NEWS
--The Little Falls Fire department responded to a trailer house fire at 12:09pm Wednesday north of Little Falls. Fire chief Mike Nieman stated that the fire occurred at the Gordon Hanson residence, located at 749 Front Street in Fort Ripley. Nieman stated that twenty-one Little Falls firefighters were on scene for approximately an hour and that the fire was contained to the water heater. The home was not a total loss. Nieman reported that the department responded to a sprinkler alarm Christmas Day at Little Falls Health Systems and to multiple Carbon Monoxide alarms, one caused by a water heater and another by a home furnace. Nieman reminds folks to always have working smoke and CO detectors and to replace batteries regularly.
--Sgt. Neil Dickenson spoke on Little Falls Radio Thursday and mentioned that law enforcement continue with their safe and sober enforcement campaign through New Years Day. Dickenson reminds motorists to drive for the conditions with the cold and snow from previous days, watch your speed, buckle up, put down the cell phone, never text and drive and make sure that headlights, tires and other items for your vehicle are working properly. Let's make this a happy and safe New Years holiday weekend into 2018.
--Foley Police Officers, along with Benton County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the 100 block of Glen Street in response to a welfare check on an individual around 11pm Wednesday who appeared to be asleep in their vehicle. When officers arrived, they found the individual in the vehicle was deceased. Evidence gathered at the scene indicated the victim likely died as a result of a self-inflicted injury. The name of the individual is not being released at this time. Based on the findings of the investigation to date, the Foley Police Department does not believe there is any danger to the public.
--An administrative law judge delayed approval of a divisive oil pipeline in northern Minnesota so the environmental impact statement can be revised. The decision from Judge Ann O'Reilly last week is a response to a Public Utilities Commission's finding that the project's impact statement was "inadequate." The PUC gave the Department of Commerce 60 days to make revisions. Calgary-based Enbridge Energy wants to replace its 1960s-era Line 3 crude oil pipeline across northern Minnesota. One of the required revisions in the impact statement is how a route alternative would be changed to avoid sensitive topography is southeast Minnesota.
--There will be a fundraiser benefiting Flyer Pride Pack Weekend Food Backpack Program for the Little Falls public elementary schools on January 6th where also an attempt will be made to create the worlds largest Spinning Ice Carousel. Chuck Zwilling stated that the ice carousel extravaganza will be January 6th on Green Prairie Fish Lake with a number of sponsors and donations being made to the project. More on this program will be talked about with Chuck and also Anita Larsen from the schools on Tuesday morning at 8:45am on AM960 KLTF Community Events program.
--Due to the extreme cold this weekend, the Candlelight Hike event on New Years Eve has been postponed until Saturday, January 6th from 5-8pm when the weather is to be a bit warmer. This is a free event but again not New Years Eve now it will be January 6th.
--Monday is New Years Day meaning a number of offices just like this past Monday for Christmas will be closed for New Years Day. You will want to call ahead to see what is open. LF Radio is closed Monday.
--Fire crews were called to the scene of a house fire Wednesday night in Meeker County. The incident happened just after 5:00pm at 57700 340th Street in Manannah Township, near Eden Valley. Sheriff Brian Cruze says 56-year-old Edward Holmgren, of rural Eden Valley, was attempting to thaw some frozen pipes when the insulation in the home caught on fire. Cruze says no one was hurt, but the house was deemed a total loss.
--The state's top information technology official will retire in February. Minnesota Information Technology Services Commissioner Tom Baden announced his plan to step down on Thursday, citing health reasons. But it also comes amid problems with the state's overhaul of its computer system for license plates and tabs. He will officially depart February 2nd.
--Authorities in Martin County are reported that a grain elevator explosion in the small community of Northrop has damaged homes, downed power lines and left the elevator a total loss. Reportedly, the explosion happened just after noon. Northrop has a population of just over 200 residents.
DEATH NOTICES
--Lucille M. Tschida, age 94 of Little Falls.
--Donald G. Tretter, age 78 of Pierz
--LeeAnn Pulak, age 61 of Pierz.
--Albinus “Al” Preimesberger, age 96 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
WIND CHILL WARNING 11PM FRI TO NOON SATURDAY.
TODAY= partly cloudy, afternoon flurries, high 0, wind chills -20.
TONIGHT= clear and cold, low -20, wind chills near -40 by morning
SATURDAY= sunny and cold, high -7, wind chills near -40, low -26.
SUNDAY= sunny and cold, high -7, clear night, cold, low -20.
NEW YEARS DAY= sunny and cold, high -4, clear night, low -11.
TUESDAY= increasing clouds, a bit warmer, high 8 above, low of -6
SPORTS
HS= Little Falls Boys and Girls basketball tournament wraps up today, Little Falls Boys Hockey tournament wraps up tonight.
COL FB= Harvard at Minnesota Gophers Saturday 12:30pm KLTF.
WNBA= Cheryl Reeve was given a multi-year contract extension with the Minnesota Lynx and also been named the General Manager of the team by owner Glen Taylor on Thursday. Reeve has won four WNBA championships as coach of the Lynx and has appeared in six WNBA finals in the past seven years at the helm of the team.
NFL= final weekend of regular season with a number of playoff implications to be decided as four teams in the AFC fight for the last two playoff spots, 2 teams in the NFC for the final spot. Seedings still has to be decided including the Vikings who could be the #2 seed and get a first round bye at the end of the Sunday or could be as low as the #4 seed and play next weekend in Minneapolis.
TWINS= Twins slugger Miguel Sano has been accused of sexual assault by a photographer in 2015. Sano has denied the allegations.
A REMINDER THAT THE OFFICES OF LITTLE FALLS RADIO WILL BE CLOSED NEW YEARS DAY AND THERE WILL BE NO NEWSLETTER ON MONDAY. LITTLE FALLS RADIO WISHES ALL A HAPPY NEW YEAR IN 2018.