pierz City Council met Monday night. The council spent time on two overlapping projects. The Safe Route to Schools program will be implemented this coming summer. The program will use awarded funds to add safety features like sidewalks where there are currently gaps, especially near the schools. The Safe Routes to School Project will not cost any individual tax money, it is 100% funded by the awarded grants. The Robert Park Avenue Project is a road improvement project with a hopeful start date of late spring in 2013. An assessment hearing for the Robert and Park Avenue Project will be at 5:30pm on Tuesday, November 13th at Pierz City Hall. Any assessment affected property owner will receive a letter in the mail notifying them of the potential increase and why. Both projects were delayed a year because of issues that arose with foreclosed properties. Also, a public forum will be held at 5:30pm on November 27th at Pierz City Hall to discuss the MN Power back-billing issue and electric rates. All are encouraged to attend.

--The Morrison County Area Foundation presented a $1000 check to the RSVP Summer Reads Program. The Summer Reads program involved children pre-K through 5th grade at libraries in Little Falls, Upsala, Pierz and Royalton. Summer Reads provided an eight-week program and offered stimulating educational activities to improve literacy, reduce the “summer slide” and foster the love of reading. The Summer Reads program is there to help students who are at risk of academic failure due to poor reading skills. Summer tutors improve reading skills and help Morrison County children improve their academics and self-confidence.

--Stearns Bank has bought another failed bank this time in Florida. Reports say the central-Minnesota based bank bought the bank in Tamarac, Florida after it was shut down by the FDIC. Stearns Bank has bought nine other failed banks across the southern United States since 2008 after they too were shut down by the Feds.

DEATH NOTICES
--Dolores O. Pogatchnik, age 86 of Upsala.

WEATHER
TODAY= showers likely, foggy, high 55.
TONIGHT= rain, could mix with wet snow overnight, low 35. 
THURSDAY= rain/snow early then mostly cloudy, windy, high 45
FRIDAY= mostly sunny, cold, high 39, low 25.

SPORTS
MLB= Tonight is Game 1 of the World Series, as Detroit travels to San Francisco to take on the Giants.
HS FB= Pierz and Holdingford advance in playoffs to play each other Saturday at 7pm on FM94, Upsala/Swanville advanced to play Crosby-Ironton on Saturday. Little Falls and Royalton lost Tuesday. 
COL FB= Purdue at Minnesota Saturday 1:30pm on AM960 KLTF

TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1836= the phosphorous safety match was patented by A. Phillips.
IN 1945= The Union Nations formed and chartered on this date. 
IN 1972= Chuck Berry hit #1 with “My Ding a Ling” it was Berry’s first #1 hit since 1964 with “Nadine”. 
IN 1982= EPCOT Center opened at Walt Disney World in Florida.

Halloween Costume Party Saturday, free sober cab Fri/Sat at WS Bar

TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1915= Considered the largest march for Women’s Suffrage, some 25,000 women marched in New York demanding right to vote. 
IN 1941= “Dumbo” was released by Walt Disney Studios.
IN 1963= “Doctor Who” began broadcasting on the BBC in UK. 
IN 2001= Apple released the first IPOD to the public.

Halloween Costume Party this Saturday at the West Side Bar

Monday- October 22nd, 2012

NEWS
--As part of the public improvement project, water will be shut off today between 9am and 2pm in Little Falls on 7th Avenue Northeast from 4th to 7th Street and 5th Street Northeast from 7th to 8th Avenue.

--The Morrison County Commissioners meet Tuesday at 9am at the government center. Agenda items include reports from social services, public health, extension office, public works, receive county board warrants and report from Administrator Deb Gruber.

--A Little Falls book store owner and poet recently received 10 awards at the League of Minnesota Poets Fall Conference earlier this month. Laura Hansen entered selections in 15 of the 18 categories. She took first for “My Father’s Eyes” and the Roy B. Moore Memorial Award, and two other first place awards at the conference. She got a 2nd place award, one honorable mention and 5 awards of merit. Hansen owns Bookin’ It in Little Falls which will celebrate 20 years in November, and has always had a love for writing poetry and other short stories which she has published in recent years.

--Federal officials have confirmed that the fungus found in tainted steroid shots is the same fungus to blame for a nationwide meningitis outbreak. The death toll has risen to 20, with more then 250 cases. The Minnesota Department of Health confirmed two more cases, pushing our states total to seven. Most of the victims in the case had received steroid shots to help treat back pain.

--Even with the rains and cooler temperatures last week, the extreme drought has widened in Minnesota through the central portion of the state. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows extreme drought creeping into portions of central Minnesota and expanding its presence in southern and northwestern counties. The rest of the state is under at least severe or a moderate drought. Last Thursday, state officials asked that Minnesotans curtail all non-essential use of water, including lawn watering, tree watering and car washing, due to the severe and persisting drought.

--The Minnesota Department of Health has continued to put focus on concussions in sports. Health officials are now tracking totals at 42 schools around the state and in the first seven weeks of the school year, high school athletes have reportedly suffered 373 concussions while playing a variety of fall sports. Among the biggest concerns are the effects of a student athlete returning too soon after being diagnosed with a concussion.

--Minnesota elementary and middle schools and their partners are invited to apply for Safe Routes to School grant funds for projects that will help more children safely walk and bicycle to school.  Applications are due by Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, and are available atwww.mndot.gov/saferoutes. Kindergarten through eighth grade schools in Minnesota may apply for grants in three categories: Infrastructure implementation grants; Non-infrastructure implementation grants; and Planning assistance. Schools will receive expert assistance to complete a Safe Routes to School plan, which will analyze existing conditions, gather public input and identify potential infrastructure and non-infrastructure solutions.  Minnesota has $3.2 million available for infrastructure grants and $800,000 available for non-infrastructure and planning grants for 2013-14. All SRTS grants use federal funds, and no local match is required.

--KLTF Up Front will hold Candidate debates this week for Morrison County Commissioner today, Wednesday and Thursday and then next week for candidates vying for Little Falls City Council.

--Formal charges of attempted premeditated murder in the first degree and first-degree assault with a deadly weapon were filed last week against 42-year-old Kevin Stuckmayer of Pierz Township. On October 12th, deputies heard from Stuckmayer’s wife stating that she had been hit in the head with a board over a month ago and just recently confronted her husband who informed her of his intent to kill her. Originally it was reported she was injured by a fallen board in a shed back in September. Stuckmayer remains jailed on $300,000 bail. If convicted of both counts he faces 20 years in jail and fines in excess of $30,000.

--Todd County Deputies responded Friday night just before 7:30 to a shooting call at a residence in Bertha. It appeared that a suspect shot and wounded a significant other then shot and killed himself. The significant other was taken to the Wadena Hospital then airlifted to Minneapolis to be treated for injuries. The incident is still under investigation and the name involved has not been released.

--Sauk Centre police on Thursday arrested a suspect from an armed robbery Wednesday of Schaefer’s Market in Sauk Centre. 21-year-old Zachariah John Thompson is being held in the Stearns County Jail for investigation of aggravated robbery. Police said that a man with a knife robbed the market shortly after it opened and got away with an undisclosed amount of money. There were four employees at the market when the suspect walked in through the back entrance brandishing a knife and demanding money. The store employees were not injured. Sauk Centre police continue to investigate the case.

--A candidate for the airport manager position at the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport pleaded guilty on charges of conspiracy to commit theft by deception. John Coon, who now works in Indiana, pleaded guilty to the charge following a plea deal requiring Coon to testify at any trials against any other defendants in the case involving spending of airport money. Coon and 3 other men are accused of using over $500,000 in airport money for their now personal needs and travel expenses. This occurred over a period of nearly 3 years dating back to 2009.

DEATH NOTICES
--Geraldine S. Scepurek, age 84 of Little Falls formerly Randall. 
--Marcella ‘Marcie’ Waltman, age 94 of Little Falls

WEATHER
TODAY= mostly cloudy, breezy, high near 60. 
TONIGHT= patchy fog, few showers, cloudy, low 48. 
TUESDAY= a shower or T-storm, fog and clouds, high 60.
WEDNESDAY= showers likely, cloudy, high 63, low near 40.

SPORTS
LYNX= Indiana rout Lynx Friday 76-59 then the Fever took the series Sunday 87-78 to win WNBA Title 3 games to 1 over Lynx. 
NFL= Adrian Peterson rushed for 153 yards and a touchdown and the defense got an interception for a touchdown and 7 sacks as Vikings beat Arizona 21-14. Vikings host Tampa Bay Thursday. 
COL FB= Wisconsin keeps the Axe by defeating the Gophers Saturday in Madison 38-13. Gophers host Purdue on Saturday. 
NHL= NHL owners have canceled all games through November 1
HS= Football playoffs start Tuesday night throughout the state.

