NEWS
--The State Department of Health reported 677 new cases and 11 new deaths of COVID-19 on Wednesday. Morrison County for the second day in a row only had 1 new case of COVID-19 on the report. There were 31 active cases on the county report, 12 in Little Falls Zip Code with all other zip codes now reporting 5 or less cases.
--A 29-year-old Brainerd man faces several felony charges after charging a police officer in a squad car with a knife, allegedly telling hospital staff that he was going to “be the next school shooter” and threatening to kill an officer and his family. Nicholas Reese Clements was charged in Crow Wing County District Court in Brainerd for first-degree assault using deadly force against a police officer, second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and making threats of violence. According to the criminal complaint filed against Clements, Brainerd police were called February 2nd of an intoxicated person stumbling and falling in the road at Northwest Fourth Street and West Washington Street in Brainerd. The Brainerd Police officer believed the Brainerd man, who had a knife, was trying to attack him and kill him, as the officer drove toward Clements, Clements charged the police squad car. The officer put his squad car in reverse and backed it up across the intersection to try to gain distance and separation from Clements, who continued to charge his squad car at a full run with the knife still in his hand. Clements reached the squad car and attacked either the driver's side front door or the driver's side rear door, the officer said. The officer got the vehicle struck at one time and Clements then stand in front of his squad car for a few seconds before kneeling on the ground and tossing the knife that was in his hand. Once he was on the ground, the officer handcuffed Clements without further incident. Police searched Clements and found another folding knife in his left pants pocket and a pipe with burned residue that appeared consistent with that of burned marijuana. Police escorted Clements to a hospital to get checked out, while at the hospital, Clements made comments about owning a bulletproof vest, how he was going to “be the next school shooter,” that he owns a gun and badge and was going to kill one of the officers and his family, the court document stated. Clements was evaluated by medical staff and then cleared for transportation to the jail. Clements made his first appearance in front of Judge Patrica A. Aanes, who ordered unconditional bond at $50,000 or release from jail with no bond if Clements followed the following conditions: keep all his future court hearings, take his prescribed medications properly, not enter any bars or liquor establishments, not possess any dangerous weapons and not use any alcohol or controlled substances. Clements was released from jail and his next court appearance is March 24.
--Formal charges are expected to be filed today in connection with a shooting that left one person dead and four others injured at a Buffalo, Minnesota clinic on Tuesday. Wright County Attorney Brian Lutes said he plans to file a formal criminal complaint on Thursday morning against 67-year-old Gregory Paul Ulrich. Lutes said the complaint would list charges of second-degree intentional murder, four counts of attempted first-degree premeditated murder, and possession of explosive or incendiary devices. Ulrich opened fire inside the Buffalo clinic Tuesday killing one person and critically injuring 3 others, a fourth person was also treated for injuries.
--CHI St. Gabriel's Health will give an update on how the vaccination process is going today at 8:30am on AM960 KLTF.
--A reminder from the Little Falls Community Schools that the public schools today have an early release day at 12:05pm only for the public schools, than there is no school tomorrow for the entire school district (that includes the Catholic Schools). There will be school on Monday, February 15th as the makeup for a snow/ice day from back in October for the public schools. Mary of Lourdes schools will not have classes on Monday for President's Day.
--The reminder from the City of Little Falls at this time the city offices will be closed Fridays to walk-in traffic indefinitely. If you need to drop off bills there is a drop box near the facility or you can do it online. Also City Offices will be closed Monday for President's Day and the next Little Falls City Council meeting will be Tuesday at 7:30pm.
--Governor Tim Walz has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in remembrance of the health care worker killed and others injured by the gunman that opened fire at the Buffalo clinic Tuesday. Flags are asked to be at half-staff on all state buildings through Sunday.
--Twenty-six people fishing on Lake Superior were rescued when an ice floe broke away from the Minnesota shoreline, stranding them in frigid weather. The Duluth Fire Department got a call Tuesday from a resident who saw ice shanties floating away. Crews brought the anglers to shore a few at a time by boat. No injuries were reported.
--The Upsala NHS is sponsoring a blood drive Thursday, March 4 from 9:30-3:30 at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Upsala. Visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter sponsor code UpsalaHS to make your appointment, as they are necessary, no walk ins for this event.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
--The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland has unveiled its list of 16 nominees who are eligible for induction in 2021. Seven first-time nominees made the list, including: Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Foo Fighters, Dionne Warwick, Iron Maiden, The Go-Go's, Fela Kuti. The other nine have been nominated before, but weren't previously selected for induction. These include: Kat Bush, DEVO, Chaka Khan, Carole King, LL Cool J, New York Dolls, Rage against the Machine, Todd Rundgren and Tina Turner. If selected, Carole King and Tina Turner will be the second and third female artists to be inducted twice. Stevie Nicks was the first to achieve that honor back in 2019. Dave Grohl could also become a two-time inductee if the Foo Fighters are also chosen.
WEATHER
WIND CHILL ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH 9AM TODAY.
TODAY= becoming cloudy, snow after 3pm, high -4, wind chills -30.
TONIGHT= snow early, coating possible, clearing, -21, wind chills -35
FRIDAY= sunny and cold, high -5, clear night, low -24, wind chills -35
SATURDAY= sunny and cold, high -6, very cold night, low -28.
SUNDAY= sunny and still cold, high -7, very cold night, low -26.
SPORTS
NFL= The Super Bowl Sunday had the lowest ratings since 2006 with only around 91 million people watching the big game. The 2020 Super Bowl between KC and San Franscisco had over 109 million watching again marking a lower then fulfilling year for the NFL. However, media outlets did state that The Weeknd performance at halftime ranked as one of the better shows in Super Bowl history.
MLB= Spring Training is set to begin next week as players will start reporting on February 17th, the first spring training games for some teams begin February 26th. Listen to the Twins live on Q92 WYRQ.