NEWS
--The City of Bowlus is raising funds to save their 84 year old fire hall. The goal to save the building is $55,000. The restored space will be used to house an exhibit about the history of Bowlus and its fire department. A sign with full details is in front of the fire hall.
--The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating a shooting that left two people dead and one injured in Wadena County. The Wadena County Sheriff’s Office says a deputy attempted to make a traffic stop shortly before 9pm Saturday near the intersection of 205th Avenue and 280th Street in North Germany Township. Authorities say the vehicle stopped near 270th Street, and a struggle happened between the deputy and the driver. A second vehicle then came to the scene, followed by an officer from the Sebeka Police Department. The struggle continued and the sheriff’s office says at least one of the drivers began shooting at authorities. One of the officers returned fire. Authorities say all four people were shot in the incident. One of the drivers died at the scene. The other was taken to a hospital in Wadena where they later died from their injuries. The deputy was taken to a hospital in Park Rapids and later transferred to North Memorial with serious but not life-threatening injuries. The officer was shot in the vest and not hurt. None of their names have been released. The incident remains under investigation.
--The Benton County Sheriff's Office is standing at the ready to help provide security for the upcoming murder trial of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin. Sheriff Troy Heck says the Minneapolis Police Department and Hennepin County Sheriff's Office have launched Operation Safety Net to make sure the trial goes off smoothly and safely. Heck says in law enforcement, there is an obligation to help out their brothers and sisters when called upon.
--The Minnesota Department of Health on Saturday stated that over 50% of those age 65 of older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, the Governor wants that at 70% of both doses by the end of March, however it was also reported that only 15% of the entire state has received only of the doses of the vaccine so far.
--Minnesota Management and Budget released the February economic forecast for the State of Minnesota Friday. There is no longer an anticipated shortfall for FY 2022-23 and Minnesota now projects a positive balance of $1.6 billion because of a higher revenue forecast, lower state spending, and an increased surplus for the current fiscal year will begin on July 1st through next year.
--A reminder that fish houses in the southern two-thirds of the state including Morrison County need to be off by today March 1st before the midnight deadline. So please remove the fish houses from lakes. Dark houses, fish houses and portables must be off the ice no later than midnight on Monday. County sheriffs may prohibit or restrict the use of motorized vehicles if dangerous ice conditions are present. If shelters are not removed, owners will be prosecuted. A conservation officer also may confiscate, remove or destroy any ice structure and its contents if not removed by the deadline.
--The Minnesota Department of Health reported 1 new death of a person in their late 70s from COVID-19 in Morrison County. There was also 1 new death in Crow Wing of a person in their 80s. Morrison County reported 4 new cases on Friday's state report, there were 5 new cases on Saturday and 6 new cases on Sunday's state report.
--Little Falls City Council meets tonight at 7:30pm on City Hall.
--Chuck Zwilling to give update on how Icefest did today on KLTF.
--The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce their March Employee of the Month, Julie Hubbard at Falls Court Dentists. Julie has been a Dental Hygienist at Falls Court Dentists for the past 20 years. Julie stated: “It was a nice surprise to be nominated, especially by a patient. It is refreshing to hear about a good experience with a patient, especially a kid. I’ve met so many people working at Falls Court Dentists over the last 20 years. It is always enjoyable to come to work and see each patient.” Congratulations Julie Hubbard, Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce March Employee of the Month.
--At 6:18am on Wednesday St. Louis County 911 received a report that Line 3 protesters had blocked a road in rural St. Louis County. They were not letting vehicular traffic through. The road is Robinson Road and turns into the Hedbom Forrest Rd as it continues into Aitkin County. This road is used by workers to access the Line 3 pipeline project. St. Louis County deputies responded and found that an overturned car had been placed in the middle of the road. Two males had locked themselves to devices attached to the underside of the vehicle. There were approximately 20 other individuals present. Once dispersal orders were given by law enforcement, the larger group complied with officer directions. The two males attached to the vehicle would not self-release. The two individuals, 28-year old Danny LeClaire and 27-year old Micah Carpenter-Lott were placed under arrest. The arrest necessitated utilizing special tools to cut them out of the devices. Both were taken into custody without injury and booked into the St. Louis County Jail for obstructing legal process, unlawful assembly, and blocking traffic.
--The Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office responded to protest activity blocking the Hedbom Forest Road. Numerous people were blocking the road and a device had been erected in the center of the road. The device was constructed of two logs around 35' long and fastened on the top. This “bipod” was vertical and anchored with ropes and posts approximately 45 feet away from the device. The individual identified herself as “Rose”. “Rose” was advised that she was illegally blocking a public right of way and that she needed to come down. Rose refused to come down. An extraction team was called out to assess the complicated bipod device and ultimately were able to safely remove Rose and lower her to the ground. “Rose” was identified as 34-year old Rachel Marie Leaf from Minneapolis MN. Leaf was arrested and transported to the Aitkin County Jail.
DEATH NOTICES --Virginia Maciej, age 79 of Elmdale. --Yolanda L. Ballou, age 52 of Little Falls. --Linda K. Dickmann, age 71 of Pierz. --Richard “Rich” Boeckermann, age 35 of California formerly Freeport.
WEATHER
TODAY= becoming sunny, chilly, high near 20.
TONIGHT= partly cloudy, low 13 early then rising toward morning.
TUESDAY= partly cloudy, warmer, high 43, turning breezy, low 25.
WEDNESDAY= cloudy skies, high near 40, flurries late, low 23.
SPORTS
HS GBB= Swanville at Pierz tonight 7:15pm on FM94 KFML.
GOLF= most of the PGA tour on Sunday wore red shirts and black pants in honor of Tiger Woods injured last week in an auto wreck.