NEWS
--A judge has sentenced a central Minnesota man accused of killing a 500-pound black bear in his backyard to probation and temporarily stripped him of his hunting privileges. Morrison County District Judge Leonard Weiler sentenced 42-year-old Michael Theilen on Wednesday after Thielen pleaded guilty to taking and possessing big game out of season, a misdemeanor. Weiler gave Theilen two years' probation and stripped him of his hunting privileges in Minnesota and across most of the rest of the country for three years. His loss of hunting privileges extends to every state that is part of the Interstate Wildlife Violators Compact. The only states Thielen could hunt in are Massachusetts and Hawaii, according to the National Association of Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs. The judge also ordered Thielen to pay $800 in restitution and $685 in fines and fees. He said the state Department of Natural Resources will retain possession of the rifle he used to kill the bear. He set aside a one-year jail term and dismissed several other charges. According to a criminal complaint, the state Department of Natural Resources received tips in September 2021 that Thielen had shot and killed the bear in the backyard of his home near Little Falls two months earlier.
--After recent fatal snowmobile accidents in the state, the Morrison County Sheriff's Office wants all the snowmobilers to have a good time with all the snow that we recently received, but would like to remind everyone of a few safety tips: Please be respectful to other people and their property. Do not trespass on other people's property.
Stay on marked trails. Make sure you always have a charged cell phone in case of an emergency. Ensure current registration is displayed. Slow down if you meet someone on the trail and move over to the far right. Slow down if in the ditch and approaching other residents’ driveways. Always be respectful to other people's property and make sure that you are following the law. Most accidents occur because of excessive speed, so please drive safe and always drive with caution and due care. For more safety tips, please refer to the Minnesota DNR website.
--A shoplifting call turned into a police chase in Sartell. Thursday at about 4pm Sartell Police were called to Walmart for a report of a shoplifting in progress. As officers arrived, Walmart loss prevention said the man had left the store with unpaid merchandise and got into a vehicle, and left the parking lot. Officers also knew the man had felony warrants. A Sartell officer found a vehicle matching the description of the one that left Walmart. The vehicle sped off on Stearns County Road 1 and into St. Cloud on 9th Avenue North. Officers did a PIT maneuver and ended the pursuit. The suspect tried to run but was arrested a short time later. Sartell police have not released the name of the man arrested.
--A small fire in a clothes dryer forced the brief evacuation Thursday of Annie’s Childcare and Learning Center in Brainerd. The Brainerd Fire Department responded to the call of the fire at 11:15am at the child care facility located at 501 West College Drive. Brainerd Fire Deputy Chief Dave Cox said a small fire started in the exhaust of the dryer. Crews arrived and found the fire was out. Cox said staff safely evacuated the children, and after fire crews verified the fire was out, they cleared one of the rooms in the building to bring the kids back inside. The owner of Annie’s Child Care Center said that the fire department came and got everything cleaned up and all is back in the building and working once again at the facility.
--Listen online to all three LF Radio stations at fallsradio.com today.
--Morrison County Administrator Matt LeBlanc announced there will be two public hearings to get input later this month. The first on January 17th at 6pm at the government center will address the County Auditor/Treasurer position after Chelsey Robinson resigned last year, she still was on the ballot and won election in November, she has since declined to take the position. The Board is left with either appointing the position or keeping it as an elected one and than a special election would be held. The public hearing is to hear from those in attendance their thoughts on this one subject. A second meeting on January 19th at 5pm at the government center will be with land services for the public to address for an amended flood plan for the county, this will be held open house style with members from area cities, townships and the county in attendance.
--Belle Prairie Park will be closed to visitors all day starting Monday, January 9th and Tuesday, January 10th for forestry management activities. Please respect appropriate barriers and signage.
--The Pierz Police Department reminds residents that it is your duty as owners and occupants of any property adjacent to the public sidewalk to shovel, sweep and clean the sidewalk clean for pedestrians. A reminder at the police department can issue a citation if snow is not moved from on the sidewalk near your residence or occupancy in 24 hours from when it has been deposited. Please do your part to keep the people of Pierz safe. They also remind those who park in the streets of Pierz, no vehicles can park on the public streets from 2am-6am every overnight for city snow removal.
--Sister Julien Dierkes stated Friday that there are still openings Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for the blood drive this week at the St. Francis Convent. The blood drive is Tuesday 1-7pm, Wednesday 12-6pm and Thursday 8:30am-2:30pm. She also asks if for some reason you cannot make the appointment please call and cancel as then they can fill that spot with someone on a waiting list. Blood is again in high demand and all who can help give is greatly appreciated. And of course homemade cookies for those donating. For appointments please call Sister Julien at 320-632-0663.
NATIONAL NEWS
--Kevin McCarthy of California is the new Speaker of the U.S. House. Late Friday on the 15th ballot he finally received the votes to become the next speaker replacing Nancy Pelosi.
DEATH NOTICES
--Joan Cash, age 89 of Spicer formerly of Little Falls.
--Celestine “Cel” Gall, age 79 of Royalton.
--Ramona Heurung, age 98 of Little Falls formerly Elmdale.
WEATHER
TODAY= AM freeze fog, then cloudy, high 25.
TONIGHT= cloudy skies, steady temps, fog overnight, low 22.
TUESDAY= cloudy skies, high 30, snow at night, low 21.
WEDNESDAY= becoming sunny, high near 30, low around 11.
SPORTS
NFL= Vikings beat Chicago 29-13 on Sunday using their starters in one half of the game. The Vikings (13-4) will host New York Giants on Sunday at 3:30pm in Wild Card playoff round. Remember you can hear that and all the playoff games on AM960 KLTF.
COL FB= The National Championship Game between TCU and Georgia is tonight for the top team in college football.