NEWS
--On Thursday at 3:35pm, the Little Falls Fire Department and MN DNR were dispatched to Highway 10 on the east side of Little Falls on a report of small grass fire in the ditch. First arriving firefighters found the fire was north of Highway 27 along Highway 10 and was spreading rapidly. The fire jumped the fence and continued to spread toward the southwest in the wooded area behind Diamond Willow. Firefighters were able to contain the fire before it reached any nearby structures. The fire caused some damage to privacy fencing behind the nearby residences. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the MN DNR. Conditions continue to be very dry and fires can get out of control quickly. Be extra cautious if doing any kind of burning, and make sure to check the DNR website for any restrictions at this time.
--A grass fire that torched a half acre of land in east St. Cloud is under investigation. Firefighters were called for low flames along Highway 23 and Lincoln Avenue Southeast around 1:30 on Wednesday afternoon. Crews were able to quickly get the situation under control by working the leading edge of the fire, which stopped its advance in its tracks. Traffic was temporarily affected by the smoke but quickly resumed after the flames were out. The St. Cloud Fire Department also says as dry conditions persist, use caution if you’re burning and keep fire safety in mind.
--Foley residents are being warned of a planned power outage on Saturday. As mentioned last week, Xcel Energy plans to upgrade a distribution line that serves about 2,000 customers and will improve reliability in the area. The outage is scheduled to begin around 7am Saturday and is expected to be complete by 10am. Before the outage, Xcel Energy will make automated phone calls to affected residents who have a current phone number on file. While the line due for upgrades is located in Sauk Rapids, officials expect only a minimal impact on traffic while the crews are working. Xcel Energy asks customers in Foley to turn off computers and other equipment sensitive to power outages, keep freezers and refrigerators closed, and remember that garage door openers, sump pumps, and other electrical equipment will not work during the outage.
--Brainerd Firefighters have kept busy with calls for fires, crashes, a stalled elevator, car fire and a burning power pole all from March 8th through the 11th. Saturday the Brainerd Fire Department responded to a report of a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Highway 371 and Wise Road in Baxter. Upon arrival, vehicles were already on the shoulder of the road and drivers reported no injuries. Sunday, called to a report of a garage fire on the 16000 block of Twin Island Drive in Brainerd. The fire was extinguished with minor damage to a wall. There were no injuries. Called to Rapid River Lodge for a report of a person stuck in a stalled elevator. Crews were able to open the doors and allow the person to exit the elevator. Monday, crews were called to a fire in a ditch on the 6000 block of Wetherbee Road in Brainerd. Crews were able to extinguish the fire, it burned about 1 acre. Firefighters responded to a call stating smoke was coming from under the hood of a car on the 7000 block of Clearwater Road in Baxter, where crews found a mechanical issue and was taken care of. Early Tuesday, firefighters responded to a report of a power pole on fire on the 16000 block of Airport Road in Brainerd. The power was shut off and crews extinguished the fire.
--The Little Falls City Council meets Monday at 7:30pm at City Hall.
--Sunday is St. Patrick's Day. Though on a legal holiday in the United States the day is filled with parades like in St. Paul, Minneapolis, Brainerd, Crosslake and other towns either Saturday or Sunday as it falls on a weekend. Many establishment will be hosting parties and events this weekend. A reminder from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety extra law enforcement will be out this weekend watching for impaired drivers please Dont' Drink and Drive.
--The Little Falls School Board meets Monday at 5pm at the media center inside the middle school. The board will recognize the wrestling team and coaches, receive the audit report, discuss the termination and non renewal of teaching contracts of Tier 1 and Tier 2 teachers, approve a name for the new childcare center, along with discussion and voting on policies, calendar and other items related to the next school year. The board will also vote on the last day of school for Pre K-5th grade students as May 23rd this year.
--A routine traffic stop resulted in a manhunt near Big Lake High School Tuesday night. The Big Lake Police Department’s Facebook page says officers stopped a vehicle on Eagle Lake Road and Hornet Way at about 8:30 Tuesday night. During the stop, it was discovered the driver had outstanding warrants. Officers attempted an arrest, but the driver resisted and drove away from the scene, exiting the vehicle after a few hundred feet and running on foot through the parking lot near the Big Lake High School. A perimeter was set up, and a drone and police canine were used in an attempt to locate the driver. The driver has been identified, but escaped arrest and is not named in the report. Officials stress this is an isolated incident, and there is no threat to the public.
--Check out the numerous weekend events including Share Sunday at Mary of Lourdes School a fundraiser of talent show and raffle for Boys and Girls Club, Oasis and the Food Shelf Sunday at 1:30pm. The Empty Bowls fundraiser for Oasis Central Minnesota is at First Lutheran Church noon to 2pm on Sunday and you get to keep the bowl after eating the soup. There is a quilt and ham bingo in Hillman Sunday and another bingo at St. Michael's in Buckman. Also there is Sky-Warn Spotter Training in Upsala 2pm-4pm again all of these are on Sunday get details at fallsradio.com community calendar.
--Journey with Jesus to Calvary is next week in St. Francis Assisi Catholic Church in St. Francis, Wednesday 7pm, Friday and Saturday will be at 7:30pm and next Sunday 1pm, this is a free show.
DEATH NOTICES
--Mary Lou Yatckoske, age 81 of Pierz.
WEATHER
TODAY= partly sunny, turning breezy, high 51.
TONIGHT= cloudy skies, cooler night, low 25.
SATURDAY= partly sunny, gusty winds, high 41, low 17.
SUNDAY= sunny, cold and very windy, high 30, low 23.
MONDAY= sunny and breezy, high 34, low near 21.
SPORTS
GBB= Albany and Crosby Ironton play in 2A semi-finals tonight, Alexandria lost, now in the 3rd place game for 3A as the State Girls Basketball Tournament continues today and wraps up Saturday.
TWINS= Twins and Boston at 5pm today on Q92 WYRQ.