NEWS
--A Winter Storm Warning goes into effect at noon today for central and southern Minnesota, western Minnesota has their warning starting earlier. Due to the impending snow storm some schools have decided to close early and cancel afternoon and evening activities. Continue to listen to Little Falls Radio for the latest announcements. Snow expected to pick up in intensity this afternoon 3-5 inches by tonight and another 2-5 by early tomorrow morning. Strong winds of 25-40mph from the south today and 35-50mph winds on Saturday from the northwest could cause white out and blizzard conditions in open areas and across fields and roadways making visibility nearly impossible by tonight. Area Law Enforcement is urging that unnecessary travel be not advised during this winter storm and if you do travel out please use extreme caution and expect delays.
--Morrison County will be closing Belle Prairie Park north of the city today and possibly carrying through Monday to complete brush clean up and removal from the park. The public works department needs to close the roadway to all for the contractors to safely and efficiently remove the brush from the park. This is weather dependent. It could be done by day's end today but more likely with snow moving in they may continue until Monday, January 20th. Any questions can be directed to Public Works Office at 632-0121.
--A 17-year-old accused of brandishing a knife during a fight involving more than one dozen students at Tech High School in September is scheduled to go to trial in March. Hussein Abdi Abdinasir was involved in the fights during the fourth week of the school year that prompted a large police response and put Tech in lockdown. Abdinasir "brandished a knife during the fight, displaying it in a threatening manner," the complaint states. In October, Abdinasir was charged with three felony counts: terroristic threats, possessing a dangerous weapon on school property and second-degree riot. He pleaded not guilty on October 24th and was released to the custody of his parents with conditions he attend school regularly once enrolled, not have unexcused absences, not contact the victims, abide by curfew and obey rules at home and school. Judge Sarah Hennesy scheduled a one-day trial for March 25 but told the parties to schedule a separate omnibus hearing if they come to an agreement before the trial.
--Two people were arrested following a home burglary in Sherburne County Monday night. Authorities say they were called to a home in the 3400 block of 57th Street Southeast in Haven Township around 5pm. Sheriff Joel Brott says a person who was watching the home noticed there were vehicles near the home that didn't belong there and a door had been kicked in on a detached garage. Deputies arrived on scene and found two people inside. They were identified as 35-year-old Antwan Jamison and 30-year-old Nichole Gruenke. Both were arrested and taken to the Sherburne County Jail. They face charges of burglary and criminal damage to property.
--This weekend is Take a Kid Fishing Weekend in the state of Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is offering the "Take a Kid Fishing Weekend" Saturday through Monday, anyone 16-years-old and older can fish or dark-house spear without a license if they take a child younger than 16 along. The DNR is urging anyone who may be venturing out onto the ice to check the conditions first. Consider asking a bait shop, local resident or sheriff's office about the ice conditions on the lake you choose. Officials say the ice conditions are highly variable this year from lake to lake.
--The Minnesota National Guard will host the Eastern/Central Regional Biathlon event at Camp Ripley through tomorrow. Several members of the Minnesota National Guard Biathlon Teams that were scheduled to take part in the 7.5K sprint race and the 10K Patrol race yesterday because of the -19 temperature has been moved to this morning on the biathlon course. The mission of the National Guard Biathlon program is to develop the highest levels of skiing and rifle marksmanship necessary to focus the abilities of individual airmen and soldier athletes. Further, NG Biathlon selects and trains teams to represent the National Guard and the United States Armed Services in national and international competition, to include Biathlon World Cup and Winter Olympic events. With the weather yesterday they have moved two races to be scheduled today and Saturday with the individual Sprint Races to start this morning at 10am and both of the final races to begin at 10am on Saturday at the Camp Ripley Base.
--A fire was reported about 1pm Wednesday in a cabin at Grand View Lodge Spa and Golf Resort in Nisswa. About 18 firefighters from Nisswa and Pequot Lakes fire departments extinguished the fire that heavily damaged the one-story lakeside cabin. The fire appeared to burn through the roof on one side of the cabin, leaving a large hole. There were no injuries reported. The cause is being investigated.
--Due to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, the Little Falls City Council will meet on Tuesday night 7:30pm at Little Falls City Hall.
WEATHER
WINTER STORM WARNING STARTS AT NOON TODAY AND GOES UNTIL 6PM SATURDAY NIGHT.
TODAY= snow developing afternoon, heavy at times, gusty winds from the southeast at 15-30mph, temps rise to 26, 3-5 inches.
TONIGHT= snow likely, heavy at times, wind shift from the southeast to the northwest overnight, 15-40mph, 2-5 inches of snow more.
SATURDAY= temps dropping, gusty winds 25-50mph from the northwest causing blizzard conditions, 1-2 inches more in AM.
SATURDAY NIGHT= clear skies, cold and windy, low -7, wind chill factors will reach -30 in areas before winds subside into Sunday.
SUNDAY= sunny skies, cold, high 4 above, low around -12.
MLK DAY= sunny skies, cold, high 7 above, low around -10.
SPORTS
LOCAL= with schools closing early and others canceling evening activities tonight and some items on Saturday listen to Little Falls Radio today and Saturday for weather announcements and if any of the local schedule of games will be played.
DAY= The Day of Hockey is scheduled for Saturday with outdoor games in Minneapolis, there are also a number of outdoor hockey games and tournaments scheduled today and Saturday with many other games on the schedule if Mother Nature allows that to happen.
NFL= The AFC and NFC Championship Games are Sunday with Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC at 2pm and then Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers in the NFC at 5:45pm. Hear the action beginning at 12:30pm Sunday on AM960 KLTF.
MLB= following a large cheating scandal in Major League Baseball this week, top teams like Houston and Boston have suspended or fired their GM's and managers for the upcoming season. The New York Mets have let their manager go yesterday following reports of stealing signs, using cameras on helmets and other items in the largest baseball scandal in some time. More firings are expected.