NEWS
--Little Falls Fire Chief Mike Nieman reported late yesterday that firefighters Wednesday responded to a trailer home fire in Fort Ripley and also responded last Thursday and Friday to vehicle fires. The fire chief stated that more information on the fire from Wednesday and previous calls they responded to over the Christmas weekend will be released to Little Falls Radio today.
--The Morrison County Commissioners meet tomorrow morning at 9am at the government center boardroom. Agenda items include a public hearing on a tobacco ordinance change. Approval screening grant from social services, licenses renewals from public health, reports from the extension office, budget and finance, a resolution on a Pierz project in support with public works, along with many end of the years licenses, organizational and authorizations to be made for the end of 2017 at the meeting.
--The Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office announced there has been an uptick in burgarlies over the holiday season. Since December 15th there has been over 30 reports of burglaries in Crow Wing County alone, with the sheriff's office stated that nearby counties as also reported a rise in burglaries and suspcious activity reports. Since last Friday, authorities reported 6 burglary reports, two reports of hit and run accidents and four reports of damage to property. They are reminding residents to report any suspcious activity to their office and if you plan on leaving town for the holiday weekend, make sure all valuables are locked up and have a trusted neighbor or relative check on your place from time to time to make sure nothing suspicious has been occurring to help prevent the threat of burglaries getting higher.
--The St. Cloud Fire Department responded to a house fire at 908-Seventh Avenue North just after 4:30pm Tuesday. An officer on the scene said everyone in the house made it out. Smoke was visible from a second-story window, and firefighters were using fans to ventilate the house. One resident sustained minor injuries in the house fire. Officials said an unattended candle caused the fire. Damage is estimated to be $90,000.
--The Minnesota Department of Transportation is now accepting applications for the new road construction materials permit that goes into effect January 1st. The permit allows companies and persons hauling road construction materials such as asphalt, concrete, aggregates and recycled road materials to haul up to 90,000 pounds gross vehicle weight on six or more axles and 97,000 pounds gross vehicle weight on seven or more axles. Currently, the gross weight limit for vehicles operating without an overweight permit is 80,000 pounds. Vehicles operating under this permit are required to comply with individual and group axle weight limits and gross weight vehicle limits set by the permit. Companies and persons hauling road construction materials can start the application process now prior ot the January 1st changes. Cost for a MnDOT permit is $300 for six-axle vehicles and $500 for seven-axle vehicles. The Minnesota Legislature approved the new annual permit during the 2017 session.
--One resident sustained minor injuries in a Tuesday house fire at 908 Seventh Ave. N . Fire was coming from a second-floor bedroom window when units arrived about 4:30 pm and crews put out the fire quickly. Officials said an unattended candle caused the fire. Damage is estimated to be $90,000.
--Search and like Little Falls Radio on Facebook.
--Officials have determined that the deaths of two St. Cloud men found dead December 22nd in the St. Cloud apartment they shared were the result of a murder-suicide. 20-year-old Larry David Thompson and 19-year-old Benedict Gerard Frank each had a single gunshot wound, according to a statement Wednesday by the St. Cloud Police Department. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner's office ruled Frank's death a homicide and Thompson's death a suicide. The incident happened in the 500 block of Eighth Avenue North and was investigated by the St. Cloud Police Department and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. A firearm was recovered from the scene. Police had stated there was not threats to the public.
--An overnight fire gutted a small town bar and neighboring meat market in Janesville. Firefighters from five departments battled the fire in below-zero temps early Wednesday morning just after 3:30. An officer from the Janesville Police Department received a motion alarm call from the bar, located on 210 N. Main St., and arrived on scene to find the building on fire. Dog House Bar & Grill was destroyed in the fire, as flames were shooting from the rear and center portions of the building. Wiste's Meat Market sustained water and smoke damage. No one was hurt in the fire and investigators are still working to determine the cause.
--Monday is January 1st meaning new laws in the state of Minnesota. The omnibus elections law calls for the establishment of five uniform dates throughout the year for local elections. Effective Monday a special election in a city, town or school district must be held on one of the following dates: the second Tuesday in February; the second Tuesday in April; the second Tuesday in May; the second Tuesday in August (state primary date); or the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November (general election date). School districts will be permitted to consolidate polling places if their election is a standalone one. The polling places must be designated polling places already in the district. Health plans that cover prescription eye drops will need to cover refills earlier than the expiration of a 30- or 90-day supply. Minnesota drivers will be able to honor law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty with special license plates beginning Jan. 1, 2018. A new law creates a special law enforcement memorial license plate for Minnesota motor vehicles. To obtain the plate, a vehicle owner will pay a $10 plate fee and donate $25 benefitting the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association. A new special license plate for retired law enforcement and a “Start Seeing Motorcycles” plate are provided for beginning Jan. 1.
WEATHER
TODAY= snow likely into afternoon, high 10, 1-2 inches.
TONIGHT= cloudy early, clearing late, low -11, wind chills -25.
FRIDAY= sunny start, clouds increase late, high 0, wind chills -20.
SATURDAY= sunny, very cold, high -7, low around -25.
SUNDAY= sunny, continued cold, high -5, low around -20.
SPORTS
COL BB= Gophers host Harvard Saturday 12:30 on AM960 KLTF
NFL= Chicago at Vikings Sunday at noon, a Vikings win or a Carolina loss means the Vikings will receive a first round bye in the playoffs.
TOUR= holiday tournaments continue for girls and boys hockey today, the Little Falls Boys and Girls Basketball touranment begins today at the high school gym in Little Falls wraps up Friday.