Great Lunches, Happy Hour Specials and live bands all at WS Bar

--The Randall City Council met Wednesday night. Dan Noss reported that the “City of Veterans Memorials” signs have been installed beneath the population signs on Highway 10. The council was given a copy of the preliminary 2013 city budget. The budget committee will meet and bring their recommendations to the November meeting. The city received a letter from Morrison County Soil and Water informing the city of an erosion issue on a piece of property directly downstream from a parcel the city owns. The city manager will look further into the issue and decide whether the city is interested in installing some erosion methods to help remedy the problem. Mayor Ritters presented information regarding the Revenue Recapture program with the MN Department of Revenue. This program can be used for delinquent utility accounts and non-sufficient fund checks. There will be more information on this in the future. Finally, the Department of Homeland Security has grant money available for Civil Defense Sirens. The city is checking into this to see if there are funds available for a second siren.

--On KLTF’s Up Front Program area debates continue next week. On Monday there will be a Morrison County Commissioner District 1 debate with candidates Kevin Maurer and Sharon Ballou. On Wednesday, Morrison County Commissioner District 3 debate with Rich Collins and Randy Winscher. On Thursday, the debate featured on KLTF will be with candidates Jeff Schilling and Jeffrey Jelinski vying for Morrison County Commissioner in District 2. The following week there will be debates with Little Falls City Council candidates. All debates begin at 9:05am on AM960 KLTF.

--Minnesota’s new seat belt compliance rate is 93.6% marking another increase in belt use which has resulted in fewer unbelted deaths according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety. The statewide “Click It or Ticket” seat belt enforcement campaign runs through October 26th. In addition to the statewide numbers, there is now more focused regional numbers available. East Central Minnesota which includes Morrison, Benton, Crow Wing, Mille Lacs, Stearns, Sherburne, Todd, Wadena, Wright, Kanabec, and Isanti Counties had an 85.1% seat belt usage rate.

--The Pierz City Council meets Monday at 7:00pm at Pierz City Hall.

DEATH NOTICES
--Johanna Marie Deal, age 101 of Onamia.

WEATHER
TODAY= rain likely, cloudy, high 52. 
TONIGHT= clearing late with patchy fog overnight, low 37. 
SATURDAY= mostly sunny, high 55, clear at night, low 40. 
SUNDAY= mostly sunny, very mild, high 65-70, low around 45. 
MONDAY= chance of rain, partial sun, high 59, low 46.

SPORTS
MLB= The Detroit Tigers eliminated the New York Yankees from the ALCS yesterday winning the series 4-0 and former Minnesota Twin Delmon Young was named the series MVP. 

LYNX= Lynx at Indiana Game 3 tonight of WNBA Finals tied 1-1

CC= Coaches Corner live Saturday just after 9 on AM960 KLTF

COL FB= Gophers at Wisconsin Saturday 10am on AM960 KLTF

NFL= Vikings host Arizona Sunday at noon.

“Lost for Words” tonight, “Switch” Saturday at West Side Bar

Thursday- October 18th, 2012

NEWS
--A Pierz township man is accused of trying to kill his wife. 42-year old Kevin Edward Stuckmayer is charged with first degree murder and first degree assault. He is accused of hitting his wife on the back of the head with a board. The September 12th attack in a shed on their property left his wife with a concussion, sprained jaw and persistent jaw pain. Stuckmayer initially told doctors that a board had fallen on her head. One month later, Stuckmayer’s wife confronted him and he admitted that he had hit her on the head with a board because he was trying to kill her. Stuckmayer’s wife then called the Sherriff’s Office who interviewed Stuckmayer. According to the complaint, he again admitted he tried to kill his wife. Stuckmayer is being held in the Morrison County Jail in lieu of $300,000 bail.

--The Department of Public Safety is urging motorists to be more alert to children over the next two days as most Minnesota Public Elementary and High Schools are off for the weekend known as MEA Weekend in the state. More children will be out today and tomorrow and motorists and students are asked to watch for each other to avoid accidents. The Minnesota State Patrol is reminds motorists that the recent Click or Ticket campaign has started up with over 400 law enforcement agencies locally and statewide participating on cracking down on those not wearing seatbelts.

--Congressman Chip Cravaack will be at Pap’s Sports Shop this afternoon to meet with constituents along with Gun Owners of America President Larry Pratt. The pair will also discuss the Second Amendment Rights and other firearm related issues. This will be this afternoon at 4:30pm in Little Falls.

--The 52nd Annual Upsala Elementary Book Fair will start Sunday and last through next week. The Book Fair starts at 1pm Sunday with door prizes and a visit from Geronimo Stilton. Events next week include Kids Invite Someone Special on Saturday the 27th, a satellite fair on Tuesday from 10-12:30pm and all proceeds of the Book Fair goes to projects, fields trips and items for the Upsala Elementary School. For more information on the Upsala Elementary School’s Book Fair October 21st through 27th, contact Wanda at 573-2175.

--Around 400 gallons of hazardous materials were spilled Sunday at Costco in Baxter and the driver handling the materials being injured. The incident occurred around 1pm when a driver from a corporation in Ohio, was filling gas tanks with a fuel additive when it shot the chemicals into the air and showered the area including the driver with the fuel. The Brainerd Fire Department cleaned the area through Sunday night and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency was notified. The driver, whose name was not released was taken to the Brainerd hospital and treated then later released.

--The Crosby Police Department is investigating the death of a 48-year-old woman found inside her residence Sunday night. Police responded around 9:30 to First Street Southwest and found the woman dead at the scene. She was identified as Linda Marie Sabahot. The body was taken to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner for an autopsy to determine exact cause of death.

--A Minnesota farmer was fined $585 Monday after pleading guilty in court for selling unpasteurized milk. 59-year-old Michael Hartmann of Gibbon accepted a plea deal after being charged with selling dairy and meat products that were found to contain E. coli and other pathogens after he was informed by the state to stop. Hartmann was fined and placed on six months unsupervised probation and ordered to comply with all state licensing and labeling laws within 60 days.

--The Little Falls School Board meets Monday at 5:30pm at the Morrison County Government Center. Agenda items include a number of donations, approval of Title I positions, discuss speed limit on East Minnesota Avenue in Randall, a proposal on youth hockey, take action on the Minnesota State High School League Foundation Grant application, approval of Confidential Policies Manual, vote on an agreement to use St. Francis Health and Recreation Center Gymnasium and discuss the recent teacher/principal evaluation.

--Around 7:00am Wednesday the Stearns County Sherriff’s Office received a report of a semi-truck traveling southbound on County Road 2 that left the roadway. The witness stated the semi drove into a plowed field in St. Joseph Township. The witness and a Cold Spring police officer helped the driver out of the truck and started CPR. The driver was taken to the hospital where the victim was pronounced dead. Stearns County reported the man was a 68-year-old from Gonvick but the name of the victim has not been released.

--Veterans are invited to a Farm Field Day Saturday at Central Lakes College, Staples. The event includes presentations, discussions, a trade show of farming resources, catered lunch, tours, and a draft horse demonstration. There will be breakfast and lunch at the event with registration at 8:30am, program at 9am and ending at 4pm.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Mark and Heather Kimman of Pierz, boy born October 16th

WEATHER
TODAY= showers likely, cloudy, high near 50. 
TONIGHT= showers likely, cloudy, low around 40. 
FRIDAY= cloudy, drizzle and showers, windy, high 52, low 38.
SATURDAY= partly sunny, high 57, low 40. 
SUNDAY= mostly sunny, high 62, low 45.

SPORTS
LYNX= Seimone Augustus had 27 points and Maya Moore and Lindsay Whalen did their part to lead the Lynx to an 83-71 win over Indiana to tie the WNBA Finals at one game a piece in the best of five. The Lynx and Indiana play game 3 on Friday night.
NBA= The Minnesota Timberwolves announced that star player Kevin Love will be out 6-8 weeks after breaking two bones in his hand at a workout practice on Wednesday morning. 
COL FB= Gophers at Wisconsin Saturday 10am on AM960 KLTF
HS= get last nights football scores from around the area by going to www.fallsradio.com. The playoffs begin next Tuesday for area teams.

TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1842= Samuel Morse laid first telegraph cable in New York.
IN 1892= first long distance telephone call made from NY to Chicago
IN 1922= The British Broadcasting Company was formed brining the invention of monitored radio throughout Great Britain. 
IN 1943= Perry Mason debuted on CBS Radio, later moved to TV.
IN 1954= the comic strip Hi and Lois debuted on newspapers.
IN 1977= Reggie Jackson earned the nickname Mr. October after hitting 3 homeruns in one World Series game against the Dodgers.
IN 1997= The Women in Military Service for America Memorial was dedicated at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C.

“Hot Hits” tonight, lunch and happy hour specials daily at WS Bar

“Hot Hits” Thurs, “Lost for Words” Fri, “Switch” Sat at West Side Bar

Tuesday- October 16th, 2012

NEWS
--The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office reported that Saturday morning around 9:30 they received a report from a Crow Wing County deputy who was trying to locate a GMC Yukon involved in fleeing police the previous night. Around 9:45am a Morrison County deputy located the vehicle east of Pierz on County Road 39. When he attempted to stop the vehicle a pursuit ensued. The vehicle then collided with an occupied vehicle in the city of Pierz then drove through several yards in Pierz. The suspect’s vehicle eventually became disabled west of Lastrup and the suspect then fled on foot into a swamp. A canine unit responded along with officers and a helicopter to search the area. The suspect was found shortly before 11am and apprehended. 46-year-old Lonnie J. Bellcourt of Onamia is currently in the Morrison County Jail pending numerous charges including fleeing a peace officer. The sheriff’s office stated that no one was injured during the chase including anyone that was in the vehicle struck by Bellcourt’s vehicle in Pierz Saturday morning.

--An accident early Sunday killed two men when their vehicle ended up in Mille Lacs Lake. The State Patrol said that 37-year-old Andrew Nickaboine of Minneapolis was on Timber Trail Road when he crossed Highway 169 and struck the ditch rolling the vehicle into the lake. He and his front seat passenger, 42-year-old Ronald Door of Columbia Heights were not wearing seatbelts and were pronounced dead at the Onamia hospital. A backseat passenger, 32-year-old Keegan Morrison of Minneapolis was treated with non-life threatening injuries. The State Patrol reported that alcohol was detected at the scene and is a possible cause of the accident.

--Recent polls show Minnesota’s 8th District Congressional race is too close to call. The latest polls show Democrat Rick Nolan with 46% support and Republican Chip Cravaack at 45 percent with 9% of the voters undecided. In a live TV debate Sunday, incumbent Cravaack and challenger Nolan again discussed their philosophical differences over strengthening the economy. Cravaack says his course is “one of the prosperity and one of solvency, looking forward to the best interest of the next generation of Americans”. Nolan countered saying the way to create jobs is by building a middle class, adding “trickle-down economics just doesn’t work and that’s what got us into trouble”. The 8th District includes Northeastern Minnesota down into Morrison and Crow Wing Counties.

--Minnesota 6th District Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and her DFL Challenger Jim Graves have agreed to hold three debates prior to the November 6th election. Bachmann is seeking her fourth term in Congress after not getting the Republican nomination for President earlier this year. The debates are set for October 30th at the Convention Center in St. Cloud with two other debates in the Twin Cities in early November.

--Todd County received word of an injury accident in Gordon Township Sunday around 5pm on 151st Avenue. Jeremy Opperud of Osakis was on the gravel road when he left the roadway and rolled into the steep ditch. Jeremy was treated at the Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria and released.

--Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule went into effect. Patrick Boland with Xcel Energy says if you think you are going to have problems paying your winter heating bills, contact your utility right away to see if you are eligible to enter into a payment plan. Boland says some customers could even qualify for heating assistance and their utility will direct them to a local energy assistance program in your area.

--A candidate debate will be held on Wednesday between Ron Kresha and Adrian Welle who are the candidates vying for State House of Representatives in District 9B representing Morrison and Todd counties. Questions for the candidates can be submitted in an e-mail to news@fallsradio.com then listen to the debate live at 9:05 tomorrow on Up Front on AM960 KLTF and at www.fallsradio.com.

--On behalf of the Morrison County Local Water Plan, Morrison Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) will once again be conducting free nitrate testing of well water. A week-long clinic will be offered now through Friday. Testing hours will be from 8am-4:30pm today through Thursday and 8-4 on Friday. Landowners may bring in as many samples as they want, and will be asked to fill out short questionnaires on well construction, location, depth, etc. Samples should be in clean jars or Ziploc bags. Only two – three ounces is needed. For more information, call (320) 616-2479.

--Around 2:15am Monday Brainerd Police Officers and Firefighters responded to an apartment fire at 420 South 7th Street. Officers arrived finding smoke in the main hallway area. As the building was evacuated firefighters had to force open a door of an apartment where there was no response. No one was in the apartment, however a spent fire extinguisher was located and also the apparent origin of the fire. Examining the area of the fire, officers recognized several components used to manufacture methamphetamine. The incident is under investigation. At this point, all members of the apartment complex have been evacuated and will not be allowed to return until the necessary clean up has been conducted and the building is cleared by local health officials to be occupied again.

--A reminder that the Little Falls Fire Department will be handing out 9-volt batteries today from 11am to 3pm at the fire hall to help with keeping smoke and carbon monoxide detectors operating properly.

NATIONAL NEWS
--Social Security recipients shouldn’t expect a big increase in monthly benefits come January. Preliminary figures show the annual benefit boost will be between 1% and 2% which would be among the lowest since automatic adjustments were adopted in 1975.

--President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney will hold their 2nd Presidential Debate tonight at 8pm.

WEATHER
TODAY= cloudy/sprinkles early then clearing, mild, high near 70
TONIGHT= clouds increase, showers after midnight, low 47.
WEDNESDAY= cloudy, showers likely, breezy, high 54, low 36. 
THURSDAY= cloudy, showers, windy and cold, high 45, low 35.

SPORTS
LYNX= Lynx vs. Indiana game 2 of WNBA Finals Wednesday night.
TWINS= The Twins announced Monday that longtime minor-league director Jim Rantz is retiring at the end of the year. Rantz, who is 75, has been with the Twins organization since it’s inception in 1961 as a player (1961-1965),  then front office personnel, a scout for the team and then as Minor League Director since 1986.
NFL= The NFL announced Sunday that the Vikings will play one of their 2013 home games in London next year. 
HS= get high school sports scores from area at www.fallsradio.com.

“Hot Hits” Thurs, lunch daily, sober cab weekends at West Side Bar

NEWS
--Four Minnesota National Guard Soldiers were inducted into the Minnesota National Guard Court of Honor earlier this month during a recognition ceremony at Camp Ripley. Honored during the ceremony were: Brigadier General Timothy M. Kennedy, Colonel Leslie F. Chisholm, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Larry J. Sharon and 1st Sergeant Merlin E. Ellefson. The soldiers were inducted into the Court of Honor and their names engraved. They joined 310 others since 1933 in a monument near the Minnesota Military Museum. The inductees join a group of former soldiers and honorees whose service dates back 147 years. In addition to the Court of Honor ceremony, Camp Ripley dedicated Air Traffic Control Tower 5 to Chief Warrant Officer 4 James Nichols, Chief Warrant Officer’s 2 Mark Nelson and Dale Schmidt, and Staff Sergeants Larry Roalstad and James Teel, who died in a helicopter crash at Camp Ripley March 13, 1993.

--A house was destroyed by fire Thursday morning south of Brainerd. Firefighters were called just after 1am to the home on Wehterbee Road. 10 to 12 foot flames and heavy smoke could be seen from the home when they arrived. The home owned by Paul Nash was ruled a total loss. Nash and 5 others of his family, including 4 children were all able to escape the house without injury. Firefighters were on the scene for over 5 hours and the cause is believed to be a wood stove.

--The Little Falls Fire Department responded to 25125 165th Ave Ripley Township at 2:45pm on Wednesday afternoon. A piece of farm equipment started a corn field on fire and it went into the nearby wooded area. 24 firefighters were on hand for 5 hour until it was under control. Little Falls firefighters were assisted by the DNR and Air Support in this fire. Then at 2:22am Friday morning Little Falls firefighters responded to a Semi Truck on fire at Tri City Paving at 13504 Haven Road. 21-firefighters were on hand for around an hour. The Truck was a total loss. This incident is under investigation. There were no injuries in either incident. A reminder at the Little Falls Fire Department Tuesday from 11:00am-3:00pm they will hand out free 9 volt batteries for your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

--The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office reported a number of fires in the past week. There was a report of a shed/shop fire on Ginger Road in Little Falls on October 5th, a report of a grass fire on 75th Avenue Southwest in Motley on the 5th and also a report of a fire on Highway 10 off the ramp near Ginger Road in Little Falls again on the 5th. No damage reports given and there were no injuries. The Sheriff’s Office also responded to a one-vehicle accident Wednesday morning near Cushing. Authorities say the lone occupant and female driver failed to negotiate a corner near Bay View Trail, entered the ditch, continued east on 320th Street before striking a tree. The driver, whose name was not released, was taken to the Staples Hospital and treated for her injuries.

