NEWS
--Jason Woitalla of Harding was drawn Tuesday as our grand prize winner of our Ho Ho Dough contest. Jason won $500 in Ho Ho Dough and $500 in cash. Thank you to all those who registered. Also a thank you to our sponsors: Coborns Marketplace, Hartmann's Hardware, Wireless World, Pierz Foods, Pierz Floral, Touright Bicycle Shop, Wiczek's Floors and More and Napa in Little Falls and Pierz.
--The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the hiring of their next president/CEO, Purva Watten. Ms. Watten holds a BA degree in Hospitality and Tourism with a minor in Business Administration from North Dakota State University. “I am looking forward to providing leadership to the Chamber. This community has given me a wonderful home and people have been incredibly helpful and welcoming. I want to pay it forward and Chamber has given me a wonderful opportunity to do just this” said Watten. Ms. Watten served as the Director of Sales for the Marriott Property (Residence Inn) that opened in St. Cloud in 2018 prior to starting this role. “I am very passionate about serving for the community and I am very excited to be a part of a wonderful vision for Little Falls”. The previous president/CEO, Debora K. Boelz is retiring at the end of the year after 18 years of service to the chamber organization. The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is the premier business organization, serving all of Morrison County with leadership, partnerships and advocacy for its members and the community.
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office and Little Falls Police Department on Monday held their annual Shop with a Hero event. Thank you to all of the amazing individuals who made this a memorable experience. Morrison County Shawn Larsen stated a special thank you to everyone that participated in our Shop with a Hero today and an extra thanks to Walmart, Bernick’s, and Falls Machine for your gracious donations to make this event possible.
--A large fire destroyed a barn in Eden Lake Township early Sunday morning. The incident happened just after 2am at 23712 150th Street in Eden Lake Township. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office says 63-year-old Dennis Fink, of Paynesville, was awaken by his dog barking outside his home. When he went and looked outside he saw smoke and flames coming from an outbuilding containing livestock and hay. Fink was able to rescue all the livestock from the building before fire crews arrived. The Eden Valley and Paynesville Fire Departments arrived to find the building fully engulfed. The building is considered a total loss. The cause of the fire is unknown.
--The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has finalized an updated wolf management plan that will guide the state's approach to wolf conservation for the next 10 years. The DNR says the plan includes a framework for how the state will approach decisions about wolf hunting or trapping if wolves are taken off the federally protected list. There are six goals in the plan designed to support Minnesota's vision for wolves. The goals are to maintain a well-connected and resilient wolf population, collaborate with diverse partners to collectively support wolf plan implementation, minimize and address human-wolf conflicts, inform and engage the public about wolves in Minnesota, conduct research to inform wolf management and administer the wolf program to fulfill agency responsibilities and the needs of the public and partners.
--The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is reminding motorists and air travelers heading out this week before Christmas that wintry weather has put a number of travel advisories in effect through Christmas Day. The forecast calls for snow to start today after a very cold start then ferocious winds on Thursday and Friday. Roadways will be impacted with blowing snow and very poor visibility at times into Saturday night if you're traveling around the state to visit family and friends. The National Weather Service still calls for 4-7 inches of snow today and more overnight then Thursday into early Friday very strong wind gusts of 25-45mph or higher start and last into Saturday afternoon. Airlines are already stating delays are expected and travel waivers are being offered for any canceled flights so check your flight status before you leave for the airport. Listen to your local radio stations for the latest weather details or get the weather forecast and radar into at fallsradio.com and click on weather. For the latest road conditions that is 511mn.org or 511 on the cell phone.
--With another major snow storm and strong winds this week, electric companies are reminding homeowners that the possibility of power outages are again high with possible snapped trees and power lines from the strong wind and heavy snow pack that could fall starting today. They remind those to limit travel plans over the next three to four days, never drive over downed power lines. If you see power lines down contact your local law enforcement or electric provider.
--A turkey barn is a total loss after a fire Monday morning. A Stearns County sheriff’s deputy out on patrol in Oak Township spotted the fire at 3:37am Monday, and said the 60 by 600 foot barn was fully engulfed by the time they found it. The barn was empty at the time, so there were no animals inside. The New Munich, Melrose, and Freeport Fire Departments worked on putting the fire out. The cause was ruled undetermined at this time by firefighters.
--Tune into KLTF Party Line today at 10:05am for the Dairy Bucket Giveaway where 3 buckets with $50 in dairy products will be given out to the Dairy Recipe Qualifiers from the ADA and KLTF.
WINTER BEGINS
--The Winter Solstice begins at 3:47pm today marking the start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Making tonight the longest night of the year before the days slowly start to get longer.
DEATH NOTICES
--Joelle Hayes, age 76 of Lastrup.
WEATHER
WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT TODAY THROUGH MIDNIGHT TOMORROW, THEN WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT 3PM THURSDAY TO 6AM SATURDAY, THEN WIND CHILL WATCH ALSO 6PM THURSDAY TO 12PM SATURDAY.
TODAY= snow develops, 3-5 during day, high near 0 by afternoon.
TONIGHT= snow likely 1-3 inches, low -11, wind chills near -30.
THURSDAY= blowing snow, cloudy, high -3, wind chills near -35.
THURS NIGHT= very windy, blowing snow, low -12, wind chill -40.
FRIDAY= dangerous wind chills, cold, high -6, low -18 with wind chills factors Friday around -25 to -45 or colder with strong winds.
SPORTS
NFL= Vikings host New York Giants at noon on Christmas Eve, then the following the Vikings will travel to Green Bay on January 1st to start the new year at 3:25pm is the scheduled game time there.
Continue to listen today to Little Falls Radio for any weather related cancellations or postponements from the weather.