NEWS
--The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce invites all Chamber and community members to a legislative dialog with Representative Ron Kresha (10A), Representative Isaac Schultz (10B) and Senator Nathan Wesenberg (District 10) on Friday, January 27 from 9am-11am at Little Falls City Hall in the Council Chamber, 100 7 Ave NE. Attendees will have the opportunity to direct questions and comments regarding issues that will impact the 2023 legislative session to Senator Wesenberg and Representatives Kresha and Schultz. Hearing first hand the concerns and issues that impact the success of your business and our community will assist these elected officials with decision making at the Capitol. Please direct question about the legislative update to the Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce by calling (320) 632-5155.
--Multiple people were injured Monday after two vehicles collided on Highway 371 in Crow Wing County. The Minnesota State Patrol responded to the crash, reported at 6:45pm in Baxter. According to the crash report, a northbound 2019 Toyota Highlander failed to yield when turning onto Woida Road from the highway, colliding with a southbound 2005 Buick Lacrosse. The driver of the Buick, 19-year-old Dustin Blume of Brainerd, and his passengers, Alice Martin, 17, of Brainerd, and Alexandra Nicole-Geary, 17, of Brainerd, along with the driver of the Toyota, Donovan Oliver, 19, of Indianapolis, and his passenger, Alexa Willard, 19, of Elkhart, Indiana all suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to Brainerd hospital for treatment. The state patrol reported Oliver and Willard were not wearing seat belts. The road was wet at the time of the crash.
--There were two deadly crashes involving semis at almost the same time both in Aitkin County on Tuesday morning. The Minnesota State Patrol says the first crash happened at about 8:50am on Highway 65 at 1st Street South in Williams Township near McGregor. A semi driven by 58-year-old Edward Casterlow was going north on the highway in McGrath when it left the road and rolled into the ditch coming to a rest on its passenger side. Casterlow was taken to Mora Hospital where he died. Troopers say he was not wearing his seatbelt. The second accident was an 83-year-old Palisade man who died in a two-vehicle crash Tuesday in Aitkin County. The Minnesota State Patrol reported the crash at 8:55am. Gary Rognrud of Palisade was eastbound in a chevy silverado on Highway 210 near 257th Avenue in McGregor, when he lost control and collided with an International box truck traveling west. Gary Rognrud died. The truck driver, a 53-year-old Nisswa man, Robert Hannahs was treated for non life threatening injuries from the accident.
--Dr. Kristine Wehrkamp, Superintendent of Royalton Schools, stated yesterday on KLTF that the first part of the school year has been exceptional with many activities and athletics getting going or with the recent weather, be remade and trying to get going with busy weeks ahead. The school is working to provide for job opportunities in the future and also will over the summer so continue to check their facebook page or website for further details. She wanted to thank the transportation organizers, bus drivers and faculty along with the parents and students on working this year for a successful run in Royalton and hopes this will continue the rest of the school year.
--Sister Julien said they received 72 units of blood Tuesday. Their goal was 71. The blood drive has its final day today from 8:30-2:30pm at the St. Francis Convent in Little Falls. Make an appointment by calling Sister Julien at 320-632-0663 to give blood.
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office was asking for the public to help in finding a vehicle that struck a gas pump at Lange Oil in Upsala and then fled the scene. The incident happened around 8:30am Wednesday. According to an online post by the Morrison County Sheriff's Office the owner of the vehicle has been identified. They thanked everyone who helped.
--Meghann Boser of United Way of Morrison County wanted to thank United States Senator Tina Smith who was in Little Falls Tuesday to give the funding of $14,000 to Imagination Library and Tools for Schools to United Way of Morrison County. The event was held at the Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce inside the Depot in Little Falls. On hand to meet the Senator were those that use either of the projects children and parents to benefit from the funding. Boser also mentioned their will hold their Allocations meeting on January 23rd to discuss the 11 non-profits who have asked for funds this year and how much each should receive. Boser said the Sweetheart meal is back this year to enjoy a steak dinner for two, more details to be released soon on this to get the meals ready by Valentines Day. She also said that United Way of MC has taken over the Bunny Bingo that the Chamber put on last year and will set up a date before Easter for those to come and enjoy later this year. For more details contact Meghann Boser at United Way of Morrison County at 320-632-5102.
--A Level 3 Predatory Offender is moving to St. Cloud. 44-year-old Terry Price is moving to the 100 block of 12th Avenue North at the end of the month. Price has finished his sentence for having a sexual encounter with a minor teenage girl. A public notification on Price will be held on January 19th at the St. Cloud Police Department.
--This weekend is Take a Kid Ice Fishing in Minnesota. The DNR says during the three day weekend, anyone who brings a kid under 15 fishing this weekend on Minnesota waters will not need a fishing license. Children 15 and younger do not a license when fishing year round in Minnesota. The DNR is asking those before venturing out on the ice to check the ice to make sure the thickness is there as there has been a number of vehicles going through the ice on northern Minnesota Lakes over the past week with one fatality from these.
--Linden Hill Historic Estate announced they will be hosting special happy hour events on January 20th, February 17th and March 17th at the mansions. Get more details by calling Angela at 616-5580.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS
--Hailey Boser of Pierz had a baby girl on January 9th, 2023.
DEATH NOTICES
--Melvin L. Zimmerman, age 102 of Little Falls.
--Christopher Harakel, age 44 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= partly sunny, steady temps near 20, wind chills near +5.
TONIGHT= clear skies, lows around 0, wind chills near 5-10 below.
FRIDAY= sunny skies, high 17, temps rise overnight into the 20s.
SATURDAY= cloudy, haze and fog, high 30, low around 26.
SUNDAY= mostly cloudy, mild, high 37, freeze fog overnight 29.
SPORTS
HS BHK= Little Falls at Princeton tonight 7:15pm on Q92 WYRQ.
HS BBB= Holdingford at Little Falls tonight 7:15pm on 94ROCKS.
NFL= listen to all of the NFL playoffs this weekend, including the Vikings hosting the Giants Sunday at 3:30pm on AM960 KLTF.