--A meet the candidates program will be tonight at 7pm at the Royalton High School. Candidates for U.S. House District 8, State Senate District 9, House District 9B, Royalton City Council, Royalton School Board and Morrison County Commissioner District 3 have all been invited to attend the meet the candidates’ event tonight.

--Postage stamps are going up again. The U.S. Postal Service says to mount deficits in the organization they will boost the price of a first-class stamp to 46-cents on January 27th. Mailing a postcard will also cost a penny more to 33-cents. There is still talk of eliminating Saturday delivery but that would have to be voted in by Congress.

--Friday was declared Red Friday in support of U.S. Troops. A number of those with military family members rallied in front of Camp Ripley showing their support and love for their family members and all members of the military who continue to serve the United States.

--The Benton County Sheriff’s Office and State Patrol investigated a school bus accident Thursday afternoon at the intersection of Benton County Road 4 and 195th Street. The bus was heading southbound when it collided with a pickup truck driven by 15-year-old Jacob Patten of Foley. Patten was not hurt. His two passenger’s 42-year-old Jean Patten of Foley and 51-year-old Kimberly Stachowski of Foley were treated at the St. Cloud Hospital. The bus driver, 69-year-old Richard Bradford of Milaca was not hurt. The State Patrol says there were 7 students on the bus when the accident occurred. None of the students needed medical attention.

--The Sartell Police Department is asking for help after an armed robbery at a gas station Friday night. The robbery happened around 8pm at the Benton Drive Mini Mart when a man entered the business, displayed a black semi-automatic handgun and left with an unknown amount of money. The man is described at 5’6, medium build, 30-35 years old wearing a blue zip-up hooded jacket, dark jeans and shoes, had a dark complexion and scruffy facial hair. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sartell Police at 320-251-8186.

--The Crosby mayoral candidate James Hunter has been found not guilty in Crow Wing County District Court of 5th Degree sexual assault and disorderly conduct by a jury Friday. Hunter was charged from an incident on March 22nd at a Crosby café.

DEATH NOTICES
--Grace I. Nygren, age 92 of Brainerd formerly of Motley
--Jerry D. Larson, age 54 of Browerville.
--Bertha Bain, age 100 of Little Falls formerly of Swanville.
--Margaret L. (Saulter) Arrenholz, age 69 of Shorewood former LF. 
--Thomas Kyrstosek, age 97 of Royalton.

WEATHER
TODAY= increasing clouds, high near 65. 
TONIGHT= isolated showers and sprinkles, low around 45. 
TUESDAY= few showers early then partly sunny, high near 70
TUES NIGHT= showers likely after midnight, low around 48. 
WEDNESDAY= showers likely, cloudy and cooler high near 55.

SPORTS
MLB= New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants won division series last week and continue play in the ALCS and NLCS series this week. Detroit leads Yankees 2-0 in ALCS and St. Louis held off San Francisco 6-4 in game 1 of NLCS. 
MLB= a major blow to the New York Yankees as shortstop Derek Jeter broke his ankle in game of 1 ALCS and is done for playoffs. 
VIKINGS= Robert Griffin III ran in two touchdowns and around Viking defenders for Washington to win 38-26 over Minnesota. The Vikings (4-2) return home Sunday to take on Arizona.  
COL FB= Northwestern defeated Gophers Saturday 21-13. 
LYNX= Indiana defeated Lynx 76-70 in Game 1 of WNBA finals. Game 2 of the finals is Wednesday night in Minneapolis. 
HS= High School Football is on Wednesday night this week.

Need a great lunch today, the place to be is the West Side Bar.

“Smokin’ Guns” tonight, “Hot Hits” Saturday at the West Side Bar

Thursday- October 11th, 2012

NEWS
--A Little Falls native was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry on Wednesday. The prize went to Americans Robert Lefkowitz a professor at Duke University and Brian Kobilka who is a 1973 graduate from Little Falls High School and now a professor at Stanford University of Medicine in California. The two were awarded the Nobel Prize for their research and work on protein receptors that let body cells sense and respond to outside signals. These studies are important in the creation of better medical drugs. The two started making groundbreaking discoveries on receptors back in the 1980s. Kobilka was born in Little Falls in 1955, where his father and grandfather were bakers and owned a bakery in Little Falls. Kobilka stated he first built a tissue culture hood while attending college in Duluth using scrap heavy plastic from his family’s bakery in Little Falls. Both men are expected to head to Stockholm, Sweden where the awards are presented on December 10th. The two will also split the 8-million Kroner or (1.2-million dollar) prize. Kobilka said he plans on putting it away for retirement or pass it on to his kids.

--A reminder from the Morrison County Auditors Office that residents who still wish to preregister for the general election on November 6th need to register before the deadline which is next Tuesday at 5pm. Anyone who had a change of address, name change or is voting for the first time needs to complete a voter registration application. Those who are in need of a voter registration application may call 632-0132 and an application will be mailed to them. Residents can also stop by the Auditor’s office and complete an application. Those who are not preregistered before the General Election will be able to register on Election Day with a proof of residency.

--Formal charges were filed Tuesday against two-men in a drive-by shooting and chase near Holdingford just after midnight Saturday. 20-year-old Jacob Whalen of Long Prairie was the driver of the vehicle in question and led police on a chase. He was charged with illegally possessing the gun because of a prior conviction and fleeing police. Bail for Whalen was set at $100,000 without conditions. His passenger 20-year-old Keith Kern of Swanville is accused of waving the shotgun style sawed-off BB gun and firing it at another vehicle. Kern was charged with second-degree assault and bail on him was set by the judge at $80,000 without conditions. No one was injured in the incident. A court date for the two has yet to be set.

--An omnibus hearing has been set for a Royalton man, who had a gun and drove up to 80 miles per hour leading law enforcement on a chase through portions of the county earlier this summer. The hearing for Joshua Zoccoli will be at 1pm on November 26th. Police reports state that Zoccoli admitted to police that he saw the red lights flashing and knew they were chasing him. He also admitted in court documents that he had a loaded weapon in his vehicle.

--A driver and 3 passengers were injured Saturday when their vehicle lost control and hit a tree on Leisure Road in Brainerd. 30-year-old Joseph Bahma and his passengers 27-year-old Crystal Kuhn, 30-year-old Danny Herbote and 38-year-old Joanna Herbote all of the Brainerd area were taken to the Brainerd hospital. The accident happened around 1:30am and police continue to investigate it.

--The Pillager School District will host a meet the candidates for Pillager School Board Monday night. This will be Monday at 6:30pm at the Media Center inside the Pillager High School.

--A reminder that Boy Scouts will be pickup up the bags filled with non-perishable food items, Saturday to give to area food shelves.

--Parent Teacher Conferences at Little Falls Community High School today from 3:45-6:45pm and also at Little Falls Community Middle School from 4-7pm. Parents are encouraged to attend conferences.

--Fire did over $60,000 in damages Wednesday morning when a rental home went up in flames in St. Cloud. The fire was reported just after 4:30am, on 16th Avenue South at a home rented by Crystal Cravan. Smoke and flames could be seen shooting out of the home when firefighters arrived. Cravan was able to escape the burning home without injury. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

--Thirty soldiers from A Company, 2-147th Assault Helicopter Battalion returned to Minnesota Wednesday after a deployment to Kuwait. The unit flew 600 missions with more than 4,400 passengers.

--More candidate forums will take place this month in Little Falls and on Little Falls Radio. Next Monday, October 15th a forum will be held for candidates vying for Little Falls City Council at City Hall. Ward 1 at 1pm, Ward 2 at 2pm and Ward 3 at 3pm next Monday for more info call 632-5155. Royalton will hold a Meet the Candidates Monday night at 7pm at Royalton High School. AM960 KLTF Up Front will host candidate debates starting next Monday for Senate District 9, then House District 9B later next week, the following week Morrison County Commissioners and the week after that for Little Falls City Council. Fore more details go to www.fallsradio.com click under KLTF then Up Front. You can send questions for Up Front debates to the email address of news@fallsradio.com.

