News

Former Arctic Cat Executive and present ARGO CEO and President Brad Darling and an investment group have acquired Arctic Cat. The Thief River Falls-based company manufactures snowmobiles, ATVs and side-by-sides. Textron Inc. announced the sale of its powersports business, including the Arctic Cat brand and its operations, Thursday. Textron’s statement reads: “We thank the talented and dedicated employees of Arctic Cat for their contributions during their time at Textron Specialized Vehicles, and wish them a bright future.” Back in December, the company said that production at their facilities in Thief River Falls and St. Cloud would stop sometime in the first half of 2025. That followed layoffs of 65 workers a month earlier. Darling, the newly appointed CEO and President of Arctic Cat, is eager to start moving the brand forward. He stated, “The pursuit of the checkered flag is in Arctic Cat’s DNA. It’s what we were built on. Like anyone who has ever grabbed the throttle, it’s a relentless drive that pushes us forward and sparks our passion. Today is the start of a new chapter, one where Arctic Cat returns to the race but with a powerful understanding: This race is never-ending, and our intent is to lead.” The terms of the agreement was not disclosed and no word yet on what this means for the future of the Minnesota facilities in question but it was reported by Darling in his statement he is planning on keeping Arctic Cat a Minnesota company. 

There is an investigation underway after authorities determined a fire was intentionally set at a school. The Meeker County Sheriff's Office says they received a report of a fire alarm at the Atwater Cosmos Grove City school in Grove City just before 8am on Thursday. A short time later, staff at the school called and said there was a fire in a boy's bathroom. Meeker County Sheriff’s Deputies and Grove City Fire Department responded to the school. It was learned that a toilet paper dispenser in the boy's bathroom was ignited, and the fire suppression system was activated. An alert was sent by the school to notify parents and guardians of students. No injuries were reported. The Minnesota State Fire Marshall’s Office was called, and Deputy Fire Marshall Investigators responded to the school to assist with the investigation. 

A Minnesota sex offender has been indicted in a federal child pornography case. That’s according to a news release issued on Wednesday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minnesota. The federal indictment is the result of an investigation conducted by the Chaska Police Department, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and FBI. 25-year-old Nicholas Richard Lugo has been charged with one count of distribution of child pornography. Federal court documents allege his distributed multiple videos depicting child sexual abuse over the internet on July 23, 2024. “Lugo is a child predator.  He was convicted of sexually abusing a child.  And then—like so many sexual predators—went on to offend again,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. “Defendants like Lugo who repeatedly prey on children should expect to see federal charges and do federal prison time.”  Court records indicate the Chaska man was convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in Hennepin County in 2021. He was given a stayed prison sentence in exchange for pleading guilty to the charge. Lugo was ordered to remain in custody following his first appearance in federal court. His next court appearance has not yet been scheduled.

There are many items going on this weekend. A spaghetti dinner fundraiser at St. Edwards Church in Elmdale for a free will offering is 4:30-7:30pm, take out available tonight. There are many proms scheduled this weekend including Little Falls Community High School on Saturday with grand march to start around 4:30pm at high school gym, Pierz Healy High School at the MAC beginning at 5pm Saturday. Holdingford High School also has prom on Saturday. A reminder from law enforcement to those attending prom this weekend to please put safety first. Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday with churches hosting events in the area, check church bulletins for information. More events can be found online at fallsradio.com.

Numerous clean up days are scheduled for Saturday, April 26th. Township cleanup days are scheduled for the city of Flensburg 8-10am at the City Hall/Fire Hall. Green Prairie Township is 8am-11am at Green Prairie Town Hall. Morrill Town Hall is 7am-10:30am on Saturday at Morill Town Hall. Ripley Township has clean up day Saturday from 8am-12pm at the Ripley Town Hall. The Townships of Agram, Buckman, Buh, Granite, Hillman, Leigh, Mount Morris and Pierz will have cleanup day at Saturday from 8am-12pm in the Rich Prairie Livestock Yard Parking Lot. For information on any cleanup day events contact your local township official. 

The Pierz City Council meets Monday at 7pm at Pierz City Hall.

Death Notices- Frederick "Fred" Sauer, age 95 of Pierz.

Weather- Friday morning spotty showers then afternoon sunny skies, high 61, clear night, low around 42. Saturday partly cloudy, high 66, showers after midnight, mild night, low 55. Sunday AM showers, then partly sunny, high 65 with showers and thunderstorms after 4pm into the evening with lows around 52. Monday possible showers and storms early, better chance later in the day, some late day storms could be severe with gusty winds, high near 73 low around 52 late in the evening. Rain and wind on Tuesday morning then afternoon sunshine, high 55, low around 35.

Sports- White Sox win 3-0 over Twins in a rain shortened 7 inning game yesterday at Target Field. Twins start a series at home tonight with the L A Angels pregame tonight at 6pm, Saturday is a day game at 12:30pm and Sunday Inside Twins starts the coverage at 11:30am on Q92 WYRQ. Timberwolves host the Lakers tonight at 8:30pm in game 3 of the NBA playoffs, series tied at 1, game 4 is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at 2:30pm. Wild win again 5-2 over Las Vegas last night lead the series 2-1. The Wild host Las Vegas in Game 4 of the NHL playoffs Saturday at 3pm. Vikings picked Donovan Jackson an offensive linemen from Ohio State with 24th pick last night in the NFL Draft, more rounds today and Saturday. Listen to sports today on Little Falls Radio for local results from yesterday and a weekly recap of high school scores and highlights Saturday at 9:05am on the weekly wrap on AM960 KLTF and fallsradio.com. 

The Little Falls Police Department reported that on Tuesday at 7:05pm they responded to a two-vehicle accident with possible injuries on Broadway Avenue and Wood Street in Little Falls. Upon...

A message from Morrison County Public Works to slow down in work and utility zones. The Public Works Department stated there are many projects going on already around Little Falls...

Thanks to the quick action of a farmer and the local fire department, 130 head of cattle were saved following a fire Sunday morning.  Around 6:50 AM Sunday morning first...

On Friday morning, Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen reported an update on the large grass fire in Hillman Township that started on Wednesday night. "Regarding the fire in eastern Morrison...