NEWS
--Minnesota lost 58 dairy farm permits in November, a devastating blow to a farm sector already drained by contraction. The end of the year is typically a time to see more farmers opt out of milking cows, either permanently or temporarily, as producers put up silage or feed for the coming year. November's numbers underscore the razor-thin financial margins for dairy farmers under a crush of economic pressures, such as high input costs and low commodity values, just a year after dairy enjoyed higher prices for milk, cheese and butter in the aftermath of the pandemic. For farmers there is a safety-net programs such as Minnesota's Dairy Assistance, Investment and Relief Initiative for aiding producers during crashes in milk prices. In sum, Minnesota has 146 fewer dairy farmer permits this Christmas than the state did at the beginning of the year, according to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Overall, the state had a total of 1,825 permits as of Dec. 1, according to MDA. A decade ago, the state counted over 4,000 dairy farms. The largest losses this year were in central Minnesota's dairy heartland. Stearns and Morrison counties saw 27 and 21 fewer permits in December than in January, respectively. Counties in southeastern Minnesota's dairy belt — Fillmore (9), Goodhue (6) and Houston (5) also saw significant losses. A few counties in Minnesota saw small increases in the number of dairy permits, including Becker (2) and Aitkin, Winona and Swift (1). Farmer should contact their local Farm Service Agency or USDA Dairy Associations members to see what aid is being done for farmers after a dry summer and early autumn, and now a wet and warm winter unlike usual years.
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office continues to ask residents around Dove Road near Randall to check outdoor surveillance cameras or devices to see if they picked up any suspicious activity last week Tuesday into Wednesday when a string of mailboxes were damaged along Dove Road in portions of Darling, Culdrum and Parker Townships. Anyone with information into the mailbox damage incidents should call the sheriff's office at 320-632-9233.
--Three teenage boys have been arrested in a robbery investigation that happened back in early November. The Waite Park Police Department released a statement Wednesday that a 15-year-old and a 13-year-old both from Waite Park were arrested on November 20th when they were found tampering with vehicles on Waite Avenue North. A third suspect, a 15-year-old boy from Brooklyn Park, was found and arrested on December 19th. Police say on November 6th the boys pushed a woman to the ground and stole her purse. The incident happened in the 100 block of Waite Avenue South.
--The Willmar police department is investigating a deadly hit and run involving a pedestrian. Just after 8pm Tuesday officers were called to the intersection of 1st Street South and Willmar Avenue. They found a 52-year-old man with extensive injuries. He was taken to the hospital where he later died. The man was crossing the street near the southeast corner of the intersection when he was struck by a northbound four-door, dark-colored sedan. The vehicle did not stop after the crash. Police are asking anyone with information or video camera images in the area to contact them. The name of the pedestrian has not been released yet. This now is the 6th car vs pedestrian accident reported since last Friday and 4 have now died from injuries in the accidents, others were in Hubbard, Crow Wing and Renville County. Serious injury ones in Wright and Chippewa.
--A number of Minnesota Sheriff's Offices are warning the public about many lakes in the area still being open. And if they're not, there is no safe ice. Lakes like Minnetonka are almost still completely open which is very late in the season for not having lakes froze over. The wind and rain broke up what thin ice there was just a couple days ago on many lakes and the snow usually acting as insulation just has not been coming in heaving groves like previous years.
The lack of it has people calling the experts, like Gary "Seal" Thompson. He runs the Tri-State Diving in Detroit Lakes. His team strategically, and safely, is known to pull everything from ATVs to fish houses from the water. They are posting pictures of the process on Facebook. His team has 10 recoveries on tap so far compared to just four all last winter just in his area around Becker and Otter Tail County. Many want to get out but the warmer weather, is for now putting the winter fun on hold. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recommends at least four inches of ice before going out on it, seven inches for snowmobiles and 10 for any other vehicle.
--Crow Wing County Board of Commissioners stated they have sent a letter to the Governor and State Legislators of their displeasure of the new state flag and seal that was approved recently. The Board approved a resolution in send a letter out disapproving of the change.
--Three people from Chicago, Illinois was injured just after 8am Wednesday on Highway 71 in Sauk Centre of Stearns County. The vehicle slid on a snowy patch of road and went into the ditch. The three were treated for non life threatening injuries from the accident.
--Some Minnesota state parks will join a nationwide effort on Monday to connect people with the outdoors. First Day Hikes will take place on January 1st at 12 Minnesota state parks. Hikes will be taking place in all 50 states that day to encourage people to exercise and connect with nature. It's being spearheaded by America's State Parks organization and has become a tradition for many people. The First Day Hike is free to participate but some of the guided hikes require advance registration. If there is sufficient snow, the hikes will be held on snowshoes. However that is not likely for the 12 Minnesota parks where not much snow has fallen this winter so far. For a link to the participating parks go to the Minnesota DNR website.
DEATH NOTICES
--Patronilla “Patty” Stuckmayer, age 93 of Pierz.
WEATHER
TODAY= morning fog, then mainly cloudy, high 38.
TONIGHT= clouds break up, low around 24.
FRIDAY= sunny skies, high near 40, clear night, low 26.
SATURDAY= sunny AM, clouds late, snow at night, high 31, low 19
SUNDAY= AM flurries, then sunny and cool, high 23, low near 13.
NEW YEARS DAY= sunny skies, high near 30, low near 15.
SPORTS
HS BHK= Little Falls vs. Princeton tonight at 7pm on Q92 WYRQ with pregame at 6:30pm also online at fallsradio.com.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1832= John C. Calhoun resigned as Vice President of USA.
IN 1975= Dallas beat Minnesota in playoffs on the Hail Mary pass.
IN 1981= first American Test Tube Baby is born.