NEWS
--The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce has announced their November Employee of the Month is Chef David Ratcliff of the Falls Ballroom. Chef David has been the Executive Chef at the Falls Ballroom for the past 2 years. Congratulations Chef David Ratcliff!
--The Benton County Sheriff's Office has issued a warrant for 46-year-old Robin Joshua Thompson for burglary. If you have any information regarding Thompson's whereabouts please contact the Benton County Sheriff's Office at 320-968-7201. You may also use the Tri-County Crime Stoppers "Quick 50" program to remain anonymous and be eligible for a $50.00 reward.
--No charges will reportedly be filed after the state suspended the license of a home day-care provider in St. Cloud after Sherburne County Sheriff's Office started to investigate an alleged abuser who had access to children there. A report that alleged "a serious incident of abuse by an individual who had access to children in your care," spurred the investigation in December 2018, according to a public Order of Indefinite Suspension from the Minnesota Department of Human Services. The investigation wrapped up and no charges were filed, according to Sherburne County. Kelly Puhl is listed as the license holder for the home day care with a capacity for 12 children, according to state license documents. It's located in Palmer Township near Duelm. It's no longer in operation according to reports.
--On Wednesday Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 19-36, declaring an emergency and lifting regulations on motor carriers and drivers to alleviate the strain on farmers in western Minnesota during a particularly difficult harvest season. This action came one day after Governor Walz met with around fifty farmers and agriculture leaders in East Grand Forks to discuss the weather related crisis facing farms in the region. Those present asked the Governor to lift restrictions on drivers and carriers transporting propane and liquid fuels to provide direct assistance and alleviate the fuel shortage in the area. Farmers reported that wet conditions have damaged crops, prevented harvesting, and slowed the processing and transportation of harvested goods, creating widespread economic concerns for farmers and the region. The high moisture content of the harvest has increased demand for propane used for drying, just as the agricultural livestock heating season and the Minnesota Energy Assistance Program began. The Executive Order went into effect immediately and remains in effect for 30 days, or until the direct assistance has ended, whichever occurs first.
--A busy weekend of events including At the Hop a night of 50s music and great food for Legacy Chorale of Greater Minnesota is tonight in at Craguns at Baxter, Michael Shynes performing for Morrison County Area Foundation at Falls Ballroom tonight, Justin Ploof performing tonight at Great River Arts, benefits Saturday and Sunday, brunch for Seminarian Project Sunday in Randall, bingos Sunday in Harding and in Royalton, Faith Lutheran Church 10th Anniversary event Sunday in Little Falls and more can be found by going to fallsradio.com.
--Today is All Saints Day in the Catholic Community. All Saints' Day, also known as All Hallows' Day, the Feast of All Saints celebrated in honor of all the saints, known and unknown. In Western Christianity, it is celebrated on November 1st by the Roman Catholic Church and other faiths. The Tri Parish in Little Falls will have Masses today in honor of All Saints Day, at 7am at Our Lady of Lourdes, 12:10pm at St. Mary's and 5:15pm at Our Lady of Lourdes today.
--The Little Falls City Council meets Monday night at 7:30pm at City Hall Council Chambers, work session will precede the meeting.
--The Internal Revenue Service and Social Security Offices are sending out a warning about a scam going around. The scammer tells the caller they are going to have their social security canceled because of prior IRS violations on back taxes. They ask for pay stubs, tax information and social security numbers so that the caller does not get a hefty fine or suspension of social security. This is a scam. Social Security and the IRS do not ask for personal information over the phone ever and would not call you for that reason. Letters are usually sent out first for non payment of taxes and the IRS said they do not state they are eliminating your social security. If you receive calls such as this hang up. Dick Knopik from the Social Security Office in St. Cloud will be the guest on Party Line next Wednesday at 10:00am to discuss issues with social security. Hear the program live at AM960 KLTF and streamed online at fallsradio.com.
--A former pastor in Avon who pleaded guilty to having an illegal relationship with a parishioner has been sentenced to two years of supervised probation. Back in August, 50-year-old Charles Pelkey pleaded guilty to one count of 3rd-degree criminal sexual conduct. According to the Stearns County Sheriff's Office, Avon Police contacted them about a sexual assault investigation where they had a conflict of interest. Avon's Police got a tip from a parishioner of the Avon Community Church that Pelkey was having a sexual relationship with a parishioner while providing her counseling. Records show the counseling started in November 2017, and in March 2018, Pelkey started a sexual relationship with the victim. The relationship continued until May when the woman ended it. Terms of the probation includes remaining law-abiding, therapy, no contact with the victim, and to not possess any sexually explicit materials.The conflict of interest arose because Pelkey was the Avon Police Chaplain at the time of the initial report.
WEATHER
TODAY= mostly cloudy, few flurries, turning breezy, high 34.
TONIGHT= partly cloudy skies, low 24.
SATURDAY= partly sunny skies, high 38, clear night, low 20.
SUNDAY= partly sunny, high 42, snow late night, low 29.
MONDAY= snow changing to rain in morning, windy, high 36.
SPORTS
HS FB= Albany vs. Pierz for the section championship will be at St. Cloud State, kickoff scheduled for 8pm (though there is a game before them) tonight. Hear the action live on FM94 KFML.
COL FB= The Gophers are idle this weekend getting ready for the big matchup with Penn State next Saturday (Nov 9th) at 11am from TCF Bank Stadium live on AM960 KLTF.
NFL= Vikings (6-2) are at Kansas City Sunday at noon on KLTF.
VB= Annandale eliminated Royalton last night 3-0 in Volleyball.
LF= Little Falls Community High School is proud to announce that Little Falls High School Junior Gabe Nagel has verbally committed to participate in wrestling to the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers. Gabe is the son of Todd and Jenae Nagel of Little Falls.
Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday at 2am, remember to turn your clocks back one hour before bed on Saturday night or before 2am Sunday morning- back to Central Standard Time.