News

The Flood Watch that was issued for Morrison County was cancelled around 5:15am this morning as the rain has started to move out of Morrison County already, but 1.83 inches of rain fell from 10:30pm to 5am overnight at the Little Falls Airport added with the .85 on Monday some areas well over 3+ inches of rain in the past days. Some parts of the state south toward St. Cloud and heading to the Twin Cities remain in flood advisories and flood watches through the morning as the rain is moving southwards. Still a chance of some redeveloping showers today but lighters rains are expected then hot and dry but the weekend.

A suspected tornado touched down for nearly a half mile, just north of Detroit Lakes, sending three people to the hospital. The storm snapped power poles, downed trees and ripped off roofs of homes and businesses. The National Weather Service indicated the tornado could be as high as EF2 with winds over 135mph downing trees, homes and power lines. The Becker County Sheriff’s Office posted to its Facebook page asking the public to avoid storm-damaged areas. Authorities are also tightly controlling who enters and leaves affected areas to protect property and make sure it’s safe. Brainerd had wind gusts over 70mph causing many large trees down and damage to siding and rooves. More than 7,000 homes and businesses were without power statewide, according to outage tracking sites. Xcel Energy reports the largest share of those outages, with crews working to restore service. The hardest-hit counties include Becker, Cass, Crow Wing, Kanabec and Wright. The utility is asking customers to report outages through its app or website, and to stay well away from any downed or sagging power lines.

A message from Little Falls Police Chief Kyle Johnson. The City of Little Falls has approved the new Special Use Vehicle Ordinance. However, the ordinance does not officially go into effect until October 1, 2026. At this time, the Police Department is not accepting permit applications. There are still administrative and legal steps that must be completed before permits can be issued, including final processing, permit materials, and records management system setup. Over the next several weeks, the City and Police Department will provide periodic public updates explaining the ordinance, permit process, requirements, and implementation timeline. We appreciate the community’s patience as we work through this process and prepare for a clear and organized rollout.

A St. Joseph man faces 13 felony counts of tax crimes. The Minnesota Department of Revenue has announced that the Stearns County Attorney's Office has filed the charges against Mark Dorn. Dorn is a Certified Public Accountant operating Dorn and Associates Ltd, a tax services business that allegedly files 1,500 tax returns per year. The Department of Revenue says Dorn filed his own fraudulent income tax returns by reporting income that was less than the amount he reported for corporate taxes for his business. The charges allege Dorn filed multiple income tax returns years late and wrote off false business losses from his investment property and false real estate losses. The revenue department says Dorn also did not claim income from two IRA distributions that he was required to do. Dorn allegedly owes more than $45,000 for tax years 2017 and 2019 through 2023. He is charged with six counts of filing false or fraudulent individual income tax returns, one count of filing a false or fraudulent property tax refund, and six counts of failing to pay income tax. Each felony charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.

A camper and a home are considered a total loss after a fire broke out in Meeker County on Monday afternoon. The sheriff's office received a report of an explosion and fire at a home in Forest City just after 4:00pm. Sheriff's deputies, Litchfield Fire and Rescue, and Mayo Ambulance responded to the 31600 block of County Road 2 to find a camper fully engulfed, with flames quickly spreading to the home nearby. The property owner, 65-year-old Micahael Hugget, was not home when the fire broke out, but other people were on the property at the time and told authorities the fire started in the area of the camper. A preliminary investigation indicates the explosion was likely from a propane tank that was consumed by the fire as it spread. Several other agencies assisted at the scene, including fire departments from Dassel, Eden Valley, and Watkins. The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Minnesota Fire Marshal's Office and the Meeker County Sheriff's Office. No one was hurt in the incident.

