NEWS
--Members of the Morrison County SWAT team provided training at the 46th Norwegian Reciprocal Troop Exchange held at Camp Ripley recently. The Morrison County SWAT Team provided instruction and expertise on how to combat an active shooter situation. This was a great collaborative effort between other law enforcement agencies, Camp Ripley, and our friends from Norway. The Home Guard left Camp Ripley late Tuesday for their return to Norway and their commanding officers appeared on KLTF Party Line Tuesday.
--The Little Falls Fire Department has responded to a few CO alarm calls this week. Little Falls Fire Chief Mike Nieman requests everyone to keep their vents clean and also clear snow away from fire hydrants. The time clearing snow away from fire hydrants saves for firefighters in an emergency can be the difference of saving a structure or not which could also prevent injuries.
--A 21-year old Baxter woman is dead and two other Minnesotans injured after a head on crash Monday night in Idaho. Monica Buchite died at the scene of the crash after the westbound pickup she was riding in collided with a pickup traveling the wrong way in the westbound lane of Interstate 84 at 8:56pm Monday west of Burley, Idaho. The driver of the pickup heading the wrong way 39-year old Jennifer Thompson of Hagerman, Idaho, also died at the scene. 21-year old Ryan Cordie of Aitkin, was driving the pickup Buchite was riding in and his other passenger, 44-year old Karrie Cordie of McGrath, were transported to a Regional Medical Center in Boise by air ambulance. All occupants wore seat belts.
--Interstate 94 was closed for over an hour Wednesday when a semi-truck hit a Mn Dot plow on I-94 between Melrose and Sauk Centre. The truck driver had minor injuries. Snow plow driver was not hurt.
--The Cass County Sheriff's Office reported there will be vehicle traffic restrictions during the annual International Eelpout Festival scheduled Thursday-Sunday on Leech Lake in front of Chase on the Lake in Walker. Sheriff Tom Burch stated the sheriff's office and Eelpout event promoters have worked closely to monitor lake and ice conditions and the current Leech Lake Walker Bay ice conditions have created a concern for public safety. There is heavy snow and flooding, including slush and water on the ice and a large volume of vehicle and ice house traffic is expected, Burch reported. Event and participant safety is the sheriff's office No. 1 priority. Vehicle traffic will be restricted to snowmobiles and Class 1 and 2 all-terrain vehicles from 3pm Friday to 8am Sunday. All vehicles must be removed from the ice by 3pm Friday. During the restricted time, no vehicles will be allowed in the restricted area for any reason. During restricted times, fish houses may be pulled out by ATVs or snowmobiles in the restricted area. The restricted area will be visibly marked. A map of the restricted area will be posted on the sheriff's office website, Facebook and the event website.
--Congratulations to seventh-grader Hannah Moddes of Forestview Middle School in Brainerd for winning the Scripps regional spelling bee put on by Sourcewell of Staples on Tuesday. Moddes advances to the national spelling bee May 26-31 in Washington D.C. Moddes outlasted 30 students from Morrison, Cass, Crow Wing, Todd and Wadena counties to advance on. Hannah spelled the words babushka, hyperbole, gesundheit and magistrate to win in finals.
--St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Royalton has moved their soup supper from last night to next Wednesday night due to the weather.
--One person was injured Wednesday on at Highways 23 and 25 in Benton County. 43-year-old Salvador Gonzalez of Sauk Rapids was injured when his vehicle was struck by another from behind who was unable to stop with the snowy conditions. Gonzalez was treated for non-life threatening injuries. The other driver was not injured.
--Following an attack on a staff member last week new security features are in place at Brainerd High School. All exterior doors on both the north and south BHS campuses will be locked until 7am, six entrances will then be open for a time before doors are locked once more when classes start at 8:20am. High School Principal Andrea Rusk announced the changes in an email to parents, guardians and students. Equipment was installed to provide secure entrances during the school day, changing how students, parents and visitors enter the buildings. Visitors are now required to request access through a push-button monitor box at exterior doors. The button will notify a designated staff member of the access request. The staff member will be able to see visitors in a video image and will ask them to identify themselves and the nature of their visit. After being buzzed in, the visitor can enter the building and will be required to check in at the main office. Rusk's email stated there will be access for student traffic between north and south campuses during periods in between classes. Staff members will not be stationed at the doors during that unlocked time period but several staff members, custodians, administrators, food service and some teachers will be in the building. The need came after a staff member was attacked in the girls locker room a week ago Monday. The 20-year-old alleged attacker was charged in Crow Wing County District Court.
--The Minnesota State Patrol has released the names of two people killed in a crash in Elk River. 77-year old Stanley Swen and 68-year old Victoria Swen died Sunday around 5:30pm on Highway 169 in Sherburne County. The other driver had non-life threatening injuries from the accident on Sunday.
--Swanville schools announced that due to schools closed yesterday their Kindergarten roundup will be next Wednesday the 27th.
--Confirmation for the Tri Parishes of Little Falls has postponed last night and will now be Wednesday the 27th at 7pm at St. Mary's.
DEATH NOTICES
--Irene McDougall, age 81 of Brooklyn Center.
WEATHER
TODAY= mostly cloudy but dry, high 25.
TONIGHT= snow after midnight, low around 19.
FRIDAY= snow showers during day, 1 inch, high 26.
FRI NITE/SAT= snow and freezing rain likely, temps rise to 32.
SUNDAY= dropping temps, blowing snow with gusty winds.
SPORTS
GHK= Brainerd/Little Falls vs. White Bear Lake from State Tournament in St. Paul at 1pm today on Q92 WYRQ. Brainerd/Little Falls will play on Friday at the State Tournament also but where, when and who won't be decided until after today's game.
GBB= Albany at Little Falls today 5:45pm on Q92 WYRQ.
BBB= BBE at Pierz tonight 7pm on FM94 KFML.
BBB= Milaca at Little Falls tonight 7:15pm on Q92 WYRQ.
COL BB= Gophers vs. Michigan tonight 5:30 on KLTF.