NEWS
--Thursday District 10A Representative Ron Kresha of Little Falls introduced a bill to invest $500,000 into Lindbergh Field in Little Falls Minnesota. The airport, named in honor of renowned aviator Charles Lindbergh, is looking ahead to the 100th anniversary of his historic 1927 transatlantic flight and the centennial celebration to coincide. The project includes improving infrastructure and hangers to accommodate the air traffic from across the state that uses the airfield every day. Kresha stated “Lindbergh field plays an important role in commercial and recreational aviation in Morrison County. I look forward to seeing this project completed for our aviators and the community as a whole. These needed improvements will make sure our airport is ready for this event and show off the proud Little Falls Aviation community and tradition.”
--A St. Cloud woman is among 24 people indicted by a grand jury in South Dakota for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. According to court documents, 39-year-old Hannah Felling is accused of conspiring to distribute more than 500 grams of meth in South Dakota and elsewhere. Prosecutors allege Felling and at least 23 others worked together to distribute the drugs and launder money to cover it up. A search of court records shows Felling with a criminal history stretching back to 2005, including moving violations, DWI, felony drug charges, fleeing police, and counterfeiting. Two other Minnesotans, 48-year-old Michele Johnson and 35-year-old Cody Schmidt, both of Steen, Minnesota, in Rock County, are also on the list of defendants in the case. Johnson has been charged with conspiracy and money laundering. All three have pleaded not guilty. If convicted, the sentence for conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance is up to 20 years in federal prison. The money laundering charge carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison.
--The Benton County Board of Commissioners is the latest to show their disapproval over the new state flag and seal. Administrator Montgomery Headley says the concern is over cost. “Sheriff Troy heck spoke on that matter, and he gave a very rough estimate of about $50,000 if we were to make the transition immediately and replace all the instances where the seal appears, for example, on decals, on vehicles, on deputy badges, and so on.” The county is responsible for seven flags, which would also need to be replaced. Headley says a bulk of the cost is related to law enforcement, though. While the commissioners are responsible for the county only, many cities and townships will take a similar hit related to the issue. Headley says a resolution would have likely passed the board on the 20th, except one of the commissioners was missing due to illness. Benton County will follow in the footsteps of Crow Wing, Douglas, McLeod, and Nobles in coming out against the new designs. “There appear to be a consensus amongst the board to adopt a similar resolution at their next meeting on March 5th.
--Weekend events include Kinship Fish Fry tonight 4:30-7pm at the Little Falls VFW to help their mentoring program. Candlelight hikes are planned at Crane Meadows in Little Falls Saturday at 5:30 and Kathio State Park near Onamia at 6pm on Saturday. Quilt Bingo Sunday in Hillman and Little Falls FFA Breakfast is Sunday at 9am at the Little Falls VFW. Full details on community events can be found by going to fallsradio.com and click on community calendar. More events also at Little Falls Radio on the Facebook page.
--The St. Cloud Fire Department says it was able to quickly bring under control the flames licking the outside of a residence at the corner of 17th Avenue South and Division Street Tuesday night.
A minivan crashed into a vacant home after the driver suffered a medical emergency. Both levels of the structure on the north side became engulfed in flames. A Critical Incident Report says responding crews immediately began fire suppression activities on the house and the vehicle. They also searched the entire home for occupants before ventilating the structure and trying to salvage it.
One person was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The St. Cloud Health Department and the St. Cloud Fire Marshall have declared the house uninhabitable. The Office of the Fire Marshall is still investigating the cause.
--Minnesota's Seventh Judicial District is looking for a new judge with the retirement announcement of Benton County Judge Michael Jesse. Jesse's seat will be chambered in Foley. Individuals can request an application from the Office of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor. Applications should be sent to the Commission on Judicial Selection by 4pm on March 14th. The commission expects to hold interviews in early April. Governor Tim Walz will ultimately name the judges based on recommendations by the Commission on Judicial Selection.
--The Crosslake City Council terminated the employment of and approved a severance package for Crosslake City Administrator Mike Lyonais at a special meeting this month. The severance package was set at nine months’ wages of the city administrator’s current salary, which would amount to $86,473.92. That does not include payout of vacation or sick time. The council held a closed meeting to conduct a performance evaluation of the city administrator. Council member Jackson Purfeerst said in an overview of the evaluation that the council provided the city administrator with a positive performance assessment on fiscal management and the budgeting process.
However, individual overall council member ratings of the city administrator’s performance varied. Lyonais served as city administrator since July 2017. Before that, he was the city's finance director. The Crosslake City Council will hold a special meeting in the coming days to discuss arranging for an interim city administrator.
--Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen will be the guest next Wednesday on KLTF Community Program to give an update on items with the sheriff's office. That is Wednesday 8:30am on KLTF.
WEATHER
TODAY= AM flurries possible, then gradual clearing, temps in the 20s
TONIGHT= clear skies, colder night, low 14.
SATURDAY= sunny and warmer, breezy, high 47, low 26.
SUNDAY= sunny and pleasant, high 42, low near 27.
MONDAY= sunny and breezy, very mild, high 56, low near 30.
SPORTS
HS BBB= Pillager at Pierz tonight 7:15pm on 94ROCKS KFML
HS BHK= Little Falls at Monticello Saturday at 7pm in the Section Semi-Finals, winner moves to the championship game next Wednesday. Hear the action live Saturday night on Q92 WYRQ.
HS= a huge weekend of high school sports, as State Girls Hockey and State Gymnastics today and wrap up Saturday, section boys hockey and section individual wrestling all happening around the state. Get a wrap on sports Saturday at 9am on AM960 KLTF.