Wednesday, April 2, 2025

A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect now until 1am tomorrow morning. The National Weather Service expects snow and rain today with gusty winds over 30mph from the East causing blowing snow and poor visibility at times. Another 1-2 inches possible today and another half inch to inch tonight before done. Already a slushy icy coat under 1-2 inches yesterday with rain and sleet also has the plows out this morning and some slippery roadways, and especially slippery sidewalks, driveways and parking lots. Because the warning was extended, schools last night decided to close, be late or go to e-learning days. Little Falls, Pierz Royalton, Swanville, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle, Browerville, Staples-Motley are doing E-Learning Days with no buses going out for these schools. Many schools will have no after school practices or activities due to this today also. Brainerd, Pillager, Central Lakes College of Brainerd and Staples and Wadena Deer Creek Schools are closed today and Mid State Education District is opening 2 hours late. EEI is closed today on Wednesday April 2nd. Listen to Little Falls Radio for any other weather related announcements today. 

A Morrison County man is jailed in Meeker County after allegedly leading police on a high speed chase Monday afternoon that ended in Stearns County. According to a press release, Meeker County was notified just after 2:00 by the Minnesota State Patrol of a pursuit, which was terminated as they were heading north on Highway 22 near Litchfield. A short time later, Litchfield Police spotted the suspect vehicle and attempted to stop the driver, leading to a second pursuit, which was also called off. A Meeker County deputy found the suspect, who fled again. Deputies attempted a Pursuit Intervention Tactic, which forced the vehicle into a ditch, but the driver managed to escape south through the city of Darwin before heading north on Highway 15 toward St. Cloud. As the pursuit entered Stearns County, authorities say a trooper deployed “stop sticks,” which are tire deflation devices, before deputies executed another PIT maneuver, eventually ending the more than 30 mile chase. The pursuit reached speeds of 100 miles an hour, and the suspect is also accused of swerving toward a deputy attempting to stop him. The 20-year-old driver, identified on court records as Hunter Wisch of Hillman, who also had a revoked license, was arrested on charges related to the pursuit and suspicion of driving under the influence. Pending charges also include reckless driving, fleeing police, and drug possession. He is facing charges in McLeod County for fleeing on foot and multiple drug and gun violations stemming from a November 2024 incident in Hutchinson.

A section of Industrial Park Road was closed Tuesday, April 1, after a fire broke out at Crow Wing Recycling in Brainerd. PulsePoint, an app documenting emergency calls, listed the fire call out at 7:12 a.m. with Brainerd Fire Department responding. The Brainerd Police Department responded to the fire and closed a section of Industrial Park Road, from South Sixth to South 10th streets, at around 7:20am A large water hose could be seen running across the roadway into the recycling center. At around 8am, equipment was seen moving material as large plumes of smoke could still be seen billowing out of the plant area. The road was reopened around 9:35am and the facility reopened around 10 a.m. The fire was scrap that became combustible and started on fire and was able to be put out by firefighters rather quickly when on location. They ask those to pay close attention to scraping things with lithium-ion batteries as they can be highly combustible under the right conditions. Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable and may be used in cellphones, computers, tablets, electric toothbrushes, tools, e-bikes and more. The lithium-ion batteries should be recycled at a separate recycling facility or household hazardous waste facility, such as the one at the Crow Wing County landfill. The lithium-ion batteries should not be placed in household garbage or recycling bins, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported. To prevent fires, the EPA says battery terminals should be taped and/or lithium-ion batteries should be placed in separate plastic bags. The fire is not under investigation and no injuries were reported.

Law enforcement is cracking down on distracted driving this month. Namely, they want people to put their phones down. The effort is being coordinated by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety. Officials are reminding people that hands-free cell phone use is a requirement in the state. Using a phone to check text messages and social media or browse the internet is illegal when behind the wheel. The law has been in place since 2019. It was passed with the understanding that taking your focus from the road, even for a matter of seconds, dramatically increases the risk of a serious accident. OTS Director Mike Hanson stresses, “Trust me, if you’re involved in a fatal crash, you won’t be thinking about that text you almost missed.” In 2024 alone, distracted driving is cited as a cause in accidents that led to 137 serious injuries and 29 fatalities. That trend has been flat over the past five years. Fines for using a phone while buckled up range from $100 for the first offense to $300 for any repeat violations. If someone is seriously injured or killed due to distracted driving, it can be elevated to a felony charge of criminal vehicular operation or homicide. Some tips to avoid distracted driving include mapping out the route with GPS before getting underway, pre-program radio stations to make it easy to switch among your favorites, and avoid messy foods. Drinks are okay as long as they are secured.

