News: Friday, January 31st, 2025
--Travel plans northeast of Little Falls this weekend will be tricky with a large lake effect snow system. Duluth to the north shore and over to Grand Marais will see 7-10 inches and maybe more near Lake Superior tonight through Saturday night. Aitkin to Duluth is in the 3-5 inches and Brainerd to Little Falls to St. Cloud likely 1 inch maybe 2 by Saturday night. Southern Minnesota will likely not see accumulating snow this weekend.
--An investigation is underway to determine what caused a fire Thursday morning in a commercial building on St. Cloud’s east side. St. Cloud Fire Department Deputy Chief of Operations Tony Lorenz said the call came in around 1:00 for a working structure fire on the 400 block of East St. Germain Street. They arrived to find heavy flames on the second floor and coming out of multiple windows. They searched the building and didn’t find anyone inside. Lorenz explained fire departments from Sauk Rapids and Sartell were called in due to the building construction and the age of the construction in particular. “That always gives us a little bit of cause for concern, so more hands on the scene to help us out. We’ve always worked really closely with them, so they’re incredibly helpful for us.” The investigation is in its early stages, and the point of origin is unclear. There are residential units above the businesses on that side of the block, and Lorenz wasn’t immediately certain whether anyone was living there. Part of the danger of fighting fires in the winter is that it gets icy around the scene with all the water going everywhere, and they try to get that contained as best they can. No firefighters were hurt, but roads were closed around the scene of the fire until mid morning on Thursday.
--A burglary suspect is arrested after fleeing police and crashing into a building in Melrose. According to the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, between 8:00 and 10:00 on Tuesday morning, dispatch received two burglary calls and a suspicious person complaint in Melrose Township and neighboring Millwood Township. Stearns County Sheriff’s Deputies and investigators identified a 32-year-old man from Eden Valley as a possible suspect. The suspect was seen driving away from a home in Melrose Township. A sheriff’s deputy followed the vehicle into Melrose, where the deputy and a police officer pulled the suspect over. The man was told he was being held for questioning in connection to a burglary and then fled from the scene at a high rate of speed into downtown. Officers did not chase the man due to his driving conduct. Police say he tried to turn onto Main Street from County Road 13 when he lost control and crashed into a pole and building. The suspect then fled on foot. More officers were called to help, including Stearns County K9 Rex. His keen nose tracked the suspect to a nearby box truck. The truck was surrounded, and when the man refused to come out, deputies deployed chemical irritants into the truck. The suspect then surrendered without further incident. The man is being held on suspicion of burglary, fleeing police in a motor vehicle, DWI, tampering with a motor vehicle, and leaving the scene of a property crime. Formal charges are still pending with the county attorney's office.
--The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism has announced their February employee of the month is Jordan Eckman at Tavern on First in Little Falls. Eckman was quoted as saying "Wow! I did not see this coming. Such a surprise and honor to be a two-time chamber employee of the month. I am so grateful to William and my amazing staff at the Tavern for making this possible. Thank you again to the chamber and everyone that made this possible." Owners Will and Tiffany Threlkeld said "This is absolutely amazing! Well deserved, Jordan is amazing at what he does, he's kind and caring as a manager. Customer service is his priority everyday. We are blessed to have him on our team and look forward to see what he does in years to come." Congratulations to Jordan Eckman the February Employee of the Month from the Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism.
--This weekend is the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza at noon Saturday at Hole in the Day Bay off of Gull Lake in Baxter, a Candlelight Hike event will take place Saturday 5:30-8pm at Crane Meadows southeast of Little Falls, St. Ann's Quilt Bingo Sunday at Sobieski Community Center at 1pm and St. Joseph's Church Quilt Bingo Sunday at 1pm at Holy Trinity School in Pierz. Also the Upsala Upstage Players present The Play that Goes Wrong tonight and Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 2pm at the Upsala High School. More details on events are at fallsradio.com on the community calendar.
NATIONAL NEWS- The crash between an American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter has killed teen figure skaters returning from a national meet with their mothers and coaches, as well as a group of union steamfitters from the Washington, D.C. area. They were among 60 travelers and four crew members on board the flight late Wednesday when it collided with a Blackhawk helicopter that was carrying three soldiers. It was reported that the recovery mission continued through the day yesterday and it appears there are no survivors. Several athletes on the flight had attended a development camp after in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships that ended Sunday in Wichita, Kansas, the organization said in a statement. President Donald Trump stated yesterday that he viewed the crash on failures of past administrations as he gave his condolences for the victims and their families. “As one nation, we grieve for every precious soul that has been taken from us so suddenly,” Trump said. “Sadly, there are no survivors." Trump said it was still not clear what led to the crash. He said the U.S. military and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating. “We’ll find out how this disaster occurred and will ensure that nothing like this ever happens again," he said. The president then stated there is blame to be done on this from those communicating with both aircraft for the crash, which he called "preventable." The FAA is still investigating what caused the deadly crash.
DEATH NOTICE- Rosemarie "Marstein" Enghusen, age 90 former resident of Elmdale.
WEATHER- Today- sunny and cooler, high 34, tonight, increasing clouds low around 20. Saturday snow showers mainly afternoon 1-2 inches, high 33 low around 23 with snow ending late night. Sunday gradual clearing high near 32 early then falling to 5 above at night. Monday light snow develops but much colder high near 12 above with wind chills below zero and a low of -4 on Monday night.
SPORTS- tonight high school boys basketball is Pequot Lakes at Little Falls at 7:15pm on Q92 WYRQ. On Saturday morning get a recap of high school sports on the Saturday Morning Sports Wrap at 9:05am on AM960 KLTF then a recap on all things hockey on State of Hockey Saturdays at 1pm also on AM960 KLTF and both shows are streamed at fallsradio.com. Sunday the Pro Bowl games special program will be heard at 2pm on AM960 KLTF.