NEWS
--More than 1,000 soldiers are returning today to Minnesota from the Middle East. The Task Force helped in emergency services and support of the units while conducting exercises with our Allies. Many of the soldiers will get reunited today with their families at Camp Ripley with another round of soldiers returning next Saturday, February 5th in Rosemount. Earlier this week Tony Housey of Camp Ripley mentioned the return would be taking place at the base.
--The League of American Bicyclists recognizes organizations pedaling to new heights in better biking as Bicycle Friendly Businesses. Nationwide, the League of American Bicyclists honored 32 organizations with a Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) Award in its Fall 2021 round. These 32 new and renewing organizations join a movement of 1,471 businesses across all 50 states building up a Bicycle Friendly America by encouraging safer streets and better bicycling for everyone. Bicycle Friendly Businesses recognize bicycling as a critical part of supporting the health and wellbeing of their employees and communities, as evidenced by how many Bicycle Friendly Businesses are in the healthcare industry. The Fall 2021 round also saw the rise of two Bicycle Friendly Businesses to Platinum-level nationwide including one locally. Touright Bicycle Shop, a bike shop in Little Falls with two employees was bestowed this honor. Tourright was awarded gold status in 2017 from the organization and following an extensive application process they were awarded platinum level this year. This honor lasts for four years. Tourright Bicycle Shop has been in our area for 8 seasons. David Sperstad from Tourright Bicycle Shop in Little Falls when asked about the health benefits of cycling quoted one of his customers is over 80 years old and riding his bike was the best medicine he takes.
--The Todd County Sheriff's Office has received multiple citizen complaints related to unemployment fraud. If you or a family member has been a subject of fraud, report the fraud to identitytheft.gov. Also call the Social Security Administration and have an alert put on your social security number. The Todd County Sheriffs Office also recommends if this happened to you to run a credit check of yourself through freecreditreport.com to see if the scammers opened any accounts using your social security number. You should also contact your bank and have them monitor your accounts and finally contact your local law enforcement agency and file a report.
--The Brainerd Police Department has been notified by the Minnesota Department of Corrections of a level 3 predatory offender that will be residing in Brainerd city limits. 28-year old Tyler Steven Jay's anticipated move date is this Monday near the intersection of Highway 210 and Gillis Avenue in Brainerd. Tyler Jay engaged in separate incident of sexual contact against known and unknown male children. Due to Jay previously residing in Brainerd, a community notification meeting will not be held. The Brainerd Police Department would like to remind people that Jay is not wanted by police at this time. This notification is not intended to increase fear in the community, but to keep the public informed.
--Royalton Elementary School will host an in-person Kindergarten Registration Night on Monday, February 7th at 6:30pm in the Cafetorium (please use the activities entrance). Parents will have the opportunity to visit classrooms at this time. Call Dawn at 320-584-4160 if you have any questions or need a registration packet.
--Tomorrow is the large Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Hole in the Day Bay of Gull Lake starting at noon. Law enforcement remind motorists to expect delays along Highway 371 on Saturday.
--Mary Warner, executive director of the Morrison County Historical Society (MCHS), is leaving the organization to take on a new role. Warner, who has been with MCHS since 1996 and serving as director since 2015, has taken on a position with the Minnesota State, Hennepin County, and Ramsey County Bar Associations, where she will be connecting the organization’s members to the resources needed to effectively run their law practices. The MCHS Board of Directors and Finance & Personnel Committee have started the process of searching for a new executive director, which will take several months. Warner's last official day with MCHS will be February 12th. The MCHS Board of Directors will name an interim executive director at their February meeting.
--Two teachers in the Sauk Rapids-Rice school district are among the finalists for Minnesota's Teacher of the Year. Education Minnesota says among the field of 77 candidates are Trisha Bemboom a special education teacher at Sauk Rapids-Rice high school and Tina Douvier a kindergarten teacher at Rice elementary. Others around central and north central Minnesota include Kayla Host of Aitkin, Erin Karlgaard of Brainerd, Kevin Armbrust of Milaca, Sarah Lancaster of Onamia, James Schreiner of Sauk Centre and Holly Becker of Wadena-Deer Creek. Over the next several weeks the candidates will be narrowed down to semifinalists and then the finalists. The Teacher of the Year banquet is set for May 1st where the winner will be announced.
--Local events this weekend include The 25th Annual Pierz Knights of Columbus Buffalo Raffle and appreciation feed. The feed 4-8pm followed by the raffle at 8:15pm all to take place at the Pierz Ballroom. Sunday, the MCCL Dinner will take place at noon at the Falls Ballroom, social at noon, dinner at 12:50 followed by speakers for Morrison County Chapter of the Minnesota Citizens Concered for Life. Tickets will be available at the door for $18. Details on more events can be found at fallsradio.com then community calendar.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Kyle and McKenzie Sobania of Little Falls, boy on January 26th
WEATHER
TODAY= partly cloudy skies, high 13.
TONIGHT= increasing clouds late, low -1 then rising toward morn.
SATURDAY= cloudy skies, mild, high near 30, low around 10.
SUNDAY= sunny and windy, high 19, low around 3 above.
MONDAY= partly sunny, warmer, high 32, low around 11.
SPORTS
HS GBB= Zimmerman at Little Falls tonight 7:15pm on Q92 WYRQ
COL HK= Gophers at Notre Dame tonight 6pm on AM960 KLTF.
VIKINGS= Vikings introduced new GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah yesterday and stated they are searching for a new head coach and have eyes on coordinators in the NFC Championship game Sunday.
NFL= AFC Championship is Cincinnati at Kansas City followed by the NFC Championship Los Angeles Rams hosting San Francisco 49ers. Hear the action starting at 12:30pm Sunday on AM960 KLTF.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1986= The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster occurred when the Space Shuttle Challenger (OV-099) broke apart 73 seconds into its flight, killing all seven crew members aboard including New Hampshire school teacher Christa McAuliffe. Many school children watched on that day as the horror unfolded on television.