NEWS --Tomorrow starts the firearms deer hunting season in Minnesota with around a half-a-million hunters heading out to bag a buck or doe. The Morrison County Sheriffs Office is reminding hunters to refrain from trespassing and be respectful towards other peoples property. Be cognizant of your target and what lies beyond it. Be sure to be as visible as possible and use extra caution when utilizing a deer stand. Be sure to tell someone where you plan on hunting and when you plan on returning. Have a charged cell phone in case of an emergency. Refrain from consuming alcohol while hunting. If you witness any suspicious activity, report it to area law enforcement. The DNR Conservation officers are reminding hunters to make sure they have a license, bag only your limit, honor land boundaries and use common sense to make this a safe and successful hunting season.
--The Little Falls Police Department in the past week has had to deal with a number of suspicious activity reports, theft reports and attempted burglaries. The department received a call of a credit/debt collector scam that was using the local high schools number, a report of possible domestic assault and some minor accidents in the city.
--The State Fire Marshal and area fire chiefs are reminding all with Daylight Saving Time ending Sunday at 2:00am to check the batteries in smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, flashlights and other items to be prepared when the unexpected occurs. With the cold weather months ahead, fires, carbon monoxide issues, power outages and other items can arise so it is best to be prepared. Turn your clocks back one hour before bed Saturday night or before 2:00am Sunday morning as we go back to Central Standard Time.
--Weeks after crews closed down the Sartell Bridge for repairs, Benton County Officials say it is now opened to traffic. Crews have been replacing the expansion joints in the bridge deck, new concrete barrier wall, and metal railing among other repairs. The traffic signals at the intersection of County Road 29 and County Road 33 (Benton Drive) which is no longer a 4-way stop, are also operational. Sidewalks on the bridge remain closed as work will still be ongoing with the sidewalk and curb gutter placement. Roadway work will resume in spring with paving of the permanent striping.
--The Brainerd Police Department has received notification from the Minnesota Department of Corrections regarding a level 3 predatory offender relocating in Brainerd. 24-year old Joel Greenough is scheduled to be released from incarceration and is intending to reside in the area of Gillis Avenue and Washington Street in Brainerd on Monday. Greenough has a history of sexual contact with 14-year old and ten year old female victims. Greenough was known to the victims and sexual contact included penetration. Since Greenough is not new to the community and has resided at this location in the past, no community notification meeting will be held. Public Fact Notification Sheets will be available at the Brainerd Police Department and the same information will be posted on the Brainerd Police facebook page. Greenough is not wanted by police. This notification is not intended to raise fear, but to keep the public informed.
--Join AM960 KLTF and Q92 WYRQ for live election coverage on Tuesday night. National coverage begins at 6pm, state coverage will start around 7:15pm with local coverage from the studios starting after the polls close around 8pm. The coverage will also be streamed online at fallsradio.com to find out the winners in area races.
--Kenny Garrison, sales and service associate clerk at the United States Postal Service in Little Falls has been named the November Employee of the Month for the Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. Garrison has enjoyed serving residents and visitors for 31 years. Garrison started working at USPS in 1987 when he was 26. As Employee of the Month, Garrison will receive gift certificates and other items from many chamber businesses.
--The Minnesota Department of Health found Heartwood Senior Living Community in Crosby responsible for neglect in the case of a memory care resident who suffered sunburn and heat exposure when left outside unattended for hours. The state's Office of Health Facility Complaints recently released results of an investigation substantiating neglect, finding a senior housing assistant failed to check on the dementia patient within a prescribed two-hour window, as stated in the resident's care plan. The facility also had an outdated and incomplete policy concerning outdoor time for memory care patients. Campus administrator Mike Hall in a statement expressing regret for what he called an isolated incident. "The health, safety and well-being of residents are Heartwood's utmost priority," Hall wrote. "We strive to uphold the freedom and choices of those we serve while also providing the right protocols to ensure their safety. "We regret that this incident happened and responded immediately with a corrective action plan which was accepted by the Department of Health. The state now considers us in full compliance. "The event was isolated in nature and is not representative of the high standards of care and service we demand from our employees. We continue to hold those involved in our thoughts and prayers." According to MDH records, no previous complaints about the facility have been substantiated.
--Weekend events include the EEI comedy night tonight at Falls Ballroom, Zion Lutheran Church Bazaar Saturday in Little Falls, beef stew supper Saturday in Buckman, bingo Sunday at Our Lady of Lourdes and Holy Trinity in Royalton, craft and bake sale Saturday in Wahkon, Sunday there is one in Morrill and the monthly breakfast at the Little Falls Senior Center is Sunday. Get more details on upcoming events at fallsradio.com then community calendar.
--Little Falls City Council meets Monday 7:30 at the LF City Hall.
DEATH NOTICES --Margaret (Lindborg) Duevel, age 100 of Little Falls
WEATHER TODAY= chance of rain/snow showers, high 42. TONIGHT= chance of snow showers overnight, low 31. SATURDAY= snow early changing to a steady rain, high 40, low 34. SUNDAY= cloudy and windy, rain/snow at times, high 39, low 33. MONDAY= cloudy skies, light rain develops late high 42, low 35.
SPORTS HS FB= Moose Lake-Willow River eliminated Royalton last night in football playoffs 22-6 to advance to the state quarter-finals. HS FB= Pierz vs. New London-Spicer tonight in the Section finals from St. Cloud at 5:30pm on FM94 KFML and fallsradio.com. HS VB= BBE eliminated Royalton 3 games to 1 last night in playoff volleyball while Cathedral eliminated Foley last night 3 to 0. COL FB= Gophers at Illinois Saturday 1:30pm on AM960 KLTF. NFL= Vikings host Detroit on Sunday at noon.