NEWS
--Little Falls police reported that at 5:48pm Wednesday a traffic accident occurred on County Road 213 north of 9th Avenue NW. A vehicle driven by 43-year old Christopher Hamlin of Little Falls, was traveling south on County Road 213 near 138th Avenue. The vehicle left the roadway and Hamlin was ejected from the vehicle. Hamlin was pronounced deceased at the scene. The accident remains under investigation by the Little Falls Police Department.
--A St. Joseph man accused of killing a 7-month old boy in Rice has pleaded guilty. 31-year-old James Wood pleaded guilty Tuesday to 2nd degree unintentional murder while committing a felony. According to the complaint filed in Benton County District Court, Wood went to the home in Rice in October 2018 to stay the weekend with his girlfriend and her two children. The mother told investigators she checked on both boys before going to bed around midnight. The mom said both boys were asleep and were in good health when she checked on them. The following morning, the mother told police she went to check on the baby and found him not breathing, cold to the touch, and with bruises on his face. Wood's vehicle was gone and text messages to him went unreturned. When officers arrived at the home, they overheard the mom ask the older boy if he saw anything and the boy respond that "James hit him" and said, "he is naughty". The boy later demonstrated to police how Wood hit the infant by hitting himself in the forehead. Wood was later found in the Morrison County Jail where he was being held on DWI charges after authorities there say he was arrested for driving northbound in the southbound lanes of Highway 10. Wood will be sentenced in February.
--Little Falls Community Schools Superintendent Stephen Jones spoke on KLTF Thursday and gave an update from the schools. Jones said for now the public schools will remain on distance learning through January 8th for elementary students and January 21st for secondary students. Special Eduation students have been allowed to return to class in the building as per Governor Walz making is possible for them who have issues using internet for learning due to special needs. Jones understands that distance learning works for some and maybe not for others but the hope is as the numbers go down from the community doing their part to keep everyone safe, then the options get better early next year to get the kids back in school. If you have questions contact Jones at 632-2001.
--The Backyard Birdfeeder Event at Crane Meadows scheduled for December 12th has been cancelled due to the State of Minnesota guidelines and the current status of the COVID-19 pandemic. The event is cancelled however, the refuge southeast of Little Falls and the Platte River Trail are open daily from a half-hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset. You are encouraged to use the trails and the wildlife refuse to enjoy the fresh air. Again though the birdfeeder event on December 12th had to be cancelled this year.
--The Pierz Lions Club invites you to participate in a beautiful holiday tradition for Horizon Health Hospice Program. Whether you light a light “In Honor” or “In Memory” of someone special in your life, your donation is a lasting tribute. Throughout the year, your Tree of Lights contribution allows Horizon Health Hospice to continue providing end of life care for people in our community and support for their families. To take part in the program contact Horizon Health at 468-6451.
--The Little Falls City Council will hold their next regular council meeting on Monday at 7:30pm at City Hall Council Chambers.
--Judy Buckingham of the Holiday Gift Giving Program stated that this year will be different than past of course due to COVID-19 restrictions. They are unable to have as many trees out in the area due to businesses and church restrictions at this time and so the large fill the truck/trailer event Saturday is even more important this year. Between 10am-3pm stop by Wal-mart and help donate a new toy, clothes, jackets, mittens, gift cards (so that the volunteers can get items for the kids) and put in the large trailer outside of the store. This year due to restirctions hand outs cannot be down in the store who they relying on word of mouth to get the word out to come and help fill the truck/trailer Saturday to help out the program. Judy said that distribution is being worked out to be handled safely this year also in the days ahead. Little Falls Radio will be live at the fill the truck event tomorrow starting at 10am on all LF Radio stations.
--Minnesota Department of Health numbers for Thursday were 6,166 new cases and 92 new deaths linked to the virus (another in Morrison of one in their 70s). Morrison County had 51 new cases Thursday.
--Central Lakes College announced that their campuses will be closed to the public through the end of December. The rise in community spread numbers in our region over the past few weeks adds further emphasis to the need to be vigilant about safety-minded behaviors and interactions. Buildings will be closed to the public, including walkers. Access will be limited to CLC employees, students, CLC partners and those accessing our partner organizations.
--The Tri Parishes of St. Mary's, Our Lady of Lourdes and Holy Family Belle Prairie announced their will be some time changes this year for Christmas Eve Masses. On December 24th. Masses will be at 3pm and 5pm at St. Mary's, 3:30pm and 5:30pm at Our Lady of Lourdes, 7pm at Holy Family and then 10pm (for Midnight mass) at Our Lady Lourdes. The 3pm Mass from St. Mary's and 10pm Mass from Our Lady of Lourdes will be heard live on Q92 WYRQ and streamed on the fallsradio.com website. Christmas Day Masses will be at 8:30 and 10:30am at Our Lady of Lourdes, 9am at St. Mary's and 10am at Holy Family-Belle Prairie like they use for their Sunday Mass times.
--Another Dairy Recipe Contest qualifier today on KLTF Party Line.
WEATHER
TODAY= mostly sunny, high 35.
TONIGHT= clouds increase, low around 25.
SATURDAY= cloudy skies, possible flurries, breezy, high 34, low 12.
SUNDAY= sunny skies, high 35, low around 18.
MONDAY= sunny skies, high near 40, low around 25.
SPORTS
COL BB= Gophers vs. North Dakota tonight 7:30pm on KLTF.
COL FB= The Gophers and Northwestern game on Saturday has been cancelled as the Gopher have too many cases of COVID-19 and the game will not be made up. A decision will come on Monday or Tuesday on the Nebraska game scheduled for December 12th.
NFL= Vikings host Jacksonville Sunday at noon in Minneapolis. Adam Thielen who missed last Sunday's game for being on COVID-19 list tested negative and will be able to play Sunday for the Vikings.
MSHSL= The State High School League Thursday said they have plans in place for winter sports depending on when the Governor says it is alright to start them up. The league stated that they could start December 21st, January 4th or January 18th but again that all depends on when Governor Walz allows practices/games to resume.