NEWS
--The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office reports that on Tuesday at approximately 3:26 pm, their office received a report of a male that had fallen from a roof at a residence on 110th Avenue, approximately four miles southwest of Little Falls in Swan River Township. According to the Sheriff’s Office, 65-year-old Dale Schlangen of Belgrade, was helping family members work on a pole shed. Schlangen slipped on the rafters and fell to the ground. Family members and first responders performed first aid and life-saving efforts at the scene. Despite their best efforts, Schlangen was pronounced deceased.
This incident remains under investigation. The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Bowlus First Response Team, North Air Care and Mayo Clinic Ambulance.
–No One was hurt in an early Tuesday morning fire in St. Cloud. The St. Cloud Fire Department says they responded to a fire at 920 11th Avenue South. Once on scene, Authorities say they found a two-stall detached garage on fire with several buildings nearby being exposed to radiant heat. The Fire Department says they were able to bring the blaze under control quickly and contain it to the detached garage. The Fire Department was able to contact the homeowner and confirm everyone evacuated safely. The fire is under investigation by the Office of the Fire Marshal.
--In the previous Little Falls Police Department report they want to remind parked vehicles of the ordinance to have vehicles moved when snow removal in the overnight hours is being done. This occurred after the snow December 19th and snow removal that took place both December 20th and December 23rd in Little Falls. Please move vehicles of the roadways when snow removal takes place. The police department also handled suspicious activity called, traffic stops and assisting other agencies during the past 2 weeks in their report.
--Each winter, Minnesota’s state parks, recreation areas, and trails invite visitors to experience the season through candlelight events. The gatherings feature trails illuminated by candles, lanterns, and other luminaries, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere for outdoor enthusiasts. Depending on the location and snow conditions, guests can hike, snowshoe, or cross-country ski along the lit paths. From January 3rd to February 22nd, 19 candlelight events are scheduled across 17 locations. Details, including dates and times, can be found on the candlelight events webpage. “Winter candlelight events are a magical way to experience Minnesota’s state parks, recreation areas and trails,” said Ann Pierce, director of the Parks and Trails Division at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “There’s something truly special about walking a snowy trail under the glow of candlelight, where the quiet of the night and the sparkle of the snow create a peaceful escape. It’s a chance to slow down, connect with nature, spend time with friends and family and find beauty in the stillness of winter.” Candlelight trails are designed to accommodate beginners of all ages. At select locations, snowshoes and skis can be rented or borrowed from the park’s visitor center or ranger station. It’s recommended that you call ahead to confirm equipment availability. Participation in candlelight events is free, but a vehicle permit is required for entry into Minnesota state parks and recreation areas. Permits can be purchased in advance online to save time upon arrival. The cost is $7 for a daily pass or $35 for an annual pass.
--A 44-year-old man has been arrested after he fired a gun inside a home where he lived after a fight broke out at a party. The incident happened on New Year’s Eve just before midnight. St. Cloud Police were called out to the 2200 block of Clearwater Road. When they arrived, they found several people at the home, ranging in age from children to adults. They determined there was a fight inside the home, and the man shot twice but hit no one. He is currently booked into the Stearns County Jail while the investigation continues.
--Three of four suspects have been arrested in connection with a burglary at a home in Baldwin Township. According to Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office on December 18th, two men entered an occupied home and stole a safe containing over $100,000 in cash. Surveillance cameras captured footage of the suspects leaving the home with the safe. The homeowner provided investigators with a possible identification of one of the suspects seen in the video. The sheriff’s office started a multi-agency investigation and found $36,000 of the stolen money, with $11,000 recovered as recently as Sunday. 31-year-old Yonathan Jose Gamboa Zambrano has been charged with first-degree burglary. He is being held on $600,000 bail. 22-year-old Brandon Marlon Garcia-Becerril, who police say was armed at the time he entered the home, was also charged with first-degree burglary but may have run away to Mexico. 21-year-old Carlos Anthonio Veloz-Garcia and 20-year-old Jennifer Damary Barrera Henriquez were also arrested. They have both been charged with three counts of aiding and abetting first-degree burglary.
--One person was injured Wednesday night around 8:35pm on Highway 371 and County Road 16 in Pequot Lakes of Crow Wing County. 29-year-old Dakota Cranfill of Pequot Lakes left the roadway and struck some trees. Cranfill was taken to Brainerd Hospital and treated for non life threatening injuries.
DEATH NOTICES
--Mary Blake, age 78 of Little Falls.
--Stephen “Steve” Sunde, age 70 of Cushing.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and cold, high 8 above, wind chills near -10.
TONIGHT= clear and cold, low -5, wind chills near -17.
SATURDAY= sunny and cold, high 7 above, low around -6.
SUNDAY= clouds increase, flurries at night, high 7, low near 0.
MONDAY= partly sunny after AM flurries, high 14, low near 3.
SPORTS
HS BBB= Holdingford at Little Falls 2pm Saturday on Q92 WYRQ.
COL FB= Gophers take on Virginia Tech tonight at 6:30pm in the Dukes Mayo Bowl in Charlotte, North Carolina.
NFL= it is the final weekend of regular season NFL games. There are two games Saturday starting at 3pm on KLTF then the rest on Sunday ending with Minnesota at Detroit Sunday at 7:20pm for the top seed in the NFC and a first round bye. Hear three games on Sunday on AM960 KLTF. The Vikings were told that 6 players were named to the Pro Bowl this year including Sam Darnold and Justin Jefferson. The pro bowl will be in Orlando on February 2nd and again this year will be a flag football game with other festivities.