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Friday, May 15, 2026
A message from Little Falls Community High School: Thursday around 12:22pm the Little Falls Community High School was placed in a Hold due to a student behavioral issue that required intervention from local law enforcement. During the Hold, students remained in their classrooms, and movement throughout the building was temporarily restricted. This was done to ensure the safety and privacy of everyone involved while the situation was handled. School administration and law enforcement responded quickly and addressed the situation appropriately. At no time was there an ongoing threat to students or staff. We are incredibly proud of our students and staff for their cooperation and professionalism during this time. Thank you to our local law enforcement partners for their continued support in keeping our schools safe. Later yesterday in a statement from Little Falls Police: Staff members and a student at the high school were involved in the altercation that led to minor injuries to staff members and student. Mayo Ambulance was called in to assist and evaluate the injured. The police department stated this was an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to staff, students or the public. Because this matter involves students and remains under investigation, no additional information was released.
An 18-year-old was killed last night in Long Prairie. The State Patrol reported that 18-year-old Bryan Rodriguez was eastbound just before 9pm at the Highway 27 and 71 intersection in Long Prairie and reported lost control and crashed. Rodriguez was not wearing a seatbelt and died at the scene.
Dry, windy weather over much of central Minnesota today has issued a Red Flag Warning from 11am-9pm for Morrison, Benton and Stearns counties and others. The National Weather Service issued the warning as dry conditions and gusty winds create dangerous fire weather. Yesterday strong winds from the south led to dust and dirt blowing across roadways, and wildfires sparking in western Minnesota. Today strong winds from the west 15-35pm, and the relative humidity levels below 25% as temps will reach the 80s will cause more critical high fire danger in the state on Friday. Forecasters warn that the combination of low humidity, warm temperatures, and strong winds means any fires that break out will spread rapidly, and they’re advising against any outdoor burning.
The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a building fire. The department received multiple calls regarding a fire at 10:34 p.m. last night at an abandoned farm site on County Road 136 in St. Augusta. Upon arrival, the St. Augusta Fire Department found a shed engulfed in flames on the west side of the property. Firefighters extinguished the blaze before it could spread to other structures. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
A child suffered minor injuries after they were struck while crossing a Sauk Rapids street on their bike. Police Chief Perry Beise says a 16-year-old driver was heading north on Benton Drive just after 7pm when the driver came upon a crosswalk at 10th Street North. Beise says the driver slowed to allow three bicyclists to cross. Once the cyclists were across the road, the driver continued northbound and struck a 12-year-old bicyclist who was following behind the group. The 12-year-old child suffered scratches and scrapes from the road and was taken by ambulance to St. Cloud Hospital for observation and treatment of injuries.
Minnesota legislators and Governor Tim Walz announced a bipartisan budget agreement Wednesday that includes hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for Hennepin County Medical Center, a key sticking point during end-of-session negotiations at the Capitol. According to lawmakers involved in the negotiations, the agreement includes $205 million in one-time funding for Hennepin Healthcare this year, along with another $500 million through 2031. The package would bring the total investment to roughly $705 million over the next five years. The one-page supplemental budget agreement was signed by Walz, House Speaker Lisa Demuth, Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy and House DFL Leader Zack Stephenson. Lawmakers still must finalize bill language and pass the measures through both chambers before the legislature adjourns on May 18. Also included in the agreement are several other bipartisan priorities, including Republican-backed reductions to auto tab fees, $125 million in property tax relief for counties and a $1.2 billion bonding bill for infrastructure projects across Minnesota. DFL Rep. Esther Agbaje, one of the lead authors of the bill, praised the agreement in a statement posted to Facebook Wednesday night.
One day after Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen and Morrison County Attorney Brian Middendorf announced they were seeking reelection this November for another term in Morrison County, Crow Wing County Sheriff Eric Klang announced his bid for reelection for Crow Wing County Sheriff. Klang has served as sherris the past 8 years but has over 3 decades of working in law enforcement.
Weather: Red Flag Warning 11am-9pm today. Sunny and windy today high 82, high fire danger, tonight winds die down, clear skies low 49. Saturday sunny and not as windy, high 76, showers and storms overnight Saturday low 45. Sunday showers early, then partly sunny, high 70 with breezy conditions, storms in the afternoon and evening could be strong, showers and storms Sunday night low 51, Showers and storms likely Monday, high 66, showers Monday night cooler, low 39. Showers Tuesday cool and breezy, high 58, low around 35. Wednesday partly sunny still breezy, high 66, low around 42.
Sports: Due to possible bad weather Sunday, the Victory League Game of the Week will now be Saturday at 3pm between Pierz Lakers at Buckman again Saturday at 3pm on AM960 KLTF. Twins win 9-1 yesterday over Miami to win 2 of 3 in series. The Twins (20-24) open a series tonight with Milwaukee Brewers at Target Field games will be at 6:10 Friday and Saturday and 1:10 on Sunday. The Minnesota Timberwolves host San Antonio in game 6 of the NBA playoffs tonight at 8:30pm, the Wolves are down 3-2 and need to win to force a game 7 on Sunday. Lynx win 90-86 last night over Dallas now 2-1. Vikings will host Green Bay in the season opener on September 13th and then September 20th will be at Chicago. Yesterday in baseball Little Falls beat Pierz 3-2.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
A notice from Little Falls Township that 180th Avenue will be closed to traffic between the intersection of State Highway 27, south to the intersection County Road 256, starting today...
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
The Pierz Fire Department responded to a golf cart fire at about 4:15pm on Monday, May 11 on Park Avenue over the Skunk River near the Pierz Golf Course. Firefighters...
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
One person was killed Monday morning in an accident in South Harbor Township of Mille Lacs County. Just after 8am, 74-year-old Lynn Stalker of Wahkon was westbound on Stevens Roads...
Monday, May 11, 2026
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is reminding those that burning restrictions are still in place for Morrison, Benton, Stearns, Crow Wing, Mille Lacs and other counties in central Minnesota....