NATIONAL NEWS
--The Vice-Presidential candidates will take center stage tonight with their political debate on many TV networks. The debate between Vice-President Joe Biden and Paul Ryan starts at 8pm.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS
--Eric and Heather Brill of Little Falls, boy born October 8th
--Robert and Denise Wille of Little Falls, a boy born October 9th
--James and Jodie Zellgert are parents of a boy born October 9th

DEATH NOTICES
--Robert Oslund, age 83 of Swanville.

WEATHER
TODAY= a few showers early, then becoming sunny, high 45. 
TONIGHT= clear and cold, low around 20. 
FRIDAY= sunny, high near 50, showers at night, low 43.
SATURDAY= showers and T-storms, some heavy, high 58, low 45. 
SUNDAY= a shower early, then turning sunny, high 55, low 40.

SPORTS
COL FB= Gophers host Northwestern Saturday 10am on KLTF.
NFL= Vikings at Washington Sunday at 3:25pm 
WNBA= Lynx await winner of Connecticut and Indiana who play tonight for the right to come to Minnesota for Finals on Sunday.

TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1881= George Eastman patented roll film for cameras. 
IN 1975= Saturday Night Live debuted on NBC.
IN 1991= actor Redd Fox of Sanford and Son died at 68.

“Smokin’ Guns” Friday, free sober cab Fri/Sat nights at WS Bar

Grab lunch; enjoy Happy Hour today at the West Side Bar, Little Falls

Tuesday- October 9th, 2012

NEWS
--A Long Prairie and a Swanville man were arrested early Saturday after fleeing deputies near Holdingford. Just after midnight, the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office got a report from a caller that they had been shot at by people in a brown Suburban vehicle and was currently following the vehicle when he called police. When deputies arrived at County Road 151 they attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver accelerated east on 390th Street, drove off the road through a plowed field at a high rate of speed, it returned to a county road in St. Wendel Township weaving through both lanes of traffic. The vehicle was eventually stopped after officers made a blockade. Of the four occupants, the driver, 20-year-old Jacob Whalen of Long Prairie was arrested for fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle. One passenger, Keith Kern of Swanville was arrested on three counts of 2nd-degree assault. The incident is still under investigation.

--Two people were hurt Sunday morning in a two-vehicle accident on Highway 10 just south of Motley. Just after 11:30am, 80-year-old Bernard Roden of Albertville went through a red stoplight and struck a vehicle making a left turn driven by 56-year-old Kevin Benoit of Sartell. Benoit had no apparent injuries. Roden and his passenger 72-year-old Judith Roden were taken to the Staples Hospital. Bernard was treated and released. Judith sustained serious injuries in the accident and she was transferred to another hospital.

--An explosion of a substation in Brainerd Sunday afternoon cut power to parts of the city and left large black plume of smoke in the sky for some time. The incident happened around 1:45pm when the substation on Washington Street in Brainerd malfunctioned and caused a large explosive boom, giving off a flash of flame and plume of black smoke. The force of the boom was so powerful it moved the switch, about 8,000 pounds off its cement foundation and also oil was thrown into the air splattering the area around the substation. According to Brainerd utility workers most of the area had power restored by 5pm Sunday afternoon. Some areas of south Brainerd took longer to restore but that was completed by late Sunday. The cause of the explosion is under investigation.

--Residents in the St. Cloud area have a new way of getting home after a night of drinking. A driver from the company “My Ride” will show up on a collapsible scooter. He then throws his scooter in your trunk, and drives you and your vehicle home. From there he rides his scooter to the next pick-up. The company sees themselves as more of a delivery service getting both the driver and their vehicle home. By doing this the driver has a safe ride home and does not have to worry about getting their car the morning after.

--Transportation officials are reminding people that placing campaign signs and unauthorized objects on state highway rights-of-way is against the law. In addition campaign signs may not be placed on private property outside right-of-way limits without the landowners consent. MNDOT crews will remove any unlawfully placed signs and impound them at one of their local maintenance truck stations.

--A 6-year-old child is in serious condition after a 2-vehicle accident Saturday afternoon near Avon. Stearns County responded just after noon to County Road 54. 16-year-old Rachel Odenthal of Albany crossed the center line and struck head-on with 26-year-old Misty Byland of Albany. Both drivers were taken to St. Cloud Hospital reportedly with non-life threatening injuries. A 6-year-old in the Byland vehicle was airlifted to St. Cloud with serious injuries.

--Congratulations to Luke Wentland and Kalee Petron crowned Homecoming King and Queen Sunday night for Royalton High School. Royalton will have their homecoming parade Friday at 1pm, and homecoming football game against KMS is Friday at 7pm.

--Fire Prevention Safety Week is ongoing. Little Falls Fire Chief Mike Nieman will be the guest for today’s Community Events Program at 8:45am on KLTF. The Little Falls Fire Department was busy over the weekend. They responded at 8:20pm Friday to 21852 Ginger Road in Green Prairie Township to a shed fire. 22 firefighters battled the blaze for almost an hour. The shed sustained moderate damage. It may have been caused by a wood stove chimney but the official cause is not yet determined. Then around 2:00pm on Saturday Little Falls firefighters responded to a grass fire on 140th street in Pike Creek Township at the Ray Ginter residence. 18-firefighters worked on controlling the fire. There were no injuries in either incident.

--Firefighters battled a fire Friday night on a trail near the Northland Arboretum in Baxter. Just after 9pm a runner noticed the fire and called authorities. The runner was able to have the fire under control before firefighters arrived with only burning a small area of grass. The cause is believed to be a campfire that was left unattended but is officially still under investigation. There were no injuries.

--The Morrison County Commissioners meet today at 9am at the government center. Agenda items include a proclamation for Domestic Abuse Awareness Month for October along with a number of county agency reports to the Board. The Board will also declare October 22nd though the 28th as Morrison County Manufacturers Week. Morrison County has noticed that manufacturing has the 2nd highest payroll in the state of Minnesota in the job sector.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Preston Peterson and Sarah Thompson, boy born October 5th

DEATH NOTICES
--Clayton E. Burgardt, age 85 of Little Falls
--William “Bill” Pruszinske, age 84 of Phoenix formerly of Little Falls
--Alvina LeBlanc, age 92 of Little Falls
--Raymond A. Burggraff, age 82 of Royalton.

WEATHER
TODAY= cloudy, windy, chance of showers, high 46. 
TONIGHT= clearing skies, colder, low 25. 
WEDNESDAY= sunny skies, high 50, chance of rain overnight
THURSDAY= partly cloudy, breezy, high 47, low 35.

SPORTS
NFL= The Bears and Vikings find themselves on top of the NFC North Division at 4-1 with wins Sunday. Green Bay lost to Indianapolis and at 2-3 and Detroit is 1-3 and was idle last weekend. The Vikings travel to Washington this Sunday.
 
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1855= Isaac Singer patented the sewing machine motor. 
IN 1872= Montgomery Ward began the first mail order catalog. 
IN 1946= the first electric blankets went on sale for around $40.
IN 1967= Doc Severinsen became band leader of Tonight Show

“Smokin’ Guns” Friday, “Hot Hits” Saturday at West Side Bar

DEATH NOTICES
--Charles Roach Sr., age 80 of Onamia.
--Joseph ‘Joe’ Cichon, age 39 of New Ulm formerly Swanville. 
--Carolyn Held, age 72 of Lake Shamineau near Motley.
--Michael Wiczek, age 56 of Little Falls.
--Kenneth C. Brastad, age 89 of Little Falls.
--Helen E. Heinz, age 86 of Freedhem.
--Helen E. Miller, age 93 of Little Falls.

WEATHER
TODAY= chance of afternoon showers, cloudy, high 58. 
TONIGHT= mostly cloudy, low around 35. 
TUESDAY= partly cloudy, cooler and breezy, high 48, low 25. 
WEDNESDAY= mostly sunny, high 52, low 35.

SPORTS
TWINS= The Twins announced that Terry Ryan is now the General Manager removing interim from in front of his title. The announcement came just a day after Ryan announced that 5 coaches of the team were let go or reassigned after a 66-96 record. 
VIKINGS= Vikings roll 30-7 over Tennessee Sunday to go to 4-1. 
LYNX= Lynx beat L.A. 80-79 to advance to WNBA Finals 2-0 over Sparks. Maya Moore and Monica Wright had big shots in 4th quarter.

