NEWS
--The Little Falls Community Schools has announced its new hire to replace outgoing Superintendent Steve Jones. In a motion passed Wednesday night, the Little Falls Community School Board selected current Albany Area Schools Superintendent Greg Johnson to enter into negotiations with. Pending contract negotiations, Johnson will lead the district going forward beginning July 1st. School Board Chair Sharon Ballou, praised Johnson’s collaborative approach and innovative ideas. “Mr. Johnson’s past work experiences makes him an excellent candidate to lead the district going forward. His focus on academic excellence through personalized learning, commitment to build relationships, and willingness to innovate reflect the values of the Little Falls Community Schools.” Johnson was selected from a field of 9 applicants. Johnson has been the Superintendent at Albany Area Schools since 2014. Before that, he served as Principal for Sartell-St. Stephen Schools and St. Cloud Area Schools. He has also been a K-12 Principal at Swanville Public Schools and an elementary school teacher for Moorhead Area Schools.
--The Benton County Sheriff's Office were informed by the Midwest Medical Examiner's Office late Wednesday that the body found on the ice back on March 31st on the Harris Channel area in Watab Township has been identified as 44-year-old Hannah Hale of Royalton. The cause and manner of death is still being investigated but the Sheriff's Office had reported that foul play is not suspected in Hale's death.
--Karsten Anderson, Heidi Hahn and Eric Schneider are the top three finalists for the next Brainerd Public Schools superintendent. Six candidates interviewed for the job earlier this week and from that they have narrowed down to three candidates. Hahn is assistant superintendent in Brainerd, while Anderson serves as superintendent in Red Wing, and Schneider is chief executive officer for Chicago-based education company EdIncites. Schneider lives in Chanhassen and has experience as an assistant superintendent in Minnetonka. Another round of interviews are being scheduled with the decision on the next Brainerd Superintendent likely to come in the next week.
--The Minnesota State Patrol has released information on the fatal accident Wednesday at 7:36am on Highway 371 in Cass County near Backus. 56-year-old Stephen Ertl of St. Cloud was north on 371 when the vehicle slid across the center-line and collided head-on with 86-year-old Leo Elyea of Backus. Ertl and his passenger 26-year-old Ryan Skaja of Foley were taken to the hospital in Brainerd for non life threatening injuries. Elyea sustained life threatening injuries and was transferred to North Memorial in Robbinsdale. Elyea's passenger 83-year-old Susan Ann Bye-Elyea of Backus was pronounced dead when the state patrol arrived on the scene Wednesday morning.
--Turkey hunting begins next week. The DNR says turkey hunting is growing in popularity and Central Minnesota has a healthy population of turkeys. The turkey hunt is set to happen from April 13 to May 31 in Minnesota. Licenses can be purchased over the counter and archery hunters can hunt every season with gun hunters needed to choose which season to hunt. More details where licenses are sold or on the Minnesota DNR website.
--Morrison County Veterans Service Officer Kathy Marshik is asking those to Purple Up on April 15th. That is Purple Up Day for Military Kids. Marshik is asking if you want to send pictures of children of those in the Military to be put on a collage please send to Kathy by 4:30pm on April 13th. For more information call 320-632-0290.
--Get info on Ladies Night Out Little Falls Style at fallsradio.com.
--Thursday, State Representative Ron Kresha announced his reelection bid for the November 2022 election in House District 10A. This newly formed House District includes portions of Morrison, Mille Lacs, Crow Wing, Kanabec and Aitkin. “Thank you to the many, many supporters and community leaders who have contacted me regarding reelection. The support for me and family is inspiring, and I am excited to run in the primary election and to seek district support on August 9th”, said Kresha. The Minnesota primary election is August 9th followed by the general election on November 8th. Representative Kresha lives in Little Falls and has been a Republican Legislator since January 2012 when he was first elected to serve.
--This is the busiest weekend of events in quite some time. Book Sale continues at the Carnegie Library starting at 10am today, Saturday and Monday. Tonight being the last Friday before the Good Friday holiday next week is the last night for many are fish frys. Tomorrow there is an Easter Egg Hunt at 10:30am at Maple Island Park. There is a bunny bingo to help with handicap accessible playground equipment at Gamradt Park in northwest Little Falls is tomorrow 10am-3pm come and play anytime for 25-cents for Bingo, live bunnies, silent auction and more for this event at Little Falls VFW. The Charles Lindbergh Historic Site in Little Falls is hosting a childrens day type event on Saturday. There is a bake sale tomorrow night in Bowlus around the 8pm Mass then bake sale Sunday around their Ham Bingo at the church in Bowlus as a fundraiser for their roof repairs. Breakfast Sunday at the American Legion in Little Falls and at St. Mary's Hall in Holdingford with breakfast and raffle 9am-12pm Sunday these are being done as fundraisers and plenty of Ham Bingos Sunday planned in Holy Cross in Harding, St. Stainislaus in Bowlus, St. Stanislaus in Sobieski, Holy Family in Belle Prairie, St. Mathias Catholic Church and more. There is Journey with Jesus to Calvary performances tonight, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon at St. Francis of Assisi Church south of Upsala, a Smelt Fry tonight at St. Mary's in Upsala. The Royalton Lions dinner for seniors Sunday at the Royalton Legion. The Rock Worship Center south Little Falls will hose “Christ in the Passover” at 10am service Sunday at their church, There are also bake sales Saturday and Sunday around masses at St. Mary's, Our Lady of Lourdes at St. Mary's and Our Lady of Lourdes around their Masses Saturday and Sunday, Cushing Baptist is doing an event to help those in Ukraine 4pm Sunday and many other events to view at fallsradio.com/community calendar.
DEATH NOTICES
--Agnes M. Van Hale-Weitgenant, age 92 of Royalton.
--Harvey and Josie Donek of Harding both passed away.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and chilly, breezy, high 41, clear night, low 20.
SATURDAY= sunny and pleasant, high 51, low around 32.
SUNDAY= rain/snow early, then PM sunshine, high 53, low 35.
MONDAY= sunny skies, less wind, high 55, rain late, low 36.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins open the season today with Seattle at Target Field. Pregame at 2:30pm on Q92 WYRQ. Saturday pregame at 12:30pm and Sunday scheduled for Inside Twins at noon followed by first pitch around 1:10pm. Hear Twins baseball all season on Q92 WYRQ.
COL HK= Mankato beat Gophers 5-1 last night in Frozen Four, will face Denver in the Championship Saturday night in Boston.