NEWS --Beginning this ice fishing season, anglers using a wheelhouse type of ice or dark house shelter are required to purchase a license to place the shelter on the ice, even when occupying it. A new definition for portable shelters has been provided in law, which states that a portable shelter is one that collapses, folds or is disassembled for transportation. “Wheeled fish houses, which formerly were considered portable – and thus excluded from licensing requirements for shelters – will now need to be licensed,” said Al Stevens, fisheries survey and systems consultant with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “In the past, anglers using wheelhouses could use them without shelter licenses as long as they were occupied, including overnight.” The change pursued by the DNR and enabled by 2017 legislation accompanied hunting and angling fee increases. An annual resident shelter license is $16. A three-year license is $43. Owners of houses to be rented pay $31 annually or $88 for a three-year license. To learn more about the fishing and hunting license dollars are spent, visit mndnr.gov/licensedollarsatwork. Shelter or fishing licenses can be purchased at DNR license agents across Minnesota, by phone at 888-665-4236.
--U.S. Bank has completed a major investment in the expansion of the Minnesota Museum of American Art in St. Paul. The bank invested $3.7 million for the expansion in the 128 year old buildings. The $10 million expansion will add space to the Pioneer and Endicott buildings. Construction is scheduled to finish by August.
--A 46-year old Pequot Lakes woman is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from a business she worked for in Garrison. Shannon Marie Steele, who was employed as a bookkeeper at Geo's Paint in Garrison during the time of the alleged crime, was charged at the beginning of this year with 10 felony charges including three counts of theft by check and seven counts of financial transaction/card fraud. Her next court appearance is a plea hearing on February 12th. The report indicated Steele diverted several thousand dollars from the business accounts for her own use. The investigator met with the owners and learned in June of 2016, there was an opening for a bookkeeper filled by Steele. As the bookkeeper, Steele had access to the Geo's Paint checking account, its 5 Star Management checking account and various credit card accounts associated with the business. Steele also had access to one of the owner's personal accounts. Steele had authority to use one credit card to book rooms for employees when they traveled for the company and pay for specific business supplies. She did not have authority to charge any personal expenses.
--Karin Housley announced Tuesday that she will run to be the Republican nominee in the United States Senate race to serve out the remainder of Senator Al Franken’s term. She announced her candidacy in a letter to family, friends and party activists across Minnesota. Housley has represented Senate District 39, which includes Stillwater in the Minnesota Senate since 2012. She currently chairs the Senate Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care. A formal campaign kickoff will be held in mid-January.
--A tradition for many years continues this Sunday on Q92 WYRQ. The airing of the 4:00pm Mass from St. Mary's Church in Little Falls and also Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes in Little Falls which starts at 10:00pm will air on Q92 WYRQ for Christmas Eve. Both Masses will also be streamed on fallsradio.com.
--At the Little Falls Community High School there is an effort to collect clothes and easy to cook foods, for students in need. The collection site is called “The Kare Kloset”. It started on Thanksgiving and has grown since then. Plans are to continue this effort throughout the school year. Some of the donations have already been dispersed to those in need in advance of the Christmas holiday. They are looking for donations mainly of foods, clothes and school items. For those wishing to donate, bring it to the Little Falls Community High School during school hours. Check in at the main office and tell them you are there to donate towards the Kare Kloset in the excel room. Little Falls Community High School freshman Dillon Booten who helps with this project is a scheduled guest on this mornings community events program at 8:45am on AM960 KLTF.
--A man accused of killing a St. Cloud man and fleeing to North Dakota has been extradited back to Stearns County. 20-year old Desmond Barzey was previously held in the Burleigh County Jail in North Dakota and made his first appearance in Stearns County court Tuesday morning. Bail was set at $2 million. According to the criminal complaint, Barzey entered Park Meadows apartments with a handgun and demanded everyone inside to get on the ground and empty their pockets. The victim, 19-year old Bobby Williams of St. Cloud, threw a shirt at Barzey and began moving towards him when Barzey shot him in the chest and ran from the apartment. Williams was taken to St. Cloud Hospital for his injuries but later died from his wounds. Barzey was later found in North Dakota driving a stolen vehicle. After a short chase, he was arrested. Police searched the vehicle and found the handgun with a round inside the chamber. Barzey is being charged with second degree unintentional murder, five counts of second degree assault with a dangerous weapon and being a felon in possession of a gun. His next court appearance is set for January 8th.
--A 34-year old Annandale man was injured at about 6:30pm Monday when his car rear ended another car at a stop light in Clearwater. Brian James Nolan was driving northbound on Minnesota Highway 24 when he collided with a car at the stop light to enter Interstate Highway 94. Nolan was transported to St. Cloud Hospital with non life threatening injuries. He was not wearing a seatbelt. 36-year old Travis Timothy Schaar of St. Cloud was the other driver and 22-year old Jonathan Martinez Valentin was his passenger. Schaar and Valentin were not injured in the crash.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT --Christopher and Lisa Bertram of Holdingford, a girl on Dec. 14th.
WEATHER TODAY= snow showers by afternoon, up to 1 inch, high 20. TONIGHT= temps steady tonight, light snow at times. THURSDAY= cloudy, flurries at times, high 19 early then falling in PM FRIDAY= partly cloudy, colder, high 14, low around 0.
SPORTS NFL= Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy announced Tuesday that quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been placed back on injured reserve and will not play against the Minnesota Vikings this Saturday night when the Vikings travel to Lambeau Field. Green Bay was eliminated from the playoffs earlier this week. HS BBB= Pierz at Crosby-Ironton Thursday 7:15pm on FM94 KFML