NEWS
--The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office responded to a motorcycle accident Sunday at 1:12am on 213th Street, approximately five miles north of Little Falls in Belle Prairie Township. 28-year-old Christian Ramiro of St. Cloud was traveling east on 213th Street lost control of the motorcycle and went in the ditch. The Sheriff’s Office learned Ramiro was involved in a pursuit with the motorcycle with
Rice Police Department earlier in the night and that the motorcycle was reported stolen from St. Cloud. Ramiro was transported to St. Gabriel’s Hospital and was treated and released for minor injuries. Ramiro was then turned over to Rice Police Department and transported to Stearns County Jail.
--Sunday afternoon around 4:30pm, Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a single-vehicle crash near the 8000 Block of County Road 23 in Maple Grove Township. Upon arrival, deputies found a Ford Ranger and left the roadway and crashed into the ditch. The driver of the Ford Ranger was a 60-year-old Onamia man, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver's name is being withheld pending the notification of family. The crash is currently under investigation by Sheriff’s Office and the Minnesota State Patrol.
--One person was injured early Monday on Highway 371 at 223rd Street in Ripley Township north of Little Falls. Around 2:35am a box truck driven by 35-year-old Luis Escalante of Osseo was on 371 and slid on an icy match of road causing his truck to end up on its side and blocking both lanes of the highway. 33-year-old Anthony Brill of Fort Ripley collided with the truck. Brill was treated at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls for non life threatening injuries. The State Patrol was assisted by Little Falls Fire Department, area sheriff's office and police and Camp Ripley Security at the crash site.
--The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Minnesota Rural Water Association have recognized the City of Randall for its exceptional efforts to protect community drinking water sources. Randall was a finalist for the 2024 Source Water Protection Award from MDH and MRWA. Randall undertook several notable projects to protect the drinking water source from contamination and ensure the long-term safety and sustainability of the water supply. The city’s actions included, quickly putting together a comprehensive response plan after nearly a foot of rain fell in a few hours in June, 2022 which caused significant flooding. Extending a well casing to protect the aquifer from flood-related contamination. Flooding can cause significant contamination to drinking water, and mitigation efforts are an important component of source water protection work. MDH and MRWA work with public water suppliers and other stakeholders to develop and implement protection plans that include efforts to prevent contamination of the drinking water source. Preventing contamination is the best and most cost-effective way to protect drinking water for public health.
--The Morrison Soil and Water Conservation District will host their Annual Open House and Tree Sale this Friday from 9am-4pm at the USDA Service Center, 16776 Heron Road, Little Falls. Come in to discuss your spring tree planting with district technicians, try to win a free tree, and submit your spring tree order for a 10% discount, only on January 3rd. Trees are available until sold out. More information and tree sales are on their website morrisonswcd.org/shop.
--Today is New Years Eve the final day of the year. Some city and county offices may be closed today, some are closing at noon while some government agencies may have regular business hours. If you plan on taking care of any business today, you should call or check ahead before heading out. Some businesses are closed for New Years Eve, and many more will be closed Wednesday for the federal/national holiday of New Years Day. A reminder that many bars, establishments and other businesses may have special events to end the year tonight. If you plan on drinking, make sure to have a plan in place to get home. Extra law enforcement will be out in force tonight through tomorrow morning watching for impaired drivers. Thankfully in the past 5 years the deaths and DWI arrests on New Years Eve are down considerably compared to Thanksgiving and 4th of July Weekends in Minnesota but still don't Drink and Drive.
--The Morrison County Commissioners have a meeting at 9am today at the government center boardroom to close out 2024. After the meeting at 11am there will be a reception for outgoing commissioner Jeff Jelinski who did not seek reelection this year. All are invited to come and wish Commissioner Jelinski well in his next venture.
--The Franciscan Sisters will have their Prayer Vigil for Peace tonight at the St. Francis Convent. They have been praying each hour since last night through the day today as part of their 24 hour prayer vigil of peace begins. You can still pray with the sisters from home for 1 hour today if you each and then attend the service tonight at 7pm at the convent, open to all to ring in the New Year for a year of peace.
NATIONAL NEWS
--The State Funeral for former U.S. President Jimmy Carter will be held on January 9th in Washington D.C. President Joe Biden Monday claimed January 9th will be a day of mourning and flags are to be half staff for the next 30 days in memory of former President Carter.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
--”Alice” star and Broadway icon Linda Lavin died Sunday at age 87.
DEATH NOTICES
--Carol Zarns, age 75 of Swanville.
--Virgil Tembreull, age 84 of Pierz.
WEATHER
TODAY= cloudy skies, some snow showers, temps dropping from 26 early today down to a low of 11 tonight, wind chills near 0.
NEW YEARS DAY= partly cloudy, high 17, clear night, low 5 above.
THURSDAY= partly sunny, colder, high 13, low around 1 above.
FRIDAY= sunny and cold, high 8 above, low around -6 at night.
SPORTS
NFL= Detroit won 40-34 last night over 49ers to go to 14-2 and tied with Vikings on top of the NFC. Vikings at Detroit Sunday night to finish the regular season games at 7:20pm live on AM960 KLTF.
There will be no newsletter tomorrow for New Years Day. Back on Thursday, Happy New Year from Little Falls Radio.