NEWS --In the 35th year of the Toys for Kids program providing Christmas gifts for Southern Crow Wing County families the Marine Corps League received donations and contributions which enabled them to serve 404 families including 961 children. An average of about 150 businesses and organizations annually support this program through collection of toys and financial donations. This year, Toys For Kids was able to impact the local economy with approximately $47,000 as all monies donated to the local Toys For Kids program were spent locally.
--Two people were injured Sunday in a rollover on Interstate Highway 94 east of Freeport. The Minnesota State Patrol report stated a truck driven by 39-year old Joshua Brickwege of New Munich was eastbound when the vehicle lost control and rolled into the ditch. Brickwege and his passenger 28-year old Chelsey Jantzen of Pierz suffered injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening. Both were transported to St. Cloud Hospital.
--A two-vehicle accident near Pillager Friday around 5:45pm sent three to the hospital including a child. The accident happened on Highway 210 and West Sylvan Drive Southwest when 33-year-old Francine Alt of Motley was struck from behind by 27-year-old Steven Tressler of Staples. Alt and her two passengers 35-year-old Jay Conventry of Motley and 10-year-old Peyton Joel Conventry of Motley all sustained injuries and were treated at the Brainerd hospital. Tressler and his two passengers ages 26 and 2 were not injured.
--Four vehicles were involved in a crash Friday around 3pm on Washington Street by the historic water tower in Brainerd. Police say it was chain reaction type accident when one vehicle stopped fast, got rear-ended by one vehicle pushing the vehicle into the other lane where it was hit head-on by another which caused yet another rear-end collision. One person was treated at the scene but was not hospitalized- no other injuries were reported in the accident.
--The Little Falls Police Department reported a string of suspicious activity late on January 3rd, an assault where a 38-year-old man was cited for fifth-degree assault, arrest of a 30-year-old with an outstanding warrant and other violations from a traffic stop on December 30th. Also a man in a Santa suit was pulled over by Morrison County deputies on December 29th for driving while intoxicated and failing a breath test.
--The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Service Committee continues to seek nominations for Small Business of the Year, Large Business of the Year and Volunteer of the Year. Nomination forms are due in the Chamber office by Friday, January 27th. Awards will be bestowed at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting on Thursday, February 23rd. Recipients will receive public recognition and a plaque noting their honor. The names will also be displayed on permanent plaques in the Chamber office. For more information or to submit a nomination call the Chamber at (320) 632-5155.
--Little Falls Radio is seeking a part-time marketing representative to contact clients, primarily by telephone, in the Morrison, Crow Wing, Stearns and Todd county area. Qualified candidate should have computer skills, a creative mind and a disciplined work ethic. The hours are flexible and may be a perfect fit for someone seeking a 4-5 hour work day. On air and/or play-by- play skills are a plus but not a requirement. Applications accepted by mail: 16405 Haven Road, Little Falls, MN 56345 or by email to chris@fallsradio.com
--About 12:35pm Friday Little Falls Police officers responded to Walgreens to a report of a male individual having mental health problems. Walgreens was evacuated during the incident for the safety of the public and individual involved. The subject was taken into custody without incident and transported to St Gabriel’s Hospital.
--A former Monticello man accused of kidnapping, sexually assaulting and killing a 5 year old Watkins girl asked a judge Monday to dismiss murder charges against him and suppress evidence gathered during the investigation. 26-year-old Zachary Anderson is charged with the murder of Alayna Ertl who was taken from her home in August and found later that day dead in a field in Cass County north of Motley. Court filings state that Anderson's lawyer is asking for the judge to dismiss the murder indictment due to lack of probable cause and alleging that Anderson's constitutional rights were violated due to improper searches for evidence. Anderson was staying at Ertl's home after playing softball with her father on the night of August 20th.
--Elected State Auditor Rebecca Otto announced she is running for the DFL nomination for governor in 2018. Otto was elected State Auditor in 2006 and has been re-elected twice. DFL Governor Mark Dayton has said he will not seek a third term. So far, Rep. Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, and St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman have announced they will also seek the DFL nomination in what is expected to be a crowded field. Late last year Senator Amy Klobuchar said she would seek another term in the U.S. Senate rather than run for governor. At this time, filmmaker Christopher Chamberlain is the only one who announced he would seek the Republican nomination.
--Residents, business owners and others are invited to attend an open house on Thursday to learn about the expansion of Highway 23 from Paynesville to Richmond. This is the fourth open house for the Highway 23 expansion project. Community members are welcome to drop by anytime between 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the St. Peter and Paul Gymnasium in Richmond. There will not be a formal presentation. An open house to view the final layout will be scheduled for the spring/summer of 2017. A date has not been set. Currently, all but 15 miles of the 53-mile stretch of Highway 23 between Willmar and Interstate 94 have been constructed as a four-lane roadway. One of the gaps is from Paynesville to Richmond. MnDOT has received Corridors of Commerce funding to help prepare environmental work for future expansion and begin purchasing right of way. No funding for construction is available at this time.
DEATH NOTICES --Virginia E. Thompson, age 91 of Upsala --Adrian Jurek, age 82 of Rice
WEATHER TODAY= snow showers, falling temps and very windy in PM hours. TONIGHT= windy, snow 1-2 inches total, low -3 wind chills -20. WEDNESDAY= snow showers, windy and cold, high 7, wind chills -23 THURSDAY= becoming sunny and very cold, high 5, low near -26.
SPORTS HS BHK= Sartell at Little Falls tonight 7:15pm on Q92 WYRQ. HS GBB= Sartell at Little Falls tonight 7:30pm on FM94 KFML. COL FB= Clemson beat Alabama 35-31 last night for the College Football National Championship, scoring with 1 second left in game.