NEWS
--A struggle with a shoplifting suspect left a Waite Park police officer with a broken arm. Officers were called to Menard's, located at 251 10th Avenue South, Thursday just before 7:30pm to investigate a shoplifting complaint. The suspects, 20-year-old Dean Derosier and 23-year-old Derek Plante, both of Little Falls, fled the scene before officers arrived. Upon arrival, one of the officers discovered Plante near the store and attempted to handcuff him. Plante resisted and the officer's left arm was broken during the struggle. The officer was taken to the emergency room for treatment of his injury. Plante fled the scene. Officials are requesting the public's help finding both men. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Waite Park Police Department or Tri-County Crime Stoppers.
--An investigation is underway following the death of an inmate at the Crow Wing County jail in Brainerd. The 39-year-old man, whose name has not been released, died early Friday morning. According to a press release from the sheriff, he had been arrested by Nisswa police the night before on an outstanding warrant. He died a short time later despite lifesaving efforts. Authorities have not yet given any details on the circumstances surrounding the incident, but the Ramsey County Medical Examiner will be conducting an autopsy to determine cause of death. This is the second death of a Crow Wing County jail inmate in the past year; last May, 18-year-old Kobe Marcell was found unresponsive in his cell and later pronounced dead at North Memorial Medical Center.
--The National Weather Service recorded that December 2019 was the third wettest on record for the state of Minnesota. Some communities reported the most precipitation for the month since weather records were kept starting back in 1880. Rain, freezing rain and snow were all included in the report where this past weekend alone some areas picked up 1-2 inches of rain along with 3-8 inches of wet heavy snow. The weather service is calling for 4-5 weaker clippers to move through by January 15th. Those could be smaller amounts of snow with some light wintry mix, but in all a much calmer.
--Starting in October 2020, airport security, federal courthouses and military bases will no longer accept regular driver's licenses for entry, since Minnesota is allowing post-9/11 security reforms to take effect this year. Although you can use current documents like a passport without needing to obtain new documents, an upgraded "Real ID" will be necessary if you plan to travel with a driver's license. The Real ID carries a gold star and can be obtained for a fee through DVS. To apply for one, you need to bring documents, proving your identity, date of birth and legal status, your social security number and Minnesota residency, and then you'll need to be prepared to wait. Processing may take a month or longer. You can also opt for an enhanced ID, which would essentially double as a passport at border crossings. Whatever you decide, you're not the only one having to make a decision in 2020. As of the fall, only an estimated 10 percent of Minnesotans have complied so far with Real ID.
--An annual festival in Walker has been canceled for this season. The 2020 International Eelpout Festival originally scheduled for the end of February was canceled by festival headquarters Thursday morning. Festival organizers say after five months of trying to come up with a solution for the event’s permits, lake enforcement, maintenance, and clean-up they came to an impasse with the county. The International Eelpout Festival has been held every winter since 1979 in Walker.
--The Morrison County Commissioners meet tomorrow at 9am at the government center boardroom. They will nominate for chairman and vice-chairman for the year on the board with a number of other first of the year items that will be voted in place.
--31-year-old Jon Paul Weidenbach was convicted of felony fifth degree of a controlled substance in Morrison County District Court back on December 26th. The initial charges stemmed from a July 20, 2019, incident when Weidenbach was found passed out near an apartment building in Little Falls by Little Falls police. Weidenbach was observed a baggie containing a crystal substance fall out of Weidenbach’s pocket as he stood up. Weidenbach was then arrested for possession of methamphetamine, as the substance in the baggie was later tested positively for meth. He was uncooperative, aggressive and belligerent toward officers. Weidenbach was sentenced to 19 months in prison, which was stayed for five years, and given credit for 68 days served. He was also fined $135, and will be under supervised probation for five years.
--The Pierz Pizzazz Dance Team will host the fifth annual soup cook-off and silent auction fundraiser Saturday, January 18th at the Pierz Ballroom. Doors open at 5 p.m. Presale tickets available from any Pizzazz dancer. The event includes games, music, split the pot and much more. To enter a soup or donate an auction item, contact Jackie at (320) 232-0539.
--The Little Falls City Council meets tonight at 7:30pm on City Hall.
DEATH NOTICES
--Paul David Wick, age 59 of Staples.
--Leona T. Gruber, age 91 of Pierz.
--Josephine “Phinee” Zak, age 87 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, high around 30.
TONIGHT= flurries in evening, then clearing, low 14.
TUESDAY= sunny skies, temps dropping to near 0 late in day.
TUES NIGHT= clear and cold, low-10, wind chills near -22.
WEDNESDAY= cloudy skies, snow showers in PM hours, high 13.
SPORTS
VIKINGS= Kirk Cousins tossed a touchdown pass to Kyle Rudolph in overtime for the Minnesota Vikings to beat the New Orleans Saints Sunday 26-20 to advance to the Divisional Playoffs Saturday afternoon against the top seed in the NFC, the San Francisco 49ers. Coverage begins at 2:30pm on Saturday on AM960 KLTF.
NFL= Houston battled from 16-0 in the 3rd quarter to win in overtime and eliminate Buffalo Saturday 22-19 to advance. Tennessee ousted New England 20-13 Saturday in what some say might have been the last game for Tom Brady in a Patriots uniform. Seattle outlasted Philadelphia Sunday 17-9 to advance in the NFL playoffs. Tennessee will be at Baltimore on Saturday night while Houston travels to Kansas City on Sunday afternoon followed by the Green Bay Packers hosting Seattle in their playoff game late Sunday on KLTF.
HS BBB= Little Falls at Pierz tonight 7pm on FM94 KFML.
Today in the Christian faith is Epiphany Day or Three Kings Day coming the 12th night of the 12 days of Christmas. When in the Bible the three wise men bring gifts to the Christ child. Eastern Christians use this as the Baptism of the Lord.