NEWS
--Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen spoke on KLTF yesterday that with the warmer weather an uptick on pedestrian traffic and bicycles already in February compared to previous years and a reminder to watch for walkers, joggers, bicyclists already out on Morrison County roadways. Ice safety was not a big issue for Morrison County this winter compared to many other areas around the state. Larsen said that the body scanner is ready to start operations in the jail beginning in April. The Terry Brisk homicide is still a major open case and new technology in the past 7 years have brought out new leads and continue to ask anyone who has information to come forward in the case call 320-632-9233, you don't have to leave your name but if you want too, there is a $30,000 reward leading to an arrest. Larsen stated that 14 members of the law enforcement personnel went to Eden Prairie yesterday for the large memorial service to the two officers and a firefighter killed in Burnsville that included from the Morrison County staff the county chaplain and Todd County Chaplain and the daughter of a the sheriff killed in Morrison County back in 1965 were all showing their support for the fallen officers as many others did yesterday around the state. If you need assistance from the sheriff's office or call in suspicious activity call the office at 320-632-9233.
--The Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office stated that back last week on Thursday around 9pm Crow Wing County Jail Staff discovered an unresponsive male in a jail cell. The male had been booked in earlier in the evening for a DWI. Life saving measures were attempted by jail correctional officers, jail medical staff and paramedics, but they were unsuccessful. The male was identified as 57-year-old Robert Arthur Slaybaugh. The incident remains under investigation.
--Benton County released information on a fatal accident on Tuesday afternoon around 2:30pm in Maywood Township. A witness reported that a small vehicle had just been involved in a roll over accident
at this location. Deputies arrived and found two people unresponsive in the vehicle that was on its roof. 56-year-old Yvette Jean Slack of Foreston and her son, 33-year-old Joseph McCullough of Sauk Rapids had both sustained serious life-threatening injuries. McCullough was declared dead at the scene. First responders worked to extricate Slack from the vehicle and provide life-saving measures to her. Slack was transported to the St. Cloud Hospital with serious life threatening injuries. Deputies found evidence suggesting McCullough was the driver at the time of the crash. Deputies also found evidence suggesting excessive speed and driver impairment were likely contributing factors in the crash.
--Two men were hurt in a head-on crash in Stearns County. The Minnesota State Patrol says the incident happened at about 5pm Tuesday on Highway 15 near Kimball. A vehicle driven by 59-year-old Paul Bukovich of Sauk Rapids was going north and a vehicle driven by 34-year-old Cory Wenz of St. Augusta was going south when they collided. Bukovich was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Wenz also had non-life-threatening injuries.
--Good Luck to the Little Falls Flyer Wrestlers competing today as a team at the State Wrestling Tournament at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Coverage begins at 9am with Little Falls at Simley, with the Flyers win or lose getting another match later today. Hear the wrestling coverage live on Q92 WYRQ and fallsradio.com.
--The Morrison County Government Center announced the introduction of the Morrison County Plat Book, your ultimate guide to land ownership, boundaries, and historical landmarks. The book contains detailed maps to navigate your way through every corner of Morrison County. Historical Insights: Uncover fascinating stories about the pioneers, settlements, and landmarks that shaped our county’s past. Wildlife Habitats: Discover where deer roam and eagles soar. Perfect for hunters, birdwatchers, and nature lovers and other items. Contact the land services department at the government center in Little Falls for information on how to purchase one of the plat books.
--Tony Housey of Camp Ripley spoke on KLTF yesterday and said that lack of winter has played a different role at the military base this year. Their training at Camp Ripley usually comes from soldiers from southern parts of the country come up for snow and winter training but Tony said that Mississippi and Texas soldiers have had more snow this year than Camp Ripley has. Housey said the Camp will continue to work with training groups in March but expect back that to be a quieter month or two until spring burns and other items help into the month of April.
NATIONAL NEWS
--Mitch McConnell, the longest-serving Senate leader in history will step down from that position in November. McConnell, who turned 82 last week, was set to announce his decision Wednesday in the well of the Senate, a place where he looked in awe from its back benches in 1985 when he arrived and where he grew increasingly comfortable in the front row seat afforded the party leaders. McConnell said he plans to serve out his Senate term, which ends in January 2027.
--Chrysler is recalling more than 330,00 Jeep Grand Cherokees because of a steering wheel issue that may cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles. The recall is for 338,238 of Chrysler’s 2021-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L and 2022-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The automaker says in documents posted Tuesday by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that the upper control arm ball joint and steering knuckle may separate and cause the wheel to fall outward, which could result in losing control of the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash. Individuals with impacted vehicles will be able to go to dealers to have the upper control arm pinch bolts replaced for free.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, warmer temps, high near 40.
TONIGHT= cloudy skies, low around 30.
FRIDAY= sunny and warmer yet, high 52, breezy, low near 25.
SATURDAY= cloudy, a bit cooler, high 47, low near 23.
SUNDAY= rain develops in PM hours, high 60, low near 40.
SPORTS
GBB= Greenway at Pierz in playoffs tonight 6pm on 94ROCKS and fallsradio.com
GBB= Little Falls at Detroit Lakes in playoffs tonight 7:30 on Q92 WYRQ and fallsradio.com
GBB= most area girls teams start playoffs tonight, Swanville at Upsala, Royalton, Foley, Holdingford, Pillager, Staples-Motley and more begin tonight, winners advance on to Saturday action.
COL BB= Iowa's Caitlyn Clark breaks the record for most overall points scored by a female basketball player in the NCAA. The Hawkeyes rout the Gophers last night 108-60.