Monday, February 16, 2026
Monday is President's Day. A federal holiday that was established to fall on the third Monday of February between the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln on Feb 12th and George Washington on Feb 22nd. All government agencies federal, state, county and city are closed Monday. Banks, financial institutions, post offices, schools and some business offices are closed Monday for President's Day, there is no regular mail delivery however it was reported that priority mail and 1 day parcel service deliveries are running their routes Monday. You may want to check ahead to see what items are open or closed on President's Day 2026.
Two people from Motley were injured Friday morning around 7:06am on Highway 210 and Highway 10 in Motley when a pickup hauling a cattle trailer lost control and struck a vehicle in the other lane driven by 60-year-old Brian Goltz of Motley. Goltz and his passenger 26-year-old Bryce Jones were both taken to the Staples Hospital for non life threatening injuries. The driver of the pickup from Wisconsin was not injured.
Minnesota will mark the 10th annual School Bus Driver Appreciation Day on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. This statewide celebration honors the thousands of professional school bus drivers who safely transport nearly 700,000 Minnesota students each day. These highly trained professionals navigate challenging weather and traffic conditions while providing a reliable, welcoming presence for students and families. Communities across Minnesota are encouraged to take a moment to thank school bus drivers for their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to student safety. On hand will be Kathryn Forbord, President of the Minnesota School Bus Operators Association and Director of Operations at Schmitty & Sons, Nick Klaseus, President of the Minnesota Association for Pupil Transit (MAPT) and Transportation Director at Cleveland Public Schools, Lt. Brian Reu, Director of Office of Pupil Transportation Safety, Minnesota State Patrol, Mebal Kaanyi, school bus driver in Roseville, who bravely rescued a child from Lake Owasso in November, 2025., Rick Gratton, school bus driver for St. Francis Schools, who safety evacuated students from a school bus fire in October 2025, Miranda Cogswell, school bus driver with Faribault Transportation, 2025 1st place winner of the “Minnesota School Bus Road-eo” safety and skills competition Governor Tim Walz will again issue a statewide School Bus Driver Appreciation Day Proclamation, recognizing the essential role bus drivers play in student safety, school access, and community transportation. To honor school bus drivers, the I-35W Bridge and US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis will be lit yellow that evening starting approximately 5:30 PM. Many cities and school districts have also passed resolutions for School Bus Driver Appreciation Day.
A Sartell man is being held in the Stearns County Jail after allegedly holding another man's fiancée against her will. Several law enforcement agencies joined the Sartell Police in responding to the 400 block of 7th Street North early Friday morning on a report of a woman being held against her will. A man had called from Arizona saying that he received a text message from the woman that she had been visiting a friend in Sartell, and he wouldn't let her leave. She said the man, 45-year-old Aaron Wright, also physically assaulted her and threatened to shoot her if she tried to leave. Officers quickly responded to the scene and encountered Wright and the woman in the entryway of his building. The victim was able to free herself and run for safety. Police say Wright refused commands to surrender and ran back inside the apartment. Wright then allegedly jumped from a third-story window in an effort to escape, but was quickly arrested. Wright was booked into jail on suspicion of domestic assault by strangulation, felony threats of violence, false imprisonment, and providing a false name to a police officer. Authorities say Wright also had an outstanding warrant out of Stearns County for fleeing police in a motor vehicle.
The Little Falls City Council will meet Tuesday at 7:30pm at City Hall Council Chambers as the City Offices will be closed Monday for President's Day.
Death Notices: Joel D. Stumpf, age 71 of Little Falls.
Weather: Monday sunny and mild, high 48, cloudy Monday night low around 30. Tuesday rain in the afternoon, high 43, rain changing to snow Tuesday night low around 28. Snow likely heavy at times on Wednesday, high 34, low around 27, Snow continues on Thursday high 29, low around 20. Friday more snow possible, high near 26, low around 10 above.
Sports: The Little Falls Boys Hockey opens the playoffs at home against Prairie Centre (Long Prairie/Sauk Centre) team on Tuesday at 7pm at Exchange Arena and live on Q92 WYRQ and fallsradio.com. Olympics Medal Count on Friday late day, Italy and Norway both with 18, United States still at 14 with no new medals won on Friday, however many chances for more gold medals for the USA through February 22nd.