Newsletter: Monday, January 22nd, 2024
NEWS
--It was reported from the minutes in the previous Little Falls City Council meeting that Little Falls Police Chief Greg Schirmers announced he is retiring from the police department after 25 years effective February 10th. Schrimers announced he is relocating from the area but likely will continue in law enforcement. At the same meeting the board also accepted the resignation of full-time police officer Joshua Pesta. It was reported that Pesta will remain on in a part-time capacity if the department approves that request.
--The Brainerd Fire Department responded to a house fire at 2:18am Thursday on the 1100 block of Oro Way in Unorganized Territory. Fire Chief Tim Holmes said when crews arrived they found the home on fire. Holmes said the homeowners were woken up by things falling as the fire spread quickly through the home. Mutual aid was called in from the Nisswa Fire Department and crews were on scene for about four hours battling the fire in the extreme cold. Holmes said the house was a complete loss and the homeowners received assistance from family in the area. The cause of the fire is still unknown and being investigated. A dog and two cats are missing and the fire department stated they are presumed deceased.
--An early-morning crash south of Cold Spring sent the driver to the hospital. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office was sent to the intersection of County Road 2 and County Road 165 in Luxemburg Township at 5:31 Friday morning. Officials found a 2012 Ford Fiesta, driven by 20-year-old Bret Gilmour of Fargo, on its roof in the ditch.
Authorities believe Gilmour fell asleep behind the wheel. The car left the roadway, hit a power pole and road approach, and then went airborne. Gilmour received non-life-threatening injuries.
--The Minnesota Department of Human Rights filed a civil lawsuit Thursday in Crow Wing County District Court against Sheridan, formerly known as Bang Printing, for violating Minnesota’s civil rights law following accusations of sexual harassment at the Brainerd printing facility. During an investigation the Department of Human Rights found that Sheridan, located in Brainerd, failed to meaningfully stop a supervisor from using his position of power to repeatedly sexually harass and assault two employees. In filing the lawsuit, the Department of Human Rights reported it is seeking structural change so that all employees at Sheridan are provided a work environment that is free from sexual harassment and assault. Sheridan is owned by CJK Group Inc., formerly now known as Bang Printing, and operates as D. & J. Printing. According to allegations presented in the lawsuit, in June 2020 a Sheridan supervisor began sexually harassing and assaulting two employees. This included regular unwelcome sexual advances, unwanted touching and offensive comments.
--Phase 2 is complete on the classic Brainerd water tower with the last portion of the project to repair the stucco on the outside of the bowl, as chunks of stucco have fallen from the exterior over the past few years. The city has already secured $500,000 of Congressionally Directed Spending funds from U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar for the stucco work when the time comes. The stucco repair is estimated to cost between $2.5 to $3.4 million, depending on how extensive the work is. City Engineer/Public Works Director Jessie Dehn said a good chunk of that cost is for the scaffolding to be able to do the work. Council members agreed Tuesday not to apply for another grant through the Minnesota Historical Society this year.
--Three Little Falls girls were named champions at the 2024 Knights of Columbus Council 1803 Free Throw contest Saturday, Jan. 13. The competition was held at Mary of Lourdes Middle School. The winners of their age groups were Autumn Pollock (age nine), Savanna Pollock (age 11) and Nicole Knopik (age 12). The girls are qualified to compete at the district level Sunday, February 11th in Upsala. Registration starts at 12:30pm, contest starts at 1pm.
--Stamp prices went up in price this past weekend. Starting yesterday on Sunday, the cost of the first-class “forever” stamps will jump from 66 to 68 cents. The latest price comes after forever stamps increased twice last year. In January 2023, forever stamps climbed from 60 to 63 cents and then moved from 63 to 66 in July 2023. The prices for domestic postcard stamps will increase from 51 to 53 cents and international postcards go from $1.50 to $1.55. The postal service stated that its prices remain among the most affordable in the world. Sunday marked the sixth jump in forever stamp prices seen since the start of 2019, when the postage cost 50 cents apiece.
--The Little Falls Fire Department was called to Country Inn and Suite on Friday at 7:15am on a fire alarm call. Fire Chief Craig Seelen stated that nothing was found at the business and they cleared.
--After temperatures Saturday morning dropped to 19-below zero before sunrise, temperatures this week will be in the 20s and 30s with possibly some freezing precipitation at times mid-week.
NATIONAL NEWS
--Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced Sunday he is ending his campaign for President of the United States after a weaker showing then expected in Iowa, he has formally endorsed Donald Trump.
DEATH NOTICES
--John Pohlkamp, age 73 of Pierz.
--Eleanor L. Fromelt, age 85 of Royalton.