NEWS
--At 7:02am Thursday the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a business burglary at the Sobieski Co-op Creamery on Cable Road in Sobieski. According to the Sheriff’s Office, sometime overnight the rear door of the business was pried open and the suspect(s) made entry inside the building. A safe was broken into and an undisclosed amount of cash was stolen. If you have information regarding this burglary, you are asked to call the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office at (320) 632-9233.
--The Little Falls Fire Department was kept busy responding to five separate incidents Wednesday. At 7:50am they responded to a one vehicle rollover on Highway 27 East at Mile Marker 139. At 2:45pm they responded to an alarm at Wahbash National that was caused by starting an exhaust fan that had not been turned on in quite some time. At 4:21pm a power outage at Perkins caused smoke in the building. It was checked out by authorities with no further concerns. At 7:18pm 23 Little Falls Firefighters responded to a fire at 609 13th Avenue NE at the Little Falls Manufacturing Development Center (often referred to as the old Crestliner building). This fire outside the building was caused by ice that fell from the roof and hit a gas line and electric line at the same time. The fire was contained to the outside of the building. It was near the Sprout Marketplace portion of the complex. Businesses located there were able to resume normal business hours Thursday. At 10:44pm Little Falls firefighters responded to a power pole fire at 5353 Legend Lane in Fort Ripley Township. The electrical arcing was caused by the weather conditions. There were no injuries in any of Wednesday's incidents.
--The Minnesota Department of Transportation advises motorists to expect water on roads throughout central Minnesota as a combination of historic snowfall, heavy rain and ice plugging storm drains or culverts causes water to back up onto highways. Motorists must watch for flooded areas, as water can rise onto the road quickly. Water is currently covering or partially covering driving lanes in the following central Minnesota locations: Highway 27 east of Hillman in Morrison County, Highway 6 between Deerwood and Crosby in Crow Wing County, the ramp from Stearns County Road 75 to eastbound I-94 and many spots in Aitkin County. MnDOT reminds all motorists that driving through standing or moving water is dangerous, and it is unlawful to drive through areas where roads are barricaded. Vehicles can be swept away in only several inches of moving water.
--Lynnae Gilder from the Morrison County Relay for Life Committee is asking for assistance in putting plans together for the 2019 Relay for Life. The annual event raises funds for the American Cancer Society to help someday stamp out cancer for good. The event will be from 5-10pm this year on Friday, July 12th at the Little Falls Community Schools track. A survivor dinner and silent auction will be offered in the Little Falls Middle School Media Center, registration beginning at 5pm. The Relay for Life event in Morrison County began in 1997 and has been held every year since. The committee meets the second Monday of each month at 6pm at Pine Country Bank in Little Falls and their first one is April 8th and could use as many who can take the time to help with he event this year. For more information, contact Gilder at (320) 632-2528. Gilder will be the guest on KLTF Community Events at 8:45am Tuesday morning.
--Pierz band concert is Monday at 7pm at the PAC in Pierz.
--St. Patrick's Day falls on a Sunday this year, so many parades and festivities will take place on Saturday including a parade in Brainerd at 1:00pm with many events for the kids throughout the day in downtown Brainerd. Crosslake has a full weekend of events starting tonight with live music and a trivia contest, Saturday the firefighters put on a breakfast, 5K run, vendor fair, tailgate party with former Vikings, all leading to a big parade at 2:00pm with more events to follow through Saturday night. The town of Marty also has a large St. Patrick's day doings this weekend. St. Paul's parade will be Saturday at noon starting at Rice Park and Minneapolis will also be on Saturday at 6:30pm at Nicollet Mall. The Minnesota State Patrol is reminding those heading out to the events to plan ahead and don't drink and drive. Extra law enforcement will be out starting tonight and lasting through early Monday morning watching for impaired drivers.
--37-year old Nathan J. Roth of Verndale is charged with one count of felony disseminating pornographic work involving minors. This charge has a maximum sentence of seven years in prison and a $10,000 fine. He is also charged with 11 counts of felony possession of pornographic work involving a minor, each with a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. The charges state that on June 13 and 14, 2017, the defendant possessed pornograpic work on a home computer and that work was disseminated to an adult or minor. A warrant allowed authorities to search Roth’s home in 2017. In the search, 259 images and 11 videos containing child pornography were found, the court files state.
--Many events are scheduled this weekend, fish fry a plenty tonight including the Kiwanis Fish Fry 4:30-7p at the Little Falls VFW, Pierz Pizazz Dance Team fundraiser soup cook-off is Saturday (rescheduled from last week) at Pierz Ballroom at 5pm, bingo and raffle Sunday at 1pm at St. Michael's in Buckman, St. Mary's Church in Little Falls has a St. Patrick's Day breakfast Sunday 9am-12pm at the church and other events in the upcoming week. For details on area events go to fallsradio.com and click on community calendar.
--Little Falls City Council meets Monday 7:30pm at City Hall, there will be a special work session beginning at 6:30pm.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--David and Alexandra Stang of Little Falls, girl on March 12th
DEATH NOTICES
--Ronald G. Ashby, age 79 of Little Falls
--Roger Schmidt, age 79 of Alexandria
--Richard L. Liffrig, age 80 of Bowlus
WEATHER
TODAY= partly cloudy and windy, high near 30.
TONIGHT= clearing skies, colder, low 7 above.
SATURDAY= partly sunny, high near 30, flurries in evening, low 16.
SUNDAY= sunny skies, high 35, low around 18.
MONDAY= sunny skies, high 36, low around 20.
SPORTS
COL BB= Gophers win in overtime last night over Penn State. They take on Purdue tonight in round 2 of tournament- 5:30pm on KLTF.
GBB= The State Girls Basketball Tournament wraps up tomorrow while the State Boys Basketball Tournament begins next week.