NEWS
--Today is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day a federal holiday to remember the Civil Rights leader. The holiday was established as the third Monday of January in 1983 by President Ronald Reagan though all 50 states did not accept the holiday until 2000. Federal, state, county and city offices are likely closed today so best to call ahead before venturing out. Many schools have the day off, some are in session and other businesses and organizations are asking to use the day as a day of service to help others in need on his holiday.
--Two teenagers were hurt in a two-vehicle crash in Foley on Saturday. The incident happened around 11:45am near Highway 25 and Glen Street. The Minnesota State Patrol says a car was going west on Glen Street, stopped at the stop sign and entered the intersection where it was hit by a pickup truck going south on Highway 25. The passenger in the car, 17-year-old Shelby Linn of Sauk Rapids, was taken to North Memorial Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The 17-year-old driver of the car was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the truck, 59-year-old Robert Rothfork of Foley, was not hurt.
--The 46th Annual Pro Life Dinner for MCCL is Sunday at the Falls Ballroom. There will be guest speakers, essay winners from students from around Morrison County, you can drop off new baby items, along with a chicken and ham dinner. Social at 12pm with dinner and speakers to begin around 12:50. Tickets are $13 in advance and you must call today at 630-7045 for tickets or $14 at the event Sunday.
--Crow Wing County Sheriff Scott Goddard stated Friday that the Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza has the green light for the their event on Saturday. Sheriff Goddard stated there was just over 16 inches of ice thickness last week on Hole in the Day Bay on Gull Lake. The event will start at noon on Saturday and reminds motorists along Highway 371 to expect heavy traffic flow before and after the event and plan for slow downs and delays. If need be to find an alternate route around the lake area on Saturday.
--A St. Cloud man has been sentenced to eight years in prison after killing two men in a wrong-way crash in Waite Park this past summer. Twenty-eight-year-old Charlie Barnett previously pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal vehicular homicide back in October. He will get credited for 191 days already served. Court records show Barnett was driving on Divison Street on July 9th when the car crossed over the median and hit an El Camino head-on killing the occupants, 61-year-old Richard Tomlinson of Grantsburg, Wisconsin and 77-year-old Roger Nelson of Clearwater. Witnesses told investigator the Malibu Barnett was driving was traveling well above the speed limit and the driver made no attempt to slow down. Court records show an aerosol can of dust cleaner was found on the driver's side floor of where Barnett had been sitting. Investigators learned Barnett has a history of huffing dust cleaner.
--If you have signed up for the March for Life bus trip on Tuesday please be at Coborn's in Little Falls by 7:30am tomorrow morning, St. Joseph's Church in Pierz at 8am and St. Michael's in Buckman by 8:15am- the bus will head to the Cathedral of St. Paul and then to the State Capitol for the March for Life programs on Tuesday. If you need more info call Floyd 632-2880 or Dale at 468-6225.
--There was a rare celestial event: a "super blood wolf moon" lunar eclipse last night to view more go to the NASA website.
--Little Falls Radio wants to thank the Royalton Lions for the “Friends of the Lions” Award presented at their annual Christmas Party last Saturday night. The Royalton Lions have began their 40th year and are looking forward to their 25th Platte River Day in August. They continue to work with the youth, elderly and the community with many projects throughout the year. Besides Little Falls Radio getting an award many others were given out at Saturday's event in Royalton. Little Falls Radio is very grateful for the honor.
--The 91-year old Pierz woman who suffered life threatening injuries last Sunday morning when her vehicle collided with an another on Highway 10 at County Road 14 in Randall has died. Inez Hayes of Pierz died on Wednesday at St. Cloud Hospital from her injuries.
--A 31 year old from Little Falls, Sarah Jean Waaraniemi faces a felony fourth degree assault charge in Morrison County District Court. She is also facing a misdemeanor charge for allegedly obstructing the legal process. The charges stem from an incident earlier this month when Waaraniemi allegedly interfered with an investigation of a DWI case near a bar in Little Falls. She allegedly refused a direct order to leave the area and swore at a deputy. The deputies arrested Waaraniemi for obstruction and she allegedly spat in a deputy’s face. At the Morrison County Jail, Waaraniemi was given a portable breath test which allegedly showed her blood alcohol content at .142. If convicted of the felony, Waaraniemi could face up to five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
--A popular attraction in St. Cloud has been vandalized and you have a chance to help fix the damage. The Clemens and Munsinger Gardens was recently vandalized. Both the Windsor Court and Jenny Crane foundations were destroyed for the purpose of stealing the bronze in each fixture. The Friends of the Gardens group that help collect funds to maintain the gardens is asking the community to donate what they can to fix the damage.
NATIONAL NEWS
--President Donald Trump Saturday announced a possible deal in ending the partial government shutdown where he would extend DACA for three years and protect DACA recipients in exchange for the money needed to build a wall for our borders.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Vincent and Denise Warzecha of Cushing, a boy born January 16th.
DEATH NOTICES
--Anton F. Kostreba, age 85 of Rice.
WEATHER
TODAY= cloudy, snow likely 1-2 inches, high 11.
TONIGHT= snow likely, 1-3 inches overnight, low 9.
TUESDAY= snow in morning, 1 inch, then clearing, windy, high 18.
WEDNESDAY= sunny skies, less windy, high 18, low around 3.
SPORTS
NFL= Two wild overtime thrillers yesterday in the NFL as the LA Rams came back to beat New Orleans 26-23 in overtime then New England and Kansas City scored 38 points in the final quarter to go to overtime where New England won 37-31 to go to third straight Super Bowl. The Super Bowl is February 3rd in Atlanta, Georgia on KLTF.