Tuesday, June 10, 2025
The Minnesota Legislature convened a special session and completed its work of balancing the state budget for the next two years. The Legislature also passed the first capital investment bill since 2023, which will lead to improvements in roads, bridges, wastewater treatment plants, and state assets across Minnesota while creating thousands of good-paying jobs. The 134-member Minnesota House operated under a 67-67 tie this year for just the second time in history. The Legislature now stands adjourned until February 17, 2026. While the House adjourned last night the Senate recessed to process the bills in place and announced they would be completed before the 7am deadline this morning in St. Paul.
The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office reports that on Friday at approximately 1:11 pm, their office received a report of an ATV crash on 330th Street near Hickory Lane just east of Highway 10, in Scandia Valley Township. According to the Sheriff’s Office, 49-year-old Ryan Hansen of Motley was injured in an ATV crash on 330th Street. Hansen was driving a 3-wheeler ATV eastbound in the ditch when the vehicle struck a culvert, causing it to roll and ejecting him from the vehicle. Hansen was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. He was transported to Staples Hospital by private vehicle with unknown injuries. The case remains under investigation. The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by Scandia Valley Fire and Rescue, MN State Patrol and Mayo Clinic Ambulance.
Morrison County Public Works reported that this week they will continue maintenance work on installing culverts on CSAH 49, CSAH 28 and County Road 204 and mowing roadside ditches along with painting Stop Ahead symbols in various locations. Contracted construction crews will be working on the following activities this week: paving and shouldering culvert replacement patches on CSAH 46, curb repairs on CSAH 14 West of Highway 10 in Randall, reconstruction on CSAH 1 from CSAH 5 to 1 mile East of CR 203 and concrete driveway work on CR 256 & 160th Avenue. Please use caution around flaggers, work crews, flashing lights and watch for wet paint.
The Benton County Sheriff's Office reported Monday that the two people charged in a fatal drug overdose case were arrested Thursday after a Benton County judge issued arrest warrants for the couple. Thirty-eight-year-old Crystal Swenson and 33-year-old Fox Bellanger are accused of selling cocaine laced with fentanyl to Swenson's 16-year-old son. Both failed to appear at recently in court for a pre-trial hearing for Bellanger, and a sentencing for Swenson who had pleaded to a manslaughter charge. Both were found at residences in Benton County last week and taken into custody without incident on the outstanding warrants.
A rope rescue was utilized to assist a fallen angler Thursday, June 5. The angler fell down the hill under the Highway 371 bridge over the Mississippi River. Firefighters were called at 2:42pm to the scene off Paris Road near the bridge. Crews performed the rope rescue to assist the angler up the embankment to the waiting ambulance. Brainerd Firefighters said that the man was taken to a local medical facility to be checked out but did not appear to have any serious injuries.
The Kandiyohi Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in finding a missing Spicer man. The Sheriff's Office says that 29-year-old Phillip Iverson of Spicer was last seen on Saturday, June 7th. Authorities say Iverson could potentially be in danger. Anyone with any information on Iverson's whereabouts is asked to contact the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office at 320-235-1260.
More road work projects began this week including an expansion to the Highway 210 projects which will cause lane closures and delay along Highway 210 in Baxter this week. Highway 371 near Brainerd work continues, Highway 238 project underway with more detours expected from Upsala to Elmdale and then to Sobieski before getting to the west end of Little Falls. For the latest road work projects, closures and accident reports go to the website 511mn.org for the latest information.
A reminder from the Little Falls School Board as mentioned on Little Falls Radio and other media sources their public hearing date was changed to June 23rd at 6pm at the Little Falls Community High School Auditorium and was not June 9th as originally noted. The school had sent out changes on the date to a number of sources in the previous week and again the hearing on Dr. SG Knight in Randall is June 23rd and was not this Monday night after received some calls on the matter. Again it is June 23rd at 6pm.
Death Notices- John Waldoch Jr., age 86 of Little Falls.
Weather- sunny skies today with some smoke at times, high 82, clear night with some smoke from the wildfires filtered in low 54. Wednesday sunny skies, some smoke still possible, high 76, clear night with lows around 51. Thursday partly sunny some AM and PM showers possible, high 74, low around 55. Friday showers and T-storms are likely through the day, cooler and breezy, high 66, low around 48.
Sports- Twins after Monday open a series tonight with Texas at Target Field, pregame at 6pm on Q92 WYRQ. Saturday was the River Rat Race at Belle Prairie Park, it was reported that Peter Borash of Royalton was first for the men, 2nd was Brandon Tschida of Foley and 3rd Brayden Paulsen of Little Falls. Wanda Gau finished 4th overall and was the top women's finisher on Saturday at the River Rat Race. Thanks to all who raced on Saturday. Florida beat Edmonton 6-1 last night in NHL Stanley Cup playoffs to lead the series 2-1. Little Falls American Legion opened with a 4-3 win over Sartell in baseball last night. The State Baseball Tournament starts Wednesday for all four classes, including Class AA where Pierz will take on Pine Island at 12:30pm Wednesday on AM960 KLTF.