NEWS
--An accident just after 3am Thursday involving five vehicles closed Interstate 94's westbound lanes in St. Cloud for about 4 hours. A semi truck jack knived on the exit of 171 and struck a second freightline tractor trailer which then struck another freight truck going into a pickup and then a fifth vehicle. The three semi freight truck drivers were not injured. The pickup driver and passenger from California were treated for non-life threatening injuries and the 5th driver was also treated for injuries at the scene. The Interstate detoured traffic onto the eastbound lanes during the scene being cleared. The Interstate was reopened by 7am Thursday morning.
--On Saturday, February 8th the Friends of Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge will host its eighth annual candlelight ski event. The event will begin at 5:30pm as the moon begins to rise. The night’s activities will include skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking the Platte River Trail, one mile of which will be lit with luminaries. When you need to warm up, join them at the bonfire and enjoy hot drinks and refreshments provided by the Friends of Crane Meadows NWR. This program is free and open to the public of all ages. Participants must bring their own skis, but snowshoes will be provided free of charge. A headlamp or flashlight is also recommended. Please note that the refuge is normally open to visitors during daylight hours only. Access is being provided after dark for this evening only. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to providing access to this program for all participants. Please direct all requests for sign language interpreting services, closed captioning, or other accommodation needs to 763-389-3323, cranemeadows@fws.gov, or TTY 800-877-8339 with your request by close of business on January 31, 2020.
--Authorities in northern Cass County say a 9-year-old boy has died in a farm accident. Cass County Sheriff Tom Burch says his office was notified of the accident in rural Boy River on Sunday. Deputies and first responders arrived and learned that a boy had been accidentally pinned under the arms of a skid-steer loader. The boy was pronounced dead at the scene. The name was not released.
--The St. Cloud Police Department has arrested a man wanted in a home invasion in eastern Minnesota last May. St. Cloud Assistant Police Chief Jeff Oxton said 19-year-old Nicholas James of St. Cloud was arrested on a warrant out of Chisago County just after 1:30am Wednesday. Oxton says James was arrested in the 1100 block of 13th Street South without incident. James was wanted on robbery and attempted murder charges. According to the Chisago County Sheriff's Office, three suspects broke into a home back on May 16th. Authorities say a 22-year-old victim was shot and wounded. The victim was airlifted to a Twin Cities hospital. The other two suspects were brought into police custody shortly after the incident. The sheriff's office says the suspects and victim knew each other and do not believe the incident was random.
--Lots of events are lined up this weekend including the Knight of Columbus Free Throw Contest Saturday at Mary of Lourdes Schools, The Pierz KC Buffalo Feed and Raffle is Saturday night, feed begins at 4pm and raffle at 8:15pm at the Pierz Ballroom. Winter Wonderland breakfast Sunday at St. Joseph's Parish Hall in Morrill, Pro Life Dinner and speakers will be Sunday with social starting at noon at the Falls Ballroom in Little Falls, St. Francis Music Center has their honors concert Sunday at 1pm at the convent, details on these and many other events into February at fallsradio.com community calendar.
--The Little Falls Police Department has sent out information again on the Safe Exchange Zone. This is to anyone hoping to carry out an online style transaction with a stranger, or if you need a safe place to conduct a property or child custody exchange, the Little Falls Police Department is there to help make that exchange a safe one. Participants can now meet outside the Little Falls Police Department 24/7, or inside their lobby during normal business hours. There are two designated SAFE EXCHANGE ZONE parking spaces in the parking lot at the police department. These exchange locations are under 24/7 surveillance and available to all residents and visitors. While this space is available for you to complete your exchange in a safe environment, their personnel may not participate or act as official witnesses in civil transactions nor are they available for legal advice or allowed to settle civil or pricing disputes between parties involved in transactions occurring at this location. The location is at the Police Station 207 1st Street NE or call 616-5570 for more information.
--A reminder from the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office and the Minnesota State Patrol to expect delays and heavy traffic flow tomorrow around Highway 371 north of Baxter to County Road 77 heading to the Hole in the Day Bay for the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza which is celebrating their 30th year. They are remindings motorists that flaggers and patrols will be out from 9am that morning until one hour after the events ends in late afternoon. If you wish to find an alternate route around the ice fishing event this weekend it may be best if you are not planning on being one of the thousands attending the large event. The sheriff's office is reminding motorists to watch speeds, expect delays, don't drink and drink and make the event another safe and successful one.
--Minnesota’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained steady at 3.3% during December, according to data released Thursday by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The national seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for December also held steady at 3.5%. Minnesota gained 3,978 jobs from December 2018 to December 2019, a 0.1% increase.
DEATH NOTICES
--Ardus “Ardie” Newman, age 91 of Pierz.
--Georgia Nickaboine, age 70 of Onamia.
--Leona Eggerth, age 69 of Burtrum.
WEATHER
TODAY= mostly cloudy, high near 30, clearing late, low 14.
SATURDAY= becoming cloudy, high near 30, low around 22.
SUNDAY= mostly cloudy, high 28, low around 19.
MONDAY= light snow late day, high near 32, low near 25.
SPORTS
HS BHK= Little Falls at Princeton tonight at 7pm on Q92 WYRQ.
HS BBB= Milaca at Little Falls Saturday 1:30pm on Q92 WYRQ.
HS GBB= Milaca at Little Falls Saturday 3:15pm on Q92 WYRQ.
COL HK= Gophers vs. Ohio State 6:30pm Friday and 7pm Saturday catch both games live this weekend on AM960 KLTF.
NFL= The AFC/NFC Pro Bowl is Sunday at 1:30pm on KLTF.
BRD= longtime football coach Ron Stolski has decided to retire after coaching the Brainerd football team for 45 years. Stolski has coached Minnesota high school sports for 58 years.