NEWS
--Today is Good Friday the day that Jesus Christ was crucified so that he could Rise again on Easter Sunday. Many offices today will close for a time likely in the afternoon so that staff can attend services and Masses of their choosing. So call ahead this afternoon to make sure the hours of the businesses. The offices at Little Falls Radio will be closing at noon today and the service from Grace Covenant Church in Little Falls will be heard live at noon today on AM960 KLTF and online at fallsradio.com.
--The Principal of Holy Trinity Catholic School in Pierz, Debra Meyer-Myrum will be honored at National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) 2019 Convention and Expo in Chicago April 23rd-25th. The “NCEA Lead. Learn. Proclaim.” award recognizes educational leadership and excellence. Debra Meyer-Myrum was chosen from more than 150,000 teachers and administrators, as well as diocesan leaders and organizations dedicated to the nation's Catholic schools. The annual award honors those whose ministry is Catholic school education and who have demonstrated a strong Catholic educational philosophy as well as exceptional efforts, dedication and achievements. One comment from Debra Meyer-Myrum’s nomination packet attests to her dedication to her mission: “Debra is a faith-filled person who connects with others, communicates clearly, and shares her love of God”. NCEA’s Convention and Expo is the largest private education association gathering in the world. The annual convention draws thousands of members and participants from Catholic school communities, including elementary and secondary school teachers and principals, religious education programs as well as diocesan offices, church pastors, superintendents and school board members. The convention is a forum to exchange ideas, hear about current research and data related to Catholic education and learn about new technology and resources.
--The Little Falls American Legion is celebrating their 100th birthday today. Around 30-35 men met at Little Falls City Hall to form a temporary organization of the American Legion on April 19th, 1919 following the organization being found a month earlier. At that time it was named the Morrison County American Legion. They later changed their name to the Richard Howard Ferrell Post 46. The organization had numerous homes before purchasing their present location in 1957 and adding on in 1965. The American Legion in Little Falls contributes in many ways to our area including working with the city flag project, providing color guard for basketball and football games, scholarships, sending boys and girls to Legionville Patrol Camp, sponsor the American Legion baseball program and more. A 100th Anniversary dinner will be June 1st for members to celebrate.
--Level 3 predatory offender Joshua Chad Tromblay will be released from prison April 22 and is moving to Baxter according to police. Baxter police will not host a community notification meeting on Tromblay as he is not new to the area and lived in Baxter in 2018. Tromblay is not wanted by police and has served the sentence imposed on him by the court. Tromblay has a history of sexual contact with female victims ages 3-4 years old and adult victims. Tromblay knew his victims. According to the Minnesota Department of Corrections, Tromblay has been in the Rush City prison since last November. Tromblay has violated conditions of his release on several occasions and has been in and out of prison.
--Events include a Silent Walk for Peace today starting at 9:30am the west entrance of the St. Francis Convent in Little Falls, Easter Egg hunts at Linden Hill Saturday at 11am, Easter Eggtravaganza at First Lutheran Church Saturday morning and Pierz Lions Easter Egg hunt at Pioneer Elementary on the playgrounds in Pierz Saturday morning at 11am. Details on events at fallsradio.com, community calendar. Thre are also many masses and services this weekend including Holy Saturday Masses at 8:30pm in Little Falls, Belle Prairie and in Lastrup and many others on Easter Morning across the listening area.
--A St. Cloud man has pleaded guilty to starting fires which caused more than $2.6-million in damage at the Martin Marietta granite quarry in Waite Park. 47-year-old Raymond Curtis had been charged with 18 felony counts. He pleaded guilty to two counts of 1st-degree arson and seven counts of 2nd-degree arson. The remaining nine charges will be dropped at a sentencing hearing on July 22nd. Interviews with several employees determined Curtis was a likely suspect because he was a longtime employee who had been fired in recent months. Employees said Curtis had extensive knowledge of the plant, always seemed upset with the company, and made threatening comments about the company. Authorities say they discovered a small Gatorade bottle in Curtis' garbage which matched the production number and expiration code from a partially burned bottle at the scene of the fire and a padlock with a matching key latch was found in his SUV. A woman eventually came forward who said Curtis was upset at the company for firing him and wanted revenge. Records show she gave police details matching the materials used in the crimes and his plans for carrying them out. The Stearns County Attorney's Office will argue for a 10-year prison sentence at the July hearing.
--The Pierz Commerical Club announced their Pierz Employee of the Quarter is Craig Johnshoy. Johnshoy, a sixth-grade teacher at Pioneer Elementary School in Pierz and also the High School Track coach. The anonymous nomination said while they could have nominated any teacher in the Pierz School system, “Mr. Johnshoy truly stands out. He is a dedicated teacher within our school system and has a true passion for teaching.”
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Brad and Kimberly Hilmerson of Little Falls, a boy born April 17th.
DEATH NOTICES
--Herbert “Herb” Britz, age 94 of Buckman.
--Kevin E. Henifin, age 62 of Long Prairie.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, high 62, clear night, low around 40.
SATURDAY= sunny and warm, high 74, storms late night, low 50.
EASTER= storms early, then cloudy and breezy, high 55, low 38.
MONDAY= sunny skies, high near 60, showers late, low 42.
SPORTS
TWINS= Toronto beat the Twins 7-4 on Thursday to take 3 of the 4 games. Twins are at Baltimore this weekend. Pregame tonight and Saturday are at 5:30pm and Sunday is at 11:30am on Q92 WYRQ.
NFL= Vikings will open the 2019 NFL season at home against Atlanta on September 8th at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.