NEWS
--The State Patrol stated that a multi-vehicle accident had traffic snarled on north Highway 10 near Royalton Wednesday afternoon. The State Patrol an accident around noon in Bellevue Township as mentioned yesterday on the newsletter then a string of vehicles sliding into the ditch which then led to the multi-car crash which almost became a significant pileup. A witness at the scene says police set up a barricade to close the road. In the immediate aftermath of the collision Wednesday, a semi-truck was in the median. Two other vehicles had severe damage to their front ends. Fifteen to 20 cars were trapped between the crash and where the barricade was located. Several had minor damage as it is presumed they hit each other trying to avoid the larger accident ahead of them. The incident happened at Highway 10 and 63rd Street. The State Patrol said that in the large pileup of cars there was no report of any serious injuries.
--The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is asking to put safety first this weekend. Travel plans may change with delays at airports and snow covered and very cold conditions on the roadways. Brutal wind chills today and tomorrow and snow showers returning on Sunday. Speed enforcement continues on Minnesota roads, please never drink and drive, watch your speed, stop the distracted driving, please put on the headlights at all times and buckle up. All want everyone to have a save and blessed Christmas Weekend.
--Recently Minnesota law enforcement took numerous guns, drugs, and body armor off the streets in numerous separate investigations that occurred in Minneapolis, Anoka County and St. Cloud. The most surprising element to the seizure was the sheer amount of drugs that were removed from each of the homes. In one case along with assistance from our Emergency Services Unit, the warrant was executed and our detectives seized five handguns, two Mac 10’s, one rifle, and body armor, all illegally obtained. In addition at the other locations for busts included taking a large quantity of marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, and K2 were recovered. The subjects of the investigation, who were convicted felons were arrested in each offense but more arrests are expected. The investigation from the Violent Offenders Task Force continues and more search warrants are to be executed in these felony weapons and narcotics cases.
--With the recent string of drug arrests and overdoses in the central Minnesota; a reminder that you can drop off your unused and unwanted prescription drugs anytime at the Little Falls Police Department. The drug drop off box is open in front entrance of the police department 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. There are also drug drop off points during business hours at the Morrison County Sheriff's Office, Pierz and Motley City Halls that house their police departments. Let's do our part to keep drugs from getting into the wrong hands and if you need assistance contact your local law enforcement to help or if an emergency remember call 911.
--Tomorrow is Christmas Eve the final shopping day before Christmas, many businesses may have shortened hours today and tomorrow also check ahead before venturing out. A tradition that will continue is the broadcast of the once called Midnight Mass on Saturday night, now the Mass begins with music at 9:30pm and the Mass at 10pm. Hear the Mass Live on Q92 WYRQ and fallsradio.com from Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Little Falls. Also AM960 KLTF will have numerous Christmas Specials all weekend long, Gene Retka Polka World Today will have an extended 3 hour program 9-12 on Sunday morning for Christmas Day. Listen to all online at fallsradio.com.
--Christmas Day is Sunday this year with of course many Masses and Service for the Birth of Jesus Christ. With Christmas on a Sunday, the federal observance of Christmas will be on Monday, December 26th. All federal, state, county and city offices are closed Monday, all banks, post offices with no mail regular mail delivery, libraries and schools are closed due to the holiday. Many local businesses are also closed on Monday in observance of Christmas this includes the offices of Little Falls Radio closed on Monday. The same situation will take place on Monday, January 2nd as offices and items will be closed again as New Years Day is Sunday this year and the Federal observance will be Monday the 2nd. This is reminder to call ahead if you head out for anything this weekend or early next week with the holidays this year coming on Sundays. Also a reminder to please be safe with the very cold and windy conditions through the weekend.
WEATHER
WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT THRU 6AM SATURDAY AND WIND CHILL ADVISORY GOES UNTIL 12PM SATURDAY.
TODAY= partly sunny and cold, high -4, wind chills around -40.
TONIGHT= clear, cold, windy, low -13, wind chills around -45.
SATURDAY= sunny and cold, high +1, wind chills around -40.
CHRISTMAS EVE NIGHT= clear and cold, low -16, wind chill -30.
CHRISTMAS DAY= snow showers in afternoon, high 6, low -9.
MONDAY= partly cloudy, not as windy, high 9, low around 0.
TUESDAY= sunny and warmer, high 21, low around -4.
SPORTS
VIKINGS= The Vikings will have 5 players in the NFL Pro Bowl in Las Vegas next year. Quarterback Kirk Cousins is making his fourth appearance; wide receiver Justin Jefferson and outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith are getting their third appearances; tight end T.J. Hockenson is going back for a second time, and long snapper Andrew DePaola has been named to the NFL all-star roster for the first time. Nine more Minnesota players were named alternates for the Pro Bowl Games, which is shifting this year to a flag football contest and other competitions. Running back Dalvin Cook, fullback C.J. Ham, outside linebacker Danielle Hunter and return specialist Kene Nwangwu were announced as first alternates. Left tackle Christian Darrisaw, center Garrett Bradbury and safety Harrison Smith were named second alternates. Special teams member Kris Boyd and linebacker Eric Kendricks were tabbed as third alternates. This year's Pro Bowl will have a different look to it. Instead of the traditional AFC vs. NFC game and various skills competitions, the Pro Bowl week will end with a flag football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas at 2pm on February 5th. The Viking host the New York Giants tomorrow at noon at U.S. Bank Stadium, asking for a “White Out” game by the fans.
HOCK= The annual varsity and junior varsity games between the St. Cloud Crush and St. Cloud Cathedral High School will be played in memory of Charlie Boike. The games are on December 30th at the St. Cloud Municipal Athletic Complex. JV at 3pm and varsity plays at 7pm. Both teams will be wearing special commemorative jerseys to remember Boike who was killed earlier this month in a car accident. Last year, the same game was dedicated in honor of Mack Motzko. The Cathedral graduate died in July 2021 after a car crash in Orono.
A reminder that due to Little Falls Radio being closed on Monday for Christmas. There will be no newsletter on Monday, December 26th. Merry Christmas from LF Radio.