NEWS
--Due to the warmer temperatures through next week, the Brainerd Jaycee Ice Fishing Extravaganza announced Thursday is pivoting to a hybrid model for the upcoming tournament. The event will still be on February 3rd and remains focused on our key mission while also addressing safety concerns. The Extravaganza will transition to a hybrid model using Fish Donkey as the platform, keeping the February 3rd date but with extended contest hours. Participants will register for the tournament, uploading a picture of their ticket, which is needed to qualify for the event. This hybrid model extends the tournament across multiple Brainerd Area lakes where participants can still compete and experience the thrill of the Extravaganza from the safety and comfort of their chosen locations. The committee is also working on providing in-person support on main accesses across the area to directly help contestants who may not be familiar with the platform. Multiple changes have been adapted from the Fish Donkey tournament held in 2021. While online ticket sales will end today, contestants are encouraged to buy tickets participating outlets. The Jaycees stated, while we understand that this may not be the ideal scenario for some participants, we deem it crucial to prioritize safety and flexibility in light of unprecedented ice conditions. We insist that all contestants exercise utmost caution on any ice. Updated information with all the rules will be released later this weekend.
--A Mille Lacs County man is headed to more than 20 years behind bars after beating a woman and threatening to kill her. On November 19th, 2020, Leech Lake Tribal Police were called to a home in Onamia after Justin Lyle Cutbank assaulted a woman, held her at gunpoint, threatened to kill her, and then fled into the woods. Officers from multiple agencies responded and found the 37-year-old barricaded in a neighbor’s garage. Ultimately, officers were able to arrest Cutbank. The following day, investigators searched the woods and found a rifle with no serial number, a knife, and the victim’s cell phone. He was sentenced Tuesday in U.S. District Court to 24 years in prison.
--The number of Minnesotans getting help from food shelves is at a record high, according to Hunger Solutions Minnesota. The group that tracks hunger trends released new data on Wednesday showing more than 7.5 million food shelf visits in 2023, a 32% increase from 2022. There are about 400 food shelves in Minnesota, locally Food Shelves are in Little Falls, Pierz and Motley. The resource took off in the 1980s and was considered a temporary solution back then, but not anymore. Experts think the numbers may start to go down later this year if inflation does and as more families benefit from the free school meals the legislature approved last year. You can always help by donating to your local food shelves in your area.
--Camp Ripley today is welcoming the U.S. Navy’s Virgina-based Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 for Snow Crab Exercise 2024. Camp Ripley's Garrison Commander, Colonel Troy Fink said “They can use our vast training space, our frozen lakes, and our cold weather environment to train like they are in the arctic and can work as a joint force to execute an extremely complex training event.” Snow Crab Exercise is a 14-day training event utilizing U.S. Navy divers, Sailors, Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians partnered with the Minnesota National Guard’s 148th Fighter Wing EOD personnel, and UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter pilots. Today they will be showing demonstrations of the Minnesota-based Blackhawk helicopters and insertion and extraction response drills for the media.
--Little Falls Radio is saddened to learn of the passing of Michael Lommen of Alexandria. Mike was the son of Gordy and Lois Lommen of Little Falls. Mike worked for KLTF Radio after high school and college in the 1970s working with his father Gordy who was the morning personality for KLTF from the 1950s into the 80s, Mike then later worked in radio in Alexandria. Lommen died Monday at age 69.
--The Stearns County Sheriff's Office says they are aware of some social media posts about possible cougar sightings. Although they don't believe anyone has officially reported it to their office. Given the track on social media the cougar may be out of our area already. The first the sheriff's office heard of a possible sighting was in the New London area, then a possible sighting in the Richmond area, and the last posting was in the St. Stephen area. The sheriff's office reminds you to stay away from the cat and be mindful of your pets. Any sightings should be reported to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources or local law enforcement. On the DNR's website, they say today cougars don't live in Minnesota but occasionally do roam here from the Dakotas and Nebraska. The DNR also says that although some cougar sightings in Minnesota are accurately identified, many observations from trail cameras and tracks turn out to be cases of mistaken identity. Bobcats, house cats, coyotes, wolves, fishers, and light-colored dogs have all been mistaken as cougars.
--St. Stanislaus Church in Sobieski is hosting their Valentines Meal on Tuesday February 13th (to serve meat as Valentine's Day is Ash Wednesday this year) at 6pm. Tickets are available from the parish offices in Sobieski and Randall or call Mike Retka at 320-232-5898. No tickets will be sold at the event you must purchase your tickets in advance by February 6th. If you want to volunteer call 320-428-5717.
--Weekend events include the Pierz KC Buffalo Feed and Raffle on Saturday night in Pierz, MCCL Dinner and BirthLine event is Sunday starting at noon at the Falls Ballroom, Pierz KC Free Throw Contest is Sunday at noon at the MAC Gym in Pierz High School. Details on events can be found at fallsradio.com community calendar.
DEATH NOTICES
--Beatrice Elaine Mae Waldock, age 89 of Little Falls.
--Virginia Mary Schibonski, age 83, born in Pulaski Township.
--Michael “Mike” Lommen, age 69 of Alexandria formerly Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= fog and freeze fog, some drizzle, high 37.
TONIGHT= fog and freeze fog, drizzle, flurries, low 26.
SATURDAY= fog early, then sunny skies, high 36, low 22.
SUNDAY= partly cloudy, high 32, clouds at night, low 23.
MONDAY= partly sunny, high near 40, low near 30.
SPORTS
HS GBB= Fergus Falls at Little Falls tonight 5:45pm on Q92 WYRQ
HS BBB= Osakis at Little Falls after girls game tonight on Q92.
NFL= AFC Championship Kansas City at Baltimore Sunday at 2pm followed by NFC Championship Detroit at San Francisco at 5:30pm Sunday live on AM960 KLTF. Winners go to the Super Bowl.
TWINS= The annual Twins Fest event is Saturday at Target Field in Minneapolis with new Hall of Famer Joe Mauer part of the Signature Saturday event to sign autographs with other Twins greats. There is an evening event tonight in Minneapolis then tomorrow it is 9-5.