NEWS
--The inquiry into cheating at the 28th Annual Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza came to a close with no evidence of illegal activity and all prizes will be distributed to the winners. Ivan, Stephan, and Rostik Lyogky; a father and two sons from Hartville, Ohio submitted to a polygraph exam by the review committee. The Lyogkys were interviewed separately by a licensed polygraph examiner, and each of them successfully completed the exam the same, resulting in the examiner’s certification that no deception had taken place with regard to the fishing contest.
--On Friday, U.S. 8th District Representative Rick Nolan announced he is retiring at the end of the current term. Nolan is in his third term representing Minnesota's 8th District in Congress. He previously served in Congress from Minnesota's 6th District from 1975-81. He had previously stated that he would run for re-election this year. In a statement Nolan said, "With deep appreciation and thanks for allowing me to represent you in the Congress of the United States, I am announcing today that I will not be a candidate for re-election, and will retire at the end of the current term". Nolan was being challenged for the Democratic nomination this year by a political newcomer Leah Phifer. If nominated, he would have faced a Republican challenge in the general election from St. Louis County Commissioner Pete Stauber. A third candidate, Ray "Skip" Sandman, is seeking an endorsement from the Independence Party. Republican Chip Cravaack ousted longtime Democratic Representative Jim Oberstar in 2010. Two years later, Nolan defeated Cravaack to return the seat to DFL control. In 2014 and 2016, Nolan edged out narrow wins over Republican challenger Stewart Mills. The US 8th Minnesota District includes all of Morrison County along with much of the state straight east and straight north of Morrison County.
--The Little Falls School Board meets today at 5:00pm in the Little Falls Community Middle School media center. They will hear from Alternative Career Pathways, a Project REAL update, first reading of policies and approval of the food service contract agreement from MSEA that runs from 2017-2020 for the school district.
--Governor Mark Dayton will give his final State of the State Address on March 14th at 7:00pm in front of the State House and Senate. The governor is not planning to run for reelection this November meaning a new governor would give the address next year.
--A St. Cloud man remains in critical condition after police say he shot himself with a gun in downtown St. Cloud. Officers were called to the area of 5th Avenue and 1st Street South around 8:00am on reports of a man with a gunshot wound. Police believe the man's injuries were self-inflected. The weapon was found at the scene. No one else was hurt and police say there is no threat to public safety. The man was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with life threatening injuries.
--Another has entered the race in 2018 for Stearns County Sheriff. On Thursday, Lt. Robert Dickhaus announced he is running. Dickhaus has been in law-enforcement for 27-years, including 25-years in the Stearns County Sheriff's Office, where he is currently a Patrol Lieutenant. Dickhaus says the Sheriff's Office will face many challenges over the next four years, and his 25-years working in the department will allow him to handle those quickly and efficiently. So far he and Waite Park Police Chief Dave Bentrud are the only two announced candidates. Current Sheriff Don Gudmundson, who took over for Sheriff John Sanner says he will not run for re-election.
--Former Pastor at St. Joseph's Church in Pierz and St. Michael's Church in Motley, Father Robert Landsberger has died at the age of 87. Father Robert Landsberger began his career as a Priest in 1957 in St. Cloud, later was pastor of St. Joseph's in Pierz from 1983-1994 and St. Michael's in Motley from 1994-2003 before retiring. Mass is today at St. Mary's Cathedral in St. Cloud. Father Robert Landsberger is the brother of Father Nicholas Landsberger who was pastor at St. Mary's Church in Little Falls for many years.
--A Minnesota man charged with attacking a priest in North Dakota accused the reverend during a bond hearing of raping a woman, an accusation that the Catholic Diocese of Fargo says has no merit. 42-year old Chad Legare of Alexandria is accused of assaulting Rev. Robert Wapenski at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Anamoose. Authorities have not discussed a possible motive. Legare appeared in court Thursday on charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault and burglary, and a judge set bond at $250,000. Legare during the hearing made a reference to the priest being a rapist. The diocese says they had been informed of Legare's allegations and reached out to the alleged victim, and that the woman denied the allegations.
--There are Little Falls Community High School Parent-Teacher Conferences are 3:45-6:45pm tonight at the High School commons. This is the only conferences for 3rd Quarter for the High School.
DEATH NOTICES
--Theodore F. Stoldolka, age 89 of Royalton
--Jackalynn A. Bermel, age 86 of Lakeville
--Reverend Robert C. Landsberger, age 87 of St. Cloud.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and cold, high 8 above, wind chills near -20.
TONIGHT= increasing clouds, snow after midnight, low 0.
TUESDAY= snow early, coating to ½ inch, then sunny, high 28.
WEDNESDAY= sunny and very mild, high near 40, low 16.
SPORTS
NFL= The Vikings announced Thursday that Eagles quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo will become their new offensive coordinator after Pat Shurmer the left the Vikings and became the new head coach of the New York Giants.
GHK= Brainerd/Little Falls beat Buffalo/Maple Lake 6-1 Saturday in opening round of the girl hockey playoffs. The Warriors will face Moorhead in the 2nd round match Tuesday at 7pm on Q92 WYRQ.
OLY= after the first four days of competition the U.S.A. has picked up four medals, 2 gold both in snowboarding, silver in men's luge and bronze in team figure skating. The Winter Olympics continue through February 25th in South Korea. Norway leads with 8 medals.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1809= Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky, later 16th President.
IN 1879= first professional ice rink built in America- was in NYC.
IN 1924= George Gershwin premieres “Rhapsody in Blue”.
IN 1950= Senator Joseph McCarthy released his infamous list of government employees who were communists- which was over 200.
IN 1955= The McGuire Sisters hit #1 with Sincerely.
IN 1971= shortly after her death, the song Me and Bobby McGee was re-released by Janis Joplin, the jumped to #1 on March 2nd.
IN 1981= Dolly Parton hit #1 on the Billboard Charts with 9 to 5.