NEWS --A reminder that today is the observance of Veterans Day which was yesterday. Federal, state, county and city offices may be closed today. There is no regular mail delivery. Some businesses and other agencies may have specials hours today. It is best to call ahead.
--Charles Kapsner spoke on AM960 KLTF Friday and stated that the Committal Hall at the State Veterans Cemetery will be open from 1-4 today for all to view the four portraits that Kapsner has done on the U.S. Armed Forces. He stated that next September at Camp Ripley during their open house there will be a commemoration of the Committal Hall and all 5 portraits on September 15th with the open house on the 16th. Kapsner will complete the U.S. Air Force portrait by late summer of next year. Kapsner also wanted to let the public know that the Minnesota Military Museum will be open today for the public to view the mural done to depict World War I which had its armistice on November 11th, 1918. To enter Camp Ripley for the museum, you will need a picture ID.
--The Minnesota State Patrol responded Thursday night through Friday morning to nearly 200 accidents between Brainerd and St. Cloud from the coating of snow and colder temperatures. The State Patrol reported that 2 of the accidents resulted in minor injuries. Authorities are reminding motorists to please drive for the conditions.
--Legislative leadership is changing at the Minnesota Capitol after Democrats gained control of the state House. Democrats chose Representative Melissa Hortman to be the next Speaker of the House late Thursday. Hortman is an eighth term lawmaker from Brooklyn Park. House Democrats also chose Golden Valley Representative Ryan Winkler as Majority Leader and Duluth's Rep. Liz Olson as Majority Whip. Senate Republicans are still in control with Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka. Winona Republican Senator Jeremy Miller will be Senate President. The next Legislative session begins January 8th.
--After five days, Pine County law enforcement officials suspended their search for a hunter who went missing, saying they have found no sign of him. 59-year old David Peltier was reported missing November 4th by members of his deer hunting party in northern Minnesota. The group was hunting in the Nemadji State Forest along the Gandy Dancer Trail near “Belden,” close to the Wisconsin border. His fellow hunters reported him missing on November 4th after he did not return to their cabin the previous evening. The sheriff’s office headed a multi-agency search, which included over 100 volunteers but announced late Thursday that they were halting their search though they would follow up on any new leads. Hunters who will be in the area are asked to keep an eye out for any sign of Peltier. Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff’s office or 911.
--Pine County authorities late Friday announced they had located 16-year-old Paige Sigurdsen and that she is safe. They thank all who helped in the search. No other details on her whereabouts released.
--Upsala Elementary will hold parent-teacher conferences from 3:30-7:30pm today for grades K-4 that are scheduled, unscheduled for grades 5-12 into Upsala High School will be held. Also the final of the Upsala Elementary Book Fair fundraiser will be held during the conferences at the elementary school in Upsala on Monday.
--Join AM960 KLTF today for the Mary of Lourdes Veterans Program sponsored by Mary of Lourdes Schools and the Falls Ballroom. The program is at 1:30pm and can be streamed to fallsradio.com.
--Congratulations to the Pierz Pioneers Football team as they advanced to the State Semi-Finals this Saturday against Rochester Lourdes. Pierz crushed Annandale 60-12 on Saturday in the state quarterfinals in Class AAA. The game is scheduled for 2pm Saturday on FM94 KFML and fallsradio.com.
--According to numbers from the Minnesota Department of Transportation, there have been 322 traffic deaths this year compared to 314 at this time last year. Preliminary numbers show there were 358 traffic deaths last year.
--A man was arrested Thursday evening on suspicion of attempting to stab a man. 25-year old Travis Jon Parton of Kimball is facing one second degree felony assault charge. Officers were dispatched to a residence on the 1400 block of 10th Avenue North around 2:25pm Monday following a report of a man who was locked in a bathroom because another person was attempting to stab him. According to the reports the man said Parton confronted him in the living room of the residence. Parton pulled out a knife and told the man to come outside of the residence with him or he would "spill his blood" inside. The man was able to go into a bathroom and lock the door. Parton then kicked the bathroom door and fled the residence.
--The Central Minnesota Human Trafficking Task Force arrested a St. Cloud man Wednesday on charges "relating to felony-level promotion of prostitution/sex trafficking. 36-year old Iyontay Lestish Williams was arrested Wednesday as the result of a month long investigation by the task force "into the trafficking an adult female victim which took place at several locations" in St. Cloud. Williams is being held in Stearns County Jail on "several counts of solicitation, inducement and promotion of prostitution or sex trafficking."
--Pierz will present their fall play “The Addams Family” this Thursday and Friday at 7:00pm and a Sunday matinee at 2pm a the Performing Arts Center (PAC) in Pierz. Swanville High School will also have their performance “Haphazardly After Ever” Friday and Saturday night at 7:30pm at the Swanville High School.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT --Travis and Kimberly Herman of Royalton, of girl born Nov. 9th.
DEATH NOTICE --Geraldine Sinderman, age 91 of Little Falls
WEATHER TODAY= morning flurries, PM sun, high 17. TONIGHT= clear and very cold, low near 0, wind chills near -10. TUESDAY= sunny skies, high 25, low around 11. WEDNESDAY= sunny and warmer, high 41, low around 30.
SPORTS JOE= Joe Mauer announced Friday that he is retiring after 15 seasons with the Twins. A press conference is scheduled today. HS FB= the state semi-finals are set, besides Pierz advancing others like Paynesville who eliminated Pillager, Perham, Willmar, Elk River and Bemidji advanced to semi-finals which start for some Thursday. COL FB= Gophers routed Purdue Saturday 41-10. Gophers are currently 5-5 on season with two games left to play. Gophers will host Northwestern this Saturday at 11am on AM960 KLTF. NFL= Vikings (5-3-1) are at Chicago (6-3) Sunday 7:20pm on KLTF