News
News Articles
Water Bar: Raising awareness of water treatment
Aug 10 2026Confusion, laughter, and surprised looks were a few of the reactions from the people who decided to try the Water Bar at the Green Fair Folk Festival on Wednesday, Aug. 5.The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency brought two representatives, Stephanie Schuebel and Kristin Mroz, from St. Paul to share three samples...
Travelers on both directions of Highway 10 through Royalton will encounter lane closures and delays beginning the week of Monday, Aug. 17, as roadwork gets underway, advises the Minnesota Department of Transportation.The $1.1 million project will update pedestrian facilities and resurface Highway 10 through Royalton. Work will take place Monday...
Having served the Little Falls area for nearly 40 years, Dr. Todd Baumgartner, optometrist and founder of Little Falls Eye Care Center is ready to retire, Aug. 27. That same day an open house will also be held at the clinic from 1-4 p.m. While the technology used has certainly...
The Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum will open its new 40,000 square foot facility during a three-day grand opening weekend, Sept. 11-13. The celebration will mark the 25th anniversary of the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and include an address by retired U.S. Army General Paul M. Nakasone. There also...
The public is invited to join the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls for a FREE family-friendly event that promotes a healthy and sustainable lifestyle on Wednesday, August 5th, from 4-8 p.m., on the west lawn of St. Francis Convent, Little Falls!The Green Fair Folk Festival is a FREE family-friendly event...
A $9.6 million air-handling system is the centerpiece of a proposed $17.27 million indoor air quality and mechanical improvement project at Little Falls Community High School.The remaining approximately $7.7 million is not a cost increase but represents the electrical, ceiling, sprinkler and related work needed to install the equipment and...
Voters in five area school districts will choose candidates to fill 14 open school board seats Nov. 3, with contested races developing in Little Falls, Pierz and Swanville, while Royalton drew two candidates for two seats and Upsala had only one candidate file for three openings.Little FallsEight candidates have filed...
When Dr. Ken Dodge dreamed of opening his own optometry practice, he knew he wanted more than a career helping people see better. He wanted to build a business that would become a lasting part of the communities he served. Through careful planning, a willingness to take calculated risk, and...
When 2 Guyz Pizza owners Kenny and Ann Proctor began planning their expansion into Little Falls, they thought they would have several weeks to prepare the former Papa Murphy’s location for its next chapter.Instead, they had a weekend.The transition moved more quickly than expected when the former operator closed the...
18th Street NE roundabout project moves forward
Jul 22 2026The Little Falls City Council has moved plans for a roundabout at 18th Street Northeast one step closer to construction.The council approved Resolution 2026-43, accepting the project’s preliminary layout and authorizing city staff to begin acquiring the additional right of way needed at all four corners of the intersection.Staff will...
Some more big changes are on the way for a popular Central Minnesota event. The Little Falls Arts and Crafts Fair is making two updates to the show's setup. The first major change is vendor booths will no longer be placed along Highway 27 or Broadway.2026 marks the 53rd year...
Located on Broadway in historic downtown Little Falls and known as the oldest commercial building in town, clients have gathered at the local barber shop for decades to get a haircut, beard trim or a straight razor shave. While men’s hairstyles have changed over the years, Riley Rinas, owner of...
One of the biggest things to happen this summer in the tiny town of Flensburg was a 20-foot-deep hole in the middle of town and the decades-old pollution it removed. In a case where the parties responsible for the contamination were no longer living, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)...
Royalton will welcome residents and visitors for a full day of food, family activities, live music and community traditions during Platte River Day on Saturday, July 25.Sponsored by the Royalton Lions Club, the annual celebration will feature events from 8:30 a.m. through midnight.The day begins with the Platte River 5K...
First responders flooded Pierz Park Thursday night, July 9, for the newly renovated playground’s grand opening ceremony. This is only the beginning of the measures meant to revamp the space.“It's gonna be an iconic piece for the kids from now until the next 30 years, hopefully,” Pierz Mayor Gary Berg...
Garden enthusiasts and other nature lovers have the opportunity to enjoy landscaped gardens during Linden Hill’s annual Community Tour of Gardens, Wednesday, July 15. The tour is available between 3-8 p.m. and is self-guided, beginning at Linden Hill for a cost of $10. Besides strolling around the gardens at Linden...
The Little Falls and Pierz fire departments are among 50 Minnesota emergency response agencies receiving grants from Compeer Financial to help purchase equipment for rural emergency response.The Little Falls Fire Department received funding for thermal imaging cameras and gated wyes. A gated wye is a firefighting hose fitting that splits...
Side-by-sides, some ATVs and golf carts will be allowed on Little Falls city streets beginning this fall, after the City Council approved a new ordinance Monday regulating the vehicles.The council adopted an ordinance Monday, July 6 following a public hearing that drew more than a dozen speakers, most of whom...
The Initiative Foundation has awarded 10 grants totaling $61,000 to Central Minnesota nonprofits to strengthen their organizations and address urgent challenges.The grants support organizations that provide essential services and strengthen community wellbeing. Four organizations received grants to address unexpected funding gaps, staffing disruptions and operational challenges, while six organizations received...
Get your gear together for a one-of-a-kind camping trip this weekend. Pine Grove Zoo is holding its Sleepover Safari on Friday night. The sleepover lets people see what the animals do after dark and check out firsthand what goes on behind the scenes.Zoo Director Marnita Van Hoecke says there is...
For those who have ever thought city hall or the local school board table could use another voice, the opportunity to get on the ballot is coming soon.Candidate filing for the Nov. 3 general election opens Tuesday, July 14, and runs through Tuesday, July 28, for cities and school districts...
Reconstruction work on First Avenue SE is set to begin July 13, bringing improvements to a patched and uneven stretch of roadway.The work is part of Little Falls City Project No. 416, which covers a five-block corridor from Wood Street to Fourth Street SE.Little Falls Public Works Director and City...
Joy Riders Community brings seniors together
Jul 4 2026With a love for biking and good camaraderie, a number of men and women ages 55 and older gather outside the Touright Bicycle Shop in Little Falls at 9 a.m. every second and fourth Thursday of the month. Shortly after, they bike at a slow pace throughout the city and...
Being named July Employee of the Month by the Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism came as a surprise to Morrison County Assistant County Attorney Kristyna Chantry. It is a recognition that means a lot to her and one she is quick to point out she couldn’t have...