NEWS
--A Benton County Judge has ordered 21-year-old Christian Kane to spend 15 years in prison in the murder for hire case in Sauk Rapids. Kane pleaded guilty of attempted first degree murder for stabbing the victim multiple times in a garage at the direction of the victim's wife, 55-year-old Maria Foster. Kane's wife 25-year-old Katrina Hunt along with Foster both pleaded guilty to aiding the stabbing and are scheduled to be sentenced in April in Benton County.
--On Saturday, Air Force Colonel Jesse Carlson assumed command of the Minnesota National Guard’s 133rd Airlift Wing from Air Force Colonel James Cleet at a ceremony held on base. Cleet has commanded the 133rd Airlift Wing since August 2019. He will be promoted to the rank of brigadier general in preparation for his next position as the Deputy J3 – European Command. In February, Cleet completed his fini-flight in St. Paul. The fini-flight is a time honored aviation tradition marking the end of Cleet’s flying status. Carlson will be vacating his position as the 133rd Operations Group Commander, a position he has held since May 2019, to assume command of the Wing. In Carlson’s new role, he will lead the more than 1,200 Airmen of the 133rd Airlift Wing. He will be responsible for organizing, equipping, and training personnel for worldwide deployments as well as domestic operations capabilities for the State of Minnesota.
--One of four suspects believed to be involved in the murder of a woman in south St. Cloud in 2021 has been acquitted of the charges. 27-year old Kenneth Carter has been acquitted on charges of 1st degree and 2nd degree murder in the death of 25-year old Keisha Lange. 37-year-old Alicia Lewis pleaded guilty to a charge of aiding an offender after the fact in February 2022. Two other defendants 25-year-old Deantae Davis and 35-year-old Angela Jones are charged with two counts of 1st-degree premeditated murder and two counts of 2nd-degree murder. Jones is also charged with murder in the shooting death of Janessa Harris. Those cases are still working their way through the court system. According to court documents, a Stearns County jury acquitted Carter on the charges Thursday. Lange was found at the end of Cooper Avenue South in June 2021. She had been shot multiple times. A grand jury indicted the defendants on the 1st degree premeditated murder charge in July 2021.
--Dark houses, fish houses and portables must be off the ice no later than 11:59pm Monday for the southern two thirds of the state. Sheriffs may prohibit or restrict the use of motorized vehicles if dangerous ice conditions are present. If shelters are not removed, owners may be cited. A conservation officer may confiscate, remove or destroy any ice structure and its contents if not removed by the deadline. After removal dates, shelters may remain on the ice between midnight and one hour before sunrise only when occupied or attended. Leaving shelters on a public access is prohibited.
--The Pierz City Council will hold a special meeting at 5:30pm on Tuesday at Pierz City Hall. With the appointing of John Perleberg as Mayor last week, there is an open seat on the Pierz City Council. They will conduct interviews on Tuesday with the applicants for the position and then discussion will follow with a vote expected at the next regular meeting on March 13th in Pierz.
--The Little Falls City Council meets tonight at 7:30pm at City Hall.
--Little Falls Community Schools are reminding parents and students of a three hour early release Wednesday for all public schools for planning purposes. Students will be released three hours early.
--Oasis Central Minnesota is getting ready for our annual Empty Bowls fundraiser. Sunday, March 26 from 11:30am-2:00pm at First Lutheran Church, 2100 Riverview Drive. Tickets are $15 each and available at the door. Guests receive a handmade bowl and nine varieties of unlimited soup. Bread and dessert also included. Silent auction extravaganza. All funds raised will benefit the outreach of Oasis Central Minnesota works to help the hungry and homeless in our community. Questions call Rose 320-632-9140.
--Little Falls Community Schools are hosting an event on March 28th called Angst raising awareness around anxiety. The documentary called Angst strives to remove the stigma and open up the conversation about mental health, helping our youth and their families understand that a certain amount of anxiety is healthy and when to recognize when it’s too much. Our program includes tips to recognize symptoms, and encourages when to reach out for help. Most importantly, it shows us that we are not alone, and that anxiety is 100% treatable. Free refreshments for all community members youth and adults start at 5:30pm the program is at 6pm and then a mental health panel for discussion and questions will follow the free program at the Community Middle School commons. Again all are welcome to attend and learn from this on March 28th.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Cooper Grashorn and Jenna Saldana of Little Falls, a boy on 3-2.
DEATH NOTICES
--Joseph A. Roskop, age 89 of Fort Ripley.
--Helen M. Maurer, age 89 of Little Falls.
--Robert M. Reith, age 51 of Randall.
--Alvin “Pretzel” Sobania, age 79 of Flensburg.
--Duane S. Hiemenz, age 58 of Pierz.
WEATHER
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 11AM.
TODAY= snow showers before 9am, up to 1 inch, cloudy, high 36.
TONIGHT= cloudy skies, colder temps, low 13.
TUESDAY= partly sunny skies, high near 33, snow late, low 23.
WEDNESDAY= snow likely, high near 35, low around 27.
SPORTS
WRE= Alex Diederich finishes state runner-up for Royalton-Upsala on Saturday at the State Tournament in St. Paul. Drew Lange of Holdingford also finished 2nd in the state. Bryce Holm of Royalton-Upsala and Wyatt Novitksy of Holdingford both took 4th place at the State. Sawyer Simmons of Royalton-Upsala took 5th place while Carter Young of Pierz and Brandon Mugg of Royalton-Upsala finished 6th at State for the local wrestlers that received medals. Other wrestlers from Pierz, Little Falls, Royalton-Upsala and Holdingford competed Friday and some on Saturday but did not make it to the finals on Saturday night but congratulations to all who made it to state.
GBB= Upsala defeated Braham 57-51 Saturday to move on in the playoffs and face Barnum on Tuesday in Hinckley while Pierz lost to Pequot Lakes 57-22 Saturday in playoffs ending their season. If other action, Holdingford eliminated Royalton 49-27 and will take on Sauk Centre Tuesday night in St. John's. Sauk Rapids-Rice ousted Detroit Lakes and moves to face Alexandria in the section finals this week.
BBB= Boy Basketball Playoffs start Tuesday, Little Falls at Rocori begins at 7pm on Q92, Pierz at Moose Lake 6pm on 94ROCKS.