News: Monday, February 17th, 2025
--An Extreme Cold Warning is in effect until 10am this morning than another Extreme Cold Warning goes into effect tonight at 9pm through 10am Tuesday morning with temps tonight near -30 below zero air temperatures and wind chills factors of -40 to -50 on some parts of the state into Tuesday morning. Listen to Little Falls Radio today and tomorrow for any weather related announcements or delays.
--Today is President's Day. A federal holiday that was established in 1971 between Lincoln's Birthday (February 12th) and Washington Birthdays (February 22nd) on the 3rd Monday in February. Though many countries still call today Washington's Birthdays to honor the first U.S. President. Federal, State, County and City government offices are closed today including most city halls, government centers, banks, financial institutions, post offices, no regular mail delivery, schools and some offices are closed today so it is best to call ahead before heading out today.
--After many prominent Minnesota politicians announced possible runs for the U.S. Senate seat in 2026 after Senator Tina Smith announced she would not seek reelection next year, one Republican said he is not interested in the U.S. Senate job. 6th District Congressman Tom Emmer who represents the St. Cloud district said he is more interested in working with the U.S. House to get the job done now and is not looking at 2026 unless it is to run again in the U.S. House.
--A 47-year-old Hackensack man was arrested Thursday, Feb. 13, after he allegedly shot another man at a residence in Powers Township in Cass County. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a shooting at 11:26 p.m. in rural Backus. According to a news release, deputies and responders arrived and found a 34-year-old Pine River man had been shot at a nearby residence while exiting a passenger vehicle. Emergency aid was immediately rendered to the man and he was flown to a hospital in Fargo, North Dakota. The extent of his injuries were unknown, the sheriff’s office reported. Several witnesses to the incident identified a suspect. A subsequent traffic stop on a vehicle was initiated and the 47-year-old Hackensack man was arrested. He is currently being held in custody at the Cass County Jail for first-degree assault, second-degree assault and shooting victim-duty to render aid. The man was scheduled to make his first court appearance last Friday in Cass County District Court.
--The Minnesota State Patrol reported 273 accidents or spinouts on Minnesota roadways Friday into Saturday afternoon with snow that fell. Little Falls had just over 2 inches, but eastern and southern Minnesota had 4-6 inches of new snow that led to many accidents on the roads for drivers going too fast for the conditions. The latest road reports can be found at 511mn.org.
--With today being President's Day a reminder that the Little Falls City Council will meet tomorrow night at 7:30pm at City Hall Council Chambers and the Swanville School Board will meet Wednesday February 19th to finalize the referendum results from last week where the referendum passed by only a few votes.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT- Mack Bednar & Kayla Koenig-Amundson of Pierz, had a baby boy born February 11th.
DEATH NOTICES- Ronald "Ronnie" Boser, age 83 of Pierz. Bernard "Bernie" Rudolph, age 90 of Brainerd formerly of Bowlus & St. Mathias.
WEATHER- EXTREME COLD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 10AM THEN EXTREME COLD WARNING 9PM TONIGHT TO 10AM TUESDAY. Today partly cloudy and very cold, high -3 below zero, tonight extreme cold low around -31 below zero, wind chills near -47 below zero. Tuesday extreme cold with highs barely to zero, Tuesday night very cold low of -24 below zero then Wednesday still very cold high 4 above with dry conditions.
SPORTS- Grand Rapids defeated both Pierz 31-22, and Little Falls 41-19 to advance to state as team on Saturday in section wrestling. Staples-Motley on Friday night beat Royalton-Upsala and Holdingford to advance to state as a team. Local teams will try to get there as individuals this weekend. The State Tournament will be February 27th-March 1st at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. The Little Falls Flyer Gymnasts finished 5th at Sections. State Dance when to Lac Qui Parle Valley in Class A, Holdingford was 3rd, Brainerd was the Class AAA championship in Kick in Dance Saturday with Sartell taking 3rd place. Totino Grace won the Class AA Champion. Boys Hockey playoffs begin Tuesday night with Little Falls at home against River Lakes with face-off at 7pm on Q92 WYRQ and fallsradio.com.
Tonight is the 50th Anniversary celebration of Pierz Girls Basketball Program. There will be a ceremony to recognize the first girls team in the 1974-1975 with members of the team on hand. Also former girls basketball players from are invited to attend with a reception after the girls varsity game. The games have been moved up to a 4:15pm JV start and 5:45pm varsity to make time for the ceremony and reception tonight in Pierz. You can hear the varsity match between Moose Lake/Willow River and Pierz tonight on 94ROCKS KFML and fallsradio.com.