NEWS
--The Diocese of St. Cloud has a new bishop. On Thursday, the Holy See announced that Pope Francis appointed Father Patrick Neary as the 10th Bishop of the Diocese of St. Cloud. Since July 2018, Bishop-elect Neary has served as pastor of Holy Redeemer Parish in Portland, Oregon. Bishop-elect Neary is originally from La Porte, Indiana. He is the oldest of six and has five sisters. He graduated from La Porte High School and entered the undergraduate seminary with the Congregation of Holy Cross at the University of Notre Dame. While at Notre Dame, he spent a semester at Anahuac University in Mexico City, where he learned Spanish. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in history. He was ordained a priest on April 1st, 1991. He served there as ROTC Chaplain for Latino students. He has also served in Chile, Rome, Kenya and Uganda. Bishop-elect Neary succeeds Bishop Donald J. Kettler, who will serve as apostolic administrator until Bishop-elect Neary’s installation. The installation Mass will be on February 14th.
--St. Cloud Police have released additional information on a non-suspicious death Tuesday night. Officers were called to 54 4th Avenue North at around 6:45pm where they found the body of a 33-year-old man who was a resident of the apartment building. Police say the body was found just outside the back of the building and appeared to have fallen from an apartment above. A review of the surveillance video in the apartment complex and the responding officers' investigation determined the man was alone in his apartment unit before he fell from his window which was several stories off the ground. Foul play is not suspected. However, the body has been sent to the Midwest Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy. The man's name is being withheld pending notification of family and the results of the autopsy. Police says the death did not involve any type of shooting as which was falsely reported in social media circles.
--Formal charges have been filed against a man who is accused of leading authorities on a chase through St. Cloud that severely injured another driver. 28-year-old Samuel Butler is charged with several felonies, including criminal vehicular operation, the theft of a vehicle, criminal damage to property, fleeing police, and drug possession. The Monday morning chase started in St. Wendel Township when a caller reported someone driving erratically, and at times, on the wrong side of the road. Officers gave chase before Butler allegedly abandoned his SUV and stole a pickup and construction trailer. Court records show a trail of damage left behind as Butler drove at high speeds to evade officers. According to the criminal complaint, the chase ended when Butler drove through a stop sign and collided with a car at the intersection of 36th Avenue North and 10th Street North in St. Cloud. The driver of the car suffered severe injuries and was taken to St. Cloud Hospital. Butler was pinned inside the pickup and had to be extricated after crashing into a large tree. Records show police found a glass pipe, a torch, and burned aluminum foil inside the vehicle.
--Legislation passed by the U-S House Wednesday will rename the Avon Post Office in honor of Minnesota National Guard Warrant Officer Candidate Kort M. Plantenberg. Congressman Tom Emmer says 28-year-old Plantenberg was one of three soldiers killed in a December 2019 helicopter crash near Kimball. Plantenberg and Chief Warrant Officers James Rogers, Junior of Winsted and Charles Nord of Perham were on a maintenance test flight when their helicopter crashed in a field. Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach is sponsoring legislation to rename post offices after Rogers and Nord.
--The annual Wreaths for the Fallen event will return tomorrow morning at 11am sharp at the Minnesota State Veteran's Cemetery. If you wish to attend please be at the cemetery by 9:30am. If you need handicapped parking, please have your handicap sticker available to put in the front of the car for parking. The event will not take long so please be ready to help and assist the placing of thousands of wreaths on the graves at the cemetery on Saturday morning.
--Weekend events include, a free string ensemble concert tonight at the St. Francis Convent's Sacred Heart Chapel at 7pm, Ring of Kerry with Charlie Roth is performing tonight in St. Cloud details on his social media site. Jason Schommer performing Saturday night at Great River Arts in Little Falls, doors open at 6pm and the show begins at 7pm with many others taking part, tickets at Greatart.org.
--Oasis Central Minnesota reminds those that their gift wrapping the courthouse is going now through next week for those wanting their gifts wrapped for Christmas. Questions call Rose at 320-632-9140.
--Holy Trinity School of Pierz has moved their Christmas Program to this Sunday night at 6:30pm. Mary of Lourdes Elementary School Program is Monday at 7pm and Mary of Lourdes Middle School will have theirs Tuesday 1:30 and 5:30pm due to Mass that night.
--Royalton Schools remind those that their Truth and Taxation Meeting scheduled for Tuesday night was rescheduled for this coming Tuesday at 6pm at the High School in Royalton.
--Due to schools closed for in class learning Thursday, Pioneer Elementary in Pierz has moved their toy drive distribution to Monday.
--The City of Little Falls had snow removal last night into this morning lasting until 7am, a reminder when snow removal to please not park in the posted areas so that the snow can be removed. The city of Pierz already had parking restrictions that no street parking in the city of Pierz from 2am-6am and that is every night until April 1st.
--The Little Falls School Board meets Monday at 5pm at the Middle School Media Center. Agenda items include Truth and Taxation and the recent audit report from last school year.
WEATHER
TODAY= snow likely, around 1 inch, high 30 then dropping.
TONIGHT= snow in evening, ½ inch more, low 24.
SATURDAY= cloudy and breezy, high 18, low around 4 above.
SUNDAY= sunny and cold, high 10 above, low around -5.
MONDAY= sunny and cold, high 7 above, low around -13.
SPORTS
Some games for tonight have been moved or postponed, others added listen to LF Radio today for updated broadcasts.
HS BHK= Little Falls at Rock Ridge in Eveleth is scheduled for tonight 7:15 on Q92.
NFL= Vikings host Indianapolis Saturday at 11:30am on KLTF.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1773= The Boston Tea Party occurred as Colonials dressed up like Indians and tossed tea for English Cargo Ships.
IN 1905= Variety magazine was first published.
IN 1913= Charlie Chaplin makes first movie and is paid $150.
IN 1915= Albert Einstein published his Theory of Relativity.
IN 1963= The Beatles sent out first Christmas Album thanking their fans on a great year, they would this each year until 1968.
IN 1966= How the Grinch Stole Christmas debuts on CBS TV, the idea was a counter of a Charlie Brown Christmas from the year before, the Dr. Seuss book was narrated by horror star Boris Karloff and the song sang by Thurl Ravencroft who was Tony the Tiger on TV ads.