NEWS
–Tuesday is Christmas Day, a national holiday for businesses and one of the most religious observances marking the birth of Jesus Christ. Many churches will host Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses and services to commemorate the birth of the Lord. A tradition for many years, Q92 WYRQ will provide the 4:00pm Mass at St. Mary’s Church in Little Falls live sponsored by CHI St. Gabriel’s Health and then the 10:00pm (Midnight) Mass from Our Lady of Lourdes Church on the west side of Little Falls sponsored by Little Falls Machine. Both programs will have music starting 30 minutes prior to Mass. Hear the programs live on Q92 and also streamed online at fallsradio.com.
–The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office reported suspicious activity on December 11th, December 13th in Little Falls and December 17th in Randall. No arrests were made. They also responded to a burglary call back on December 9th of a break in on 240th Street in Randall where two firearms, a jewelry box, snowmobile helmet and a safe full of ammunition were taken. The homeowner stated that he was also missing a video recorder and a jar of change. Anyone with information on the incident should call the sheriff at (320) 632-9233.
–Following the City decision in Wadena in 2015 to remove Nativity scenes from all city property. The Mayor of Wadena addressed the media this past week and stated “If You have a Nativity scene let’s get it out and show our real Christmas spirit”. Mayor George Deiss made the announcement stating that the City’s decision was to keep government and religion separate. It had nothing against the true meaning of Christmas. Each home in Wadena that wants the Nativity scene up is encouraged to do so and make the city glow in the light.
–Area fire departments are reminding those hosting Christmas and holiday events to be watchful of Carbon Monoxide in the home. Recently an uptick in carbon monoxide detectors going off has sent out firefighters. It is a good idea if you have not done it in a while to check the batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and to make sure they are working properly. Lets make this a safe holiday season through the New Year and beyond.
–The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, announced the beginning of a public comment period for the Enbridge Line 3 replacement project. They are currently evaluating a permit request for construction-related activities affecting water resources associated with the proposed Enbridge Line 3 replacement crude oil pipeline. The Corps has regulatory authority under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and under Sections 10 and 14 of the Rivers and Harbors Act. The Corps regulates placement of fill material in wetlands and other waters, as well as work and structures in navigable waters. The proposed project involves the replacement of pipeline across 80 miles of wetlands in Minnesota and approximately one mile in North Dakota. The proposed project will result in temporary impacts to approximately 1,000 acres of wetlands, and permanent impacts to 10 acres of wetlands. The project requires crossing 211 water bodies, approximately half of which are ditches. Public comments may be submitted through January 21st by contacting the Corp of Engineers in St. Paul at their website the link Embridge Line 3.
–A reminder that due to his recent health issues, Charlie from Charlie’s Pizza will not be doing their Christmas Day event this year with hopes to have it back again in 2019. Charlie Peterka does wish to thank all who have sent letters of support to him.
–District 9B Representative Ron Kresha (R-Little Falls) has accepted an appointment to serve as the Republican lead on the House Education Finance Division when the 2019 legislative session begins January 8, 2019. Representative Kresha served on the Education Finance Committee during the current biennium and is a former high school English teacher. In 2017, he helped pass more than $1.3 billion in increased state K-12 education funding, bringing over $3 million in new per-pupil funding to local school districts. Kresha stated “It is an honor to be appointed to serve in a leadership role on the Education Finance Division and the decisions made by this committee will have a direct impact on Minnesota’s students and schools, so I am pleased to have the opportunity to help positively impact outcomes. I look forward to working with other members of the committee to help strengthen our schools and ensure every student has a great education and opportunities to succeed.” The full committee roster is being finalized for the upcoming session.
–Little Falls High School Senior Will Riitters has committed to Gustavus Adolphus College and signed an acceptance letter of their Jussi Bjorling Music Scholarship. Will is the son of Tom and Katie Riitters of Little Falls. He signed his letter of intent yesterday at the Little Falls Community High School.
–The State of Minnesota got bigger in 2018 but dropped 2 places nationally for populated states. The U.S. Census Bureau stated Thursday that Minnesota grew to slightly above 5.6 million people between July 1st, 2017 and July 1st, 2018 which is up less than a percentage point from the previous years census. Nevada and Idaho saw large increases in population and moved ahead of Minnesota in the U.S. Population by states. California remains the most populous state followed by Texas and New York while Wyoming is the least populated state with Vermont and Montana just behind.
WEATHER NEWS
–The Winter Solstice officially begins at 4:23pm today and that means that winter will arrive in the Northern Hemisphere.
WEATHER
TODAY= mostly cloudy, high 28, flurries after 3am, low 24.
SATURDAY= snow before noon, high near 30, cloudy night, low 16.
SUNDAY= sunny skies, high 26, clear and cold night, low 9.
MONDAY= partly cloudy, high 24, flurries late night low 13.
CHRISTMAS DAY= flurries and light snow at times, high 25, low 12.
WEDNESDAY= snow likely, possible heavy amounts, high 17.
SPORTS
HS BBB= Little Falls at Albany tonight 7pm on Q92 WYRQ.
HS BBB= Crosby-Ironton at Pierz tonight 7pm on FM94 KFML.
NFL= Vikings are at Detroit on Sunday with a chance of clinching a playoff berth with a win and Eagles and Redskins loss this weekend. There are games on Saturday, Sunday and Monday in the NFL.
COL FB= The Gophers take on Georgia Tech in the Quicklane Bowl on Wednesday afternoon at 3pm on AM960 KLTF.
COL BB= Gopher men’s team takes on North Carolina A&T tonight with pregame at 6:30pm on AM960 KLTF.
No Newletter Monday or Tuesday as LF Radio offices are closed both days for the Christmas Holiday. Merry Christmas.