Lunches, happy hour and live bands at the West Side Bar

Friday- October 5th, 2012

NEWS
--Thursday afternoon a power outage and grass fire in Little Falls were caused by strong winds. About 1:30pm a banner on a fence behind Wal-Mart was blown into a power line that caused sparks which ignited a grass fire. The fire was contained and the power was only out for a few moments. The LF Fire Department also responded to a lawn Mower fire Wednesday night. No injuries in either incident.

--On Wednesday about 3:25pm a homeowner on County Road 160 in St. Joseph Township reported that a pink passenger vehicle passed his home westbound on CR 160. He reported that shots were being fired from the vehicle as it passed by his home and he feared the shots were being fired at him or his home. Stearns County Deputies responded to the area and found a pink Ford Probe eastbound on County Road 160 in the vicinity of the incident. Deputies conducted a high risk traffic stop and removed the four occupents. In the vehicle were 25-year old Jeremy Sterzinger of St. Joseph, 24-year old Cassandra Trimble of Little Canada, 24-year old Nicole Johnson and her 7 month old infant both from Blaine. Officers found in the vehicle a .25 caliber semi-auto pistol and 2.5 grams of methamphetamine. Sterzinger was arrested and is being held in the Stearns County Jail on charges of Terroristic threats, Drive By Shooting, and Possession of Controlled Substances. Trimble the owner of the vehicle was booked and released on charges of Terroristic Threats. Nicole Johnson, the driver and mother of the infant was released at the scene. The infant remained in custody of the mother. The case will be forwarded to the Stearns County Attorney’s Office for formal charges. The reports will also be sent to Stearns County Human Services for child endangerment issues. The homeowner told deputies that he did not know any of the suspects.

--In the past week, Little Falls police received a fraud complaint from Pine Country Bank after counterfeit $20 bills were received from Burger King and Cabin Fever both from September 21st. Police responded to theft reports from unlocked vehicles and theft of a bicycle on 4th Street Northwest. Police also responded in the past 7 days to a number of non-injury accidents and also have reported suspicious activity in and around the city.

--Minnesota traffic deaths continue to surge in 2012 after a deadly September when 42 people were killed. September topped August for the deadliest month, when 40 people were killed. It is also the deadliest year for motorcyclists since 2009. Minnesota motorcyclist fatalities hit 50 for 2012, making this the deadliest year for riders since 2009 when 53 were killed. September tied August as the deadliest month to-date for rider fatalities with 10 deaths.

--Crow Wing County responded to a motorcycle versus deer accident on County Road 15 in Jenkins. Around 6:40am Monday, Charles Durm of Pine River struck a deer causing his cycle to veer off the road. The 47-year-old Durm was taken to Brainerd hospital by a private vehicle with reportedly non-life threatening injuries.

--It could be over a month before police get an official cause of death on a woman found laying in the street September 23rd in St. Cloud. Police say that 47-year-old Linette Brown was found laying by her apartment on East St. Germain Street around 9:15pm that night and died 2 days later at St. Cloud Hospital. Toxicology reports are still pending and until they are returned in the coming weeks a cause of death and manner of death of Brown will not be known.

--Get weekend events at community calendar at www.fallsradio.com.

--A candidate forum will be held from 3-4pm today at Little Falls City Hall for Senate District 9 between Senator Paul Gazelka and Al Doty. A candidate forum for those running for Morrison County Commissioner will be held Monday from 3-4:30pm at the Little Falls City Hall. Questions on either forum contact 632-5155.

--Todd County arrested a 39-year-old man last weekend after over 55 grams of methamphetamine was seized from a traffic stop on Highway 210 in Staples Township. Authorities say around 11pm Saturday night a vehicle was stopped. The driver was arrested after giving the deputy a false name and he was later identified as David Johnson of Rochert. The passenger in the vehicle, 49-year-old Jon Muir of Fergus Falls was arrested for 1st degree possession of a controlled substance, aiding and abetting in providing a false name to officers and other related charges. 55.7 grams of methamphetamine were seized in the incident. Both were taken to Todd County Jail.

--Royalton High School will hold their Homecoming coronation ceremony Sunday at 7pm at the High School.

--Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held Monday at Little Falls Community Middle School from 4-7pm and Little Falls Community High School from 3:45 to 6:45pm.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Jason and Melinda Dickinson of Burtrum, girl born October 3rd
--Samuel and Juliene Muhlbauer of Little Falls, a girl born Oct. 3rd.

DEATH NOTICES
--Carol Richter, age 57 of Little Falls.
--Vernon E. Leibold Jr., age 61 of Little Falls.

WEATHER
TODAY= cloudy and breezy, high 42 winds over 35 miles per hour
TONIGHT= light snow showers, cloudy, low 25. 
SATURDAY= decreasing clouds then partly cloudy, high 45, low 25. 
SUNDAY= partly cloudy, high 55, low 35. 
MONDAY= partly cloudy, high around 60, low near 35.

SPORTS
MLB= The Major League Baseball playoffs begin today with the two play-in wild cards games. At 4pm, St. Louis is at Atlanta, winner faces Washington on Sunday. At 7:30pm Baltimore is at Texas the winner faces the Yankees on Sunday. Saturday is game 1 of ALDS series of Detroit and Oakland and NLDS series Cincinnati at San Francisco. 
LYNX= Lynx roll over L.A. Thursday 94-77 to win game 1 of the WNBA Western Conference Finals, game 2 is Sunday in L.A. 
VIKINGS= Vikings host Tennessee, game now at 3:25pm Sunday.
TWINS= On Thursday the Twins let go longtime Bullpen Coach Rick Stelmaszek who had been with the team longer than any other coaches starting in 1981. The team either let go or reassigned the entire coaching staff of the Twins except for Manager Ron Gardenhire and pitching coach Rick Anderson after a 2nd year in last place.  
NHL= The NHL has announced the cancellation of regular season games through October 24th as the lockout continues.
HS FB= Little Falls at Foley tonight 7pm on AM960 KLTF.
HS FB= Pierz at Rockford, tonight at 7pm on FM94 KFML. 
HS FB= Upsala/Swanville at Osakis tonight at 7pm on Q92 WYRQ

 “Hot Hits” tonight, “Whiskey Tango” Saturday at West Side Bar

WEATHER-WIND ADVISORY TODAY 10am to 10pm
TODAY= cloudy, very windy, spotty rain showers, high 45 to 50. 
TONIGHT= mostly cloudy, flurries possible, windy, low near 30.
FRIDAY= mostly cloudy, windy, a rain or snow shower, high 40. 
SATURDAY= a snow shower early then clearing, high 45, low 25. 
SUNDAY= frosty start, then sunny, high 50, low around 20.

SPORTS
TWINS= The Twins season came to an end Wednesday with a 2-1 loss to Toronto. The Twins finish the year 66-96 and last in the AL Central. A number of items will now be discussed in the off season to find ways to make the 2013 season better. 
WNBA= Los Angeles at Lynx tonight 8pm in WNBA playoffs. 
NFL= Arizona vs. St. Louis tonight, Vikings host Tennessee Sunday.
HS= get area scores at www.fallsradio.com then local sports scores

“Hot Hits” tonight and Fri, “Whiskey Tango” Sat at West Side Bar.

Wednesday- October 3rd, 2012

NEWS
--A new month does not mean a lack of scams in the area. Recently there have been calls of a Medicare scam where the caller is informed of information on the new Medicare; then the caller asked for bank or credit card information. Again, Medicare or any other organization will NEVER ask you for personal information unless you initiated the call. Also there have been reports of people calling and asking for money for their efforts for an organization but never officially give a name of the organization; only that they need help and ask for a donation to be sent to them. Again this too is a SCAM. The best thing to do when you receive a call you are questioning in any way- HANG UP because the longer you keep them on the line the easier it becomes for someone to get information out of you that you did not intend to give them.

--A 50 year old Brainerd man was injured Monday after a one vehicle accident on Wise Road north of Brainerd. The crash occurred just before 4pm when Scott Stillwell left the roadway and rolled his vehicle. Stillwell had to be extricated from the vehicle by local firefighters and airlifted to North Memorial Medical Center. He was listed late Monday in fair condition.

--A bee is to blame for an accident that caused a vehicle to run into a house in Brainerd Friday on Crestview Lane. The bee was in the vehicle and distracted 77-year-old Beverly Wicklund of Brainerd causing her to leave the road and strike the house. She was treated and released from the Brainerd hospital that afternoon.

--A Cass Lake man was sentenced to 11 years in prison Monday in Cass County on charges of 2nd-degree sexual conduct for having sexual contact with a person under the age of 13. Richard Larsen was sentenced to serve 11 years in prison with a 10-year conditional release period. A jury found Larsen guilty on all three counts.

