NEWS
--The American Legion Park, one block behind Pierz City Hall is one of only four designated playground areas in Pierz. In late May vandals punched a large hole in one of the two slides, making it unsafe and unusable. Public Works Director Bob Otremba looked into having the slide replaced, but because of its age, that particular slide was no longer available, meaning the entire structure would need to be removed. Not anticipating having to replace an entire playground structure, the city wasn’t sure how it would afford a play system in the park with costs upwards of $25,000. Pierz was able to receive two Small Partnership $2,500 grants (total $5,000) from National Joint Powers Alliance to help. As a member of NJPA, the city of Pierz was also eligible for rebate dollars offered to members that participate in specific NJPA-endorsed trainings, events, and other incentives. Pierz reached out to NJPA contract vendor Miracle Recreation to earn additional savings in replacing the structure. All in all, the perks of working with NJPA saved the city approximately $10,000. The new playground includes a foundation of engineered wood fiber chips for enhanced safety. The structure is larger and has a new swing set, more slides, a handicapped accessible transfer point, more bridges for running, a rock climbing area, a tic-tac-toe and marble race panel, and much more. Civic organizations, including the American Legion, Knights of Columbus, and Lions, made donations. A contribution from Minnesota Power and insurance claim dollars helped too. The playground equipment arrived in early October and was installed by the city the week before Thanksgiving.
--At 2:10pm Tuesday the Little Falls Fire Department responded to a grass fire in Fort Ripley endangering a building. The fire was at the address of 667 Ripley Street in Fort Ripley. The fire was caused by a lit cigarette put into a container being used as an ash tray. The cigarette burned through the container and ignited the grass fire. 17 Little Falls firefighters responded for 45 minutes. The fire did melt some of the siding on the building owned by Victoria Winter. There were no injuries. Recent dry and windy conditions are favorable for fires. Wednesday we were in a red flag warning. Little Falls Fire Chief Mike Nieman warns if you are using containers as ash trays, make sure they will not melt like plastic bottles could. Cans or real ash trays are better alternatives.
--The Little Falls Community High School Activities Director Kevin Jordan has requested everyone use the new main entrance on the west side of the high school (Student Lot). This will be the only entrance into the gymnasium. The lower level gym doors will only be used as an exit at the conclusion of events. All other doors in the high school will be locked. Please park in the student lot.
--A fire engulfing one side of a second level deck woke up a home full of people late Monday night in south Brainerd. The Brainerd Fire and Police departments responded to a call of a structure fire about 11:15pm Monday on the 700 block of South Seventh Street. One inside the house attempted to smother the flames with water from a garden hose. When the fire department arrived, smoke rose from the deck as the crew worked to soak the area with a fire extinguisher. The cause of the fire was undetermined.
--Crow Wing County deputies reported that they have received two reports of someone falling through the ice on area lakes. One on Hole in the Day and the other in Sibley Lake. Reminder to be safe on the ice.
--The Morrison County ADA, Coborn's and AM960 KLTF are sponsoring the Holiday Dairy Recipe Contest once again this year for a chance to win one of three $50 Dairy buckets full of dairy products. Starting today at 10:00am at Coborn's KLTF Party Line will be live to announce the contest and the first contestant who will receive a certificate for a pound of butter from Coborn's. Then after Thursday the next 11 Party Lines a contestant will be selected making 12 total who will vie for the 3 Dairy Buckets to be given away on KLTF prior to the weekend before Christmas. Again, KLTF Party Line live today at Coborn's to kick off the contest at 10:00am. You can hear the program on AM960 KLTF and online at fallsradio.com.
--The Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce is hosting their first 2018 Candidate Forum that will feature several Republican candidates for Minnesota Governor. Governor Dayton has announced that he will not seek reelection in 2018. The forum is Friday from 2:30-4:30pm at Arrowwood Lodge in Baxter. It will focus exclusively on the topics of business, jobs and the economy. This is a free event.
--Cass County authorities located three people of interest sought in connection with a November 12th homicide at a Cass Lake area residence. The three people, 28-year old Anthony John Larose, 41-year old Sara Renae Larose, and 25-year old Ileisha Lynee Guinn were cooperating with authorities. Cass County deputies arrived on the 12th and located a 25-year old Cass Lake woman with a gunshot wound to the head inside the residence. Lifesaving efforts were performed, but she died at the scene. 24-year old Brandon Joseph Roy of Cass Lake was charged in Cass County District Court with one count of second degree unintentional murder and one count of first degree aggravated robbery. According to a criminal complaint, the victim was killed during a robbery gone wrong. Two witnesses told law enforcement they were present during the shooting. According to the complaint either Roy or Anthony LaRose fired a handgun twice. One of the shots went through the bathroom door and hit the victim in the center of the forehead.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
--NBC News announced that they have fired longtime Today Show host Matt Lauer after complaints of inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace at NBC. Lauer joined the Today show in 1994.
--Prairie Home Companion host Garrison Keillor was fired by MPR for inappropriate behavior. Keillor was the creator and longtime host of the program dating back into the 1970s.
DEATH NOTICE
--Dorothy Estella (Gilson) Doucette, age 86 of Little Falls
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and breezy, high near 40.
TONIGHT= partly cloudy, winds die down, low 22.
FRIDAY= increasing clouds, drizzle late day, high 46, low 30.
SATURDAY= sunny, high 44, clouds increase low 32.
SUNDAY= rain develops, high 45, rain/snow late low near 30.
SPORTS
COL BB= Miami beat Gophers 86-82 last night handing the Minnesota mens basketball team their first loss of the season.
HS GBB= Detroit Lakes at Little Falls Friday 7:30pm on WYRQ.