Friday, March 28, 2025
Eyes will be on the weather as a spring storm could bring all four seasons to Minnesota in a 48 hour period. Today temps in southern Minnesota could be in the lower 80s, mid 70s in the Twin Cities, here in Morrison County calling for mid-50s with chances of showers and a few thunderstorms by late morning and again by early evening where in the Twin Cities Metro south they have risk of severe weather with hail and gusty winds later today and tonight. Saturday starts with a chance of rain or snow early, then most of Saturday now looks dry for central Minnesota during the day, after 7pm Saturday snow develops into the overnight with gusty winds and 2-4 inches of snow by Sunday morning. Some areas could be seeing an icy mix early and late Saturday. Sunday morning snow, another half inch by 11am then cloudy and breezy with colder temps in the 30s for highs and 20s for lows. Some parts of the state could see severe storms and then heavy snow before it ends on Sunday. Listen to Little Falls Radio the next few days for the latest weather details.
Law enforcement is investigating a crash Thursday between a school bus and car in Wadena County. It happened at about 7:50 a.m. in Wadena Township. According to the sheriff's office, a Chevrolet Impala crested a hill and crashed into the rear of a bus taking kids to the Verndale School. "The sun is believed to be a contributing factor in the crash," officials said in the press release. The driver of the Impala was a 16-year-old girl, the sheriff's office said. She was driving with a 15-year-old and a 9-year-old in the car. She and one of the passengers were taken to the hospital and are expected to survive. There were 20 kids on board, according to authorities. The kids were evaluated and one was taken by private car to a hospital for what officials described as a minor injury.
Two fourth-grade students at Riverside Elementary School are being credited for their quick decisions after their bus driver suffered a medical emergency. Around 30 Riverside Elementary School students were dropped off unexpectedly Tuesday, March 25, on the 9600 block of 100th Street in Crow Wing Township after their driver was having a medical issue. All the children were accounted for and there were no reports of injuries. The driver, identified by family as Peter Lodermeier, 74, of Fort Ripley, was located after a search at 3:30pm around Lone Oak Road and St. Mathias Road Southwest and was transported by North Memorial Health Ambulance to Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center with unknown injuries. On Wednesday morning, family members said he had been transferred to the intensive care unit at CentraCare-St. Cloud Hospital. No update on his condition was available. Crow Wing County Sheriff Eric Klang said it's great to see kids take it upon themselves to address a situation and prevent it from getting worse. Brainerd Public Schools Superintendent Peter Grant said he was very thankful all the students were found safe.
The Minnesota State Fair and the Minnesota Farm Bureau are honoring 77 farms as 2025 Century Farms. In Benton County, the Carlson Family Farms in Foley dates back to 1894, in Kandiyohi County the Manz-Herding Farm in Paynesville goes back to 1895, in Morrison County the Stangl Family Farm in Pierz was started in 1906 and the Tschida Family Farm in Pierz dates back to 1925, in Stearns County the Braun Family Farm in Belgrade was started in 1887, the Czeck farm in Holdingford goes back to 1883, and the Zierden farm in Melrose was started in 1896, and in Todd County the Nelson Farm in Eagle Bend is from 1919 and the McKindley-Gray Farm in Osakis was started in 1917. Qualifying farms have been in continuous family ownership for at least 100 years and are 50 acres or more. Century Farm families receive a commemorative sign, as well as a certificate. Since the program began in 1976, more than 11,000 Minnesota farms have been recognized as Century Farms.
The Morrison County Dairy Princess Coronation and Banquet is Saturday night at 8pm at the Falls Ballroom. Tickets are $20 the door for a dinner and event. This year's candidates are Isabelle Dulude 17-year-old daughter of George and Jenny Dulude of Hillman and is a student at Pierz Healy High School. Daizy Dickmann 18-year-old daughter of Josh and Linda Dickmann and is currently a student at Pierz Healy High School and taking classes at Ridgewater College. Josi Smude is a 17-year-old daughter of David and Joni Smude and a student at Pierz Healy High School and taking classes at Central Lakes College in Brainerd. Breanna Houdek is 17-year-old daughter of Lisa Gosiak and Jamie Houdek of Little Falls. She currently attends Little Falls Community High School. Kayla Virnig is a 16-year-old daughter of Kevin and Rose Virnig of Pierz and attends Pierz Healy High School. On Thursday Stacy Happke with the Morrison County ADA and Dairy Princess coordinator stated that they will crown Dairy Princesses on Saturday night but only Smude and Dickman who are High School Seniors can continue to the Princess Kay of the Milky Way competition in May. The others can be princesses and can get their chance if they run again next year. Good luck to the girls Saturday night, judging begins that afternoon with Coronation at 8pm and thanks to all the sponsors helping with the event and with the girls on Saturday in Little Falls.
Other weekend events include fish fry a plenty tonight at area organizations, churches and restaurants, Sunday a breakfast at St. Joseph's Church in Pierz from the Pierz Knights of Columbus 8-11:45am for free will offering. St. Stephen Catholic Church in St. Stephen hosting a breakfast Sunday from 8-12pm for the National Catholic Youth Conference, again a free will offering. Ham Bingo at Holy Cross Church in Harding at 1pm with man made lunch to be served. Quilt or Ham Bingo Sunday at 1:30pm at St. Rita's Church in Hillman put on by Immanuel Lutheran Church, free lunch, door prizes and raffle items at the bingo. More details on events can be found at fallsradio.com click on community calendar.
WEATHER- today cloudy skies, chance of T-storms before noon, then rain after 5pm high 53, tonight cloudy skies low around 32. Saturday chance of rain/snow early then cloudy high 36 falling to 26 by late evening. Snow Saturday night 2-4 inches by Sunday morning possible, low 23. Sunday snow early before noon then cloudy and breezy colder, high 36, low around 20. Monday sunny skies, high 40, low near 20.
SPORTS- Twins had to last through a 90 minute rain delay Thursday then lost 5-3 in their opener to St. Louis. The Twins have today off and will finish series at St. Louis Saturday at 12:30pm and Sunday with Inside Twins starting at noon, hear Twins baseball all season long on Q92 WYRQ. Gopher women beat Gonzaga 82-77 in overtime last night and move on to face Florida in the WBIT semi-finals Monday at 4pm, Championship is on April 2nd. In college hockey Massachusetts beat the Gophers 5-4 in overtime and Western Michigan needed double overtime to beat Mankato 2-1 ending both Minnesota teams in the NCAA Hockey Tournament.
*the Pierz vs. Little Falls softball game scheduled for tonight has been canceled with no make up date at this time.