NEWS
--On Tuesday the St. Cloud Police Department and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office investigated the report of a missing 22-year old man and the discovery of a dead body, which according to a news release are believed to be related. Before 3:00pm Tuesday officers were sent to a report of a missing 22 year old man from St. Cloud. An acquaintance of the man called with concerns as the man had not been seen since late the prior evening when he was out with friends. The man was last seen alone and on foot at approximately 2:10am in the parking lot of a business located at 500 66th Street NW, in Sauk Rapids. Around 11:00am Wednesday a St. Cloud Investigator was in that area looking for signs of the missing man at which time a body was discovered in the ditch near the intersection of County Road 33 and Highway 10 in Benton County. The body was taken to the Midwest Medical Examiners Office for an autopsy and positive identification. The investigation into the man’s death remains active and ongoing. Authorities have not released the name of the deceased man pending positive identification and notification of family. Authorities believe there is no active danger to the general public.
--New statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau show Minnesota's overall population is getting older and slightly more diverse. The median age of Minnesotans is 37.7 years. That's about seven months older than the median age in 2010. The new figures show the number of residents 65 or older grew to nearly 14 percent of the state's population, an increase from 12.6 percent in last census report. Cities in rural Minnesota are finding special challenges with simple things like providing transportation or housing for older residents. Many of the state's older residents live in rural counties like Big Stone, Traverse, Cook, Lake and Cass, according to the data from 2011-2015. More young people are likely to be found in the Twin Cities, or in places like Nobles and Beltrami counties, which have higher rates of immigration than other rural parts of the state. Demographers say one thing that's keeping the state from aging faster is the influx of young immigrants and their higher birth rates with census reports the foreign-born population in the state rose slightly to nearly 418,000. Non-Hispanic whites make up nearly 82 percent of Minnesota's population.
--Around 2:30pm Tuesday a collision in Mille Lacs County injured two. 52-year old Edwin Money was heading east in a jeep on County Road 9, attempting to cross Highway 169. While crossing, Money collided with a northbound car on Highway 169 driven by 38-year old Mark Wolbeck of Albany. This caused Wolbeck's car to go into the ditch and roll. Both drivers sustained non life threatening injuries.
--The Little Falls High School DECA and Student Council are doing a food drive through Christmas at the High School sporting events like tonights basketball game and also concerts later this month. You are encouraged to help out by dropping off a non-perishable food item or a monetary donation during the events at Little Falls Community High School. For more information on the food drive contact Tim Bjorge at Little Falls High School 616-2001.
–A reminder from Wreathsforthefallen.org that the wreath laying ceremony at the State Veterans Cemetary north of Little Falls is on December 17th (next Saturday) at 11am and please come early.
--Parent teacher conferences at Little Falls Community Middle School will be Monday from 4-7pm at the Middle School Commons.
--Area residents who live near the Mississippi River should be aware that the ice on the river is rising in Little Falls. Little Falls Radio yesterday afternoon received reports that the river was nearing a level that may cause damage to area properties.
--The Brainerd Fire Department responded to three separate calls in the past days. Firefighters were called Thursday to an appliance malfunction that left off a strong smoky smell. Firefighters stated that proper ventilation was applied before their arrival on scene. Firefighters were called at 12:07am Wednesday to a vehicle fire at the intersection of Meadowview Road and Crow Wing County Road 22. Upon arrival, a vehicle was fully engulfed. Firefighters extinguished the fire, the vehicle was a total loss. No injuries. Firefighters also were called at 8:29pm Tuesday of a possible stove fire on the 400 block of Southeast 14th Street. Upon arrival, the fire was out and firefighters ventilated the residence.
--Weekend events include the Baseball Bash for Little Falls Youth Baseball 5-11pm Saturday at Falls Ballroom, tickets $30, music, silent auction, raffle items, food and meet Twins Announcer Dick Bremer at the event Saturday. Also this weekend events in Bulldog Lake Saturday, Living Hope Church on 11th, Great River Arts presents Jason Schommer Saturday, bird feeder making event at Crane Meadows on Saturday and a meatloaf dinner in Hillman on Sunday and many other events this weekend. Get details on the weekend events at fallsradio.com and community calendar.
NATIONAL NEWS
--Former astronaut John Glenn died at the age of 95 yesterday. Glenn was the first american to orbit the earth in 1962, and was a former U.S. Senator from Ohio from 1974-1999. In 1998 he went back to space becoming the oldest person to travel to space.
--President-Elect Donald Trump has been named the 2016 Time Magaizine Person of the Year.
DEATH NOTICES
--Marcella Deering, age 77 of Little Falls (first name changed)
--Carol Abrahamson Morawczynski, age 76 of Browerville.
--Margaret Pappenfus, age 94 of Little Falls.
--Howard Warnberg, age 92 of Little Falls.
--Richard “Dick” Virnig, age 81 of Pierz.
WEATHER
TODAY= partly to mostly cloudy, high 10 above, less wind.
TONIGHT= clearing skies, low -4.
SATURDAY= snow develops in afternoon, 1-3 inches by overnight, daytime high 10 above then temps-rising overnight
SUNDAY= snow likely, another 1-3 inches, high near 20, low near 10
MONDAY= mostly cloudy, PM snow showers, high 15, low near 0.
SPORTS
HS BBB= Alexandria at Little Falls tonight 7:30pm on Q92 WYRQ
HS BHK= Little Falls at Fergus Falls Saturday 7:15pm Q92 WYRQ
COL FB= Army vs. Navy game Saturday 1pm on AM960 KLTF
NFL= Kansas City held off Oakland 21-13 last night in the NFL.
NFL= Vikings at Jacksonville Sunday at noon.
WEB= continue to check out local sports scores and the broadcast schedule at fallsradio.com and like LF Radio on Facebook.