NEWS
--Outgoing Little Falls Community Schools Superintendent Stephen Jones spoke on KLTF yesterday thank the community, students, parents and faculty in doing everything possible to keep in schools this past year and the plan is to continue to have all students in class through the end of the year with spring sports, banquets, activities, Day of Caring and Graduations to finish out the school year. Jones stated that he is stepping aside after this school year and is ready to let someone else have the duties of Superintendent of Little Falls Community Schools. Jones said that most in his type of position only last 3-4 years and 10 years has become a very big deal. Jones said the plan is to likely have someone ready to take over the in the near future but could not give a definite timeline on the school boards plans. Stephen Jones mentioned that he was proud to be part of the Little Falls Community Schools and is ready for his next chapter. He is not done though just yet as a large announcement is planned at the school board meeting Monday on the work that will be done in the technology and industrial area of the north wing of the high schools and continues to work on the best approach to finish out the school year for all grades K-12 in the community school district. Questions or concerns, please call Stephen Jones at 632-2001.
--The Morrison County Public Works Department announces the starting date of spring load restrictions on all Morrison County Highways will be Friday at 12:01 AM. The road restrictions map indicating the locations of weight restricted routes along with a link to MnDOT Seasonal Load Limits Dates can be found on the Morrison County website at www.co.morrison.mn.us in the Public Works Department section.
--A house fire southwest of Garrison Monday, is under investigation after the home was destroyed. The Garrison Fire Department responded about 11:00pm Monday to a house fire on the 24000 block of Camp Lake Road in Garrison Township. Garrison Fire Chief Bruce Breun said no one was home when the fire started. Breun said 11 firefighters battled the flames until about 3:45am. The cause of the fire was unknown and the Minnesota Fire Marshal's Office has been called in to investigate the cause of the fire.
--A portable carport and the car inside were damaged Saturday, after the vehicle parked inside caught fire in Pequot Lakes. The Pequot Lakes Fire Department was called to the scene about 4am on the 2800 block of County Highway 4. Pequot Lakes Fire Chief Tom Nelson said the fire was the result of a space heater being placed under the vehicle to keep it warm. Temperatures dropped to 18 degrees below in the region early Saturday. The fire also spread to a small pump house that supplied water to a cabin on the property. No injuries were reported and the home was not damaged.
--The Senate has unanimously approved a measure that would make daylight saving time permanent next year. The bipartisan bill approved Tuesday would ensure Americans would no longer have to change their clocks twice a year. But the bill still needs to pass the House and win the signature of President Joe Biden to become law. Senators from both sides of the aisle made their case for how making daylight saving time permanent would have positive impacts on public health and the economy and even cut energy consumption. If Daylight Saving Time becomes permanent than that would mean the sunrise in central Minnesota wouldn't be until almost 9am from December 20th through January 8th. During that same period, the sun would not set until around 5:30-5:40pm.
--Morrison County United Way (MCUW) has awarded 8 area non-profits with a total of $25,500 in allocation funding for the year (an increase of $1,500 from 2021). Each year, Morrison County United Way accepts applications for funding from non-profit agencies focusing on Education, Income, Health or Basic Needs. In order to apply, an agency much be incorporated, operational, providing services for which they are applying, not-for-profit, and IRS tax-exempt. Additional conditions for funding are included in the application and agreement. Agencies awarded funding for 2022 include: Employment Enterprises Inc., Habitat for Humanity, Hands of Hope Resource Center, Kinship of Morrison County, LSS Senior Meals, Morrison County Family Connections, Morrison County Chaplaincy, and Oasis of Central Minnesota.
--A reminder to homeowners who took part in previous years with the Day of Caring through Little Falls Community High School they will be calling those homeowners next week in the evening to see if that want to be part of the 2022 Day of Caring on May 4th. Applications are available at the high school and other area organizations and will be in the weekend paper this week and next week. If you need more information on Day of Caring call Julie Mushel at 632-2002.
--Today is St. Patrick's Day, a holiday more Americanized with parades and events around green items, shamrocks and food. In Ireland it is usually church services and a day of family gatherings. There are parades today at at noon in St. Paul and 6pm tonight in Minneapolis. Many bars and establishments will have special events in honor of the Irish now American style holiday. The Minnesota State Patrol stated they will have extra enforcement out watching for impaired drivers so please don't drink and drive if out for St. Patrick's Day.
--Oasis Central Minnesota is hosting their Empty Bowls fundraiser on Sunday from 11:30-1:30pm at First Lutheran Church in Little Falls. Tickets from Oasis or at the door are $12, questions call 632-9140.
DEATH NOTICES
--Harold L. Wuellner, age 81 of Little Falls
--Michael Bruce Conley, age 72 of Little Falls
--Norgean Knafla, age 91 of Sauk Rapids.
--Prapha “Joann” Newgard, age 79 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= partly sunny skies, a bit breezy, high 42.
TONIGHT= partly cloudy skies, low around 22.
FRIDAY= partly cloudy skies, high near 40, low near 20.
SATURDAY= sunny and warmer, high 48, low near 30.
SUNDAY= sunny and warmer yet, high 52, rain late, low 38.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins start spring training games today with the Boston Red Sox, hear the action live at noon on Q92 WYRQ.
GBB= State Girls Basketball quarter finals from yesterday Fergus Falls defeated Pequot Lakes 71-55, Albany advance to the semi finals with a 57-41 over Rochester Lourdes in Class AA. Becker advanced in Class AAA while Detroit Lakes was beaten by Totino Grace yesterday.
NFL= after 20 years calling NFL games for Fox, ESPN reported Wednesday that they have signed Joe Buck and Troy Aikman to be the new voices of Monday Night Football this coming September.
Next Thursday March 24th is Ladies Night Out Pierz Style, more details to come on Q92 WYRQ and fallsradio.com.