NEWS
--A 73-year-old from Brainerd was injured Wednesday around 6:30pm on Highway 18 (Oak Street) in the city of Brainerd of Crow Wing County. 73-year-old Edwin Menk of Brainerd and 76-year-old Edward Rudd of Tracy were at a 4-way stop when the two went at the same time and collided. Both drivers were not injured. A passenger 73-year-old Susan Menk of Brainerd was taken to the hospital with non life threatening injuries. There were reports of many accidents due to speeds and driving too close to other vehicles in St. Cloud and Brainerd on Tuesday and Wednesday. The State Patrol did not have any reports of injuries from those accidents earlier this week.
--Because of the uptick in motor vehicle accidents, the Minnesota State Patrol announced yesterday they will ramp up efforts in central Minnesota to get drivers to slow down. The Highway Enforcement for Aggressive Traffic campaign, or HEAT Patrols, will focus on Highway 10 between St. Cloud and the Twin Cities Metro Area as a #1 area so drivers can expect an increased presence of state troopers focusing on speeding, aggressive driving, distracted driving and other public safety hazards on the roads. They will also be focusing on other major roadways through the month where some of the higher number of accidents occur. The initiative began in February to crack down on speeding and criminal activity in the Twin Cities. After early success, the program was extended through the end of the year. The State Patrol reported that since August 1 through Thanksgiving there have been over 20,000 traffic stops, over 9,100 citations and of those nearly 6,400 were for speeding while 91 were for DWI. They also showed that numbers of speed related fatalities are down this year compared to the same time last year, which some say may be due to the extra efforts and getting the word out of the extra patrols.
--Cass County Sheriff's Deputies arrested a 60-year-old Backus man for methamphetamine possession last Saturday, The Cass County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop, reported at 6:49pm in Pine River Township, northwest of Pine River. According to a news release, a K-9 was utilized during the traffic stop and approximately 50 grams of suspected methamphetamine was located during the vehicle search. The driver was arrested on charges relating to the possession of a controlled substance and driving under the influence. Charges were pending still in the case.
--Representative-Elect Isaac Schultz, Republican from Elmdale Township was recently elected as one of eight assistant leaders for the House Republican Caucus for the 2023-2024 biennium on Monday. Schultz was elected to the State House back in November for the newly redistricted 10B seat which includes the southern half of Morrison County along with portions of Benton, Mille Lacs, Kanabec and Isanti Counties. Schultz will be joined by other members of the House elected as assistant leaders, Dave Baker of Willmar, Spencer Igo of Grand Rapids, Bjorn Olson of Fairmont, Kristin Robbins of Maple Grove, Peggy Scott of Andover, Nolan West of Blaine and Elliott Engen of White Bear Township. It was also noticed that Jim Nash of Waconia was elected Caucus Whip.
--The Little Falls City Council meets 7:30pm Monday at the Little Falls City Hall Council Chambers. If you have questions on city items you can contact Little Falls City Hall at 320-616-5500.
–A correction to the Franciscan Sisters events from yesterday at the event on December 10th their Advent Open House is at the Franciscan Welcoming House in St. Cloud. Details at fslf.org.
--Another Ho Ho Dough Winner Tuesday, details at fallsradio.com.
--The City of Pierz has a new full time police officer. The Pierz City Council Monday approved Preston Rocheleau as a full time officer he was officially sworn in on Monday night in Pierz. Preston is the son of Morrison County Sheriff's Investigative Sergeant Dan Rocheleau and his wife Kim who attended the swearing in Monday night in Pierz.
--This weekend is extremely busy of events. Bird Feeder event free at Crane Meadows Wildlife Refuge 9am-12pm Saturday, Carousel of Crafts at Little Falls Community Middle School Saturday 9am-3pm, there are crafts and Mrs Claus at the Bank Square Plaza Saturday starting at 9am, Bazaar at St. James Church in Randall Saturday during day and Sunday around the morning Mass, craft event at Faith Lutheran Church behind Tractor Supply in Little Falls Saturday, Helping Hands 365 has a Santa event at the old Towne Deli building across from Morrison County Courthouse Saturday you can drop of donations for Toys for Tots and take in the event as this goes to kids all ages 0-18 around the area and you can help those in need. Christmas Tours continue today, Saturday and Sunday at Lindbergh Site, Rosenmeier House, Linden Hill and the Minnesota Fishing Museum where the final days for all of these tours is on Sunday. Fill the Truck Saturday 10-2 at the Wal-Mart parking lot to help the Holiday Gift Giving Program in Morrison County and keeps all the items locally in the county for those in need, Little Falls Radio's Ron Specker will be live at the event on Saturday at Wal-Mart. Santa Claus will be at Coborn's Marketplace Saturday and the Taste of the Holiday is Saturday also at Coborns. Craft event Saturday at Holy Cross Church in Harding starting at 10:30am wrapping up with Horsin' Around parade is at 5pm Saturday in Harding. Heartland Symphony Orchestra has their free holiday concert on Saturday night at Charles D. Martin Auditorium in Little Falls at 7:30pm then Sunday at 2:30pm in Brainerd. There is also a Little Falls Senior Center Breakfast Sunday morning from 8-12, a toy bingo in Pierz at Holy Trinity School on Sunday afternoon and also a raffle after the 10:30am Mass Sunday at St. James in Randall. Plus many other items going on around the area this weekend, details at fallsradio.com.
DEATH NOTICES
--June Brutscher, age 90 of Little Falls.
--Robert Dalen, age 79 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= cloudy, high 37 early then dropping, rain mixing with snow in afternoon, all snow by night up to 1 inch and very windy.
TONIGHT= snow likely, wind gusts near 40mph, low around 0.
SATURDAY= sunny, cold and windy, high 15, wind gust near 30mph early will die down in the afternoon, low 5 early then rising to morn.
SUNDAY= partly cloudy, high 22, temps drop, windy in afternoon.
MONDAY= snow showers possible, high 18, clear night, low -1.
SPORTS
NFL= Vikings host New York Jets Sunday at noon. If the Vikings win or the Lions lose on Sunday, the Vikings win the NFC North Division.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1697= St. Paul's Cathedral opened in London, England.
IN 1887= Charles Dicken's “A Christmas Carol” has first public reading in the United States done in New York.
IN 1901= Gillette patents the disposable razor to the public.
IN 1988= The Naked Gun starring Leslie Nielsen hits theater