NEWS
--Two snowmobilers from Stearns County, Minnesota, were killed Monday in an avalanche in south-central Montana. The men were in a party of eight Minnesota snowmobilers who were in their second days of riding on Scotch Bonnet Mountain, north of U.S. Highway 212 near Cooke City, Montana, according to the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center. The two victims got stuck on the southeast face of Scotch Bonnet. Two other members of the party rode their sleds up to assist the stuck snowmobilers and the avalanche was triggered soon after. The victims were Jesse Thelen, 43, of Paynesville, and Carl Thelen, 39, from St. Martin, the two were cousins. The avalanche was 4-5 feet deep, ran 300 feet wide and 500 feet vertically, and buried the victims under 4-5 feet of debris, according to the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center.
--Crow Wing County Sheriff Scott Goddard is pleased to announce the elimination of any fees tied to Crow Wing County Alarm Ordinance No 1401 beginning next week. Crow Wing County has had an alarm ordinance, in one form or another for over 20 years. In 2016 the Sheriff’s Office adopted technology that would assist in streamlining the registration process. There were some upfront costs, but staff believed if the public would take to the new system, in the end expenses would go down. ‘We made a promise that as those costs went down so would the fees.’ says the Sheriff. Fees were cut in half in 2020 going from $20 to $10 per year. As of 2022, the fee will no longer exist as approved by the Crow Wing County Board of Commissioners at Tuesday’s meeting. The Sheriff does want to encourage everyone to continue to maintain their registration information with the Sheriff’s Office. Reminders will be sent out annually advising alarm owners to update their data.
--The Minnesota State Patrol says they responded to 337 crashes statewide Tuesday from 7am to 10pm. Twenty-three people were hurt in those crashes. Troopers also assisted with another 280 vehicles that spun out and went into the ditch. There were also eight semis that jackknifed. Another snow system today that is not strong as the first two could still drop around an inch of snow. Tuesday totals reached 4-6 inches around Little Falls and to the north northeast 6-8 inches was reported with many spinouts and accidents.
--The City of Little Falls reminds residents that the new recycling carts will go into effect on Monday, January 3rd. These new carts are only for recycling dates in 2022. They are not to be used for garbage, continue to use the old gray lid garbage carts for those, but please put all recycables in the green lid carts for recycling days next week.
--Little Falls Community High School will be hosting a Night of Hope event. This event is open to parents, students, families and commmunity members who want to learn about local resources and services available to the community. Current drug trends and personal stories of individuals in recovery will be on the agenda for the Night of Hope. Free pizza will be available at the event which is next Thursday, January 6th from 6pm-7:30pm at the high school auditorium put on by Stand Up For U.
--Fire crews responded to an apartment fire Tuesday night. The incident happened just after 8:30 p.m. in 1500 Sherburne Drive. Authorities say a small fire was found in the kitchen of one of the units. St. Cloud firefighters put out and contained the fire to just that unit. The fire caused roughly $2,000 in damage.
--The Minnesota State Patrol stated they will have extra law enforcement out on Minnesota roadways this weekend for New Years Eve that falls on a Friday and New Years Day on Saturday with many taking in a long holiday weekend. Please remember if you partake in a party or event Friday night do not Drink and Drive as the ramifications can be dire and lead to arrest, loss of license, injury or death from crashes. Let's make this a safe New Years Eve and a very Happy New Year by not drinking and driving this weekend.
--Tony Housey from Camp Ripley spoke yesterday on KLTF and said that things have slowed down a bit at the base but in all 2021 was a good year of items being accomplished. They will have a full schedule next year, more units coming back from deployment and other units that are back will be training there, Navy and Coast Guard will also have training in 2022. With the new snow, the hopes for dog sledding, biathlon and other items are hopefully returning in 2022 and if the COVID number stay or go down where they are they are hoping in April to have the Norwegian Home Guard exchange returning for the first time since 2019. Housey said that in the weeks ahead General Kruse will join KLTF on the morning show, stay tuned.
--Tomorrow is New Years Eve the final day of 2021. Due to New Years Day falling on a Saturday this year as Christmas did last week, a reminder that government agencies will be closed on Friday like courthouses, government centers, city halls and other offices so again best to check ahead for businesses likely closed on Saturday would be closed on Friday also this week. Banks are expected to be open on Friday but may have shorter hours and closed Saturday, the U.S. Post Office reported they will be open on Friday (some may have shorter hours) and there will be mail delivery as usual on Friday. There will be no regular mail delivery Saturday and post offices closed. The offices of Little Falls Radio will be closed on Friday.
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office wants to thank Jail Assistant Lieutenant Scott MacKissock for his 39 years of service to the county as he is retiring and wishes him best of luck in his retirement.
DEATH NOTICES
--Elsie Miller, age 64 of Little Falls
WEATHER
TODAY= cloudy, snow showers before noon, high 18.
TONIGHT= cloudy, flurries early, low around -4.
FRIDAY= sunny and cold, temps steady just above zero.
NEW YEARS EVE= clear and cold, low -21, wind chills -32.
NEW YEARS DAY= sunny and very cold, high -7, low -25.
SUNDAY= increasing clouds, high 5 above, snow late, low 0.
SPORTS
NHL= Wild vs. St. Louis will happen outdoors at Target Field for the Winter Classic Saturday, but many players may not be eligible to play so minor league hockey players are be allowed to be called up to play on Saturday if needed, hear it live 5:30pm on AM960 KLTF.
NFL= The Vikings are at Lambeau Field Sunday night. The Vikings stated Wednesday that Dalvin Cook is likely to play but Adam Thielen has been put on injured reserve and is likely done for the season. Aaron Rodgers announced Wednesday that he will make a decision in the next two weeks on his future plans in the NFL. The game can be heard Sunday night at 6:30pm on AM960 KLTF.
COL BB= The Gopher basketball game last night was cancelled for the men due to COVID protocol. They play Sunday vs. Illinois.