NATIONAL NEWS
--former President Donald J. Trump was acquitted by the U.S. Senate Saturday for inciting the attacks on the U.S. Captiol January 6th. The Senate did vote 57 guilty and 43 not guilty but needed two-thirds of the Senate to convict the former President. 7 Republicans and 2 Independents joined the all members of the DFL to convict but there was not enough and President Trump was acquitted on the charges.
NEWS
--Little Falls Police Chief Greg Schirmers and Little Falls Mayor Greg Zylka want to thank the all out community support to the family of 37-year-old Jeanine Greyblood. It started a week ago Saturday when then a search was ongoing for Greyblood, then her body under the Swan River Bridge February 7th at 12:45pm, her husband arrested and charged with 2nd degree murder. Since then over $7,000 from two go fund me pages, over $4,000 after Mayor Zylka asked for those to match his $100 donation, over $3,000 from an account set up at Pine Country Bank, area restaurants, bars, ballrooms and other businesses putting out donation jars, doing fundraisers, fish fry profits, t-shirts and other items to remember Jeanine and to give to her mother for her 5 children ranging in ages from 22 months to 21 years old. Again a big thank your for the community coming together again to help a family in need from this tragic circumstance.
--Governor Tim Walz Friday signed an executive order to ease more restrictions for businesses as hospitalizations and the positivity rate continue to decline like in Morrison County where there was only 1 new case Friday and no new cases Saturday and Sunday. As part of the governor's new executive order the maximum capacity in indoor entertainment venues and gyms and pools will increase from 150 to 250 people as long that remains under the capacity limits for the building and restrictions of the 50 or 25 percent capacity that the governor has advised for ventues. Private events and celebrations will be allowed to have a maximum of 50 people. Finally, all bars and restaurants will also have a maximum of 250 people indoors (again if capacity limits are kept in place at 50 percent) and the establishments starting this past Saturday when the executive order took effect at noon, can now stay opened until 11pm. Walz says other safety measures such as masking, spacing tables six feet apart and limiting the number of people per table to six or fewer remain.
--The Cass County Sheriff’s Office recently made three arrests involving stolen firearms and drugs. The sheriff’s office reported deputies conducted a traffic stop Saturday, February 6th on a vehicle in Backus to investigate traffic violations. A search of the vehicle was conducted and several items of stolen property, including a firearm, from a recent nearby theft were located. A search warrant was then executed at a residence in Backus. While searching for additional stolen items, drug paraphernalia and ammunition was located. Deputies arrested a 50-year-old Backus man for drug possession and being a felon in possession of ammunition. A 21-year-old Backus woman also was arrested for drug paraphernalia and both suspects were transported to the Cass County Detention Center. Deputies Monday conducted a traffic stop in Pine River Township and arrested a 30-year-old Backus man for receiving stolen property and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The man also was transported to the Cass County Detention Center and is awaiting formal charges.
--Little Falls City Council meets Tuesday night due to holiday today.
--Today is President's Day the third Monday in February which falls between Lincoln's and Washington's Birthdays. This federal holiday means that most government agencies are closed today (city halls, courthouses, banks, financial institutions, government centers and others). U.S. Post Offices are closed today meaning no regular mail delivery. However, parcel service from delivery companies are running their regular schedule today. Some schools are closed today but others like Little Falls public schools and others do have class today so check the school calendars. Some businesses are closed today and there is no regular mail delivery today for President's Day.
--Living Hope Church announced there will be another free grocery giveaway next Tuesday (February 23rd) from 3-5pm at the church parking lot north of Little Falls on Haven Road. No food will be distributed until 3pm that day, no need to preregister. As in the past they ask that vehicles enter from the north and leave from the south of the church to avoid traffic hassles. The box of food will include perishibles, dairy, fruits, vegetables and proteins. The church stated they are planning to have more free grocery giveaways in March and April but are awaiting confirmation on offical dates for those.
--A juvenile driver was injured after crashing into a horse that was in the roadway Tuesday, February 9th in Wadena County. The Wadena County Sheriff’s Office was called to the crash at 10:10pm in the area of County Highways 23 and 4 in Aldrich Township. The juvenile was driving a 2002 Pontiac Grand AM north on County Highway 23 when it struck a horse that was in the roadway. The driver, who was wearing a seat belt, was injured and transported to a hospital. The horse was deceased upon the arrival of deputies.
--A Sauk Centre man was hurt in a crash. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office says a pickup crashed into a fence at about 11pm on Wednesday along County Road 72 about two miles west of Sauk Centre. 25-year-old Douglas Zimmel was taken to Sauk Centre Hospital and then transferred to St. Cloud Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The Sheriff's Office says it is believed alcohol and cell phone use are believed to have been crash factors.
--Thank you to all who came out for the Ice Fest event this past weekend at Green Prairie/Fish Lake. Organizers will send out information on how much money was raised for the Flyer Pride Backpack Program and Care Closet in the coming weeks. Pictures of the event can be seen at mnicefest.com and again thanks to the many who braved the cold to come outside this weekend.
WEATHER
WIND CHILL WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 10AM TODAY
TODAY= sunny and cold, high -4, clear and cold night, low -22.
TUESDAY= partly cloudy, high 1 above, cloudy night, low -12.
WEDNESDAY= snow showers possible, high 10, low around -8
SPORTS
NFL- The Houston Texans have released longtime defender J.J. Watt, many teams including Super Bowl Champions Tampa Bay have sparked in interest in Watt, even the Minnesota Vikings said they would be interested to talking with Watt about this NFL future plans.
DAYTONA= after a very long weather delay, a last lap crash leads to Michael McDowell winning last nights Daytona 500 auto race.
COL BB= Maryland beats The Gopher men last night 72-59, men fall to 13-8, Gopher women have won 4 of last 5 beating Wisconsin yesterday 68-63 to go to 8-9 now on the season.