NEWS
--A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect through 1pm today for central Minnesota. The main reason today is warming temperatures that will change the snow to a mix of rain and sleet before it ends by late afternoon. The winds yesterday caused major headaches with wind gusts close to 50mph causing white out conditions, thunder and lightning, sleet and some hail pellets. Southern Minnesota had thunderstorm warnings from yesterday's large storm system. A big plus is that the winds have died down considerably that the blizzard warnings to the west and southwest of Little Falls have been canceled. Plows are working to clear the snow that fell and many schools are delayed 2 to 3 hours in areas this morning because of that. Continue to listen to Little Falls Radio for the latest weather related announcements. After today, things will get a lot better with temps in the 40s and dry over the weekend.
--A woman found guilty of murdering a St. Cloud man has been sentenced to 25 and a half years in prison. A Benton County jury in February, convicted 26-year-old Cheryl Albert on two counts of 2nd degree murder in the 2015 killing of Keletigui Keita. One count of 3rd degree murder was dismissed as a lesser-included offense. According to Benton County Attorney Philip Miller, Albert will serve a minimum of 17 years in prison with one year and eight months credit for time already served. She must pay $7,500 to the Minnesota Victims' Reparations Board. Court records show Albert was a prostitute who drugged, robbed and shot her victim at his east St. Cloud apartment. Keita owned the Kilmandjaro Market in St. Cloud. Police found him dead of a gunshot wound to the abdomen on June 9th, 2015. His east St. Cloud apartment was missing several items including an iPhone, Apple computer, watches and coins. Albert’s fingerprints were found on two glasses in the bedroom. At least one of the glasses contained the drug commonly known as Xanax. The investigation into Keita's murder lasted two years and culminated with Albert's arrest at the Los Angeles Airport. She was extradited back to Minnesota to face the charges.
--Hopefully the weather will not be a factor in weekend events as there are many including, Fish frys tonight including smelt and fish fry at St. Mary's in Upsala, Upsala Drama Club performing Mamma Mia tonight, Saturday and Sunday, Fishing with the Pros fundraiser is tonight at the Falls Ballroom which is a fundraiser for the Minnesota Fishing Museum and Hall of Fame, Legacy Chorale of Greater Minnesota have free concerts tonight in Deerwood, Saturday in Onamia and Sunday in Brainerd, Easter open house at 10am Saturday at Bingo Park in Randall, Long Prairie Chamber Orchestra performs at LPGE High School Saturday night, Ramey-Morrill Lions have a breakfast Sunday at 8:30am at the Morrill Parish Hall, Bingos Sunday in Buckman, Flensburg, Bowlus and Motley at their respected Catholic Churches, Journey with Jesus to Calvary performed tonight and Saturday night at 7:30pm and Sunday afternoon at 1pm at the St. Francis church south of Upsala on Highway 238 and a free will offering Palm Sunday Breakfast Sunday at St. Stanislaus Church in Sobieski. Details on all these events and more can be found at fallsradio.com then click on the community calendar.
--Little Falls Radio will present the Good Friday Service from Grace Covenant Church located northwest of the city limits of Little Falls, next Friday on Good Friday at noon on AM960 KLTF.
--The 2019 Morrison County Child Care Provider of the Year has been selected. Desirae Welle of Little Falls has been doing daycare for six years. Desirae will be honored at the Morrison County Provider of the Year Banquet being held on May 10th. Invitations will be sent out to all Morrison County Child Care Providers. Congratulations Desirae Welle 2019 Morrison County Provider of the Year.
--At 10:38am Thursday the Crow Wing County Sheriffs office received a call from a mother reporting her 4 year old daughter had wandered off into the woods near their residence with the family dog. A short time later the dog returned home without the girl. After about 1 hour of searching, the girl was located by a family member who was also assisting in the search. The incident took place in the 12000 block of Esden Road east of Brainerd. Sheriff Goddard expressed his appreciation for those involved in the search and for emergency services using their resources to locate the girl. With the inclement weather yesterday the situation could have been made worse for all involved. Sheriff Goddard was happy to see the girl reunited safely with her family.
--According to a close friend 77-year old Irwin Jacobs and his wife 77-year old Alexandra Jacobs were discovered dead in an apparent murder suicide at their Lake Minnetonka Home. Officers who responded to the Shoreline Drive home shortly after 8:30am Wednesday found the bodies in a bed along with a gun. Although police did not officially rule it a murder suicide, authorities did state no suspects are being sought at this time. Irwin Jacobs was a successful businessman who at one time owned both Crestliner Boats and Larson Boats in Little Falls along with numerous other companies. Jacobs often purchased businesses and helped turn them around and then sold the business for a profit. At one time Jacobs was worth an estimated $200 million dollars in the 1980's.
--The Minnesota State Patrol was busy responding to crashes all day long Wednesday and more accidents on Thursday. The 24 hour period of Wednesday the State patrol responded to 244 crashes statewide, 34 injuries from those crashes, 212 vehicles spun out in ditches and 18 semi-trucks jackknifed. Due to the very high winds on Thursday, Interstate 94 at Clearwater was closed for a time, by early afternoon with gusty winds, thunder, lightning, rain, sleet and snow led to hundreds more accidents and reports of many semi-trucks off the road, in ditches and jackknifed. MN Dot asked that travel not be advised late Thursday with more advisories still in effect today.
--The Little Falls School Board meets Monday at 5pm at the Middle School media center. With a number of agenda items.
WEATHER
WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 1PM TODAY.
TODAY= snow likely, mixing with rain and sleet, 1-3 inches, high 35.
TONIGHT= light snow early, then partial clearing, low 24.
SATURDAY= partly sunny skies, high near 40, low around 22.
SUNDAY= sunny skies, high 45, low around 30.
MONDAY= rain showers by afternoon, cloudy, high 51, low near 35.
SPORTS
TWINS= The Twins have postponed their game with Detroit tonight until May 11th as part of a double header. The Twins are scheduled to host Detroit tomorrow at 12:30pm and then Sunday following Inside Twins at noon. Those games will be on Q92 WYRQ.