A 22-year-old Chaska man was charged June 30 in Crow Wing County District Court after allegedly stealing an ATV and fleeing deputies at Lakes Jam music festival. Connor Wilker McMahon was charged with felony theft of a motor vehicle and fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle. He was also charged with gross misdemeanor driving while intoxicated and misdemeanor fleeing a peace officer. During his court appearance June 30, McMahon was released on a $12,000 bail with no conditions. He is due back in Crow Wing County District Court on August 8th. According to court documents, at 2:58am June 27, a Crow Wing County deputy on a special detail conducting extra patrols within the grounds of Brainerd International Raceway for Lakes Jam observed a red four-wheeler traveling on the main road of the BIR grounds being operated in a reckless manner. The driver was traveling at a high rate of speed and the front tires of the ATV were no longer making contact with the ground. As the deputy was nearing the ATV, the driver made a rapid U-turn, causing one side of the ATV’s tires to leave the ground. It was then operating on the wrong side of the roadway. The deputy activated his emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle. The ATV was facing directly at the patrol vehicle when the deputy activated his emergency lights. The ATV fled through a small camping area, thick with campers, vehicles and sharp turns. As the ATV fled, the deputy observed a passenger clinging to it and flopping about. Eventually the driver jumped off the machine and the passenger remained on the ATV, raised his hands in the air and let it coast to a stop. The deputy exited his patrol vehicle and gave chase to the ATV driver, advising him to stop and that he was under arrest. The man ran in front of a parked pickup and disappeared on the other side of the vehicle. The deputy rounded the front corner of the vehicle and observed the driver lying on the ground, partially leaning up against the pickup truck's tire. The deputy grabbed the man and advised him he was under arrest. The deputy immediately noted a strong odor of alcohol emanating from McMahon. He also had bloodshot and watery eyes, slurred speech and poor balance. McMahon allegedly then stated the ATV was stolen from the Gopher Bar, which was within the Zoo at BIR.

The Morrison County Sheriff's Office wants to congratulate Amber Pearcy, Morrison County 911 Dispatcher, was the recipient of the 2025-2026 VFW 911 Dispatcher of the Year award. The award was presented on June 19th at the VFW Annual State Convention Joint Award Ceremony which was held in Plymouth.

Jeff Barth of the Swanville Lions was on KLTF Tuesday inviting all to the 63rd Annual Swanville Mid Summer Carnival this weekend. Friday chicken BBQ at 5pm, midway at 6pm, live music that night, Saturday midway opens at 3pm music food and events in the evening, Sunday parade at 11:30am, music, food, midway rides and much more all afternoon and evening sponsored by the Swanville Lions. There is camping for those who want to camp the weekend call 360-5614 for details, Swanville Senior Center will have homemade treats and there is much more to view this Saturday in Swanville. Jeff mentioned the parade route is a bit of a change due to construction and watch for markers and those out on Sunday morning.

Weather: skies becoming Sunny today, high 74, slight chances of isolated showers are possible before 4pm, then clearing skies tonight low around 55. Sunny skies Thursday high 81, low around 58. Friday sunny skies, high 82, low around 60. Saturday sunny skies, high near 87, low around 64. Sunny skies on Sunday, high near 92, low around 70. Sunny skies on Monday high near 92, low around 71. Sunny skies on Tuesday high near 90, low around 67. The latest forecast model from Weatherology shows the next chance of rainfall after today, is not until a week from Thursday July 16th. 

Sports: The Minnesota Timberwolves have officially entered the LeBron James sweepstakes. Sports reports state that the Timberwolves were among several teams that reached out Tuesday after James informed the Los Angeles Lakers that he would not return for the 2026-27 season. The Timberwolves quickly contacted James’ camp after his departure from Los Angeles became official. Minnesota sees the future Hall of Famer as a player who could immediately elevate a team that has emerged as one of the Western Conference’s top contenders. Inside sources in the story said the reason is become LeBron James would like to play a season with LaMelo Ball who was recently traded to the Timberwolves from Charlotte. Taj Bradley shut down the Guardians last night as the Twins win 3-1 at Target Field to win their third in a row. Twins continue series at home against Cleveland tonight at 6:40pm Thursday at 12:40pm, host the Angels this weekend and then off for the All Star Break. Bad news for Byron Buxton fans, he has been put on the injured list yesterday by the Twins, Buxton is dealing with right hip strain and earlier had an hand issue, the team said right now 10-14 days but that means that Buxton will have to miss the All Star Game next week in Philadelphia and will be replaced as a starter. Joe Ryan is the lone Twin to play at the game Tuesday July 14th in Philadelphia. Victory League Game of the Week Nisswa at Pierz Lakers Sunday at 1:30pm on AM960 KLTF. 

Round 1 of severe storms, flash flooding, gusty winds went through last night, the Little Falls Airport reported wind gusts of 48mph, and .85 inches of rain in a little...

Now that the 4th of July holiday weekend has ended more road construction and railroad construction is planned this and next week. Burlington Northern Santa Fe will be doing track...

Today is Independence Day, July 4th the day that the Declaration of Independence was ratified and approved by the Continental Congress in Philadelphia declaring their independence from England and King...

Independence Day falls on Saturday, July 4. The annual holiday recognizes the day in 1776 in which the Second Continental Congress voted to adopt the Declaration of Independence 250 years...