NEWS
--What is being called a larger winter storm will start to impact Minnesota today and last through the end of next week. Snow will start later this afternoon in western Minnesota reaching central Minnesota by tonight where 2-4 inches could fall from St. Cloud, Little Falls to Alexandria. Heavier amounts west of there 4-7 inches near Fergus Falls and Detroit Lakes. After Friday morning, dry conditions into Saturday afternoon before another round of snow on Saturday night into Sunday then heavy snow and wind on Sunday early forecasts are predicting 6-11 inches Sunday in parts of central and southern Minnesota. However, warmer temps in the 30s could make the large snow pack a rain/snow mix with less snow amounts but very sloppy conditions. More snow and rain is in the forecast Monday through Wednesday next week. If the system remains all snow, it is forecast that 12-20 inches of snow could fall in central and southern Minnesota into next week. If a rain/snow mix then the amounts will be less. Continue to listen to Little Falls Radio for any weather related announcements.
--A grass fire in Mille Lacs County is under control, but not before it scorched more than 100 acres Tuesday. The Minnesota Incident Command System says the fire broke out around ten miles north of Milaca in the Rum River State Forest and took several hours to fight. Firefighters had to deal with tinder dry conditions and gusty winds as they battled the blaze. Officials say they called in air support to help with the ground attack. No one was injured. It is a reminder that even though we have had colder temperatures the lack of moisture still has kept the fire danger very high in central Minnesota.
--A Republican has won the special election to fill an open seat in the Minnesota House. Brian Lawrence got 85 percent of the vote in Tuesday's special election in House District 27B. Democrat Brad Brown got 15 percent of the vote. Former House Speaker Kurt Daudt resigned from the position just before the start of this year's Legislative session. The current session is scheduled to run for about two more months into the middle of May. House District 27B covers parts of Sherburne, Mille Lacs, Isanti, and Anoka counties. The DFL still has a 76 to 64-member majority in the House. Every seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives will be on the ballot again during the general election in November.
--The Sartell Police Department issued an urgent call to heed the Ted Foss Move Over Law after an officer narrowly missed getting hit Monday. The officer was talking with a driver who had been pulled over when a van came dangerously close. According to the department, traffic stops often are one of their most dangerous tasks. The law requires drivers to move over at least one lane for a stopped vehicle with flashing lights on. That includes police cars, ambulances, fire trucks, tow trucks, and construction and maintenance vehicles. If you cannot make a lane change then you must slow down or face a ticket of up to $100. The law is named in honor of Corporal Ted Foss, who was hit and killed by a semi on Interstate 90 in Rochester. Foss was just 35.
--All seniors in the Royalton area are invited Sunday to the American Legion for a free dinner put on by the Royalton Lions Club. The Lions started this event some years ago on Palm Sunday to thank all the senior citizens in the Royalton area. Social at 11 and dinner at noon. If you want a meal delivered call the Legion on Sunday morning.
--Today is WYRQ Ladies Night Out Pierz Style. Stop into Pierz sponsored businesses today from 12-7pm get your brochure back stamped and take your completed card to the Red Rooster Bar in Genola tonight at 7:30pm for drawings. Grand Prize is $500 Pierz Foods/Pierz Floral Gift Card. It is a “Lumber Jill” theme dressed up and best dressed wins a special prize. Each business has special items during the afternoon to stop in and take part in. Get the full list of sponsors, rules and details at fallsradio.com or you can check out the information on the Little Falls Radio Facebook page.
--A goat in Stevens County has tested positive for Avian Influenza, the first time the disease has been detected in another animal sharing a farmyard with poultry in the U.S. Earlier this month, the farm owner notified the Minnesota Board of Animal Health of the unusual deaths of newly-born goats on the same farm that was the site of an avian influenza outbreak in February. The goats and poultry had access to the same space and shared a water source. The Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory tested the carcass, and the results were positive for Influenza A. Samples from adult goats were negative, and there haven’t been any deaths of young goats since March 11th. The Minnesota Board of Animal Health has quarantined all animals on the farm.
--Sister Julien wanted to thank all who came to the convent to give blood the past three days. They received 144 units of blood which was just under their goal, but they would have made goal if they did not have to not allow 20 others who came that could not give blood. There will be another blood drive coming up in mid-June.
WEATHER
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY 7PM TONIGHT TO 10AM FRI.
TODAY= cloudy skies, high 32.
TONIGHT= snow likely after 9pm, 2-4 inches by morning, low 26.
FRIDAY= AM snow showers, then sunny, high 29, low near 16.
SATURDAY= sunny start then cloudy skies, flurries late, high 30.
SAT NITE= snow likely overnight 1-2 inches, low 28.
SUNDAY= snow, heavy at times, gusty winds, high 34, low 27.
SPORTS
BBB= Albany and Alexandria won in State Quarter-Finals Wednesday while Pequot Lakes and Pelican Rapids lost. Class A Quarter-Finals today for Nevis, AAA and 4A semis and others in consolation semi-finals with more games Friday and championships on Saturday.
NCAA= “March Madness” gets underway today with the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. The Women's first round begins tomorrow, championships are April 7th Women, April 8th Men.
TWINS= more Twins spring games will be heard Friday, Saturday and Sunday on Q92 WYRQ regular season begins next Thursday.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1871= Journalist Henry Stanley started his venture to Africa where he later would locate Dr. David Livingstone.
IN 1961= The Beatles of Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Pete Best and John Lennon play the Liverpool Cavern Club for the 1st time.
IN 1963= Alcatraz Prison near San Francisco closes its doors.
IN 1970= San Diego hosts their first Comic Con the event
IN 1980= Millions watched as J.R. Ewing is shot on TV's Dallas.