NATIONAL NEWS
--President Donald Trump was impeached by the U.S. House for a historic second time Wednesday, charged with “incitement of insurrection” over the deadly mob siege of the Capitol in a swift and stunning collapse of his final days in office. With the Capitol secured by armed National Guard troops inside and out, the House voted 232-197 to impeach President Trump. However, now it moves to the Senate which said that a trial would be very unlikely to start before President-elect Joe Biden is innaugurated next Wednesday.
STATE NEWS
--As expected, Governor Tim Walz activated the Minnesota National Guard Wednesday to assist state and local law enforcement in providing security at the State Capitol in St. Paul amid reports of armed protests potentially in the works here and across the country. The Governor's office says National Guard personnel will work in conjunction with state troopers, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conservation officers, and officers from area police departments to "prevent unlawful entry into the building" at (the Capitol) and respond to various threats. Governor Walz also Wednesday extended his executive powers and the peacetime emergency for the state of Minneota due to COVID-19 after the Department of Health stated that the state is still in the fragile and volatile stage in the fight against the deadly virus.
LOCAL NEWS
--A reminder from Little Falls Community Schools Superintendent Stephen Jones that Governor Tim Walz back in November stated that any teacher connected with distance learning (which some students are doing still this week, plus others have decided to stay on at this time instead of returning to in class), each teacher must receive an additional 30 minutes of prep time per day within the instructional day. With nearly 200 teachers involved with the distance learning process in our district (even while we're in In-Person we have a sizable number of kids choosing Distance Learning), Jones stated that the most manageable option to cover that governmental mandate was to have half-days on Fridays with dismissal at 12:05pm now through the end of the year, with expections when there is no school on Fridays like next week for end of semester on January 22nd. Also on some weeks when Fridays were off for students, the half day would be moved to some Thursdays. The other option that was discussed was releasing school every day 30 minutes early but felt that the half-day Fridays would work better. Jones understands that this is yet another disruption to the families and hopes all can be worked out for pickup times on Fridays.
--A 48-year-old St. Cloud man is accused of threatening a man with a blow torch at a Foley establishment. James Loran Crane was charged with one felony count of second-degree assault and one felony count of threats of violence in Benton County District Court. The incident occurred November 4th after Crane was asked to leave a Foley establishment after repeatedly calling a woman crude names; Crane left but later came back with a dog and a lit blowtorch. Crane reportedly held the lit blowtorch approximately 18-24 inches away from the man's face. Crane's first hearing was Tuesday, at which a judge ruled Crane could be released on a $30,000 unconditional bond or with conditions he not contact the victim. His next court date is scheduled for Janaury 26th.
--Wintry weather is to return today and Friday. A Winter Weather Advisory goes into effect at noon and last through 6pm Friday. A Wintry mix of freezing rain, sleet and snow this morning, then snow with gusty winds later this afternoon, tonight and through Friday. This will not be one big swath of moisture for numeorus waves of rain/snow mix then all snow with totals by Friday night to be around 4-6 inches in central Minnesota heavier amounts in south central and eastern Minnesota. Wind gusts could exceed 45mph at times late tonight through Friday causing blowing snow and poor visibility. The Morrison County Sheriff's Office reminds motorists to plan on travel delays due to the wintry conditions today and Friday and Be Safe.
--The Little Falls Police Department has posted a reminder to #SecureYourMeds. Remember that Little Falls Police Department is a drop off to secure your unused medication. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused and misused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from home medicine cabinets. The police department is one of the sites to drop off unused medications along with the Morrison County Sheriff's Office, Pierz City Hall (which houses the Pierz Police Department) and there are other sites so check with local law enforcement.
--The Department of Health website Wednesday reported 1,504 new cases and 50 new deaths linked to the virus. Morrison County had 4 new cases yesterday. Morrison County website reported 135 active cases on yesterday's report. Little Falls had 70, no others over 20.
--Aitkin Police Chief Tim Catlin has resigned at the recent city council meeting where he was on paid administrative leave during an investigation into a complaint. The Aitkin City Council voted to accept Catlin’s resignation. It was reported by the Aitkin newspaper that a January 6th inquiry was indeed dropped and the nature of the complaint will remain secret per state law due to Catlin’s resignation. Catlin worked for the city of Aitkin for 39 years and was chief of police since 2014. He also served as Aitkin County sheriff 1995-99. The agreement allowed Catlin to receive his full pension and one year of health insurance. He also was paid for unused vacation time.
DEATH NOTICES
--Thomas Theodore Kliber, age 66 of Swanville.
--Gloria Lanners, age 82 of Buckman.
WEATHER
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY 12pm Today to 6pm Friday.
TODAY= rain/freezing drizzle and snow at times, high 34.
TONIGHT= precip will turn to all snow 2-4 inches, low 28.
FRIDAY= rain/ice/snow at times another inch, high 31 then falling.
SATURDAY= partly cloudy, high 26, low around 13.
SUNDAY= mostly cloudy, high 23, low around 10.
SPORTS
As per the MSHSL and Governor, High School winter sports games are able to resume tonight for many area teams (weather permitting) and you can check out the schedules at fallsradio.com click on sports.
HS BHK= Breckingridge at Little Falls tonight 7pm Q92 WYRQ.
HS GBB= Little Falls at Upsala tonight 7:15pm on FM94 KFML.