NEWS
--The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance with locating a black 2003 flatbed trailer with dual fold down ramps and the word “intruder” on the side. The trailer has a license plate number of 8202CTH. The trailer was stolen from Maciej Construction, located off Cable Road approximately two miles east of Swanville If you recognize the vehicle pictured on the Morrison County Sheriff's Office Facebook page or have any information regarding this theft all the sheriff at (320) 632-9233.
--The investigation into the fatal hit and run of Milles Lacs County doctor Cathy Donovan is not over after authorities seized a vehicle of interest. Sheriff Kyle Burton says they're still seeking additional information from the public: "And there's a lot more work to be done. And you know this could be the vehicle or it could not be. We just don't know that yet. And so if there's something out there that somebody hasn't shared yet that could be relevant we definitely want to know about it." The Minnesota B-C-A is testing hair and other samples found on an Edina man's Tesla to see if they match Donovan's D-N-A. She was struck and killed while walking her dogs on November 13th. Recently billboards from Mille Lacs Health Systems in Onamia went up with reward information about tips leading to who struck Donovan and killed her along Highway 169.
--A LifeLink helicopter was called to assist in a workplace fall south of Sauk Centre on Thursday. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office was sent to an address on 378th Avenue in Lake George Township just after 3:15pm. Bystanders reported a man had fallen off scaffolding while working on the side of a building. The man, later identified as 22-year-old Jeffrey Zimmerman of Brooten, was standing on wood scaffolding lifted in the air by a telehandler while attaching fascia near the top of a shed. The 9-1-1 caller said that he fell about fifteen feet, sustaining head and facial injuries. The man was taken to Zimmerman and then to St. Cloud Hospital for treatment of injuries.
--A man staying at a St. Cloud homeless shelter last November has pleaded guilty to attacking another man and beating him unconscious. Twenty-nine-year-old Marlon Whittaker has pleaded guilty to a felony charge of 3rd degree assault. According to the criminal complaint filed in Benton County, police were called to the Salvation Army Shelter on November 19th for an assault. Officers say they arrived to find Whittaker stomping and punching the head of an unconscious man. Court records show the victim was bleeding profusely from his head with a large pool of blood forming. He was taken to St. Cloud Hospital for treatment. Whittaker will be sentenced on April 3rd on the assault charges.
--The St. Cloud VA Medical Center is setting aside time to hear the voices of those who have served our nation. The Veterans Town Hall is reserved as a chance for patients to have their health care concerns directly addressed by organization officials. The meeting is scheduled for February 13th at 2pm at the St. Cloud VA in Building 4, Room 180. Veterans can attend in person or virtually by joining the meeting on a computer or mobile device at tinyurl.com/3rcutcvv. Veterans may also call to listen to the meeting at 1-872-701-0185 and use access code 12145881# on February 13th at 2pm.
--Chuck Zwilling was on KLTF Friday reminding those that Ice Fest February 17th and 18th is now at Darling Green Prairie Park for the events both days. If you have questions go to mnicefest.com.
--The Brainerd Jaycees thanked all who took part in the hybrid style fishing event on Saturday where lakes were used from Jenkins, Pequot Lakes, Nisswa, Brainerd, Baxter, Pillager and many more. The 2024 Catch of the Day was a 10.5 inch sunfish by Mick Seeker. The top walleye catch was Kevin George at 29.25 in length. It was reported the largest fish was a northern pike. The list of winners is on the Brainerd Jaycees Facebook page.
--7th District Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach recently spent time in Little Falls back on January 24th. She met with the Garrison Commander, Colonel Troy Fink, and Colonel Jamie Lindman at Camp Ripley and toured some of the camp, saw some of the current projects in the works, and also saw future plans for the base. She toured DJ Products and discussed how tariffs and taxes affect their business as well as ways to make Minnesota more business-friendly. As Congresswoman Fischbach tours the Seventh Congressional District, hearing successes and concerns directly from constituents, she looks forward to taking information with her back to D.C. to build and pass legislation to advocate for and help maintain strong, rural communities. Fischbach was a guest on the KLTF Up Front program that morning before her visit.
--Two crashes happened within minutes of each other Thursday near the intersection of highways 210 and 371 in Crow Wing County. According to the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office, the first crash was reported at 2:49pm and involved three vehicles in the northbound lane of Highway 371. The crash was called in by a North Memorial Health Ambulance, which was already at the intersection.
A short time later, at 2:58pm there was another crash involving two vehicles, also northbound on Highway 371. There were no reported injuries in either crash according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
NATIONAL NEWS
--The U.S. military launched an air assault Friday on dozens of sites in Iraq and Syria used by Iranian-backed militias and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Friday, in the opening salvo of retaliation for the drone strike that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan last weekend. President Joe Biden and other top U.S. leaders had been warning for days that America would strike back at the militias in question.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
--Actor Carl Weathers has died at age 76. He was Apollo Creed in the first four Rocky movies. He was also in Predator and Happy Gilmore.
DEATH NOTICES
--Yvonne Johnson, age 82 of Motley.
--Anthony “Tony” Bzdok, age 83 of Anoka formerly Little Falls.
--Joan M. Faust, age 91 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= AM fog and freeze fog, then partly sunny, high 45.
TONIGHT= clear skies, low around 29.
TUESDAY= sunny and mild, high near 50, low near 30.
WEDNESDAY= rain develops late day, high 51, low near 40.
SPORTS
NFL= NFC in a wild one 64-59 beats the AFC in Pro Bowl Sunday.