NEWS
--Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said he will announce the loosening of some statewide COVID-19 restrictions at 11am this morning. In a press conference yesterday he will be announcing "probably our biggest dial turn" to date, due to the lower case numbers and more vaccine availability across the state. You can listen to the announcement live at 11am today on AM960 KLTF.
--Remember to Spring Ahead this week as Dayling Saving Time returns Sunday at 2am. Remember to turn your clocks ahead one hour at 2am Sunday or before bed Saturday night. Little Falls Fire Chief Craig Seelen stated on Little Falls Radio Thursday it is also imporant to have a check of items in the house to make sure they are working properly, that includes heaters, furnaces, vents not be clogged, smoke detectors to have batteries changed or tested, carbon monoxide detectors should be tested. Seelen stated that the DNR recently started burning permits for outdoor burning in Morrison County due to warmer temperatures, less snow pack and drying vegetation. Vehicle fires have been on the rise so again remember to have rountine maintenance done on your vehicle. He also says a plan to prepare for the worst may not be nice to talk about but should be done so all in the home know what to do if an emergency arises. Seelen and other firefighters have been to area schools addressing the message that even at a young age, you can help prevent fires.
--Heavy snow and high winds in northeastern Minnesota left hundreds without power and caused hazardous travel conditions while the southeastern region of the state experienced rain, large hail and tornado warnings. The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office said slippery conditions likely contributed to the death of a 57-year-old driver who was killed about 6pm Wednesday when his vehicle slid off a road and rolled over in a ditch. Crow Wing Power reported over 1,600 without power on Wednesday and about 2,700 Minnesota Power customers lost service into early Thursday morning. In southern Minnesota, heavy rain and hail fell Wednesday evening. The weather service issued tornado warnings and watches, but there were no reports of touchdowns or major damage. Hundreds of spinouts, accidents and cars in the ditch were reported by the State Patrol from 3pm-11pm alone. Warmer temps this weekend.
--A St. Cloud man was arrested early Wednesday morning following a shooting in south St. Cloud. Around 12:15am an officer heard gunshots in the 1000 block of 9th Avenue South. The officer saw a man put something in a vehicle before getting in it. The officer attempted to make a traffic stop, at which time the suspect sped off. The driver then crashed into a retaining wall, got out of the vehicle and fled on foot. Police say a rifle was found in the front seat. Authorities set up a perimeter and brought in a police dog, but were unable to find the suspect. At around 1:45am the suspect was found walking in an alley in the 700 Block between 6t and 7th Avenue South. An officer attempted to stop the man, who again fled on foot, and ran into a nearby home. The officer followed the suspect in the home and brought him down with the use of a taser. The suspect was identified at 32-year old Christopher Murry. Murry was arrested and taken to the Stearns County Jail. Police say Murry has a previous felony weapons conviction, making it illegal to have a gun.
--Morrison County Administrator Deb Gruber will be on KLTF Community Focus today to update on the county projects, food programs and other items, today at 8:30am on AM960 KLTF.
--Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is planning a series of prescribed burns to be conducted during March, April and May when weather and safety conditions are right to meet the objectives of the burns. Prescribed burns help maintain and restore the natural habitats for wildlife and reduce the chance of wildfires outside the refuge. The refuge averages around 200 acres of prescribed burns annually. Some of the plants and ecosystem are adapted to fire.
--The Little Falls School Board meets Monday at 5pm at the Middle School Media Center. A presentation on Pine Avenue Trail, Student Social Emotional Learning and Empower Parent Portal are on the agenda along with the updated school policies to be voted on and approval of the 2021-2022 school calendar.
--A reminder that Holy Trinity will be having their yearly school raffle Sunday at 3pm on the givergy website details can be obtained by calling the school today at 468-6446, also a silent auction is on that website as due to restrictions no in person event could be held on Sunday for their school carnival this year. Also Share Sunday at Mary of Lourdes Schools later this month can not be done with in person for the talent show due to restrictions but the raffle will be done this to support Boys and Girls Club and The Morrison County Food Shelf. Laverne Bzdok will speak on the raffle part of the event on Monday's Party Line at 10am on AM960 KLTF and fallsradio.com.
--The Minnesota Department of Health reported 23 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday's report for Morrison County. 1096 new cases and 19 new deaths linked to the virus again from some backlog over the past 2-3 days in their Thursday total. However, the number also showed on the county website which jumped to 94 active cases in the county with 34 confirmed cases in Pierz zip code, 23 in Little Falls, Royalton 16 and Hillman at 9 cases on Thursday's report.
--We Fest announced its return in 2021 after being cancelled last year. The County Music Festival in Detroit Lakes announced that Florida Georgia Line, Dierks Bentley and Blake Shelton will be their headliners this year August 5th through 7th.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Kyle and Nicole Girtz of Pierz had a baby boy on March 8th
DEATH NOTICES
--Danny “Doc” D. Hildebrant, age 74 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, high near 40, partly cloudy night, low 30.
SATURDAY= sunny and warmer, high 54, clear night, low 26.
SUNDAY= clouds increase, high 47, snow after dark, low 28.
MONDAY= snow early, then rain and sleet likely, high near 40.
SPORTS
HS BBB= Pequot Lakes at Little Falls tonight 7:15pm Q92 WYRQ.
HS GBB= Long Prairie-Grey Eagle at Little Falls in the regular season finale Saturday, pregame around 1:30pm on FM94 KFML.
HS BHK= Little Falls at Warroad Saturday at 3pm on Q92 WYRQ.
TWINS= Twins action today and Sunday at noon on Q92 WYRQ.
SKI= Little Falls Community High School Sophomore Beth Ahlin placed 126th individually at the state girls nordic ski meet yesterday. Good Luck to the Flyer Boys Nordic Ski team competing today.
COL BB= Ohio State eliminated the Gophers men in the Big 10 Tournament Thursday 79-75. Gophers finish season at 14-15.