NEWS --Congratulations to the Pierz Pioneer Wrestling team finishing second at the Class A State Tournament as a team on Thursday. Pierz started the day battling back to beat KMS 44-19 then went on to avenge their only regular season loss beating West Central Area 35-21. Pierz moved to the finals last night but fell to Zumbrota-Mazeppa 35-16. Pierz as a team finishes the season 34-2. Pierz has 9 individuals in competition today, Royalton-Upsala 3, Holdingford 3 and Little Falls has 2. Hear live coverage of those matches today on Q92 WYRQ just before 9am from XCEL Energy Center in St. Paul.
--Todd County officials believe they’ve solved a string of burglaries in the Clarissa area. The Sheriff’s Office says deputies recovered the stolen property taken from a number of businesses. There have been recent break-ins at Clarissa Ballroom, Jon’s Family Foods in Clarissa, Double Eagle Golf Course in rural Eagle Bend, and the Parker Tree Farm southeast of Long Prairie, along with several other buildings damaged with eggs. Charges are pending against two boys. The investigation is continuing.
--A St. Cloud man was arrested Wednesday night after a female acquaintance told police he punched her and threatened her with a knife. 24-year old Divelia Jujuan Freeman was booked at the Stearns County Jail for investigation of second-degree assault, domestic assault, fleeing police on foot and obstructing legal process. The 20-year-old victim was injured but didn't require medical attention.
--A fire in Deerwood Wednesday that destroyed two structures has been ruled arson. The fire was reported just after midnight at the Salem West Building. Firefighters from Deerwood and Crosby battled the fire for over four hours. The walls of the building were still standing but all inside contents were pretty much destroyed. The roof was completely gone. The State Fire Marshal stated late Wednesday that the fire started between the detached garage and the Salem West Building and was ruled intentionally set or arson. The investigation into the fire is ongoing. There were no injuries.
--Five white tailed deer traced out of an infected herd in Merrifield tested negative for chronic wasting disease. Four of the deer were tested from a herd in Brainerd, and a single deer was tested from a herd in Mountain Iron. Those farms are released from quarantine because of the negative test results. The board's investigation showed deer were moved to four other Minnesota farms during the five-year trace back period from the Merrifield farm. The Merrifield herd includes 108 white-tail and 30 mule deer. Officials could not give the name of the Merrifield deer farm or its owner due to laws and regulations, but the facility allows customers to pay to harvest deer.
--Someone has been opening fire hydrants in Big Lake, and the police are hoping to catch them. The police department says the latest incident was on Saturday when over 600,000 gallons of water was released from six hydrants. The city discovered the vandalism after they received reports of low water pressure in certain areas of town. The hydrants had been turned on near Englewood and County Road 68. Public works addressed the issue and the water pressure was restored to normal levels. Police say tampering with a public utility is a felony. If anyone knows who is responsible, call Big Lake police.
--The Winter Wonderland Ice Skating Show- Dancing On Ice will be Saturday at 2pm and 7pm and Sunday at 2pm at Exchange Arena in Little Falls. Tickets are available at the door for $8.
–Spring truck weight restrictions in the north-central frost zone will start Monday according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Winter load increases ended February 25th in the north-central frost zone. Spring load restrictions are already in place in the south, southeast, metro and central frost zones.
--A Foreston man was hurt when the car he was driving crossed the center line and struck a semi. The accident happened just before 7:00am Thursday on Highway 23 in Kandiyohi County, west of Paynesville. 33-year old Jay Magney of Foreston was going west when he struck the eastbound semi. Magney was taken to Paynesville Hospital with non life-threatening injuries. The semi driver, 50-year-old Bryan Aasen of Spicer, was not hurt.
--The Little Falls City Council meets Monday 7:30 at LF City Hall.
--The 19th Annual Share Sunday in memory of George Bzdok will be this Sunday at 1:30pm at Mary of Lourdes Middle School. The event consists of a raffle, talent show prizes and much more. Free admission to the event to view the talent in Morrison County. Proceeds from the raffle and other parts of the event go to the Morrison County Food Shelves and The Boys and Girls Club.
--Other weekend events include a couple of fish fry's today, pancake breakfast Sunday at the Little Falls Senior Center, and a quilt bingo/cash raffle Sunday in Hillman. For details view our community calendar at fallsradio.com.
DEATH NOTICES --Martha Woitalla, age 101 of Harding.
WEATHER TODAY= partly sunny, high near 30. TONIGHT= light snow in the evening, low 22. SATURDAY= sunny, warmer, breezy, high 46, low 35. SUNDAY= sunny and gorgeous, high near 60, storms late, low 44. MONDAY= storms early, very windy, high 60, rain/snow mix by night.
SPORTS WRE= Zumbrota-Mezeppa, Kasson Mantorville and Apple Valley won Wrestling team titles yesterday in St. Paul. Foley defeated Perham, lost to Kasson-Mantorville and lost to Scott West to finish 4th in AA. Individuals starts today and wrap up on Saturday in St. Paul. GBB= Upsala advanced in girls playoffs beating Swanville, while Pierz, Holdingford, Foley and Royalton all lost last night in playoffs. BBB= Holdingford at Pierz tonight 7:15pm on FM94 KFML. COL BB= Gophers win again 88-73 over Nebraska. 8 in a row and now at 23-7 look to wrap up the regular season at Wisconsin Sunday 4:30pm on AM960 KLTF. Big 10 Tournament is next week. TWINS= Twins vs. Nationals Sunday at noon on Q92 WYRQ.
TODAY IN HISTORY IN 1791= Congress established the U.S. Mint. IN 1849= the Minnesota Territory is organized. IN 1875= first reported pro hockey game is played in Montreal. IN 1931= President Herbert Hoover makes declaration that the Star Spangled Banner will be the United States' National Anthem. IN 1955= Elvis Presley appeared for the first time on television when he sang on the Louisiana Hayride show. IN 1985= Moonlighting starring Cybill Shepard & Bruce Willis debuts.