NEWS --The Little Falls Fire Department received a call of a vehicle fire on Thursday morning. At 7:26am 22 firefighters responded to the Scott Gangl address of 13958 Forest Road in Green Prairie Township for a semi truck on fire. The semi truck was engulfed in flames when authorities arrived and the semi was a total loss. The semi was parked in the driveway at the time and the nearby home sustained some damage. Firefighters were on scene for about an hour. There were no injuries. The cause is still under investigation.
--CHI St. Gabriel’s Hospital’s parent company, Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI), is set to merge with another Catholic health organization Dignity Health. The merger will mean the combined organization will have 700 care sites, 139 hospitals and about 159,000 employees in 28 states. The merger has been approved by the Dignity Health’s Board of Directors and Sponsorship Council and CHI’s Board of Stewardship Trustees, but still requires approval from federal, state and church authorities. CHI St. Gabriel’s Health President Lee Boyles said the merger will likely not affect how the hospital operates or its heritage with the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls. While a name change could come in a year or two, it would likely be in respect to the CHI portion of the name rather than St. Gabriel’s. The announcement of the merger outlined three strategic goals for the organization: Expand community-based care with outpatient and virtual care to be closer to patients’ homes; Work on programs for different groups of patients, including those suffering from chronic illnesses; and Create care services that are more personal and efficient by using digital technologies. The deal is expected to be finalized in late 2018.
--Almost one year ago numerous law enforcement agencies engaged in a partnership intended to make traveling on MN Highway 23 a safer proposition for motorists. The need for this project was made clear by two fatal accidents in the city of Foley and several serious accidents on the road between Foley and Milaca. The project included educational components in conjunction with enhanced enforcement. The work of these agencies along with the commitment of many dedicated businesses and community members has made a difference. In comparing the accident numbers in 2016 to the enhanced enforcement period between February 24th to the end of the year in 2017 all categories of injury crashes were significantly reduced, as were total crashes on this road. There were no fatal accidents nor any serious injury accidents on this segment of Highway 23 during that time period in 2017. The combined enforcement efforts of the partner agencies produced 554 hours of added patrol time resulting in 1,093 traffic stops. The agencies involved in this project see this as the beginning to what they believe will be a safer future for Highway 23. They look forward to the continued coordination between these law enforcement agencies and the public to make this goal a reality. Even though law enforcement will continue to be on the road watching for violations, all of us need to continue to insist that drivers focus on driving, obey the law, and get behind the wheel only when they are sober.
--A legislative update is planned for 10:30am-12:00pm Tuesday at the Carnegie Library in Little Falls with Senator Paul Gazelka and Representative Ron Kresha. For information call the Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce 632-5155.
--Many hockey fans and eyes will be in St. Cloud this weekend for Hockey Day in Minnesota. Events begin tonight with high school and college hockey match ups and run through the weekend with outdoor high school hockey games starting at 10:00am tomorrow morning and going into the evening on Lake George. Also St. Cloud State and UMD Women's Hockey will play on the outdoor rink Saturday at 1:00pm. There will also be a Men's Hockey game at St. Cloud State and a Wild game to wrap up the day in St. Paul. After the outdoor hockey games are completed the Fabulous Armadillos will perform an outdoor concert. Fox Sports North will have live broadcasts Saturday in St. Cloud for Hockey Day in Minnesota.
--A 19-year old woman who died in an apartment fire in Alexandria on Monday has been identified as Shandiin Goodbird of Alexandria. A preliminary autopsy indicates that the cause of death was smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide toxicity. Toxicology studies are pending and a final report will follow. The cause of the fire, which happened at a four-unit apartment building at 410 Fillmore Street on Monday in Alexandria has not been determined.
--The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that a judge's order requiring a man to provide his fingerprint to unlock his cellphone was constitutional and didn't violate his right against self-incrimination. Wednesday's decision comes in the case of Matthew Diamond, who wanted burglary and theft convictions overturned in connection with a 2014 robbery in Chaska. Diamond's attorney argued the district court violated Diamond's Fifth Amendment right. Police found incriminating evidence on the cellphone after it was unlocked. The Supreme Court ruling affirms a ruling by the Minnesota Court of Appeals. The justices say the act of providing a fingerprint to unlock a cellphone wasn't "testimonial" because it didn't require Diamond to use his mind to provide information. They likened it to providing physical evidence, like a blood sample or standing in a lineup.
WEATHER TODAY= becoming mostly cloudy, high near 40. TONIGHT= cloudy skies, mild, low 26. SATURDAY= partly sunny, high 36, clouds increase at night, low 23. SUNDAY= snow in afternoon 1-2 inches, high 33 early then falling SUNDAY NIGHT= snow likely 2-4 inches, low 25, winds pick up. MONDAY= snow, blowing around, gusty winds and falling temps.
SPORTS HS GBB= Cathedral at Pierz tonight 7:15pm on FM94 KFML HS GBB= Little Falls at Sartell Saturday 2pm on Q92 WYRQ COL HK= Gopher Hockey will take on Michigan State Saturday night in New York City as part of a big college basketball/hockey event, catch the action Saturday night at 6:30pm on AM960 KLTF. TWINS= After officially retiring Wednesday from Major League Baseball, the Twins named Justin Morneau an assistant to the team. The Twins did the same thing with LaTroy Hawkins, Michael Cuddyer and Torii Hunter last year to help with the younger players. Morneau played with the Twins from 2003-2013, winning AL MVP in 2006. NFL= Championship weekend is here and the Jacksonville Jaguars take on the New England Patriots Sunday at 2:00pm while the Minnesota Vikings are at the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday at 5:45pm with the winners playing the Super Bowl February 4th at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Hear all the action live on AM960 KLTF.