Tuesday, April 1, 2025
A Winter Storm Warning goes into effect at 1pm today until 1pm on Wednesday afternoon. Snow will develop by early afternoon, mixing early with rain and sleet today then all snow by tonight through Wednesday, ending Wednesday with mixed precipitation until early afternoon. Temperatures will range from 36 to 27 degrees which will depend on how much snow falls. If all snow today into Wednesday potential of around 4-8 inches by tomorrow afternoon, with some icy conditions possible. Lesser amounts in areas of more rain today. Strong winds will also cause problems today from the southeast and tonight through Wednesday out of the northeast. Drier days are in the forecast Thursday through Sunday. Listen to Little Falls Radio for the latest weather details and cancellations later today and Wednesday.
The Morrison County Board is conducting an Emergency Meeting at 8:30am today just prior to the start of the Planning Session, to consider a ham and quilt bingo gambling license for Bethany Lutheran Church of Foley. The church event has been rescheduled for this Sunday, April, 6th due to the inclement weather this past weekend. In order for this request to be actioned and allow time for the MN Gambling Control Board to consider, an Emergency Meeting is necessary. If you have any questions please contact Matt LeBlanc.
Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism CEO Purva Watten spoke on KLTF Monday. Watten reminds the public there is a legislative update with local State Representatives and State Senator Nathan Wesenberg. This will be at 9am Friday April 4th at the Morrison County Government Center Boardroom. Watten also stated that they already have around 300 signed up to be part of the Arts and Craft Fair in September. They announced their recent Large Business of the Year as Magnifi Financial, Small Business of the Year as Hilmerson Sports Center, and Volunteer of the Year Kelly Desormey. They will be honored at the Chamber Annual Meeting April 10th for ticket information contact Purva at the Chamber and check out their latest details on events on the website lfchambermn.com or call her at 320-632-5155 or if you want to get info the Arts and Crafts Fair this September go to littlefallsartsandcraftsfair.com.
Also the Little Falls Chamber and Tourism's April Employee of the Month is Melissa Balaski with Walmart. Melissa Balaski: stated "Walmart was the first place to employ me after my brain injury. I love working in the public. People are the light of my life! I am honored for this nomination." Store Manager Tarah Voltin: "Melissa is a gem! She is always bright and shining. She has been a valuable asset to our apparel and jewelry area for years. She has taken the opportunity to do additional work to support customer service total store over the years too. Melissa has the attention and detail quality when providing customer care and satisfaction. She mirrors the customer and her co-workers to make them feel valued. We are grateful that she has picked Walmart to work at and give her authentic self to our community. She never leaves a customer unhelped and truly deserves this moment. Thank you for all you do Melissa." Congratulations to Melissa Balaski the April Employee of the Month by the Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce of Tourism.
Two people were hurt in a three-vehicle crash near Belgrade Monday morning. The Minnesota State Patrol says it happened on Highway 71 around 6:30am. The patrol says a semi and a pickup were traveling north on Highway 71 while an SUV was southbound. The vehicles collided at Greencrest Road in Crow River Township just northeast of the city of Belgrade. The pickup driver, 51-year-old Theresa Sandvig of Belgrade, was taken to Paynesville Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The SUV driver, 29-year-old Brian Rademacher of Belgrade, was taken to Sauk Centre Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The semi driver, 65-year-old Ronald Robinson of Belgrade was not hurt.
The St. Cloud Fire Department responded to a natural gas leak on Sunday morning. The call came in at 6am at 1420 Minnesota Boulevard Southeast at St. Benedict's. The source was determined to be a large gas service meter mounted on the exterior of the building, from which gas was found to be escaping. St. Cloud Fire Department secured the leak while simultaneously implementing a shelter-in-place order for residents. One engine company advanced to the meter to locate and control the leak, while a second engine company provided fire suppression coverage. Additional crews entered the building to monitor the atmosphere, ensuring the safety of all occupants. Upon completion of the repairs, the building was turned back over to the St. Benedict's staff.
A Texas man is facing multiple tax related felonies in Minnesota for knowingly failing to file and pay up. According to the complaint, Todd Merriam of San Antonio operates Merriam’s Midway Shows, a business set up at county fairs across the country, including at the Wright County Fair. Authorities say Merriam failed to pay sales tax and file sales tax returns in 2018 and 2019 and from 2021 through 2023. He is also accused of failing to file a sales tax return in 2024. Prosecutors allege Merriam also failed to file individual income tax returns and pay income tax for the years 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023. He admitted to investigators he was aware of his tax obligations and had received multiple notices from the Department of Revenue urging him to comply, including instructions on how to file and where to get help, if needed. The filing further details a 2022 civil sales tax audit, during which Merriam allegedly underreported his gross receipts by $10,000 per Minnesota fair from 2018 to 2022. When confronted, investigators say he acknowledged the discrepancy, saying “he just did it” and that he “shouldn’t have done it.” Merriam owes more than $387,000 in sales and income taxes, penalties, and interest. He is facing six felony counts of failing to file sales tax returns, five felony counts of failing to pay sales and use tax, five felony counts of failing to file income tax returns, and five felony counts of willfully failing to pay income tax. Each tax-related felony charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.
Birth Announcement- Joseph and Alyssa Czech of Little Falls, had a baby girl on March 27th. Gage and Kendra VanRisseghem of Swanville had a baby girl on March 28th.
Death Notices- Bernard "Ben" Gross, age 95 of Hillman.
WEATHER- Winter Storm Warning 1pm Tuesday to 1pm Wednesday. Cloudy morning then rain/sleet and snow by afternoon high 35, winds out of the southeast pick up into midday, around 1 inch of snow this afternoon, snow likely tonight, heavy at times 3-5 inches low 28, snow and wind then rain and icy before ending on Wednesday with high 37 around 1-2 inches of snow early then rain and sleet. Rain and snow ending Wednesday night low 25. Thursday partly sunny, chilly high 38.
Sports- White Sox bombed the Twins 9-0 yesterday. Twins (0-4) continue series at Chicago with White Sox tonight 6pm pregame on Q92 WYRQ. Gopher women beat Florida last night in basketball 66-52 to advance to the WBIT Championship game tomorrow against Belmont at 5pm for the WBIT title. The Pierz at Little Falls softball game that was postponed last Friday will be made up on Monday, April 21st at 5pm at the Flyer Softball Field, the game will be heard live on AM960 KLTF.