Wednesday, July 2, 2025

On Monday night the Little Falls School Board voted 5-1 to close Dr. SG Knight Elementary School in Randall. The school will closed when deemed practical by the Board of Education's resolution. Superintendent of Little Falls School Greg Johnson will speak on this and what is next for the District Wednesday at 8:30am on the KLTF Community Focus Program. 

The City of Little Falls is doing sewer line cleaning through the month of July and needs assistance from the residents to compete this work. The City needs access to to a sanitary sewer manhole within possibly your yard to perform the routine maintenance and cleaning of the sewer line. If you can call the Little Falls City Hall at 320-616-5500 to make arrangements that would be helpful. The first major area will be the east end of the city which is from 5th Avenue Southeast behind Faith Lutheran Church in Tractor Supply then north over LeMieur Street to Highway 27 and north to near the Wal-Mart. A map is posted on the City of Little Falls Facebook Page. If you live in the red lined area you are asked to contact City Hall to work out a time for them to come and check for the manhole of sanitary sewer, gates are to unlocked and pets must be chained close to the home or not left outside. During sewer cleaning a reminder that air pressure can leak through toilets, drains, sinks causing water to splash or gurgle and also pull water from traps that will lead to some unpleasant and sometimes strong odors during the cleaning. This is being done to prevent blockages from taking place in the sewer system. They asks during the time of cleaning keep toilet lids closed and if a strong odor is detected best to pour water into the floor drains to refill traps. The city thanks you for your understanding and helping during this process to be completed this month. Questions again 616-5500. 

A 34-year-old woman died in a two-vehicle crash near Aitkin on Friday. The Minnesota State Patrol says Maggie Spychalla was pulling a fish house with her SUV on Highway 169 when a pickup truck struck her vehicle. The pickup was headed east on Tame Fish Lake Road, there is a stop sign. Spychalla was taken to a nearby Essentia Health facility where she died, the LeMieur Funeral Home has the Spychalla listed as Pierz residents and their will be a Mass for her on July 8th in Hillman. Six passengers in the SUV all suffered non-life-threatening injuries, including, 39-year-old Patrick Spychalla, 17-year-old Carson Faulkner-Spychalla, 14-year-old Oakley Spychalla, 11-year-old Septembur Spychalla, 9-year-old HarviRose Spychalla, 3-year-old Hendrix Spychalla. All of the Spychallas are from Hazelton Township, which is about 10 miles south of Aitkin. The State Patrol says they were all wearing their seat belts. A fundraiser has been set up on GoFundMe to help the family. 18-year-old Jimmie Dano was the driver of the pickup truck. He and a passenger in the pickup, 18-year-old Cole Desmith, who are also from Hazelton Township, were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The State Patrol says neither were wearing their seat belts.

Sauk Rapids police are asking for help finding the person responsible for shooting a woman out for a run on Sunday morning. Around 10:30, investigators say a 62-year-old woman was hit by a bullet in the forearm while jogging on River Avenue North. No one was seen in the area with a gun. The woman was taken to CentraCare-St. Cloud Hospital, where doctors surgically removed the bullet. Police are asking anyone with information about gunfire in St. Cloud, Le Sauk Township, Sartell, or Sauk Rapids around that time to call 320-251-9451. The victim’s name is being withheld at her request.

A fire at Billy Ray’s Roadhouse in Santiago Township has forced the local bar and restaurant to temporarily close while assessing damages. According to the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office, around 10:30 on Monday night, firefighters responded to the 2100 block of 165th Avenue Southeast and found flames coming through a second-story window. Crews were able to extinguish the fire before it could spread further. Billy Ray’s announced they will remain closed temporarily to repair the damage. While investigators say no foul play is suspected, the cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is considering lowering the statewide walleye possession limit from six to four fish and is asking for public input on the proposal. The proposal stems from several mounting pressures on walleye populations across Minnesota waters. THe DNR says advances in fishing technology have dramatically increased angling efficiency, with enhanced fish-finding electronics and GPS systems helping anglers locate fish more precisely than ever before. Real-time social media reports now guide anglers to hot spots, coupled with the growing popularity of ice fishing, which extends the fishing season increases overall angling pressure. The DNR also cites scientific studies showing that climate change and invasive species are affecting lake ecosystems in ways that could harm walleye while benefiting competing species. According to the DNR, Despite the proposed restrictions, support for the change appears strong. A recent statewide survey found 48% of respondents in favor of the reduction and 23% opposed. On-the-water interviews with more than 4,000 anglers conducted between 2021 and 2023 showed 67% support for lowering the limit. The change would also help reduce confusion and create consistency. Many of the state’s largest lakes already have a four-fish limit, and nearby states and provinces have similar or lower restrictions. People can learn more and submit feedback on the proposal through Friday, August 15th, by visiting the DNR’s walleye webpage. If approved, the new regulation would take effect in May 2027.

 

There are many local events for the 4th of July holiday including Rock Roll and Stroll Thursday night in Pierz, Hillman and Brainerd events on Friday, Harding and Randall on Saturday and Bowlus on Sunday. You can check out details on some of the events received at Little Falls Radio at fallsradio.com. 

Weather- today mostly sunny, chance of PM showers & storms, warmer, high 86, chance of an evening shower & storm tonight, then clearing, low near 60. Thursday sunny and warm, high 85 an isolated T-storms is possible later in the night, low around 70. Friday strong thunderstorms after 1pm, sunny and humid, high near 90, strong to severe storms likely Friday night low around 68 with more strong storms Saturday high near 82 low around 57. Sunny and cooler Sunday high 76, low around 55. 

Sports- Miami beat the Twins 2-0 last night as the Twins could only muster 2 hits in the entire game off of Marlins pitching. The Twins continue series with Miami Marlins today at 5pm on Q92 WYRQ. The Indiana Fever won the Commissioners Cup last night in the WNBA beating the Minnesota Lynx without an injured Caitlyn Clark, Fever win 74-59 in Minneapolis. The Lynx host Washington on Thursday night. Sunday the KLTF Victory League Game of the Week is Buckman at Ft. Ripley at 1:30pm on KLTF Little Falls.

KLTF is celebrating 75 years, stop in to Touright Bicycle Shoppe, Melgram Jewelers, Pierz Foods, Fallsnet or Goldsmith Jewelers to register for a chance to win an AM/FM Radio with Bluetooth, the radio has as 50s look with 2025 capabilities. The drawing will be held later this year at the 75th Anniversary Celebration for KLTF stay turned for more details but get out and register today.