NEWS
--A statement from Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen Wednesday morning since the snowfall Tuesday afternoon. The Sheriff's Office has responded to vehicles that have slid off the roadways and into the ditch. They have also stopped vehicles for speeding in the unfavorable driving conditions and for driving with no headlights. Additionally, a vehicle was pulled over for running through a stop sign, which almost collided with an oncoming vehicle. The message is simple. Slow down, make sure your headlights are on and drive for the conditions. Avoid tailgating plows and other vehicles. Remember, we all need to share the roadway, so do so safely. Thank you and stay safe. He also stated that Public Works on Wednesday went out Wednesday morning where snow totals were around 5-6 inches and more was falling. They stated that you can still plan on slippery roads. Allow extra time when traveling. With 1500 lane miles on Morrison County roadways it takes around 6-8 hours to complete a round. Since that report more issues with spin outs, vehicles sliding through intersections and again not having headlights on and cars completely covered in snow with no visible windshield openings. Please remember to put safety first in your travel plans today. Just from Tuesday into early Wednesday the Minnesota State Patrol says there was a total of 226 crashes. Twelve people were hurt in those crashes and there was one fatal crash, which was in Clearwater. Troopers also helped out at another 804 incidents where vehicles went into the ditch, and 13 semis that jackknifed.
--U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they have secured significant funding through the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY 2023) federal budget for local projects benefiting Little Falls and Brainerd. Funding secured will help further the following priorities: $3 million to help the Minnesota National Guard construct a dining facility (DFAC), including improvements to utilities, emergency response services and other facility infrastructure at Camp Ripley. $600,000 for the Brainerd Family YMCA to purchase a vacant building and create a child care center that will serve an additional 74 infants and toddlers, helping meet the community’s child care needs. $14,000 to support Morrison County United Way’s Imagination Library and Tools for School child literacy program. Projects are expected to receive funding over the next several months.
--A man died after the vehicle he was driving went into the ditch. The Minnesota State Patrol says the incident happened at about 7:15pm Tuesday on Highway 24 in Clearwater Township in Wright County. Troopers say a pickup was going south on the highway approaching a car that had gone into the ditch. The pickup struck the driver of the car while he was standing on the shoulder of the highway. The driver of the car died at the scene. He's been identified as 36-year-old Scott Hollencamp from Maple Lake. The driver of the pickup, 34-year-old Andre Clark from Kimball, was not hurt.
--Officers from several departments helped a man who was having a mental health issue. The Big Lake Police Department was called at about 4pm Tuesday. The man was found on top of a roof of a home near Powell Street North and Powell Circle. He refused to come down and mentioned that he had a weapon. He did eventually cause self-inflicted injuries to himself and refused to have help. With the help of the Becker and Big Lake Fire Departments officers were able to access the roof using a ladder truck and got the man off the roof into an ambulance. He was taken to an area hospital and treated for his self-inflicted wounds and weather-related injuries.
--Because of the blowing snow from the winds and snow continuing to fall into the evening hours last night, schools today for Little Falls, Pierz, Royalton, Swanville, Upsala, Holdingford, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle, Browerville and others are 2 hours late to get the buses out after the sunrise today. Please continue to listen to listen to Little Falls Radio today for the latest weather details on AM960, 92.1FM and 94.1FM and all three are streamed at fallsradio.com.
--Fire crews responded to a house fire near Cold Spring Tuesday. The incident happened just before 1pm in the 22000 block of Great Northern Drive in Wakefield Township. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office says the homeowner, 64-year-old Tom Goebel, called to report his garage had started on fire. Fire crews arrived on scene to find the house fully engulfed with flames. Authorities say Goebel was still in the home and was brought to a neighbors for safety. The cause of the fire remains under investigation as State Fire Marshal called in.
--The Music Department at Central Lakes College is Wide Open for all and has an ensemble for everyone. Eleven Musical Ensembles meeting during the day and ensembles in evenings. Open to the CLC Students, PSEO Students, high school musicians, All State Musicians, community music-enthusiasts, and retired musicians. All musicians involved in any ensemble, will be invited (but not required) to tour Spain, France & Italy at the conclusion of the academic year. A meet and greet/audition/placement will be Monday, January 9th from noon-4PM. For more information, go to www.clcmn.edu/music.
--Pierz St. Joseph Christian Mothers Women's Meeting that was to be last night will now be next Wednesday at 6:30pm.
DEATH NOTICES
--Walter Mathew Tody, age 89 of Randall.
WEATHER
TODAY= cloudy/flurries this morning, sun in afternoon, high 22.
TONIGHT= clear skies, colder temps, low near 0, wind chills -10.
FRIDAY= sunny skies, high 17, low around 0.
SATURDAY= sunny skies, high 18, low around 0.
SUNDAY= sunny skies, turning breezy, high 21, low around 4.
SPORTS
BHK= Little Falls Bemidji tonight 7:15pm on Q92 WYRQ.
GBB= Pierz at Foley tonight at 7:15pm on 94ROCKS KFML.
NFL= there are many games with playoff implications this weekend in the NFL, in the NFC Philadelphia, San Francisco, Minnesota, Tampa Bay, Dallas and New York Giants are in, but seeding still to be decided with Green Bay if they beat Detroit are in, if Green Bay loses and Seattle wins they are win, if Seattle loses and Detroit beats Green Bay they are in the playoffs the following week in NFC. In the AFC, Kansas City, Buffalo, Cincinnati, LA Chargers and Baltimore Ravens have clinched spots. Jacksonville and New England if they win this weekend get the last two spots. If not teams like Miami, Pittsburgh and Tennessee still have a shot at the playoffs. You can hear a triple header of NFL action Sunday on AM960 KLTF and all the playoffs games from the first Wild Card Game to the Super Bowl, which is on February 12th all live on AM960 KLTF.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1933= work on the Golden Gate Bridge begins construction.
IN 1956= Elvis Presley records first #1 hit Heartbreak Hotel.
IN 1970= All My Children debuts on ABC daytime TV.