Newsletter: Friday, March 4th, 2022

NEWS
–Congratulations to Royalton/Upsala wrestling who won over United North Central 49-16 in the state quarterfinals Thursday then a win by heavyweight Jeremy Mugg sent Royalton-Upsala to the championship match with a 34-33 win over Dover-Eyota in the semi-finals. Royalton-Upsala lost to Jackson County Central 45-23 in the finals Thursday night. Royalton-Upsala State Runner Up in Class Team.

--The City of Little Falls stated that the construction work will begin now on Tuesday, March 8th so offices will be open on March 7th but then closed to walk in traffic beginning on Tuesday. This project is anticipated to be completed by the end of business on March 18th. Staff will be available by telephone to answer any questions. Utility bills will continue to be collected from the drop boxes throughout town every business day, so residents are encouraged to use them or go online to www.cityoflittlefalls.com to use their debit or credit card to pay their utility bills. Questions again, call City Hall at 616-5500.

--An evening chimney fire in Pillager was recently reported from February 24th which left a trailer home uninhabitable. The Pillager Fire Department responded to the fire, reported at 9:18pm, at 4221 132nd St. SW, west of Pillager. A hole in the chimney pipe for a wood stove was the cause of the fire, fire officials had to cut a 4-foot by 4-foot section of roof out to verify the fire had not spread. The fire left the home uninhabitable, Ringler said, and the homeowner is staying with family. There were 16 Pillager firefighters on scene for about 45 minutes. No injuries were reported and no other agencies responded.

--This spring, the Duluth based 148th Fighter Wing will deploy more than 300 Airmen and its F-16 aircraft overseas to conduct U.S. Air Forces Central Command missions in the U.S. Central Command area. While deployed, the 148th will deliver dominant coalition air power with the USAFCENT partners to secure and stabilize the CENTCOM area. “The 148th Fighter Wing has been tasked to support the ongoing mission in the U.S. Central Command,”said 148th Fighter Wing Commander, Col. Chris Blomquist. “Winning today’s fight means executing the daily missions across the theater to meet the USCENTCOM commander’s priorities. Each of our Airmen is important to this mission,” added Blomquist. This deployment is a regularly scheduled Air Expeditionary Force deployment for the 148th Fighter Wing. This tasking is not the result of current events in Ukraine. In 2021, the 148th Fighter Wing performed diverse state and federal missions including providing security support to the 59th Presidential Inauguration, providing COVID-19 pandemic support across the state, assisting civil authorities during civil unrest in the Twin Cities, and wild fire suppression support in Northern Minnesota. Currently, the 148th Fighter Wing has more than 100 Airmen deployed supporting USCENTCOM and U.S. Africa Command missions. In addition to overseas missions, 148th Airmen are supporting Operation Allies Welcome. This mission ensures Afghan personnel have the support they need as they transition to their new life in the U.S.

--A 62-year-old Brainerd man was arrested Tuesday for driving while intoxicated and DWI with an aggravating factor after a vehicle crashed into a house in Brainerd. The Brainerd Police Department responded to the crash, reported at 5:01pm, on the 1200 block of Seventh Avenue Northeast. Officers responded to a report of a vehicle “ramming a residence.” Davis said that the man had rammed his own house. The driver of the vehicle was taken into custody and as of Wednesday afternoon, he is currently in the Crow Wing County Jail. The investigation is currently ongoing.

--A strong storm system will bring a variety of impactful weather over the weekend. Morrison County is expecting a wintry mix starting Friday night will transition to mainly rain Saturday, except across western Minnesota where a wintry mix could continue. The rain would then transition back to a wintry mix from west to east Saturday night before ending early Sunday but with colder temps the rain will turn to snow and accumulate over central Minnesota 1-3 inches, heavier amounts in northern and western Minnesota. Icy roadways and slushy slippery spots are expected with the precipitation this weekend over the state with temperatures varying from single digits above zero in the northern section of the state, mid 30s over central Minnesota and low 50s in southern Minnesota with a chance of thunderstorms as there is a slight risk of severe weather along the southeastern corner of the state into Wisconsin. Stay turned to Little Falls Radio for the latest weather details.

--A St. Cloud man has pleaded guilty to a drive-by shooting charge after firing at a south St. Cloud home in October 2020. Nineteen-year old Jeremiah Torke will be sentenced in May. St. Cloud Police first responded that day to the 1500 block of 2nd Street North and met with a man who said several shots were fired at his home. Police found seven bullet holes in the home's siding and a bullet hole in a car window along with several spent shell casings. Moments later, police responded to another shooting complaint in the 1500 block of 10th Avenue South. Police found two bullet holes in the woman's siding, two more in a parked car, and more shell casings. Court records show Torke and another man were robbed in a drug deal at the 2nd Street North residence. A witness indicated Torke said he'd return and shoot up his place and his mother's place. As part of the guilty plea, three other charges are expected to be dismissed.

DEATH NOTICES
--Clyde Eugene Gritz, age 79 of Burtrum.

WEATHER
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY SATURDAY INTO SUNDAY.
TODAY= cloudy skies, breezy, high 30.
TONIGHT= slight chance of drizzle or snow late, low 23.
SATURDAY= rain, freezing rain, some sleet, high 35 and breezy.
SAT NIGHT= freezing rain changing to snow, 2-4 inches, low 18.
SUNDAY= snow ending, partly sunny, breezy, high 24, low 6.
MONDAY= sunny skies, high 28, clear night, low 13.

SPORTS
WRE= more wrestling action at the State Tournament in St. Paul. Little Falls- Austin Litke wrestles in the 9am hour, Royalton-Upsala has eight individuals and Holdingford has 4 wrestlers around 11am today and the three Pierz wrestlers Carter Young, Chase Becker and Trevor Radunz will wrestle around the 1pm hour on Q92 WYRQ. The quarterfinals begin at 4pm and wrestlebacks at 7pm tonight with the individual tournament wrapping up on Saturday again Q92 WYRQ.
HS GBB= Pierz, Swanville, Royalton, Foley and Holdingford all advanced to the next round of playoffs last night and will be back in action Saturday while Little Falls, Upsala, Staples-Motley and Pillager were eliminated. Pierz vs. Crosby Ironton from Hermantown will be heard around 5:30pm Saturday on 94ROCKS KFML.
COL BB= Gophers wrap up regular Sunday at Northwestern at 6pm, with the Big Ten Tournament starting next week. Hear the Gophers action Sunday and next week from the tournament on AM960 KLTF