--This Saturday Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts from across 12 counties, including Morrison County and Scout groups from Little Falls, Pierz, Randall, Royalton and Swanville will be dropping off bags for the Scouting For Food campaign to help out area food shelves. The bags will be dropped off this Saturday, they ask that the homeowner fill the bag and have it outside by their mailbox the following Saturday, October 13th, by 9am for pickup by the scouts. The items will then be handed off to the Morrison County Food Shelves which are located in Little Falls, Pierz and Motley. They ask that you please donate non perishable foods in undamaged containers. Home canned food, open packages or very old products or glass containers will not be able to be distributed to the food shelf. For more information on the Little Falls Food Shelf call 632-8304 and on the drive and pickup from the scouts call Aaron at 360-5275 or check out www.scouting.org.

--Senator Paul Gazelka, and Ron Kresha who is vying for House District 9B seat in Morrison and Todd Counties, will hold a Town Hall Meeting on October 13th at 10am at the Pierz City Hall and also at 1pm on October 13th at the Long Prairie City Hall. The meeting is to discuss the upcoming legislative session and hear from residents in Senate District 9 and House District 9B. Also Senator Gazelka and Mark Anderson will hold a town hall meeting on Saturday, October 13th at the Staples Community Center at 3pm. Anderson is vying for the District 9A House Seat in Cass County.

--The Friends of the Lindbergh Heritage would like to invite you to their Annual Meeting and Picnic October 8th at 5:30 pm at the Lindbergh Park Shelter. For more information contact Larry Sharon, 320-360-4394 or go to friendsofthelindberghheritage@yahoo.com

--The State Health Department has linked the death of a patient at St. Cloud Hospital to a former nurse who allegedly spread a bacterial infection while stealing narcotics from a surgical ward. Epidemiologists determined all 25 patients had been given the same intravenous narcotic pain medication. Experts found the bacteria were accidentally introduced into patients I-V bags while a hospital employee diverted the narcotics for personal use. 42-year old Blake Zenner of Kimball admitted he accessed lock boxes during work and used syringes to remove the drugs from the I-V bags. Of 25 infected patients, six were placed in intensive care, three needed emergency surgery, and one died two days after being infected. Zenner pleaded guilty last week and faces up to four years in federal prison. A spokeswoman for St. Cloud Hospital says they “Respectfully disagree” with the Health Department that a death occurred from the drug diversion. The Spokeswoman says the patient tested positive for an infection when admitted and quickly deteriorated.

--The Little Falls City Council met on Monday night. At the meeting the Mayor’s Pride award went to Robert Reinitz. The council awarded City Sanitation the contract to collect garbage from city buildings through October 31st, 2014. The council approved payment of a few overages on work done to the Pretreatment Facility. There was an announcement made of a Planning Commission Public Hearing next Monday, October 8th at 6:30pm in the council chambers. They will meet to discuss the rezoning of several properties including Holy Family Parish, a couple Little Falls School District properties and several other area properties.

--Firefighters from Cold Spring, Rockville and Richmond battled a garage fire Tuesday morning. Firefighters were called at 10:40am to 13959 Hummingbird Lane. The garage was ruled a total loss but was not attached to the house. Cause unknown, no injuries reported.

NATIONAL NEWS
--President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney will hold their first televised debate tonight at 8pm from Denver.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS
--Michael R. Moore Jr. and Denesha Davis of LF, a girl 10-1-12
--Christopher and Catherine Steiner of Pierz, a boy born 10-1-12

DEATH NOTICE
--Harold C. Hamilton, age 73 of Onamia
--Brenda Hart, age 83 of Little Falls.

WEATHER
TODAY= sunny, breezy in afternoon, high 75. 
TONIGHT= showers after midnight, mostly cloudy, low 42. 
THURSDAY= showers, very breezy, colder, high of 46. 
FRIDAY= cloudy, a rain or snow shower early, breezy, high 42.

SPORTS
TWINS= Twins fall to Blue Jays 4-3 lasts night in Toronto. Twins wrap up the 2012 season tonight in Toronto, 5:35pm on Q92 WYRQ
LYNX= Lynx hold on to a 73-72 win last night to eliminate Seattle 2 games to 1 in the WNBA playoffs. The Lynx will host Los Angeles Thursday night in Game 1 of Western Conference Finals.

“Hot Hits” Thursday and Friday/ Happy hour daily at West Side Bar

NEWS
--The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce has announced their October Employee of the Month is Adelle Chisholm. Chisholm has been employed at Larson Abstract Company Inc. in Little Falls for nearly 8 years. Adelle is married and has 2 sons.

--According to the State Patrol a 20-year-old Sebeka man was critically injured Sunday morning on Highway 71 north of Sebeka. The accident happened just after 2:30am when Nathan Schumaker left the roadway, struck a mailbox then rolled into the east ditch, ejecting Schumaker from the vehicle. Schumaker was airlifted to a Twin Cities hospital and last listed in critical condition.

--A 72-year-old man from Garrison was injured when his golf cart he was operating was struck by a car Saturday just after 2pm. The State Patrol says that Gary Strohman was southbound on Highway 18 on the west edge of Garrison when he was struck by a vehicle turning onto the Highway from the west. Strohman was treated at the Mille Lacs Health Systems in Onamia for non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the car 52-year-old Roger Nelson of Rosemount and his 16-year-old passenger were not injured.

--A rural Browerville woman was injured Sunday night in a motorcycle accident in Turtle Creek Township. Antoinette Keskey was traveling on Todd County Road 17 when she struck a deer just after 6:30pm causing her motorcycle to spin off the road. Keskey was taken to Staples Hospital for treatment of injuries.

--A 49-year-old Sauk Rapids man was injured Sunday afternoon when his motorcycle was struck by a vehicle in Brockway Township near St. Stephen. Around 5:15pm, Kevin Davis was motorcycling on Stearns County Road 1 when he was struck by a vehicle entering the county road driven by Daniel Strenge of Rice. Davis was taken to St. Cloud Hospital for non-life threatening injures. Strenge was not injured.

--A Colorado man was critically hurt Saturday morning just after 1am on Highway 169 near the Mille Lacs/Sherburne County lines. Authorities say the driver was driving the wrong way on Highway 169 swerved to avoid an oncoming vehicle, went through the median and rolled over on the southbound lane of the Highway. The highway was closed for over 90 minutes as the accident was cleared. The man’s name was not released, only that he was from Grand Junction, Colorado and taken to a Metro Area hospital in critical condition.

--A 78-year-old Princeton man is dead following an accident in Itasca County. The accident happened around noon Saturday when Eugene Zeroth was riding his Rascal scooter on Itasca County Road 29 when he went into oncoming traffic and was struck by a vehicle west of Bigfork. Zeroth was dead at the scene. No one else was injured.

--Musicians with the Minnesota Orchestra are locked out of work following management unable to reach a new contract agreement. Management rejected two proposals for musicians Sunday. This means for now all upcoming Minnesota Orchestra shows are on hold.

--The Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site will show “Influenza, 1918,” a PBS American Experience documentary on the powerful influenza strain that ended killing 675,000 people. The film will be shown in the site visitor center theater from 7-9pm on October 9th.  A discussion will follow each showing.  Admission is free.

--Charles Kapsner will present an art show from 6-9pm on October 13th at the Great River Arts Center showing paintings “Down by the River” and of West River Road in Little Falls. The event is open to the public and refreshments will be served. For more info 632-0960.

--A Red Flag Warning has been issued for most of the state today with strong southwest winds up to 30 miles per hour and highs mostly in the 70s across central and western Minnesota. Burning restrictions remain in effect for the area due to the lack of moisture and dry vegetation. The smallest of sparks from any type of igniter could cause a rapid and large wildfire, use caution today.

--Sgt. Curt Mowers of the Minnesota State Patrol was on KLTF Party Line Monday and announced that October 12th through 26th there will be 400 participating law enforcement agencies within the state and 10,000 agencies nationwide taking part in a seatbelt enforcement campaign. Also the campaign will especially be out the hours of 4pm to 1am patrolling for unbelted drivers during the late day and nighttime hours. Mowers also stated that his office is getting a lot of complaints of loud exhausts from vehicles. State law prohibits loud exhausts of any kind of vehicle in Minnesota including motorcycles and also says that every motor vehicle must be equipped with a muffler in good working order at all times. Mowers added one more item to remind motorists to slow down and pay attention when seeing school buses, flashing lights of emergency vehicles and also due the strong sunlight at times from 4-6pm during late day driving.

