NEWS
–Minnesota
Power and Stearns Electric reported a large power outage Thursday
morning shortly after 7am which impacted thousands of people from many
residences starting north of Little Falls near Ft. Ripley, through
Royalton, Bowlus, Upsala, Holdingford, St. Stephen, St. Wendel, Sartell
and into western areas of St. Cloud. A Spokeperson stated that the power
outage was due to a transmission network problem associated with their
partner Great River Energy when a substation kicked and that caused a
huge chain reaction to the area. Almost 100% of customers had power
restored by 11:45am on Thursday morning with a few remote areas that had
to be worked on into the afternoon hours.
–This holiday season, the Little Falls
Community High School Student Council is teaming up with the Kare
Kloset to participate in our annual “Food Drive: Stock the Shelves”
challenge. Now through December 17th students and staff are encouraged
to participate in the challenge. Donations can be dropped off during
parent/teachers conferences at the high school on Monday, December 10 or
sent with students throughout the challenge. The list of items will be
placed throughout the high school and they do ask only items on the list
be donated. Community donations are also accepted and will go toward
the overall total. The Kare Kloset provides food, clothing and hygiene
products to students at the Little Falls Community Middle School and
Little Falls Community High School. Items include many food items, ramen
noodles, mac and cheese, oatmeal, peanut butter, jelly, meat products
and others. Also included is many hygiene products like soap,
toothpaste, dental floss, combs, hair products, feminine products and
others. Also on the list includes soups, spaghetti products and more.
Monetary donations can also be made during the drive by the Student
Council students. The products are part of a point system for the
students which if they collect enough will be eligible for prizes and
special nights in 2019 by school officials. For more information contact
the High School.
–Little Falls Community High School
has nominated Camilla Johnson and Cormac Shanoff for the ExCEL
(Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership) Award. Sponsored by
the Minnesota State High School League, ExCEL is a unique recognition
program designed exclusively for Minnesota high school juniors. Students
who are active in fine arts and/or athletic activities, who show
leadership qualities, and who are model citizens in their community are
eligible for the award. ExCEL Award recipients are selected through a
multi-level process that involves league member schools and an
independent panel of judges from schools throughout Minnesota. Camilla,
daughter of Robert and Christina Johnson, has participated in band,
cross county, Nordic ski, track & field, and volleyball. Cormac, son
of John Shanoff and Julie Rayhorn, has participated in choir, football,
Nordic ski, and track & field.
–Some of the weekend events include
Crane Meadows bird feeder event Saturday, Jason Schommer performs
Saturday, brunch in Hillman Sunday, sausage feed tonight in Flensburg,
bake sale at Onamia Depot Saturday and a Jamacian Mission Trip
fundraiser Sunday night at Faith Lutheran Church. Details on our
community calendar at fallsradio.com.
–The Pierz City Council meets Monday at 7pm at Pierz City Hall. The council has also set up a public hearing Monday at 6:30pm.
–State officials announced yesterday
Minnesota will have a $1.5 billion surplus for the next two-year budget
period setting the stage for a spirited debate over taxes and spending
in the legislative session that starts in January. Minnesota Management
and Budget projected the surplus for the fiscal period that starts July
1st. MMB also said the state’s budget reserve has grown to $2 billion,
though legislators would have to change current laws to tap any of that.
The governor and lawmakers will get an updated budget forecast in
February that will guide them through the end of the legislative session
in May. Democrats took control of the Minnesota House in last month’s
elections, while Senate Republicans maintained their one-seat majority.
MMB said Minnesota’s budget outlook remains sound despite slower growth
expected through the budget period, which begins July 1st. It said
slower economic growth is projected to continue into 2023, resulting in a
slowdown in revenue growth, lowering the projected surplus for that
period to only $456 million.
–There seems to be an uptick on recent
phone scams especially on cellular phones in the past weeks. From local
numbers coming up and then finding out it is a report on health
insurance, a warrant for your arrest on recent law enforcement
information, a hack on your Facebook page or even someone claiming to be
from your local bank, law enforcement or financial institution stating
that their system was hacked and they need your assistance. As a
reminder, never give out your personal information over the phone unless
you have verified the source. If you are wondering if the information
might be true, hang up and call your local police department. Recently a
number of cities (including Waite Park), sheriff’s office (such as Cass
and Wadena County) and many local residents have been scammed out of
thousands of dollars or told they have won prizes, told a grandchild was
in trouble etc. Cass County Sheriff Tom Burch said that even through we
are Minnesota Nice we also must be Minnesota wise when it comes the
number of phone and internet scams.
–The Wright County Sheriffs Office has
canceled the search for 31-year old Chase Erickson who returned home
safely this week. Thank you to all who helped in the search.
HISTORY NEWS
–Today
marks the 77th Anniversary of the deadly attacks on Pearl Harbor,
Hawaii that led to the United States entering World War II against
Germany and Japan. Over 2,000 Americans were killed and nearly another
2,000 were injured in that attack in 1941.
WEATHER
TODAY= morning flurries, afternoon sun, high 21.
TONIGHT= clear skies, low around 5 above.
SATURDAY= sunny skies, high 23, low around 10.
SUNDAY= sunny skies, high 26, low around 14.
SPORTS
HS
GBB= Pierz at Little Falls tonight 6pm on followed by Pierz at Little
Falls Boys Basketball tonight on Q92 and fallsradio.com.
COL FB= Army/Navy Game will be heard Saturday 1pm on KLTF.
NFL= Vikings are at Seattle Monday night at 6:30 on AM960 KLTF.
Tune in Monday to AM960 KLTF for the return fo the Holiday Scramble to win prizes from sponsoring businesses.