News: Tuesday, February 4th, 2025
--More snow (3-4 inches in Little Falls) on Monday led to another round of spinouts and accidents. The Minnesota State Patrol says from midnight through 2pm along yesterday they responded to 137 crashes involving damage to vehicles. Fourteen people were hurt in those crashes. One person died in a crash in Bloomington. 45 vehicles went into the ditch and needed assistance, along with six vehicle spinouts and one jackknifed semi. A cold day today but then another round of snow Wednesday and then another round of snow late Friday into Saturday this week.
--St. Cloud police have identified the 17-year-old found shot to death inside an apartment complex stairwell Sunday morning. According to a press release, officers responded to the 200 block of 2nd Street Northeast just before 3am. for a report of shots fired inside the building. When they arrived, police found 17-year-old Layson Davis lying on the stairs in between the first and second floors. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A 19-year-old man was found lying in the hallway of the first floor. Investigators say he had also been shot. He was rushed to CentraCare – St. Cloud Hospital, where he remains in critical condition. The suspects and victims knew each other, and the shooting was not random. The investigation is ongoing.
--The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office has been fielding multiple calls about someone impersonating a deputy. On Monday, the dispatch center received complaints about the familiar scam with the thieves pretending to be Patrol Lieutenant Shawn Widmer. These types of scams typically involve claims about warrants, civil lawsuits, or missed jury duty. These calls don’t come from law enforcement. The sheriff’s office says never to give out personal information to anyone trying to collect it over the phone. They also say courts will not collect money this way or take gift cards as payment. Anyone who gets a call like this should hang up the phone. If they are suspicious, hang up the phone and call the sheriff’s to verify if it’s a scam.
--A wood stove is once again at the heart of an investigation into a central Minnesota house fire. Crews were called to the 21000 block of 430th Street in Krain Township at about 3:20 Saturday afternoon to find a home fully engulfed in flames. When they arrived, smoke was already billowing out of the main floor and second-story windows. The house is estimated to be a total loss. Only one person lives at the address. She told authorities that she had added some wood to the stove at about 1:30. About 90 minutes later, smoke was noticeable in the kitchen. No one was injured. A wood stove is thought to be the source of a fire in Meeker County about a week ago. Freeport, Albany, and Holdingford Fire Departments all responded to the scene, along with Mayo Ambulance.
--Twelve organizations in greater Minnesota will receive a total of $200,000 in grants from the Bernick Family Foundation. The grants are awarded in partnership with the Central Minnesota Community Foundation and funding will support programs focused on youth, education, fitness, and well-being. Eligible organizations included 501(c)3 nonprofits, schools, and government entities serving one of Bernick’s seven service regions. “We are honored to help make these programs and projects possible,” said Melissa McDonnell, Bernick’s HR Program Manager. “At Bernick’s, we believe giving back to the community makes us all stronger together, and we are proud of our legacy of serving the community since 1916.” Locally, the following organizations received grants: $20,000: The Yes Network (Ready 2 Play program) $15,000: Central Minnesota Council, Boy Scouts of America (Youth Career Exploring Program expansion)
$8,000: United Way of West Central Minnesota (Village Children’s Museum “Bodies in Motion” exhibit) $5,000: Holdingford FFA Alumni (greenhouse expansion project at Holdingford High School). Melissa McDonnell, Bernick’s HR Program Manager said the organization is “honored to be a part of helping make these programs and projects possible. At Bernick’s we believe giving back to the community makes us all stronger together and are proud of our legacy of serving the community since 1916.”
--Chuck Zwilling spoke on Little Falls Radio Monday on Ice Fest coming up next weekend February 15th and 16th at Green Prairie Fish Lake starting at 10am both days. He recently reported to the sheriff's office there is 18 inches of "steel" ice on the lake making it safe and ready to go for the event. There will be lots on the ice including the hope of 3 rotating carousels inside one another for this year's carousel (since out of lake to extend the length of the world record ones from prior years). There will be hot air balloons, hockey, curling, drones underwater, food, beverages, warming houses, lots of kids games, prizes a raffle and more. Fireworks at 6pm on that Saturday night and DJ music. The event is free to attend but donations are encouraged to help out the Flyer Pride Pack and Kare Kloset at the Little Falls Community Schools to help needy kids with meals and clothes. Chuck needs some help with front end plowing and other volunteers please call him at 320-249-1504 or mnicefest.org or details on our website at fallsradio.com on the community calendar.
NATIONAL NEWS- President Donald J. Trump has paused tariffs on both Canada and Mexico after good calls with their countries top members. Both told the President they will enforced more border patrols in helping stop illegals from coming into the United States.
DEATH NOTICES- Margaret (Muske) Flolid, age 97 lifelong resident of Little Falls. Alice Piotrowski, age 90 of Little Falls.
WEATHER- today increasing clouds, high 9 above wind chills below zero, tonight temps rising from 3 above early with cloudy skies. Wednesday cloudy early then snow in afternoon 1-3 inches high 22, low around 1 above with snow ending before midnight. Thursday sunny and cold, high 8 above low around -5 with gusty winds over 30mph meaning very frigid wind chills through the day.
SPORTS- Little Falls at Alexandria in boys hockey today, the game is now at 4:30pm with pregame at 4pm on Q92 WYRQ due to a girls hockey playoff in Alexandria to follow the boys game. The Brainerd/Little Falls Warriors girl hockey team open the playoffs tonight at Roseau at 6pm, the Little Falls boys and girls Nordic Ski team has sections today near Detroit Lakes for a chance to advance to the state tournament next week in Biwabik.