NEWS
--Little Falls Community High School Superintendent Stephen Jones appeared on KLTF Wednesday morning. He wanted to speak about Personalized Learning in the 4th grade this school year and will be in the 5th grade the following year which is centered on experiences in learning where the pace is adjusted for the focus on learning that they keep the same pace so no student is left behind in class if they happen to learn at a slower or faster pace than other students. Jones mentioned forums on this last year and is planning on doing it again in the spring at the 5 public schools (Lindbergh, Lincoln, Dr. S.G. Knight, Community Middle and High School). A survey done with businesses on what they want for future employees stressed teamwork, communication, critical thinking and self motivation were the key factors with personal learning that gives the student a sense of accomplishment on what they have done each day compared to a list of items that they worked on during the day. Jones also wanted to stress the community interaction with programs, activities (local sports, concerts etc.), DECA, Stand Up for U, Student Council programs and now the community has helped with each of them on their fundraisers and activities throughout the school year. He also spoke on the past as next weekend on Friday a reunion of State Championship teams and next Saturday their Hall of Fame inductees showing that many who have left Little Falls Schools have thrived in activities and other parts of life. Many come back to teach or be part in some way of the school district today. If you need to reach Stephen Jones on any questions during the school year he can be reached at 632-2001 or sjones@lf.k12.mn.us.
--On January 6th, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office arrested three individuals who were found burglarizing a storage facility. At about 12:30am the Benton County Sheriff’s Office received a call from an individual reporting a burglary in progress at the JK Storage facility on Golden Spike Road NE in Sauk Rapids Township. The caller indicated that he was at JK Storage and had observed a white male fleeing on foot from the storage facility and another white male fleeing from the area in a white pickup truck. Benton County deputies and Sauk Rapids police officers converged on the area and found a white pickup truck driving without headlights later near Mayhew Lake. Deputies stopped this vehicle and made contact with the three males inside. Deputies requested identification from these two individuals and the driver. The driver was identified as 40-year old Tony Leonard Boyer of Eden Valley, and the rear passenger identified himself as 36-year old Thomas Allen Lovitt, of Blaine. The front passenger identified himself as Gregory Westerlund, however it was subsequently learned that this man was actually 31-year old James Alan Westerlund of St. Cloud. A witness was brought to the suspect’s location and positively identified Westerlund as the person he had seen fleeing the storage facility. Investigating deputies discovered that a storage unit at the facility had been forced open. Evidence found at the scene indicated that a number of items had been removed from this storage locker and moved to a location near the perimeter fence. Investigating deputies also found burglary tools in Westerlund’s possession and surveillance footage showing the suspects entering the burglarized storage locker. All three suspects were arrested on charges of burglary and criminal damage to property. Westerlund is also facing a charge of giving a false name to a police officer. All three are awaiting their first court appearance.
--The annual “March for Life” this year is on Wednesday, January 22nd. A bus to the state capitol will depart that day from the parking lot of Coborns in Little Falls at 7:30am, from St. Joseph's parking lot in Pierz at 8:00am, and from Buckman at 8:20am. To reserve a spot call Floyd Richmond at 632-2880 or Dale Bierman at 360-7100 by January 19th. There will be a service at the Cathedral at 10:30am and at the capitol at noon. The bus will depart at 3:30pm with an estimated return time of 5:00pm.
--Little Falls Community High School announced their Athletes of the Month of December (for last month's accomplishments). 11Th grader Gabe Nagel in Wrestling; he is ranked #2 in State and just claimed his 150th career victory. 11Th grader Dane Couture in Boys Hockey; He has been very coachable and leads by example. With a lot of younger kids on the HS hockey team, it is good to have a person to take the time to help those kids with the everyday life as a hockey player and a student athlete. 12Th grader Adrienne Kresha in Nordic Ski; Adrienne has been the top skier for the girls in the first 2 races of the year and she has placed well among the competition. 11Th grader Taylor Jordan in Basketball; Taylor comes to the gym expecting to be coached and seeking opportunities to better herself as a player and teammate. Congratulations to these student athletes.
--Mariah Olesch and Peter Schommer Pierz High School seniors, have been selected to represent Pierz in the Academics, Arts and Athletics Award program at the District 19 AAA banquet on January 22nd at the Holiday Inn of St, Cloud. Both candidates are active at school. Olesch was/is in volleyball, basketball, softball, symphonic band, pit band, pep band, honors band, jazz band, Minnesota Honor Society (MHS) and speech. Schommer was/is in football, basketball, baseball, concert choir, WEB (Where Everyone Belongs), Peer Helping, MHS, Special Olympics and EPIC.
NATIONAL NEWS
--President Donald Trump says Iran appears to be “standing down” and said no Americans or Iraqis were harmed in Iran's Tuesday ballistic missile strike on two Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops. The Iranian strikes had come days after Trump authorized the targeted killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Dalton and Heather McClain of Little Falls, girl on January 7th
DEATH NOTICES
--Marion Denzen, age 91 formerly of Little Falls
--Scott Nouis, age 56 of Little Falls.
--Jason M. Dickmann, age 47 of Franklin formerly Little Falls.
--LeRoy G. Hoheisel, age 74 of Pierz.
WEATHER
TODAY= snow showers/some freezing drizzle before 2pm, high 23.
TONIGHT= dropping temps, clearing skies, low 4 above.
FRIDAY= partly cloudy skies, high 9 above, cold night, low -16.
SATURDAY= sunny and cold, high 4 above, low 0 and rising late.
SUNDAY= snow likely 2-3 inches by night, high 18, low 6 above.
SPORTS
WRE= Little Falls at Pierz in wrestling tonight 7pm on Q92 WYRQ
COL BB= Gophers vs. Michigan State tonight 7:30pm on AM960.