Thursday, May 21, 2026
Authorities in Crow Wing County have contained the large wildfire around Crosslake but are asking the public for help gathering evidence in the Flanders Fire. The fire was reported on Saturday, May 16th, and investigators believe its origin was on the north shore of Flanders Lake. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, people of interest have been identified in connection with the fire, and officials are asking those with homes and cabins in the area to check their doorbell and trail cameras for any suspicious activity. They’re asking residents and vacationers on the western side of state land along County Road 11 and Horseshoe Lake Road to look specifically at video from Friday, May 15th, through Sunday, May 17th. Anyone with information is asked to contact DNR Conservation Officer Jordan Anderson at 218-639-0782. As of Tuesday night, the fire had burned 1,685 acres and was 95% contained. Wildfire evacuation orders for the area have been lifted, and residents are being allowed in to check their properties, but the public is still asked to use extreme caution, as trees may have been weakened and could come down easily. County Road 11 has reopened, but the public is asked to avoid the area unless they need to pass through. Minnesota Incident Command urges extreme caution when driving and to slow down, as firefighters are still on the ground assessing hazard trees and mopping up hotspots. Despite recent rainfall, conditions remain dry across central Minnesota, and burn restrictions are in place.
A 57-year-old woman is dead after being hit by a vehicle in St. Cloud. According to police, officers were called to the 1800 block of 9th Avenue North around 12:30 a.m. on May 18th for a report of a crash involving a pedestrian. Investigators say a vehicle driven northbound by a 61-year-old woman from Sauk Rapids struck a pedestrian, identified by police as Tammy Hamby, also from Sauk Rapids. Police say Hamby was walking in the northbound lanes of traffic at the time of the crash. A paramedic crew found Hamby unconscious and not breathing and began life-saving measures. Officers and Mayo Ambulance paramedics continued those efforts at the scene. She was rushed to CentraCare-St. Cloud Hospital with life-threatening injuries, where she later died. The St. Cloud Fire Department assisted at the scene, and the Minnesota State Patrol helped with crash reconstruction. The St. Cloud Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit continues to investigate.
A suspicious vehicle spotted at a cemetery led to a brief police chase and an arrest. The Meeker County Sheriff’s Office says a deputy responded to St. John’s Catholic Church cemetery in Darwin around 8:00 Tuesday night after a report of a suspicious vehicle. When the deputy tried to approach the driver, they took off. The chase ended quickly when the driver ditched the vehicle and ran, but didn’t get far. Deputies caught the 35-year-old suspect and took him into custody without further incident. Investigators say the vehicle had been reported stolen out of Wright County. The driver is in the Meeker County Jail facing charges of fleeing a peace officer, receiving stolen property, and reckless driving.
No one was hurt in a house fire near Alexandria Tuesday night. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office says they responded to a call at about 7:45 p.m. at 6981 Violet Drive SW in Holmes City Township. Once on the scene, deputies saw flames coming from within the home. The Alexandria Fire Department was called, and the Kensington Fire Department, Brandon Fire Department, and Garfield Fire Department were brought in to help fight the blaze. Firefighters were able to put out the fire, and the house sustained severe damage. The cause of the fire has not been determined, and the State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating.
Little Falls Police in the past week received calls of suspicious activities, fire alarms being pulled that were false alarms, and scams being called in. If you need assistance from the police call them at 320-616-5570.
The Minnesota State Veterans Cemeteries around the state will conduct Memorial Day weekend events on Sunday at 1:30pm music and 2pm programs. Memorial Day weekend traditionally signals the start of summer in Minnesota. However, Memorial Day has its origins honoring the men and women who died while in military service. Minnesota’s four State Veterans Cemeteries will commemorate those who gave all for their country. Each Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, including the one north of Little Falls just east of the Camp Ripley military base. Cemetery officials will be available for a short time to talk with members of the media about the history and importance of Memorial Day, and how each community comes together to honor the fallen. Erik Sogge will be on KLTF Thursday morning on what you will need to do if you are coming to the event on Sunday at the State Veteran's Cemetery. The plan as in previous years is to run a rebroadcast of the event at 9am on Memorial Day on AM960 KLTF and fallsradio.com.
Death Notices: Sister Olga Neft, age 96 of St. Francis Convent, Little Falls.
Weather: Thursday sunny skies, high 66, partly cloudy skies at night low 41. Friday increasing clouds with rain showers by afternoon, high 64, rain likely Friday night low 43. Rain continues on Saturday with some rumbles of thunder, high 63, clearing skies Saturday night low 43. Sunny and mild, Sunday high 76, thunderstorms Sunday night, low 51, Memorial Day AM T-storms, then sunny and warm, high 83, late night T-storms Monday night low 55. Sunny Tuesday high near 85, low around 56.
Sports: replacements Caratini and Kreidler come up big with homers as Twins beat Houston 4-1 Wednesday to take 2 of 3 games in the series. Twins are off Thursday. Aaron Rodgers announced Wednesday that this season in Pittsburgh will be his last season in the NFL and he will then retire. High School Softball Little Falls host Detroit Lakes 4:30pm Thursday on AM960 KLTF, Pierz vs. St. Cloud Cathedral at 5pm at St. Ben's College Thursday on 94ROCKS KFML. Other softball teams like Swanville, Upsala, Foley and Holdingford are also in action Thursday. High School Baseball playoffs begin Thursday for area teams, Pillager is at Pierz at 7pm Thursday night on AM960 KLTF and fallsradio.com. Other teams of Royalton, Upsala-Swanville, Foley, Pillager and Staples-Motley all open playoffs Thursday with other teams like Little Falls and Holdingford opening the playoffs in baseball next Tuesday.