NEWS
--The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce their January Employee of the Month is Lacey Huben from Paradox Chiropractic. Lacey is the Office Manager. Lacey is the first point of contact for the patients, but also handles marketing and accounting duties. She schedules all appointments for both Dr. DeAnn Adams and Dr. Dani Yorek, for both animal and human treatments. Congratulations to Lacey Huben, the Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce January Employee of the month. Also a reminder that nominations for the Chamber's 2021 Small Business of the Year, Large Business of the Year and Chamber Volunteer of the Year are being accepted. In an effort to celebrate their members and the numerous individual volunteers who dedicate their time and talents to the Chamber, the Outstanding Service Committee is now accepting nominations for Volunteer of the Year, Small and Large Business of the Year. Each award has specific criteria to assist you in the nomination process. Nomination forms are due in the Chamber office by Friday, January 21st. Please consider making a nomination in one or more categories. Nominees must be a Chamber member. Recipients will receive public recognition and a plaque noting their honor. The names will also be displayed on permanent plaques in the Chamber office. Nomination forms are available on the chambers website. For more information or to submit a nomination contact the Chamber by calling (320) 632-5155.
--The Brainerd Police Department reported a robbery on December 28th at 6:02pm when a 21-year-old Brainerd man said he was a victim of a robbery that occurred in the parking lot of Bane Bank on South 7th Street in Brainerd. The victim met with the suspects in the parking lot and a firearm was brandished in an attempt to take personal items from the victim, the victim said that some of the suspects were known to him. The following day, a 19-year-old who resides in Hillman in Buffalo County, Wisconsin for an arrest warrant from Crow Wing County. The victim reportedly identified the 19-year-old as one of the robbery suspects. This is believed to have been a random act and that the victim was targeted by the suspects intentionally there is no threat to the general public but the investigation is ongoing.
--At 5:48pm Wednesday the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of multiple snowmobiles through the ice on Pelican Lake near Hamilton Circle in Pelican Township. Initial reports were that 2-4 snowmobiles had gone through the ice. After responding to the location, the Sheriff’s Office learned three snowmobiles operated by 58-year old Julie Hale of Grand Meadow, 48-year old Tracy Hale of Winona and 21-year old Cole Hale of Riceville, Iowa, fell through the ice. The water was approximately 4-6 feet deep at the location, and all parties were able to get out of the water on their own. No injuries were reported. The Sheriff’s Office placed thin ice signs near the area where the snowmobiles went in, but would like to remind residents to be cautious in channel areas of lakes with the recent heavy snowfall.
--There will be a bus to the annual “March for Life” at the State Capitol which will depart from the north parking lot of Coborn's, Little Falls, on January 22, at 730AM and from St. Joseph’s parking lot in Pierz at 8am and Buckman at 820am. Call Floyd Richmond in Little Falls at 632-2880 or Dale Beierman in Pierz at 360-7100 by January 19 to reserve a space. There will be a service at the Cathedral at 10:30am and program at the Capitol at noon. The bus will then depart at 330PM and should be back in Morrison County by 5pm.
--The Little Falls Ministerial Association wants to thank all who donated and volunteered for the holiday meals in Little Falls. They were able to serve around 600 meals Thanksgiving and Christmas.
--Governor Tim Walz has ordered all United States flags and Minnesota flags to be flown at half-staff at all state buildings in the State of Minnesota from sunrise until sunset today in honor and remembrance of Deputy Sheriff Jayme Williams. Deputy Sheriff Williams dedicated 13 years to the Itasca County Sheriff’s Department. Deputy Sheriff Williams died on December 27th.
--Following the death of Upsala Firefighter Brian Lange back on December 11th a committee has announced that a fund was opened at Stearns Bank Upsala right away and that collection continues. Now, the committee is planning a breakfast and silent auction fundraiser to help Brian's wife, Beth, and his daughters, Jess and Brianna. The event is planned for Sunday February 6th at the Upsala Rec Building from 9am-12pm with the auction closing after the breakfast ends. More information will be released next month.
--Today is the final day of the year. New Years Eve, ending 2021. Some businesses like Little Falls Radio are closed today in observance of the New Years Day holiday tomorrow. Other government agencies, city halls, government centers, senior centers, offices and others are closed today or will have shorter hours including some restaurants, stores and banks closing earlier than usual so check ahead. Also there is regular mail delivery today but no mail on Saturday and many places are closed Saturday for New Years Day. Law enforcement will be out in force watching for impaired drivers so please Don't Drink and Drive and have a safe end of the year.
--A 15-year-old working at an Eden Prairie McDonalds has been praised as a hero. Sydney Raley saved a man from choking on December 19th in the drive thru and has been praised by her efforts on a local and national level with newspapers and TV interviews.
--Ring in the New Years tonight with the Ballroom Blitz at the Falls Ballroom with Brothers Tone, $10, show starts at 8:30pm. Also Long Prairie Chamber Orchestra plays at 6:30pm at LPGE High School. Trail hiking tomorrow at Lindbergh Park going to the Lindbergh and Weyerhauser sites this runs through next week.
DEATH NOTICES
--Pamela (Bryniarski) Loesch, age 53 of Kimball, raised in Browerville.
--Shirley A. Stichter, age 86 of Hillman.
--Leslie E. Smith, age 70 of Swanville.
WEATHER
WIND CHILL ADVISORYS AND WARNINGS THRU SUNDAY.
TODAY= cloudy, snow in afternoon, 1 inch, high 5 above.
TONIGHT= partly cloudy, cold and windy, -22, wind chills near -40.
NEW YEARS DAY= sunny and very cold, high -7, low -26 WC -35-40.
SUNDAY= partly cloudy, cold, high 0, temps rising into Monday morn.
MONDAY= mostly cloudy, warmer high 20, snow develops at night.
SPORTS
COL FB= Michigan State, Wisconsin and Purdue win yesterday in bowl games, Big 10 is 5-0 in bowls. Michigan vs. Georgia, Cincinnati vs. Alabama in National semi-finals today, title game is Jan 10th.
NHL= Wild host the Winter Classic Saturday against St. Louis at Target Field in Minneapolis. The action starts at 5:30pm on KLTF.
NFL= Vikings at Lambeau Field vs. the Packers Sunday, pregame coverage begins at 6:30pm, kickoff at 7:20 on AM960 KLTF.