--Pillow Cleaning sponsored by the Pierz American Legion Auxiliary is being held today from 7am to 3pm at the Pierz Senior Site.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Loren and Elizabeth Vetsch of Browerville, a boy born Sept 27th.
--Michael and Sheila Kinder of Little Falls, a girl born September 29th.

WEATHER
TODAY= sunny, breezy and mild, high 70 to 75. 
TONIGHT= mostly clear, low around 40. 
WEDNESDAY= sunny, less windy, high 73, rain showers start at night
THURSDAY= showers early, cloudy, breezy and colder, high 48.

SPORTS
TWINS= Twins blew a late game lead to see Toronto win the game 6-5 in 10 innings. Twins at Toronto tonight 5:35pm on Q92 WYRQ
MLB= New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers, Washington, Atlanta, Cincinnati and San Francisco clinched playoff spots over the weekend then Detroit clinched the AL Central Monday night while Oakland clinched the last AL playoff spot. 
WNBA= Seattle at Lynx in decisive Game 3 of WNBA playoffs, the winner tonight advances to take on Los Angeles later this week.

TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1920= the only triple-header to be played in Major League Baseball was held, Cincinnati won 2 of the 3 games from Pittsburgh.
IN 1937= Ronald Reagan made movie debut in “Love is in the Air”.
IN 1950= Charles Schultz’s “Peanuts” debuted in 7 newspapers. The original characters were Charlie Brown, Patty Reichardt (later Peppermint Patty and Shermy, with the first strips about Charlie Brown getting a dog named Snoopy. Other characters would follow.
IN 1955= Alfred Hitchcock Presents debuted on CBS TV.
IN 1959= The Twilight Zone with Rod Serling debuted on CBS TV.
IN 1967= Thurgood Marshall was sworn in as the first African-American justice on the United States Supreme Court.

Enjoy lunch today and great happy hour specials at West Side Bar

Monday- October 1st, 2012

NEWS
--The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce has given more information on upcoming candidate forums for the area. On Tuesday there will be a forum form Little Falls School Board from 1-2:30pm at the Little Falls Community High School. Visitors are asked to use the west entrance just off of the student parking lot. Invited candidates include Cathy Adamek, Gerald Knafla, Todd Kosovich, Mike LeMieur, Lisa Lintner, Danny Noss, Jay Spillum and Sandi Stalmer. As mentioned last week, the forum for District 9 Senate seat is October 5th at 3-4pm at Little Falls City Hall between Senator Paul Gazelka and Al Doty. All candidates vying for Morrison County Commissioners in the 3 Districts up for election will have a forum on Monday, October 8th from 3-4:30pm at Little Falls City Hall. Candidates are Sharon Ballou and Kevin Maurer in District 1, Jeff Schilling and Jeffrey Jelinski in Ward 2 and Rich Collins and Randy Winscher in Ward 3. Tuesday, October 9th there will be a candidate forum for District 9B House Seat between Adrian Welle and Ron Kresha from 9-10am at Little Falls City Hall. There will be three separate forums on October 15th for the candidates vying for seats on the Little Falls City Council. From 1-2pm candidates running in Ward 1, Loren Boyum, Robin Hensel and Brett Wittner will have a forum, then from 2-3pm Ward 2 candidates, Urban Otremba, Theresa Skorseth and Greg Zylka will hold forum then from 3-4pm it will be the Ward 3 candidates of Frank Gosiak, Richard Berg, Audreen “Ozzie” Wilczek Schwegman and Kathy Woitalla. Questions on any of these call 632-5155.

--A Meet the Candidates event will be held at 7:00pm on Monday October 15th in the Royalton High School Commons. Candidates from races invited include Royalton City council, Royalton School Board, County Commissioners in Ward 3, State Senate District 9, State House District 9B, and US House District 8.

--Twelve families are homeless following a large apartment fire Thursday in Brainerd. The fire was called in just before 3pm at the Hillcrest Apartments in south Brainerd. Firefighters from Brainerd, Nisswa, Crosby and Pillager worked for nearly 3 hours to extinguish the fire which started in the middle of the building but the exact cause is still under investigation. The American Red Cross is assisting with the families who lost their apartment and many of their belongings from the fire. There were no serious injuries but one tenant and one firefighter were treated for smoke inhalation.

--A 51-year-old from Albany was injured Friday morning in an ATV accident in Stearns County. Darice Stommes was found by her husband around 10:15am Friday laying on County Road 117 with visible injuries. Stearns County said the accident is still being investigated and Stommes was not wearing a helmet. She was listed in serious condition Friday afternoon at St. Cloud Hospital.

--Police say 5 victims have died now in the work place shooting Thursday afternoon in Minneapolis. The shooter, 36-year-old Andrew Engeldinger also took his own life. Reports said Engeldinger suffered from mental illness and had worked for Accent Signage Systems, but was fired earlier that day then returned in the afternoon and started shooting. Two others remained hospitalized still from the shooting.

--Governor Mark Dayton ordered flags at half-staff Saturday in honor of Sgt. Kyle B. Osborn. Sgt. Osborn was killed by an insurgent attack in Afghanistan on September 13th. Services were Saturday in Indiana. Osborn attended MSU-Mankato in 2005 where he met his wife Maggie from Delano. He enlisted in the Army in 2008.

--After a nine week suspension of operations the Central Minnesota Ethanol Co-Op in Little Falls resumed work last week. The timing of the startup again was due to a number of factors but mainly due to maintenance completed and also the City of Little Falls has completed their work on the water pre-treatment plant, which couldn’t be done if the ethanol plant was running.

--The Minnesota State Patrol and Stearns County deputies are investigating a string of intentionally set fires Friday afternoon between St. Joseph and Albany. A State Trooper noticed a vehicle where a passenger was lighting magazines on fire and then throwing them from the vehicle onto the very dry grass. St. Joseph, Avon and Albany fire departments had to be called out in a string of 25 minutes from 3:10 to 3:35pm Friday to the three grass fires. The vehicle in question by the State Trooper was not located but law enforcement is investigating some leads into who may have done this.

--General Mills is recalling some packages of granola bars because the packages were mislabeled. The products contain allergens such as peanuts that were not marked on the box. The company recalled “Peanut Nature Valley Sweet and Salty Granola Bars” and “Almond Nature Valley Sweet and Salty Nut Granola Bars” has peanuts can have a severe allergic reactions in some people. The voluntary recall is for the six-count boxes with use-by date of February 26th.

--The Little Falls City Council meets tonight at 7:30 at Little Falls City Hall and Swanville City Council meet Tuesday at 7:30pm at the Swanville Community Center.

DEATH NOTICES
--Clara H. Brausen, age 68 of Hillman
--Donald Francis Marotte, age 78 of Little Falls. 
--Robert ‘Bob’ Nelson, age 66 of Little Falls. 
--Rita K.Kiefer, age 90 of Apple Valley formerly Little Falls.
--Lawrence Wimmer, age 83 of Brainerd formerly of Pierz.
--Lorna Matthews, age 92 of Little Falls formerly St. Louis Park
--Ann Pietrowski, age 95 of Little Falls.

WEATHER
TODAY= morning showers, then partly cloudy, cooler, high 68.
TONIGHT= partly cloudy, low around 45. 
TUESDAY= sunny skies, high 72, clear at night low 50. 
WEDNESDAY= afternoon rain showers, turning breezy, high 70.

SPORTS
VIKINGS= Vikings get a 105 yard kickoff by Percy Harvin for a touchdown to start the game and hold onto a 20-13 win Sunday over Detroit to go to 3-1 and lead the NFC North Division. 
GOPHERS= Floyd of Rosedale is going back to Iowa as the Hawkeyes beat up Minnesota Saturday 31-13. Gophers now 4-1 
TWINS= Ryan Doumit had a 2 run homer and 2 run double Friday as Twins beat Tigers 4-2. Doumit hit a grand slam on Saturday but not enough as Detroit won 6-4 thanks to a 3 run homer by Miguel Cabrera. Tigers win 2-1 Sunday on a Prince Fielder homerun. The Twins (66-93) are in Toronto tonight 5:35pm on Q92 WYRQ. 
WNBA= Lynx win Friday 78-70 over Seattle, lose Sunday 86-79 in double-overtime- decisive game 3 is Tuesday night in Minneapolis. 
HS= get Friday’s high school football scores at www.fallsradio.com.

“Hot Hits” Thurs and Fri “Whiskey Tango” Saturday at West Side Bar