NEWS
--Slippery roads led to a number of spin outs Thursday on Minnesota roadways which included a 20 car and 6 semi pile up on Interstate 35 near the metro area. The State Patrol is reminding motorists to slow down for the icy conditions and expect delays with snow plows and slower vehicles working on the side of the roads. More snow and possible ice is expected today. In central Minnesota at least 145 accidents were reported from the State Patrol on Thursday morning.
--More ExCel Award nominees have been named by area schools. In Swanville the nominees are Rebekah Muhlenkamp and Alexander Bellefeuille. Rebekah is the daughter of Levi and Margaret and is in band, fall play, speech, volleyball, basketball, softball and track and field. She is in student council and spends time volunteering at the Pine Bend Association, Camp Ripley Memorial Day Program, blood drives and Lions Clubs events in Swanville. Alexander is the son of Kris and Molly and is in football, basketball, baseball, robotics and fall play. He is on the student council, on the A honor roll and volunteers with boy scouts and Camp Ripley Memorial Day Program. Upsala announced their ExCel Award nominees as Olivia Peterson and Michael Young. Foley announced their nominees as Ellie Piepgras and Colby Johnson. Foley also announced their AAA award nominees this year as Jayden Kloss and Benjamin Kalway. The AAA award nominee for Swanville is Cathleen Rieffer, daughter of Joel and Gail. She is in band, theater, speech, tennis, track and Just for Kix. Congratulations to all of the nominees for the respected awards from their schools.
--The man accused of a 2018 crime spree ending in a police standoff and shootout in Sauk Centre has been sentenced to nearly 16 years in prison. 32-year-old Ramey Olson of Alexandria pleaded guilty in September to three felony charges after a mental competency examination determined he was fit to face the charges. He was sentenced to 15 years and nine months in prison. Court records show Olson stole a pickup in Alexandria, drove to Sauk Centre, crashed the truck into a building and parked trailer, then into a nearby home garage. Olson then entered the home, found a compound bow in an upstairs closet and shot at officers from the second-floor stairwell. One of the officers, Sheriff's Deputy Paul Orvis, was hit in the forearm with an arrow. Olson fired additional arrows but no other officers were hurt. Police returned fire, hitting Olson in the left shoulder, buttocks and a grazing wound to his hand. He was arrested at the scene. Olson also allegedly admitted to smoking methamphetamine and wanted to commit suicide by police.
--The 60-year-old St. Paul man who died in one-vehicle crash early Saturday, December 7th, near Bena was identified as Larry Duffney. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a crash at 1:43am Saturday on County Road 8, a mile south of Bena. Deputies arrived and found a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado left the road, rolled into the ditch and landed in a swampy area. Duffney was the only occupant and was reported dead inside the car upon deputies’ arrival.
--There will be a toy drive at Camp Ripley on Tuesday from 8:00am-6:00pm at the building 11-1 inside the base. No registration needed, current and past military are eligible, picture ID or driver's license needed to enter Camp Ripley north of Little Falls for the event. This is sponsored by the Yellow Ribbon Network of Morrison County.
--The Little Falls City Council will hold their final regular meeting of the year this Monday night at 7:30pm at City Hall Council Chambers. Following Monday's meeting, council will not meet until January 6th.
--The Wreaths for the Fallen wreath laying event is tomorrow at 11am at the State Veteran's Cemetery north of Little Falls.
--More events this weekend a “Don't Hug Me Christmas Carol” is being performed at the Paramount Center in St. Cloud today through Sunday with afternoon and evening shows, St. Francis Preparatory and Concert Orchestras perform Saturday night at 7pm at the convent, library events Saturday in Little Falls and Royalton, A Schommer and Shynes Christmas Show of music and comedy is Saturday at 7:30pm at Great River Arts in Little Falls, Santa Day is Saturday from 10am-12pm in Swanville at Swanville Senior Center plus many more events and many businesses this weekend getting well into the Holiday spirit so check it out and shop local. Check out the local events at fallsradio.com and click on community calendar.
--The Little Falls School Board meets Monday at 5pm at the Community Middle School Media Center. Agenda items include a presentation on an Australia Art Club Trip in 2022, certify the 2020 tax levy, EMLF seniority list, first reading of the policies for next year and then the Truth in Taxation presentation to begin at 6pm.
--Citing budget cuts St. Cloud State University has announced they are cutting football and both men's and women's golf in 2020. The university will be bringing in soccer next year. The announcement has come with harsh feedback against the college from students and faculty who were not made aware of the announcement until it had posted on many sports social media sites.
--The Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Memorial Museum, Charles A. Lindbergh State Park, and Charles A. Lindbergh House & Museum are hosting their annual Candlelight Hike Saturday, January 4, 2020, from 5-8pm. All three sites will be open during the event, allowing participants to view exhibits, warm up, and enjoy refreshments. Participants can start at any of the sites and hike the trails, which will be lit by luminaries, between the sites. People are encouraged to bring snowshoes. Pets are also welcome if they are on leashes. The Candlelight Hike is free and open to the public. Volunteers are needed for setting up and lighting the luminaries, monitoring the luminaries, and picking them up after the event. Those interested in volunteering or who want more information can call the Weyerhaeuser Museum at 320-632-4007, the Lindbergh House & Museum at 320-616-5421, or Lindbergh State Park at 320-616-2525.
WEATHER
TODAY= snow and some freezing drizzle possible, high 19.
TONIGHT= snow early, clearing skies, turning windy, low 5 above.
SATURDAY= partly sunny and windy, high 8, wind chills near -15.
SATURDAY NIGHT= clear and very cold, low -16, wind chills -30.
SUNDAY= sunny and cold, high 3 above, low -4 early then rising.
MONDAY= partly sunny, high 12 above, low around -6.
SPORTS
HS GBB= Little Falls at Foley tonight 7:15pm on Q92 WYRQ.
HS BBB= Pierz at Royalton tonight 7:15pm on FM94 KFML.
COL FB= The Army/Navy Game will be Saturday in Philadelphia, you can hear the action live at 1pm Saturday on AM960 KLTF.
COL FB= St. John's University is at Wisconsin-White Water on Saturday in the Division III National Semi-Finals. This is the first time in 16 years for St. John's winner advance to title game on Dec. 20th.
NFL= The Vikings travel west to take on the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday afternoon at 3pm, then takes on the Packers on Dec. 23rd.