NEWS
--Both Little Falls and Pierz Healy High Schools have announced their 2017-2018 ExCel winners. ExCel stands for Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership and is a program for High School Juniors to be recognized by the Minnesota State High School League. In Little Falls they named Katherine Corbett and Aiden Kray winners. Katherine (Katie), is the daughter of Tim and Bridget Corbett. She has participated in choir, basketball, Nordic skiing, swimming, and track and field. Aidan is the son of Ryan and Stephanie Kray. He has participated in band, golf, clay target shooting, and soccer. In Pierz ExCel winners were Katelyn Becker and Jacob Andres. Katelyn is the daughter of Robert and Kelly Becker. She is involved in tennis, pit band, pep band, SALT, MHS, Knowledge Bowl, EPIC and Peer Helping. Jacob is the son of Mike and Carolyn Andres. He is involved in Cross Country, Wrestling, Track, Concert Choir, Jazz Choir, Student Council, EPIC, WEB and Peer Helping.
--As expected Wednesday morning, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton appointed Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith to replace Senator Al Franken in Washington DC. Smith will replace Franken when he leaves office in the coming days. Smith also announced she is planning to run for Senator in 2018 in the special election to fill the remaining 2 years of office for Franken's Senator term which he won in 2014. With Tina Smith going to Washington as the appointed senator, the President of the Senate, Republican Michelle Fischbach of Paynesville will take over by Minnesota Consitutional law as the Lieutenant Governor until the November 2018 election. Fischbach said she will keep her job in the Senate and hold the two positions.
--A combine was damaged in a fire north of 24150 Franklin Road on Monday. The St. Cloud Fire Department was dispatched to the field around 8:00pm when a fire started near the engine of a combine chopping corn. The fire was extinguished with grass rigs because of the combine's distance from the road. The damage to the combine is estimated to be $150,000.
--Hundreds of children in greater Minnesota have a better chance at health in 2018 and beyond thanks to a new series of grants from the Minnesota Department of Health. MDH recently awarded $4.87 million in additional family home visiting funds to 19 counties and two tribal nations in greater Minnesota. The additional funding will allow the communities to build on existing family home visiting programs, serving an additional 300 families. Closest to our area the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Pine County, and Mille Lacs County received $1,347,225 to increase home visiting services to the American Indian population in their regions, including enhancing outreach and improving coordination between their agencies. They will be implementing Healthy Families America and Family Spirit in their communities. The funding allows for continued services and support for an additional 75 families.
--A 29-year old Brainerd man known to be violent toward officers is facing criminal charges following a domestic disturbance at a rural Brainerd home during which he resisted arrest. Sean Riley Mckenney made his first appearance Tuesday in Crow Wing County District Court in Brainerd. He faces felony stalking and five gross misdemeanors, two counts of domestic assault, endangering a child in a situation that could cause harm or death, interrupting a 911 call and obstructing the legal process.
--A drunk driver whose stolen car caused a fatal collision in Foley has died before he could recover enough to be charged. Kevin Gordon Couch of Milaca was westbound on Minnesota Highway 23 on January 31st of this year when he crossed the center line and killed a 35-year old Foreston woman. Couch died in September. Couch, who was 29 at the time of the collision, was driving a vehicle later identified as stolen when he collided with another vehicle driven by Lindsay Marie Cardinal who died at the scene. Her three children were also in the vehicle. Two of the children suffered broken pelvises, and the third child was not hurt. In addition to driving a stolen vehicle, Couch was drunk, under the influence of drugs, or both at the time of the crash. His driver's license had been previously revoked. Couch died at a care facility.
--Stearns County residents won't be voting for a county recorder next fall after commissioners approved a change to make the position an appointed one. The effort began back in January when County Administrator Mike Williams said other large counties had made the change as land management practices have changed. He said it would allow for better collaboration within the records system and more efficiency. Current Recorder Diane Grundhoefer doesn't plan to seek re-election when her term expires in 2018. Williams has said Stearns County may look at doing the same thing with the auditor treasurer position at some point too.
--A live drive-thru Nativity Scene continues tonight in Pillager at the Cass County Fairgrounds. A number of churches from Pillager, Brainerd, Staples, Motley and others have over 100 volunteers acting out parts, with live animals, including horses, donkeys and camels. The event is in four live parts through the fairgrounds and you never leave your car. It is from 6-8:30pm tonight. There is no charge, however a free will donation will be accepted.
--Wreaths for the Fallen will have a wreath laying ceremony at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery this Saturday at 11:00am. If you wish to volunteer you are asked to be there by 10:00am.
DEATH NOTICES
--Max Molus, age 88 of Fridley formerly of Elmdale Township.
--Lynda Hennings, age 69 of Onamia.
--Paul Peterson, age 59 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= cloudy skies, scattered flurries, high 23.
TONIGHT= flurries overnight, low around 14.
FRIDAY= flurries early, then partial sun, breezy, high 23,
FRIDAY NIGHT= snow likely after 8pm, 1-2 inches, low 19.
SATURDAY= snow early, some freezing drizzle, high 28.
SUNDAY= partly cloudy, high 31, low around 20.
SPORTS
HS BBB= Pierz at Long Prairie-Grey Eagle tonight 7:30 on FM94
HS GHK= Roseau at Brainerd/Little Falls Friday 4pm on Q92 WYRQ
HS BBB= St. Cloud Apollo at Little Falls Friday 7:30pm on FM94.
HS GBB= Alexandria at Little Falls Saturday 2:30pm on Q92 WYRQ
NFL= A busy schedule of NFL games with action tonight, Colts vs. Broncos, two games on Saturday including Chicago and Detroit, and three on Sunday, including Vikings hosting Bengals which is the noon game on Sunday on AM960 KLTF.