The Morrison County Sheriff's Office Emergency Management wants to remind everyone that Severe Weather Awareness Week is April 7 to 11th. On Thursday, April 10th, we will be participating in the Statewide Tornado Drills with sirens being activated at 1:45PM and 6:45PM. Outdoor warning sirens will sound in a simulated tornado warning. The tornado drills allow everyone in the community to practice their emergency plans for tornadoes. The first drill is intended for institutions and businesses. The evening drill is intended for second shift workers and families. There is no such thing as an “all- clear” siren.
For more information about severe weather safety and preparedness, please visit the Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management website at https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/hsem/weather-awareness-preparedness/Pages/severe-weather- awareness-week-program.aspx for daily topics during Severe Weather Awareness Week. Each day of the week highlights an important seasonal weather safety topic: Monday- Alerts and Warnings; Tuesday- Severe Weather, Lightning and Hail; Wednesday- Floods; Thursday- Tornadoes (with Statewide Tornado Drills) and Friday- Extreme Heat. We encourage everyone to be informed and prepared. A message from the Morrison County Sheriff's Office. 

The Rice Fire Department has been named best in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. The award was handed out last week by the Minnesota State Fire Department Association. Rice was nominated by a former employee now with St. Cloud. Rice Fire Chief Scott Janski explains why Pete Kedrowski decided to honor his old department. “He remembers when he started out here, our drive, our culture, that made him want to continue moving forward in the fire service.” Janski says the two spoke over the phone after the announcement. Janski believes the award is validation of something he has known for years now. “Rice firefighters are a dedicated group of people that enjoy helping out their community. I mean, they’re community leaders.” Rice is a volunteer department servicing the city of Rice and nearby Graham, Langola, and Watab Townships. It covers about 100 square miles. Janski says his department goes on about 180 calls per year. As nice as the accolades are, Janski notes Rice suffers from the same staffing shortages as other volunteer departments in the state. He encourages community members to join the group. Those interested in helping out in other ways are encouraged to attend a Turkey Bingo just before Thanksgiving.

Logan from the Friends of the Carnegie Library spoke on KLTF about the the Used Book Sale going on tonight for the members of the Friends group only then open to the public at 10am Thursday, Friday and Saturday with a bag sale on Saturday for books, DVD's magazines and other items. The proceeds from the event go to help scholarships to students at the High School and upkeep of the library that was built in 1905 and is now 120 years old. Questions contact any members of the Friends group or the library.

Death Notices- Adeline Seitz, age 86 of Pierz. 

The Winter Storm Warning has been extended to 1am Thursday morning. Weather today snow, sleet and rain at times, 1-2 inches by night, winds gusty 15-30mph from the East high 35. tonight rain/snow still possible another inch by midnight, low 29. Thursday partly sunny, windy high near 40, low near 22. Friday sunny skies high near 43 low around 26. Temps in the 40s and lows in the 20s for the weekend. 

Sports- Twins win 8-3 last night over Chicago to get their first win of the season. Twins and White Sox wrap up their series today with pregame at 12:30pm on Q92 WYRQ then tomorrow is the home opener for the Twins against the Astros in Minneapolis at 2:30pm also on Q92 WYRQ. Due to the weather the indoor track meet in Foley Tuesday with Little Falls and Pierz and others has been moved to Thursday April 3rd due to the weather yesterday. The Little Falls baseball game with Hutchinson on Thursday has been postponed and will be made up May 15th in Little Falls. 

Cancellations- EEI closed, No Bonebuilders at LF Senior Center, The Pierz KC Bowling event in Pierz with Mass servers today is canceled.