NEWS
--Pierz Police Chief Eric Hanneken and Sheila Watercott from Little Falls Community Schools and Stand Up for U Coalition on drugs and alcohol were on KLTF Friday and invited everyone to the Coffee with the Cop event today (Monday) at 8:30am at the Pierz Dining Site inside the Pierz City Hall. This is a free event with coffee and treats provided from area groups in Pierz. Hanneken said you can ask questions and they can also talk about the drug problem, overdose concerns and mental health awareness concerns according to Police Chief Hanneken. He mentioned that the schools have a program started by former Sheriff Paul Tschida on working together to stress the dangers of drug abuse, smoking, vaping and drinking to come forward understand that the school and police officer are there to help and work on solving any issues that may be happening in Pierz and the same goes for the county and other city law enforcement working together as one full force to solve the problems in our area. Again all are welcome today to the event in Pierz at 8:30am.
--An Amber Alert was issued by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Friday around 12:48pm. The Lakeville Police Department is trying to find three-year-old Leon Ramsarran. Authorities say he was taken from his home in Lakeville. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension released a statement around 3pm saying the boy had been found safe. According to Lakeville Police, investigators determined the child was taken from his apartment by an adult family member earlier Friday. Police said the child's father called police because the exchange was "unplanned" and there was some concern about the 3-year-old's well-being. Again the child was found safe.
--The Morrison County SWAT Team was busy Thursday night conducting cold weather training. The training can be rigorous and demanding, but it is essential to ensure that our team is prepared to handle any situation that may arise. Morrison County is blessed to have a team of dedicated and committed members. Members include Morrison County Sheriff's Office and Little Falls Police Department employees. They used the Eastern Morrison County Sportsman Club for their training methods on Thursday night.
--Camp Ripley congratulated the men and women at the recent biathlon competition held in Vermont. Overall the Women's Team of the Minnesota National Guard in combine patrol and relay races finished first and the Men's team of the Minnesota National Guard finished second just behind Vermont. Some individual notables included Women's open class sprint race Shawna Thieschafer of Minnesota finished 2nd. In the Men's Open Class Pursuit Race, Jake Ellingson of Minnesota finished first. In Men's Master Class Pursuit Race, Derek Lindberg of Minnesota was 3rd. In the Women's Open Class Pursuit Race, Shawna Thieschafer was 2nd and Hannah Murray of Minnesota was 3rd. Men's Team Relay Race the Minnesota team of Hunter Zupko, Derek Lindberg, Jared Becker and Jake Ellingson was 2nd and the Women's Team Relay Race from Minnesota of Shawna Thieschafer, Jackie Thieschafer, and Samantha Hall was first. Men's Team Patrol Race was 2nd for Minnesota: Carter Eich, Jared Becker, Hunter Zupko, Derek Lindberg and 2nd for the Women's Race from Minnesota Samantha Hall, Shawna Thieschafer, Hannah Murray. Again overall Men's: Vermont first and Minnesota 2nd while women's was Minnesota 1st and Vermont 2nd out of all the teams there.
--Upsala Schools wanted to Congratulate the new director of the Washington County (MN) Library System, Jacqueline (Theisen) Kramer. She graduated in Upsala Class of 2002.
--Many statewide stories on Friday into Saturday. A plane crash in St. Louis County at the St. Louis River near Duluth killed one person shortly before 5pm Friday. Duluth Police said that a police officer killed a man allegedly with a knife Friday around 3pm. The report said the subject was threatening others and then lunged at a police officer who fired the fatal shot. The officer is on administrative leave. A drive by shooting Friday at a funeral reception for the student killed at Harding High School in Ramsey County around 8pm led to three people being shot in the crowd. The extent of injuries in unknown. In Government news a bill is working through the State House that would give statewide government employes the choice of a four day work week or extended vacation time beginning in the next year. This is just in beginning committee now as would have to work through the Senate and get signed by the Governor before becoming law.
--A Princeton woman was taken to the hospital following a crash near Milaca on Friday afternoon. The incident happened just before 4pm at the intersection of Highway 169 and Central Avenue. The Minnesota State Patrol says a car was going south on Highway 169 and an SUV was going north on Highway 169. Authorities say the SUV made a left turn onto Central Avenue and hit the car. The driver of the car, 42-year-old Nicole Straw of Princeton, was taken to Princeton Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the SUV, 54-year-old Tracey Sundvall of Milaca, was not hurt. Snowy road conditions are believed to have been a factor in the crash.
--The Pierz City Council meets tonight at 7pm. It is expected they will vote on next Mayor and City Treasurer for the city of Pierz.
DEATH NOTICES
--Mildred “Eileen” Eifert, age 82 of Little Falls.
--Kenneth “Ken” L. Meemken, age 68 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 3PM TODAY
TODAY= rain, snow and freezing rain likely until 4pm, temps near 30.
TONIGHT= gradual clearing overnight, gusty winds, low 14.
TUESDAY= partly sunny and mild, high 35.
TUESDAY NIGHT= snow likely 1-2 inches, low around 20.
WEDNESDAY= snow and windy, high 26 another 1-2 inches in AM.
SPORTS
BHK= Little Falls Flyers win 3-2 over Cambridge-Isanti Saturday night at the Exchange Arena. St. Cloud Cathedral beat Monticello 7-2 and Little Falls will face Cathedral Wednesday at 7pm from Elk River, hear the game live for a chance to go to state on Q92 WYRQ.
WRE= Congratulation to Royalton-Upsala sending 6 wrestlers as individuals to state starting on Friday, Alex Diederich, Will Gorecki, Sawyer Simmons, Kaden Holm, Bryce Holm and Brandon Mugg. Royalton-Upsala will also have their team wrestling on Thursday against Howard-Lake Waverly at 9am. Little Falls will send Hank LeClair to state at 195 pounds. Pierz sends 4 wrestlers to state, Kyle Stangl, Carter Young, Chase Becker and Jacob LeBlanc. Holdingford will send 7 wrestlers to state this week in individual competition. Many other teams will send wrestlers to state. Hear State Wrestling updates and coverage later this week on Q92 WYRQ.
GBB= Little Falls will be at Sauk Rapids-Rice Thursday at 7pm to open girls basketball playoffs later this week. Pierz, Upsala, Swanville, Royalton, Holdingford, Foley, Pillager also start playoffs this week.
TWINS= Twins and Boston today at noon on Q92 WYRQ.