NEWS
--An investigation by the Central Minnesota Human Trafficking Task Force has led to charges against a St. Cloud man. 55-year old John Elrod is charged with sex trafficking and receiving profits from prostitution. Police arrested Elrod Tuesday at his St. Cloud apartment. Records show Elrod admitted to investigators he received roughly $100 from one victim and a few cans of "chew" from the other victim in exchange for him letting them use his apartment for prostitution.
--Two were injured in an incident Thursday in Cass County. At 7:42am Thursday an International Propane Truck driven by 49-year old Marshall Forland of Pequot Lakes was heading southbound on Highway 64 in May Township of Cass County. 47-year old Stefan Tucker of Cushing was traveling in a van northbound on Highway 64, and a pickup driven by 23-year old Connor Stanton of St. Louis Park was northbound behind the van. Tucker crossed center line in his van striking the rear dual wheels on straight truck. This caused the straight truck to go off the road to the right, vaulted and landed on it's side; resulting in damage to four vehicles parked in a parking lot from debris. A tire came off the straight truck, striking the pickup driven by Stanton. Tucker and Forland were taken to Staples Hospital with non life threatening injuries while Stanton according to the report from the Minnesota State Patrol was not hurt.
--Mary Warner spoke on AM960 KLTF Thursday to state she is starting her new position on February 22nd in Ramsey/Hennepin work with lawyers in the Twin Cities. She recently took a paralegal certificate course from St. Cloud State University when she found out about the legal position and thought it would be interesting and to move closer to the Twin Cities were members of her family are. Warner said they are working on a smooth transition at the historical society and they have hired Camille Warzecha as interim director at the society until the full time director is named and can be put into place. Over the next weeks and months they will continue to find a replacement with experience in working or curating at a museum. The application is on their website for those interested in applying. There are still events at the historical society including Saturday at 10:30am a discussion on “The Boy from Buckman plants a seed” where documents, manuscripts and others on Father Kapsner and starting the Hill Museum. These will continue on Saturdays through the end of the month. Warner's last official day is tomorrow but she will still be around to help in the transition process and some events. More information can be found at morrisoncountyhistory.org or by calling the Morrison County Historical Society at 632-4007. The Morrison County Historical Society (MCHS) board of directors officially announced yesterday also the appointment of former board member and board president, Camille Warzecha, as Interim Executive Director at its February 8th board meeting. Camille served on the organization’s board of directors from 2006 until 2021, finishing her term as president. Camille brings extensive experience working with MCHS, both as a member and volunteer, and her interest in history extends from researching her husband’s family history to delving into a variety of complicated topics. Camille will fill the interim executive director position until the position is filled with a new executive director. MCHS is currently accepting applications for the position. The search process is anticipated to be complete later this spring.
--The Little Falls School Board will meet Monday at 5pm at the Middle School Media Center. There will presentations, legislative update and the recent COVID update at the meeting on Monday evening.
--A very busy weekend of events around Little Falls the Love Wellness event put on with Morrison County Veterans Service Officer Kathy Marshik is Saturday 10am-3pm at the Bank Square Plaza building, vendors, information on many subjects, kids games, crafts, veterans info and more at the free event. Ice Fest is Saturday and Sunday at Green Prairie Fish Lake 10am-6pm both days, shuttle buses on Saturday, events including the trying the world record ice carousel attempt, human foosball, sledding, skating, plenty of fun things, giveaways, cash raffle and all goes to help Flyer Pride Pack and Kare Closet at the schools in Little Falls. There is also a snapshot event at the Lindbergh Site Saturday afternoon and the Little Falls Lindy Dance Team is hosting a fundraiser show which also features Little Falls Just for Kix with two dance shows Saturday at the Little Falls Community High School at 1pm and 2:30pm. More events to view by going to fallsradio.com and click on Community Calendar.
--The Minnesota Department of Public Safety announced there will be extra enforcement during and after the Super Bowl Football game on Sunday as many will partake in big game parties at residences and establishments. A reminder to NEVER drink and drive and again extra law enforcement will be out on Minnesota roadways watching for impaired drivers on Sunday into the morning hours of Monday.
--With the recent deadly house fire in St. Cloud, firefighters and are fire chiefs are reminding all residents to check the batteries in your smoke detect. That's one of the leading things you can do to protect your family. You can do everything under the sun to prevent a fire, but if something happens at least get people woken up and out of the house, so we can come handle it quickly. You should also check the batteries in your carbon monoxide detector while you're at it.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS
--Levi Atkinson and Bobbi Jo Bartkowitz of Pierz, a boy on Feb 9th.
--Jeremy and Nicole Nuehring of Little Falls, a girl born February 9th.
WEATHER
TODAY= AM snow showers, PM sun, falling temps to 7 above late.
TONIGHT= clear and very cold, low -17, wind chills near -33.
SATURDAY= sunny and cold, high 2 above, low around -15.
SUNDAY= partly sunny, high 9 above, snow showers late night
MONDAY= snow early, then partly cloudy, high 16, low around 5.
SPORTS
HS BHK= last night's Little Falls Flyer boys hockey game with Detroit Lakes due to the weather was moved to today and will be at 5pm with the puck drop, pregame at 4:30pm on Q92 WYRQ.
HS GBB= Mora at Pierz tonight at 7:15pm on 94ROCKS KFML.
COL HK= Gophers at Ohio State tonight 5:30pm on AM960 KLTF.
COL BB= Gophers host Penn State Saturday 7pm AM960 KLTF.
NFL= Super Bowl 56 is Sunday in Los Angeles with the LA Rams taking on the Cincinnati Bengals, full coverage begins at 1pm with the kickoff slated for 5:30pm Sunday on AM960 KLTF.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1809= Robert Fulton patented the Steamboat.
IN 1942= Archie comics debut on newsstands.
IN 1943= General Dwight Eisenhower selected to lead Allied troops.
IN 1962= the Beatles recorded first single in UK, Please Please Me.
IN 1981= Weird Al Yankovic given time on the Dr. Demento show and played Another One Rides the Bus and Ricky, his first 2 singles.