NEWS
--Today is Good Friday. According to the Bible- Jesus was crucified and then rose from the dead on Easter Sunday. With many services and masses scheduled this afternoon at area churches, some businesses will have special hours today as many will be closed for a time or the entire afternoon so staff can attend services for Good Friday. It may be best to call ahead to make sure how long they are open or their hours today before heading there. Little Falls Radio Offices will be closing at noon today. Happy Easter from LF Radio.
--The man accused of the murder of 5-year-old Alayna Jeanne Ertl on Wednesday asked a judge to dismiss the charge. 26-year old Zachary Todd Anderson of Coon Rapids, appeared in Cass County District Court in Walker with his public defender for a contested omnibus hearing. Anderson's public defender filed a motion March 24th asking the judge to dismiss murder charges against Anderson, suppress evidence gathered during the investigation or move his trial to another county. In October, Anderson was indicted by a Cass County District Court grand jury and arraigned on 19 criminal charges, including eight counts of first-degree murder, one count of second degree intentional murder, four counts of kidnapping, two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of theft of a vehicle and two counts of interference with a dead body. Anderson is accused of kidnapping Ertl from her Meeker County home where he had stayed as a family friend of Ertl's father. Her body was found at a cabin northeast of Motley in Cass County. Collins asked the judge to dismiss the indictment against Anderson on the grounds that there is insufficient probable cause to indict Anderson, alleging that his constitutional rights were violated by authorities after he was arrested. In the court document Anderson did not wish to provide a statement to investigators and he had not waived his rights to remain silent. Cass County Attorney Christopher Strandlie, who is prosecuting the case, stated motions were heard at the hearing and briefs are due by May 10th. The judge will then issue an order sometime after that. The defense also asked the judge in its motion to move the case out of Walker, stating Anderson would not receive a fair and impartial Cass County jury to hear the case against him. Again all items will be taken under advisement up until May 10th before a ruling will be brought down by the judge.
--Fire departments were called out Wednesday to grass fires in central Minnesota. Brainerd firefighters were called around 10:00am to the 3500 block of Crow Wing County Highway 23 for a grass fire that burned about 2 acres of land. The DNR assisted firefighters in putting the fire out. Mission Township firefighters doused a burning tree from a grass fire near County Road 11 in Mission Township Wednesday around 2:00pm. In both cases there were no injuries.
--The driver of a minivan was taken Wednesday night to St. Cloud Hospital after crashing into a St. Cloud apartment building. The crash happened at 7:25pm at 3346 West St. Germain Street. There was one person in the apartment building at the time; she wasn't injured.
--Enjoy Easter events this weekend including Easter Egg Hunt Saturday at 11:00am at Pioneer Elementary in Pierz, an Easter Egg-travaganza Saturday 9:30-11:30am at First Lutheran Church in Little Falls then on Sunday there is a Easter Morning breakfast at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Randall at 8:00am. Details at fallsradio.com.
--City of Little Falls Public Works Director Greg Kimman stated that due to utility construction, there will be a detour on 5th Avenue Southeast near 7th Street beginning on Monday. Motorists are advised to watch for posted signs directing traffic.
--The St. Cloud Area Convention and Visitors Bureau was named the state's best convention and visitors bureau in 2016 for cities with a population of 25,000-80,000 by Minnesota Meetings and Events Magazine. The award is given based on magazine reader votes. The St. Cloud Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is the destination marketing organization for the Greater St. Cloud area. The organization aims to attract both conventions, special events, tournaments and individual tourists to the Greater St. Cloud area.
--Transportation Commissioner Charlie Zelle announced $1 billion in state road and bridge projects that will be worked on statewide this year. The 211 projects, many of which are already underway, will help keep the state’s roads and bridges in good working condition, improve safety for motorists and support thousands of construction jobs across the state. The latest 20-year Minnesota highway investment plan forecasts an $18 billion dollar gap between anticipated revenue and what MnDOT will need to keep the transportation system operating competitively. Big projects in Central Minnesota this year include: Highway 371 through Nisswa, Pequot Lakes and Jenkins; Highway 371B/South Sixth Street in Brainerd; Highway 25 north and south of Foley in Benton County. For a complete list of projects, including construction dates and traffic impacts, visit www.mndot.gov/construction.
--As the April 18th tax filing deadline approaches, the Internal Revenue Service reminded nearly 40 million taxpayers who have yet to file their tax returns that there are a variety of options to help them in the final days of the 2017 tax season. The IRS has tax help, publications and information on IRS.gov to help last-minute filers, including information about free e-file options, such as FreeFile, or how to request an automatic six-month filing extension. Additionally, IRS telephone lines will have a special Saturday opening on April 15, from 9:00am to 5:00pm to help taxpayers with last-minute issues. The IRS has entered the busiest period of tax season this week, with millions of people planning to file.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Jacob and Ashley Farrow of Little Falls, boy on April 11th
WEATHER
TODAY= showers and thunderstorms develop afternoon, high 63.
TONIGHT= showers & t-storms early, cloudy, low near 50.
SATURDAY= cloudy, showers & t-storms in afternoon, high 66, low 48
EASTER= sunny and breezy, wind gusts 30mph, high 58, low 35.
MONDAY= sunny and breezy, high near 50, rain late, low 38.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins won 11-5 to take 1 of 3 from Detroit now the Twins host Chicago White Sox tonight 7:10pm, Saturday is at 1:10pm and Sunday a bit later due to Easter at 3:10pm with pregame starting 30 minutes before each game live on Q92 WYRQ.
WILD= Wild and Blues game 2 of playoffs tonight 8:30pm in St. Paul then game 3 will be at 2pm Sunday in St. Louis.
SCORES= get local scores at fallsradio.com then click on sports.