NEWS
--Pine Country Bank has received reports that an imposter is pretending to represent the bank's Bowlus branch and is asking for personal information. Police have been notified and are working on the case. The spoof phone calls have been made to area residents with the phone number showing up as Pine Country Bank's Bowlus branch on the caller ID, but it is not Pine Country Bank calling. Pine Country Bank will never call, email or text and ask for sensitive information such as account numbers or entire Social Security numbers. Because caller ID's can be manipulated, if you have any doubts as to who is on the phone, you are encouraged by authorities to hang up. You can always call them back. Unfortunately, if you did not initiate the call, there is no way to know for sure who is calling.
--A St. Cloud man is facing assault charges after he allegedly shot a person's vehicle tire with an air rifle. Officers got a call shortly before 6:30 Wednesday about someone shooting at a vehicle with an air rifle in the 10 block of 4th Avenue Southeast in St. Cloud. When officers arrived a 36-year old man from St. Cloud told them he had some engine problems and pulled over in the vacant parking lot on 4th Avenue Southeast. While he was pulled over he heard two air rifle shots and later discovered his front tire was leaking air and deflating. The man told authorities he thought the shots came from a home across the street and that he noticed movement behind one of the windows of the home. Officers did see damage on the tire and went to the home to question the owner. Police found an air rifle inside the home, next to an unlocked window with no screen. The homeowner, 42-year old Robert Zimmer has a past felony conviction which means he legally can't own any guns. Zimmer was taken to Benton County Jail. He is being held on 2nd degree assault charges and other related charges for being in possession of a firearm. The victim did have two passengers in his car during the incident including a 34-year old woman and a five month old baby. Neither was hurt.
--Plans are underway to construct a 12,000 square foot, $4.5 million Regional Community Well Being Center located adjacent to the new hospital and clinic in Long Prairie. CentraCare Health will contribute $1.3 million to this project with the remaining balance coming from a $3.2 million capital campaign. Two donors have already come forward with large gifts. The timeline to reach the funding goal is March 2018 with construction beginning in June 2018, provided the funding has been secured. The anticipated opening is March 2019.
--The Brainerd Police Department responded to a crash in which a vehicle struck a building shortly before 12:30pm Wednesday. The crash occurred near the intersection of Oak and 13th streets in south Brainerd. At the scene, a maroon minivan appeared to have collided with a building on the 600 block of 13th Street, with minimal damage to the building but extensive damage to the vehicle. An ambulance was dispatched to the scene but police stated that no one needed to be hospitalized.
--The Little Falls City Council meets Monday night at 7:30 at the city hall council chambers with some end of the year agenda items.
--Events this weekend include Harper's Chord performing at Great River Arts, Zion Lutheran Church Candlelight Choir Concert Sunday at 4pm at Zion in Little Falls, the Little Falls High School performing their holiday concert Monday night and Pierz high school also performing their senior high concert Monday night.
--Outgoing Senator Al Franken stated Thursday that he will turn over the reins to Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith in early January. Franken says he will be leaving the Senate the first part of next month.
--There will be a “Chili Cook-Off” and friendly contest at the Little Falls American Legion after the "Wreaths for the Fallen" event tomorrow where all volunteers will receive free chili and a chance to vote on their favorite batch. Anyone else who would like to join in on the event can participate and have the opportunity to provide a good will offering. The event is co-sponsored by the American Legion Riders Chapters from Little Falls and Brainerd. Any proceeds will be directed towards the American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund. Wreaths for the Fallen will place the wreaths on the graves at the State Veterans Cemetery tomorrow at 11am.
--Minnesotans who want private health coverage through the MNsure marketplace beginning January 1st have until midnight December 20th to enroll. As of Thursday, 100,000 Minnesotans had enrolled in health care coverage for 2018 through Mnsure.org. Although the federal open enrollment period ends today, MNsure's open enrollment period ends one month later on January 14th. Minnesotans who do not enroll by December 20th deadline will have until January 14th to get coverage for 2018. Coverage starts February 1st for later enrollees.
--The Tractor Supply Company wants your furry friends to get in the holiday spirit. Tomorrow from 10:00am until 2:00pm the Little Falls Tractor Supply is inviting customers to bring their pets to the store for Pet Photos with Santa. A local photographer will be on site during the event taking holiday themed photos of Santa's Little Helpers and their owners. The first 25 customers who get a photo taken will also receive a free magnetic picture frame.
--The Little Falls School Board meets Monday at 5:00pm at the Community Middle School Media Center. Agenda items include approval of the school board meeting schedule, certify tax levy, EMLF seniority list, Doroff land lease, approval of at will work agreements, resolution of school trust lands, special education funding services and after the regular meeting will be the truth in taxation public hearing that will begin around 6:00pm on Monday night.
--Because Christmas lands on the 4th Monday of the month, the Pierz City Council will meet this Monday night at 7:00pm at Pierz City Hall.
DEATH NOTICE
--Pamela M. Ehrenberg, age 65 of Burtrum
--Leonard Schubert, age 91 of Wahkon.
WEATHER
TODAY= mostly cloudy, scattered flurries and snow showers, high 23
TONIGHT= snow showers, 1-2 inches possible, low 19.
SATURDAY= light snow early, then partly sunny, high 25, low 12.
SUNDAY= partly cloudy, warmer, high 31, low around 24.
MONDAY= partly sunny, mild, high 38, light snow & wind late, low 22
SPORTS
HS GHK= Roseau at Brainerd/Little Falls tonight 6pm on Q92.
HS BBB= St. Cloud Apollo at Little Falls tonight 7:15 on FM94.
HS GBB= Alexandria at Little Falls Saturday 12:30pm on Q92.
NFL= Cincinnati at Vikings part of five NFL games heard this weekend, 2 Saturday and three Sunday on AM960 KLTF. Vikings need a win or Packer and Lions losses to win the North Division.