NEWS
--The Minnesota Department of Health has awarded a $100,000 grant to CHI St. Gabriel’s Health to better integrate primary care and dental services. Recognizing the great need for oral health services in Minnesota, CHI St. Gabriel’s Health’s Family Medical Center, a certified Health Care Home clinic in Little Falls, will expand on-site access to quality dental care. Other partners include South Country Health Alliance and Morrison County Social Services. This project is part of a $45 million State Innovation Model (SIM) grant awarded to the Minnesota Departments of Health and Human Services in 2013 by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. The award is for a nine-month period starting January 1st.
--The Minnesota State Patrol is reminding those heading out for the final weekend of 2016 to remember to not drink and drive. Enforcement efforts by area patrol, sheriff and police will be out in force watching for impaired drivers. With New Years Eve falling on a Saturday this year, law enforcement expects more traffic for weekend events and festivities and that means more chances for impaired drivers. Please have a plan in place, a designated driver or a ride home from your party or event so that you make it into 2017. Remember to NOT DRINK AND DRIVE.
--A Paynesville woman has begun serving a 60 day jail sentence after previously pleading guilty to theft by swindle for using money from her insurance company customers for personal reasons. 58-year-old Michaela "Kim" Kruger pleaded guilty in September to one felony in a plea agreement that resulted in three other theft-by-swindle charges being dismissed. She pleaded guilty in what is known as an Alford plea, in which she didn't admit guilt but acknowledged there was enough evidence that a jury could convict her at a trial. Court records accused her of stealing more than $200,000 from at least seven clients of the insurance company that she and her husband, Richard Kruger, operated out of their home. 59-year-old Richard Kruger was charged with four counts of aiding and abetting theft by swindle. Those charges were dismissed after his wife pleaded guilty. Due to the statute of limitations, the Krugers were charged with stealing more than $85,000. Kim Kruger will be on probation for 10 years and isn't allowed to borrow, lend or handle money for another person or business without approval from her probation agent.
--The Minnesota State Patrol reported a number of accidents Wednesday from icy and sloppy roads. One person was seriously injured near Perham in Otter Tail County, A 34-year-old from Aitkin was injured in an accident in Mille Lacs County, two from Crosby were injured in Aitkin County, three from Vergas were injured in an accident near Frazee and there dozens of other accidents reported by the state patrol reminding motorists to buckle up and watch speeds.
--A man is facing charges after he allegedly raped a teenage girl in Waite Park. Court documents say 56-year-old John Magney sexually assaulted the 14-year-old girl early Saturday morning at a home on 7th Avenue North in Waite Park. The girl was taken to St. Cloud Hospital and treated for her injuries. Magney is in the Stearns County Jail on $150,000 bail.
--There is a candlelight hike and snowshoe event Saturday from 5-8 on a trail from the Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site to the Morrison County Historical Society Museum. The event is free and treats being served at both sites. For questions call 616-5421 or 632-4007.
--Like last week- January 2nd will be a federal holiday for the observance of New Year's Day which falls on a Sunday like Christmas Day did last week. That means that federal agencies, post offices, banks, government offices and many businesses may be closed Monday for the holiday, again some may be open best to call ahead.
--The Morrison County Commissioners will finish out the year today at 9am with some end of the year items for 2016 at the Morrison County Government Center boardroom.
--The Salvation Army of Morrison County wants to publicly thank all you gave throughout the Christmas Season. They are calling it a very successful year and all the monies raised by the bell ringers in Morrison County stay in Morrison County. So again a very hearty thank you to all you gave to the Salvation Army of Morrison County.
--A corrections officer at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in St. Cloud was taken to a hospital after being struck by an inmate. A spokesperson for the Minnesota Department of Corrections says an offender refused to follow orders and then struck a corrections officer. The names involved in the incident have not been released.
--Motorists traveling on Highway 71 and Highway 27 in Long Prairie may encounter periodic lane closures and flaggers, as a tree clearing project begins after January 2nd. The work will take place on weekdays, on good weather days, through January. Disruption to traffic is expected to be minimal as the work will take place off the highway; however, there will be occasions when equipment parked along the highway may require a lane closure and flagging operations. The tree clearing is in preparation for the Highway 71/Highway 27 resurfacing project expected to begin mid-summer 2017 in Long Prairie. When completed, the project will provide a new road surface, an upgraded traffic signal system at the intersection of Highway 71 and Todd County Road 38/Second Avenue S, and improved pedestrian accessibility throughout. For updated statewide road conditions, call 511 or visit www.511mn.org.
WEATHER
TODAY= mostly cloudy, afternoon snow showers, high 25.
TONIGHT= evening snow showers, windy overnight, low near 15.
SATURDAY= sunny and windy, high 20, cloudy night steady temps.
NEW YEARS DAY= sunny and warmer, high near 30, snow late 17.
MONDAY= snow likely, high 25, low 13.
TUESDAY= snow early, then temps fall- below zero at nighttime.
SPORTS
NFL= Final Sunday of NFL regular season- Vikings host Chicago at noon while Packers and Lions play for division title Sunday night.
COL FB= Due to New Years on a Sunday, the bigger bowl games start tonight with Orange Bowl, Saturday is the national semi-finals, championship January 9th and Rose and Sugar Bowl on Jan 2nd.
LOCAL= Holiday tournaments in Little Falls for hockey, boys and girls basketball wrap up today and tonight, also the Girls Hockey team is action tonight. Get a recap on the week Saturday 9am on KLTF.
A REMINDER THAT THE OFFICES OF LITTLE FALLS RADIO WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY IN OBSERVANCE OF NEW YEARS DAY. THERE WILL BE NO NEWSLETTER ON MONDAY AND ALSO NO COUPON CONNECTION ON KLTF MONDAY.
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM LITTLE FALLS RADIO.