NEWS --Due to the Federal Government Shutdown the Farm Forum scheduled in Little Falls today has been canceled as District 8 Congressman Rick Nolan remains in Washington DC. This also means that Congressman Nolan will not be on KLTF Up Front today.
--There are a few teachers from central Minnesota including one from Pierz who are candidates for Minnesota's Teacher of the Year award. Education Minnesota announced the 167 nominees Thursday. Mary Jo Schaefer works for Pioneer Elementary Schools as a Special Education Teacher and has spent almost two decades delivering exceptional services to children and parents in our community. In addition to her work at Pioneer Elementary, Mary Jo has also taught GED Instruction to adults in our community. Pierz School Superintendent George Weber stated, ”I am very grateful for Mary Jo to be considered for this nomination and very proud of the recognition she unquestionably deserves for a career supporting hundreds of children who need an extraordinary level of caring and love in order to succeed in schools and in life. There is no doubt that Ms. Schaefer has been a lifesaver for many young boys and girls. We are fortunate to have her leadership and work ethic in our schools.” Jean Michael who is in her 24th year at St. Cloud Apollo is one of the other candidates. Also, Sauk Rapids-Rice's Adam Johnson is a candidate. Johnson has been with the district for five years. The 54th Teacher of the Year will be announced on Sunday, May 6th in Bloomington.
--Today is the 45th Anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade Decision making abortion legal in the United States. Marches are planned on St. Paul today with a service at the Cathedral in St. Paul then the March for Life to the State Capitol at noon.
--Three people were injured in a two vehicle crash Thursday just after 11:00am at the intersection of Highway 210 and Cass County Highway 1 in Pillager. The Minnesota State Patrol reported 76-year old Terence H. Lenz of Nevis, was traveling east on Highway 210 and was turning south onto County Highway 1. While making the turn, 24-year old Jacob S. Murtley of Longville collided with the first vehicle and then struck a light pole before coming to a stop. Murtley was not injured, but his passenger, 19-year old Dylan F. Daudt of Longville, was transported to Essentia Health St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd for non-life-threatening injuries. Murtley had a second passenger, 19-year old Jessica F. Thomes of Longville who was not injured. Lenz and his passenger, 73-year old Catherine L. Lenz of Nevis, were also transported to the Brainerd hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The state patrol reported everyone who was involved in the crash, except Daudt, was wearing seat belts.
--A man who tried to attack a couple outside the St. Cloud Walmart has been sentenced to 18 months in prison. 31-year old Philip Keys pleaded guilty in November to second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon for the attack in October 2015. According to the criminal complaint, a couple was walking to their car just before midnight when Keys approached them dragging a baseball bat. The couple continued walking, when the husband heard the man take a deep breath and turned around to find Keys raising the bat as if to hit them. The man, who had a permit to carry, pulled out his gun and ordered Keys to drop the bat. Records show Keys dropped the bat, told the man to shoot him and then fled the scene.
--Brainerd firefighters released information on a fire call last Monday morning around 1:40am on Smith Road in Brainerd. The homeowner reported flames shooting from the detached garage. The home and garage could not be saved. A nearby home and fish house also sustained damage but mostly exterior and not extensive. There were no injuries. The cause remains under investigation.
--A 19-year old man is in serious condition after a stabbing early Friday morning. At 12:27am, officers responded to a report of a stabbing at a residence in the 1500 block of Northway Drive. Officers located a 19-year old man from St. Cloud with a stab wound to his upper torso. The victim was taken to St. Cloud Hospital in serious condition. Police reports state 24-year old Kathilina Emiliana Garcia of St. Cloud is suspected of stabbing the victim during an argument. Garcia and the victim are acquaintances. Officers located Garcia at her residence and took her into custody. She was transported to the Stearns County Jail on possible first and second degree assault charges. The victim remained in the hospital in stable condition Friday afternoon.
--A St. Cloud man is in jail after his son was found with life threatening internal injuries. 25-year old Anthony Ware Jr. of St. Cloud is suspected of first degree assault after an incident involving his 5-month old son on January 11th. Ware is being held on suspicion of one count of felony first-degree assault.
NATIONAL NEWS --No agreement could be reached Friday night so at midnight the Federal Government shut down. House and Senate leaders met over the weekend but could not reach an agreement. Thousands of employees will be told to go home or be put on furlough until the shutdown ceases. National Parks, museums, passport renewals and others will be closed or shut down while this continues.
DEATH NOTICES --June McCoy, age 79 of Little Falls --Jeannette K. White, age 86 of Little Falls --Marie Holz, age 78 of Little Falls –Laura Helen Maslowski Lodermeier, age 55 of Little Falls. --Yvonne M. Gaboury, age 60 of Babbit formerly of Little Falls.
WEATHER TODAY= mostly cloudy, breezy, high near 30. TONIGHT= mostly cloudy, breezy, high 16. TUESDAY= mostly sunny, breezy, high 25, low 14. WEDNESDAY= partly sunny, high 33, low near 16.
SPORTS NFL= It will be Philadelphia and New England in Super Bowl 52 in Minneapolis on February 4th. Nick Foles passed for 350 yards and 3 touchdowns as the Vikings fumbled their chance to the big game as the Eagles rout the Vikings 38-7 Sunday in NFC Championship. Tom Brady came from 10 down to come back and help New England beat Jacksonville 24-20 in the AFC Championship game on Sunday. TWINS= Twins announced that Johann Santana will be inducted into the Twins Hall of Fame in August of 2018. TWINS= Twins Caravan at Royalton schools Tuesday with Q92. HS BBB= Pequot Lakes at Pierz tonight 7:15pm on FM94 KFML.