NEWS
--A Cushing woman was killed Monday afternoon on Highway 210 east of Pillager. The Minnesota State Patrol reported that around 5:15pm, 82-year old Ronald Leyde of Cushing crossed the centerline and was struck by another vehicle driven by 40-year old Adam Fulton of Pillager on the snow and ice covered roads. 73-year old Sandra Leyde of Cushing was a passenger in the 1st vehicle and died as a result of her injuries. Another passenger, 39-year old Shaun Leyde and the driver were taken to the hospital with injuries. Adam Fulton was treated at the scene but not hospitalized. His two passengers, children ages 12 and 9 were not injured.
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office responded to a farm accident in Parker Township southwest of Randall Tuesday around 1:15pm. 52-year old Todd Berg of Randall was putting an attachment on a manure spreader by using a fork lift to hold the attachment in place. While he was securing it, the attachment broke loose and fell on top of him. Berg freed himself but was having difficulty breathing and back pain. He was taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries.
--Police in Alexandria have seized an SUV that may be tied to a fatal hit-and-run on March 19th. Officers responded to a location on 34th Avenue near Meadowland Mobile Home Park late that night and found the body of 26-year old Travis Penning, who was severely injured after being struck by a driver who fled the scene. Penning was rushed to the hospital, but did not survive his injuries. Investigators recovered images of a dark colored SUV from local surveillance cameras and released them to the public hoping for a break in the case. On Sunday, March 25th a person called in with a tip, leading authorities to a vehicle that was seized and taken to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) lab in St. Paul for forensic processing. Police say the SUV has damage consistent with the fatal incident. So far there have been no arrests in the case, and Alexandria Police are again asking anyone who has information on the crash that killed Travis Penning to contact them at 320-763-6631.
--Meeting the growing needs for public transit in Greater Minnesota over the next 20 years is the focus of a plan the Minnesota Department of Transportation released Tuesday. The Greater Minnesota Transit Investment Plan sets the 20-year strategic direction and investment priorities to increase mobility for transit users. It supports the state Legislature’s target of meeting 90 percent of the public transit need in Greater Minnesota by 2025. The plan also includes an addendum that outlines how legislative funding changes since the plan was finalized will affect the goal of meeting the target. MnDOT estimated the 2025 ridership target for Greater Minnesota transit providers is to support 17 million rides or an additional 4.8 million rides annually, a 40 percent increase in ridership from today. The increase will require an additional 51,000 new service hours each year. To achieve the 90 percent target, approximately $120 million of additional revenue will be required, or about $5 million per year. MnDOT provides funding for 36 transit systems in Greater Minnesota. Total operating cost in 2015 was $84.4 million.
--A Rogers woman missing since Sunday was found Tuesday in Longville of Cass County. Authorities stated that Sheila Ann Heim had no injuries when found. Cass County is investigating as the vehicle that Heim was apparently driving form Rogers was found burned from a fire near Pine River miles from where Heim was found. The cause of the fire and her disappearance is being investigated.
--On Tuesday, Governor Mark Dayton signed into law a bill to ratify state employee union contracts and compensation plans. The legislation ratified the negotiated agreements between the state of Minnesota and the following unions: AFSCME Council 5, MAPE, AFSCME Unit 8 and Unit 225, Middle Management Association, Minnesota Government Engineering Council, Inter Faculty Organization, and the Minnesota Nurses Association. The bill also increases salary and benefit obligations by 3.39 percent in the current biennium and by 4.74 percent in the next biennium. Following the Governor’s approval, Rep. Ron Kresha (R-Little Falls) released the following statement: “I am happy to see the Governor signing into law the contracts of over 30,000 hard-working state employees who make invaluable contributions to our state on a daily basis. Staffing our correctional facilities, plowing our streets, and providing care to sick people, are just a few of the many important services these individuals provide. I was pleased to join colleagues from both parties to vote in favor of this bill and state employees’ contracts on the House floor on Monday.” The bill was first passed Monday by the Minnesota Senate on a 56-10 vote, and later passed 93-33 by the House of Representatives.
--A correction and an addition to the Kinship Soup and Chili cookoff winners from yesterday. It was reported that the People's Choice Theme was Pillar of Fire theme by Greg Hyatt of Faith Lutheran Church. Also, the tie in the people's choice chili award was given to "White Chicken Chili prepared by Kari Berggren and Brian Alnes of Lake Beauty Bible Camp" along with the Pillar of Fire of Faith Lutheran Church. Thanks to all who attended and volunteered.
--Congratulations to the 2018 Little Falls Community High School “Cruise Band” for receiving the top ratings of Superior and a Gold Medal, which enrolls them into the Music Festival's national band competition, for their performance at sea last week. Congratulations to Isaac Olson, Logan Schuett, and Joseph Blaire for receiving awards for superior solos and the Flyer french horn section for receiving the award for “best section in the band”.
--Listen to the Good Friday Service this Friday from Living Hope Church in Little Falls live at noon on AM960 KLTF. Little Falls Radio is proud to bring this public service of Good Friday to our listeners.
DEATH NOTICES
--Alexander LaGarde, age 19 of Minneapolis.
--Mildred Gruber, age 88 of Pierz.
--Helen C. Verkuilen, age 83 of Little Falls.
--Terry P. Przybilla, age 70 of Pierz.
WEATHER
WINTER STORM WATCH 7PM FRIDAY TO 7AM SATURDAY
TODAY= sunny skies, high 38, becoming cloudy, snow late, low 20.
FRIDAY= early snow, then partly sunny, high 34.
FRI NITE= heavy snow likely 8pm to 4am, 4-8 inches, low 15.
SATURDAY= snow ending, blustery and cold, high 23, low near 0.
EASTER= sunny and cold, high 29, clear night low 12.
SPORTS
TWINS= the wait is over, the Twins open the regular season this afternoon at Baltimore against the Orioles. Pregame at 1:30pm, then off Friday and games Saturday and Sunday, all on Q92 WYRQ.