Thursday, September 10, 2026
Superintendent Todd Lee of Swanville stated Wednesday that some corrections had to be made at the Swanville School District has not started classes yet. This was a change that was released after their menus and some other class information was released around September 1st. Then last Friday night Lee stated that after careful consideration, a decision was to wait until Monday, September 14th to start classes and move their Open House to Thursday, September 10th from 3-7pm and 7th Grade Orientation will be held at 7pm or immediately following the completion of the Junior High football game. This has been an incredibly difficult decision. Our community has made a significant investment in our school and in the future of our students, and we take the responsibility of protecting that investment very seriously. While we are eager to welcome our students and families back into the building, we are not willing to sacrifice the proper completion of this project simply to meet a date on the calendar. Our administration and School Board are working diligently with the construction team to ensure the work is completed appropriately and that this is the final schedule change. We know families, staff, students, coaches, childcare providers, and many others are impacted when dates change, and we do not take that disruption lightly. Kindergarten & Preschool families: There will be no Pre- K or Kindergarten Welcome Meetings on Tuesday, September 8. Your child’s teacher will reach out directly with updated information. ITV students: Any students taking ITV classes from Upsala or Pierz will receive an email from Mrs. Johnson with additional information. This project represents a tremendous investment in Swanville Public School and in generations of students to come. Again school will start Monday the 14th for Swanville Area Schools.
Also on Wednesday the Franciscan Sisters sent out this release: Dear Friends, Please be aware that an email circulated this weekend appearing to be from Sister Bea Eichten. The message came from a Gmail account created by scammers and is not legitimate. Please do not respond to the email or send gift cards or money. Unfortunately, Sister Bea is a regular target for scammers because of her position. We encourage everyone to approach unexpected requests for money, gift cards, or personal information with caution. If you receive an email, text, or call that seems unusual, please contact the person directly using a phone number you know to be correct before taking any action. Official Franciscan Sisters email addresses should end in @fslf.org. However, scammers can sometimes make an email appear to come from an @fslf.org address, so please do not rely on the sender’s address alone. Our Franciscan values call us to care for one another and to be good stewards of the resources entrusted to us. By remaining attentive and looking out for one another, we can help protect our community from fraud. If you believe you have been scammed, please report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If you have further questions, please contact Jennifer at 320-632-0605.
The man killed last week near Cold Spring in that motorcycle accident was the owner and voice of a rural Minnesota radio station. Steve Gretsch, 64, of Albany, died Friday morning after his Harley-Davidson left the road at a curve and went into a ditch. Also known by the nickname “Giant,” he was the leader of Litchfield-based radio station KLFD, where he’s being remembered fondly by staff. “Off the air, he was the same guy. A dad, a grandpa, a golfer who never missed a season at Albany Golf Club, a guy who’d rather be out in the community hanging with family and friends than sitting still. We’re going to miss him more than we probably know how to say on the radio.” Gretsch grew up in Albany and graduated from Albany High School. Gretsch’s radio career began at Albany-based station KASM, where he worked alongside his mom. He later left the airwaves to be a stay-at-home dad, raising his three daughters, coaching their basketball teams, and cheering them on in golf. When he and wife Patty purchased KLFD in 2005, Gretsch’s true passion was realized, “becoming the voice of local sports, hosting the morning show, and delivering countless commercials that made him a familiar and beloved voice throughout the community.” “Giant passed unexpectedly while doing what he loved — taking one last motorcycle ride.” A funeral for Gretsch will be held at 11am Saturday at Seven Dolors Church in Albany.
One of two 15-year-old girls reported missing from Willmar has been found safe, but the other is still missing. In an update on Wednesday, the Minnesota BCA canceled the missing persons alert for Brooklynn Greenwaldt, but has kept it active for Paige Wollman. Appeal to find Willmar girls who have been missing for a week The pair disappeared on Sep. 1, but police say Brooklynn has since been located. The teen was reportedly with Paige Wollman on Wednesday morning at the Tobies gas station in Hinckley, Minnesota, about 130 miles away from Willmar. Again Greenwaldt was found safe, still looking for Paige Wollman.
Several people are in custody Wednesday afternoon after a shooting near the Mall of America. According to a statement from Bloomington police, the situation unfolded near 30th Avenue South and Lindau Lane in Bloomington, about half a mile from the mall, around 2 p.m. Officials reported one person was taken to the hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. Police said they don't believe there are any lingering threats to the public.
