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Friday, February 7th, 2025

--A Winter Weather Advisory is issued from 10pm tonight through 3pm Saturday. Still a large amount of snow will come through the state at a quick clip tonight through Saturday morning, indications around Little Falls to St. Cloud of 4-6 inches of snow mostly overnight 3-5 until 9am then 1-2 before noon tomorrow. Eastern Minnesota and Western Wisconsin is looking at 5-10 or more inches into Saturday night. After the snow ends the temps will drop to around -15 below zero tomorrow and even colder air moves in Monday through Wednesday of next week. 

--The Minnesota Department of Public Safety and the Minnesota State Patrol have announced a number of award winners. The Trooper of the Year award goes to State Patrol Sergeant Kyle Backer of the St. Cloud District. Over the past year, Sergeant Backer has worked on several notable cases including a fatal crash investigation where a driver, speeding at nearly 150 miles an hour, rear-ended another vehicle, a serious injury car versus pedestrian crash, and a high-profile crash investigation that involved the death of two boys and a third critically injured. Trooper Ryan Moeser of the St. Cloud District has been recognized for an incident on May 20th when he responded to a report of an unresponsive man at a home in Gilman. When he arrived the man was not breathing, his face was blue and a woman was performing chest compressions. Trooper Moeser took over while another deputy used an AED. Eventually, the man began to breathe on his own. And, a Meritorious Citizenship Award goes to Daniel Baert, Steven Boser, and Shelby Erdich. They arrived on the scene of a crash near Pierz on September 7th, 2023 where a van had struck a man on a riding lawn mower. Thanks to their combined efforts medics were able to get the victim to the hospital where he made a nearly full recovery. The Minnesota State Patrol believes in celebrating troopers, dispatchers and staff who go above and beyond the division’s core values of respect, integrity, courage, honor and excellence. The ceremony also recognizes residents and members of other law enforcement and emergency service agencies who performed commendable acts to assist troopers or others.

--Classes were allowed to go on as scheduled after authorities determined that threats against Sartell High School were not credible. The police department says the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension alerted them early Wednesday morning about a Snapchat group message made by a student who referred to self harm and “possible threats to cause school violence.” Police, in turn, notified school officials about it and made them aware students may need to be kept away from the building. The person who sent the message and their parents were tracked down and were cooperative with the investigation. Through conversations and communication with district officials, it was determined that it was safe to send kids to class. A news release from Chief Brandon Silgjord thanked the Sartell St. Stephen School District as the two worked closely to address the issue and adds the incident highlights the importance of the partnerships with state and federal law enforcement agencies and thanked them for a quick response to the potential threats at the local level. He also says it serves as a “stark reminder for parents to urge their kids to report concerning messages or posts on social media and to not wait until they’re caugt by a secondary safety measure,” like what happened with this incident. The investigation is ongoing. The student and their family will continue to receive necessary resources and follow up.

--Governor Tim Walz announced millions of dollars in grants to child care facilities around Minnesota from the Department of Employment and Economic Development around the State of Minnesota including $240,000 in grant money for the Little Flyers Childcare Facility being built on the west side of Little Falls and plans on opening in March of 2025. 

--The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is reminding motorists that over 400 law enforcement personnel will be out on Minnesota roadways this weekend through Monday due to the Super Bowl football game played on Sunday. With many bars and establishments having big game parties and specials, and lots of parties in homes, the State Patrol reminds motorists to have a plan in place and do not drink and drive. Luckily in the past 5 years DWI arrests have dropped around Minnesota during the Super Bowl game and weekend but last year over 300 arrests were made compared to back in 2018 when close to 1,100 arrests were made that same weekend. Prepare a plan and plan ahead this week to get home safely this weekend if you plan on watching the game or enjoying anything else on your schedule. 

--A Stearns County business was damaged by fire Wednesday. The sheriff's office got a 911 call for a possible fire at Centre Pallet and Lumber at around 12:40 p.m. The business is located at 37622, 395th Avenue, south of Sauk Centre. The caller reported smoke coming from the boiler room attached to a 50x120-foot building. Authorities were notified of recent electrical issues and the caller believed the insulation had caught fire. Fire departments from Sauk Centre, Melrose, and Elrosa responded to the scene. There were no injuries and the fire was contained to the boiler room. 

--Weekend events include Pine Grove Zoo Gone Wild event tonight at the Falls Ballroom, doors open at 6:30pm show at 8pm. Royalton FFA Breakfast on Sunday morning at Royalton High School commons, Quilt Bingo Sunday at St. Mary's Church in Upsala and may more events in the days ahead you can view at fallsradio.com then community calendar. 

WEATHER- today partly sunny high around 16. Snow develops before midnight, Winter Weather Advisory 9pm tonight to 3pm Saturday, snow accumulating 3-5 inches over night low 10, snow 1-2 inches before noon on Saturday then turning colder, high 12 early then dropping low -14 at night with clear skies. Sunday partly sunny, high 11 above, low-5 , Monday cloudy skies, high 9 above, snow early then very cold, low near -20. 

SPORTS- Little Falls at Milaca girls basketball tonight at 7:15pm on Q92 WYRQ. Catch the Saturday Morning Sports Wrap Saturday at 9:05am and State of Hockey Saturday at 1pm Saturday live on AM960 KLTF. Then Listen to full coverage of Super Bowl 59 from New Orleans this Sunday the pregame begins at 1pm, kickoff of Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles is at 5:30pm hear the action live on AM960 KLTF. 

News: Thursday, February 6th, 2025

News: Wednesday, February 5th, 2025

News: Tuesday, February 4th, 2025

News: Monday, February 3rd, 2025