NEWS
--Little Falls Community High School has nominated Abigail Borash and Luke Kush for the ExCEL (Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership) Award. Sponsored by the Minnesota State High School League, ExCEL is a unique recognition program designed exclusively for Minnesota high school juniors. Students who are active in fine arts and/or athletic activities, who show leadership qualities, and who are model citizens in their community are eligible for the award. ExCEL Award recipients are selected through a multi-level process that involves league member schools and an independent panel of judges from schools throughout Minnesota. Abigail, daughter of Wayne and Joyce Borash has participated in cross country, Nordic ski, band, accompanies the choirs on the piano and plays piano for many community events. She also participates in FFA, peer helping, student council, and visual arts. Luke, son of Dave and Lori Kush has participated in football and basketball. He also participates with peer helping, along with coaching younger students in football and basketball. Both students are on the honor roll.
--Two drivers were injured Tuesday night when their vehicles collided in Mille Lacs County. At 8:32pm 21-year Ross Beaulieu of Onamia was heading north on Highway 47 when he crossed over the centerline and struck a southbound pickup driven by 76-year old Oscar Eggen of Onamia. Both drivers, who were each wearing their seatbelts, were taken to the Onamia Hospital with non life threatening injuries.
--A baby Jesus statue has been missing from a nativity scene in downtown St. Cloud for a year. The manger is currently filled by a swaddled toy doll. The statue was stolen last December. The Stearns County History Museum has owned the nativity scene since 1978 and has had it on display near U.S. Bank during the holidays since 1988. The museum is looking for a more permanent replacement for the temporary baby Jesus. Local schools raised money to buy the nativity in 1944 and donated it to the city of St. Cloud.
--A St. Cloud man is accused of harassing his former roommate and threatening her multiple times after she declined to have a romantic relationship with him. 48-year old Timothy Smith is charged with felony stalking, felony threats of violence and felony drug possession. A woman called police Sunday to report that Smith had been sending her threatening text messages and verbally threatening her over the phone after she moved out in November. She told police Smith said he was going to cut off her head and the heads of his sister and his niece. He also allegedly threatened to sodomize the woman's minor daughter. The victim said the threats began after she told Smith she didn't want to be in a romantic relationship with him and that she only wanted to be friends. Court records show police viewed numerous text messages from Smith where he was calling her vulgar names. Officers went to Smith's address in the 700 block of East St. Germain Street and told Smith he was under arrest. The charging complaint says Smith allowed officers in to help him gather his belongings while he got dressed. Smith allegedly told police which coat he wanted from the closet at which time the officer searched the coat and discovered a pill bottle containing methamphetamine. While en route to the jail, the officer noted Smith saying something indicating the woman would be dead.
--Tonight is the final night to see the Living Drive Thru Nativity scene at the Cass County Fairgrounds near Pillager. The event is free of charge with a donation bucket if you wish from 6-8:30pm.
--On Monday at the Minnesota Sheriff’s Association Awards Ceremony, Morrison County 911 Dispatcher Amanda DeZurik and 5-year-old Avery Amstutz were presented with an MSA 2019 Life Saving Award for their actions in an ATV accident involving Avery and her father. In September of 2019, Avery and her father were in an ATV accident where the ATV left the roadway and rolled leaving both Avery and her father injured. Avery placed the 911 call and Amanda answered the call. When Avery called 911, she didn’t know where she was at, only that they were in some woods and that her dad was badly hurt and couldn’t speak or move. Amanda was able to ping the cell phone and determine the general area of where they were at. Amanda was able to get emergency personnel to the scene quickly. Avery had the strength and courage to call 911 for assistance for herself as well as her dad. We know that if Avery didn’t call 911 right away, the circumstances could have been worse. Our agency wanted to recognize Avery for being able to call 911 when she herself was an injured party. We also wanted to recognize our 911 Dispatcher Amanda who was the lead dispatcher for this call.
--A crash on Interstate 94 in St. Cloud sent a Georgia man to the hospital Wednesday morning. The Minnesota State Patrol says 26-year-old Cornelius Jackson of Gainesville was eastbound on I-94 at the County Road 75 interchange when he lost control and spun out into the median. A second vehicle driven by 48-year-old Jake Depuydt of Spicer was also eastbound when he swerved to avoid another vehicle and collided with Jackson's car in the median. The crash happened shortly before 6am. Jackson was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. No one else was hurt
--Fire destroyed a residential building Monday in Hackensack. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office was called at 2:53pm to a report of a garage fire. Responders and deputies arrived and found a garage and home on fire. The Hackensack Fire and Rescue, Backus Fire Department and Schrupp Excavating worked to battle the fire. The structure was determined to be a total loss, the sheriff’s office reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation with the State Fire Marshal’s Office. No injuries were reported.
NATIONAL NEWS
--TIME Magazine has revealed Greta Thunberg as its 2019 Person of the Year. The accolade recognizes an individual or group of people who "most influenced the news and the world" during the past year. Thunberg, who was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in March, has inspired young people across the world to organize and speak out against climate change. Her scathing speech at the United Nations Climate Action Summit in September was watched worldwide. At age 16 she is the youngest person to ever receive the honor.
WEATHER
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT TO 10AM TODAY.
TODAY= snow before 10am, 1-3 inches, then clouds, high near 15.
TONIGHT= mostly cloudy, low around 5 above.
FRIDAY= snow likely, mainly late morning into afternoon, high 24.
SATURDAY= flurries early, then clearing, high 10, low around -18.
SUNDAY= sunny and cold, high around 0, low around -12.
SPORTS
HS GBB= Alexandria at Little Falls tonight 7:15pm on Q92 WYRQ.
HS GBB= Pierz at Royalton tonight 7:15pm on FM94 KFML.