Three Twin Cities men were in court Wednesday on felony weapons charges in connection with an incident at the Mall of America earlier this month. According to Hennepin County court documents, Abdihakim Mohamoud, 21, Abdifatah Douled, 20, and Samatar Abdisalam, 21, face one count each of second-degree riot - armed with a dangerous weapon. If convicted, the maximum sentence is five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine. Authorities said the charges stem from an altercation on Sept. 4, involving more than a dozen men at Macy's inside the Mall of America. The complaint said officers responded to the store after reports of guns being drawn. Mall security informed officers at the scene that they heard a heated exchange between two groups of young men and were concerned it would turn physical. Prosecutors said security then left the area to call 911, eventually leading to the men's arrests inside the mall. During their preliminary investigation, officials reviewed still images from the department store's surveillance camera, allegedly showing Mohamoud and Douled holding firearms. The complaint also said officers recovered another handgun in a subsequent search of Abdisalam's vehicle.
One person was arrested after a report of gunshots in St. Cloud on Tuesday morning. The St. Cloud Police Department says they responded to a call of possible gunshots around 5:30 a.m. in the 1000 block of 17th Avenue South. When officers arrived, they made contact with three boys and 39-year-old Arlesia Robinson of St. Cloud. During the course of the investigation, officers saw a handgun in plain sight through a window. Authorities say Robinson was uncooperative with the police and had a felony warrant out of Sherburne County. She resisted arrest and was later taken into custody after hiding in the attic. St. Cloud Police say no one was hurt related to the gunfire, and the handgun located was a BB pistol. Robinson was provided with medical attention and is being held in the Stearns County Jail pending charges for obstructing legal process and the felony warrant.
Two teenagers were hurt in an ATV crash near Melrose on Saturday. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to an ATV rollover just before Noon. The caller reported a crash with injuries in the 34000 block of Westfield Road in Melrose Township. The sheriff's office says the driver of the machine, 17-year-old Faith Tschida of Sartell, was westbound on Westfield Road when she lost control on a curve and rolled end-over-end in the ditch. Tschida was partially trapped under the ATV and had to be extricated by the Melrose Fire Department. Her passenger, 16-year-old Makenzy Karnes of Burtrum, was also hurt. Life Link Air Ambulance airlifted Tschida to Children's Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Karnes was taken by ground ambulance to Melrose Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The sheriff's office says the two were not wearing their factory-installed seatbelts in the ATV, and neither was wearing a helmet.
Michelle Retka from the West Side Improvement Association spoke on KLTF Wednesday and reminded those that the 24th West Little Falls Antiques and Collectibles Fair will be 8-6 Saturday and 9-4 Sunday in the same location at LeBourget Park on the west side of Little Falls. Parking is $5 in the park site and proceeds go to help Mary of Lourdes Schools and the West Side Improvement Association. Retka stated that though the Arts and Crafts have some location changes this year, the Antiques and Collectibles Fair will be in the same spot. There is information also available on their Facebook page.
Weather: sunny skies today and warmer, high 81. Clear skies tonight, milder, low 61. Friday sunny warm and humid, high 85 and breezy. Storms after 5pm some could be severe Friday night before 10pm, gusty winds and heavy rains, low around 53 after midnight. Saturday partly sunny and windy, high near 70, clear and cool Saturday night low 45. Sunday increasing clouds, afternoon showers and thunderstorms are possible with some locally heavy rainfall, high 62, showers Sunday night 48, showers likely and cool temperatures, breezy Monday high 61, low around 44. Morning rain then sunny skies Tuesday high 68.
Sports: Detroit beat the Twins 7-2 Wednesday after a long rain delay to start. Twins (67-79) have Thursday off then host Cleveland tomorrow night. Team USA plays Hungary in the FIBA quarter-finals early Thursday morning. Seattle scored 10 late to beat New England 13-10 last night in the NFL season opener. Another NFL game is tonight between San Francisco and the LA Rams in Melbourne, Australia live with kickoff at 7:30pm on AM960 KLTF. More scores from Tuesday Browerville 3-1 over Swanville in volleyball, Little Falls Swimming lost in Varsity to Holdingford 58-43, while the JV won 60-24 over the Huskers. More high school action on tap on Thursday in cross country, soccer, tennis, swimming and volleyball then there is a lot of high school football games scheduled for Friday night, which may have to deal with possible thunderstorms tomorrow night so stay tuned for details.
Program notes: Thursday at 11am is a Charlie Kirk Tribute Special Faith over Fear from Salem Radio Network live on AM960 KLTF on the one year anniversary of Kirk's death. Also Friday in the noon hour listen to Jerry Stewart 9-11 special on the 25 year anniversary of the 9-11 attacks in 2001. Again you can hear that special after the noon news on Friday on AM960 KLTF and fallsradio.com.