NEWS
--The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office was busy with multiple calls for service regarding vehicles off roadways and incidents throughout Morrison County Wednesday from the snow and wind. Drivers were having a tough time navigating the slippery road conditions and visibility was reduced because of the blowing snow. Sheriff Shawn Larsen is reminding motorists to please use caution and slow down even this morning as some roadways and side streets may still be snow covered. When snow events like this happen always remember to make sure your vehicle is equipped with necessary equipment and supplies. Please use your headlights, they remind those to TURN THEM ON-DON’T RELY ON AUTOMATIC SETTINGS and have a charged cell phone and full tank of gas. Safety is a #1 priority.
--Essentia Health sent out a statement at 12:30pm yesterday that they would like to inform patients that the phone system was down at their Pierz Clinic and had been for a few hours that morning. The clinic was not able to accept incoming phone calls. Patients could still schedule appointments through MyChart, on their website EssentiaHealth.org or by calling (218) 828-7100. This number will route to our Brainerd Clinic, where patients will be able to schedule appointments for the Essentia Health St. Joseph’s-Pierz Clinic. Staff members are working hard to find a solution yesterday but wanted to let others known that because of that they could process any calls yesterday in Pierz. They appreciate your patience and understanding.
--The Benton County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page shared a note from a concerned citizen about a new scam that tries to pass itself off as the United Parcel Service. The post shows screenshots from a text message saying the package you are waiting on cannot be delivered and a website meant to mimic UPS that it redirects you to, which tries to fool you into giving out personal information. Sheriff Troy Heck says to be vigilant because criminals are always rolling out new cyber traps. Heck says scams have come a long way from the days of Nigerian prince emails and falling victim to fraud can happen to a person of any age. He says they are becoming more difficult to distinguish from legitimate communications, especially when they come by cell phone. Heck has some tips if the worst happens and you fall for one. “The first thing you want to do is, especially if you’ve given someone money or your bank account information, is get with your bank and talk to them about what’s going on so they can try to limit the damage, close accounts and take other kinds of measures to make sure that it isn’t worse than it’s already going to be. You will also want to consider putting a freeze on your credit.” Heck says to be wary of any communications when you are not expecting them. No matter how legitimate something looks if it is a surprise, that should raise red flags.
--A level-three sex offender is moving into North St. Cloud. Following state law, the St. Cloud Police Department has reported Corey James Fordham will move into a home in the 100 block of 12th Avenue North Thursday. In 2015, Fordham was found guilty of Felony Criminal Sexual Conduct for his contact with two teenage girls that he knew. Officials say Fordham used attention and affection in each case to attain, exploit and maintain unmonitored contact. He took advantage of one victim's vulnerable state as a runaway to maintain access. Fordham has served his sentence and is transitioning into the community. Anyone with questions or concerns should call the Community Crime Impact Team of the St. Cloud Police Department at 320-345-4444 (select option 2).
--Good Luck to the Royalton-Upsala Wrestling Team competing today at the State Tournament in St. Paul. Yesterday both Royalton and Upsala schools had send offs for the wrestlers to the state tournament in St. Paul. The quarterfinal matches start at 9am in Class A with Royalton-Upsala vs. Howard Lake Waverly, the winner would wrestle likely top seed Jackson County Central at 1pm. The team that loses would be in consolation at 11am. The third and 5th Place matches are at 5pm and Championships tonight at 7pm. Hear the team matches for Royalton-Upsala today on Q92 WYRQ.
--The field of candidates for the 2023 Minnesota Teacher of the Year has been whittled down to 33 semifinalists. Among the semifinalists are Sartell-St. Stephen high school teacher Joe Schulte, Cass Lake Bena middle school science teacher Linsey Strand, and 2nd grade teacher at Alexandria Public Schools Stephanie Groetsch. An independent panel of 21 community members narrowed the candidates from a field of 132 teachers statewide. The panel will again review the candidates' portfolios in mid-March and come up with 10-12 finalists. The 2023 Teacher of the Year will be announced at a banquet in May. Last year's winner was from Onamia.
FARMER'S ALMANAC NEWS
--The spring outlook from the Farmers' Almanac says don't be fooled by early signs of spring. The annual publication is predicting a "soggy, shivery spring ahead". Here in the Northern Midwest, the Farmers' Almanac is calling for "coolish temperatures" with above-normal precipitation. While spring officially arrives on March 20th, the predictions are calling for a wet and cool season with "spring taking its time to arrive". According to the Farmers' Almanac 2023 Spring Outlook, snow continues to be mentioned into early April for the Great Lakes and Upper Midwest with more potential for heavier snowfalls in those areas. In parts of the nation's heartland, which includes the Dakotas, spring is predicted to be "unusually active with frequent to heavy severe thunderstorms” in areas of Montana, Wyoming, Kansas, Nebraska, North and South Dakota.
WEATHER
TODAY= partly sunny, high 25, clouds increase tonight, low 15.
FRIDAY= partly sunny, high 33, cloudy night, low 17.
SATURDAY= cloudy AM, sunny PM, high 37, low around 26.
SUNDAY= snow late in the day, cloudy, high 34, low around 28.
SPORTS
BHK= St. Cloud Cathedral knocked off Little Falls 4-3 in double overtime to earn the Crusaders a berth to the state tournament next week. Little Falls scored the first three of the game (all by senior Matt Fillippi earning a hat trick) but St. Cloud fought back with two goals in the 2nd period, adding another in the 3rd period, and the game winner in double overtime. Little Falls freshman goalie Isaac Kallis made over 50 saves keeping the Flyers close in this game.
GBB= Girls Basketball Playoffs begin tonight for area teams, Holdingford, Royalton, Foley host their matches tonight, Upsala and Swanville take on each other. Little Falls opens at Sauk Rapids-Rice tonight at 7pm heard live on AM960 KLTF and Pierz opens the playoffs at home against Pillager tonight at 6pm on 94ROCKS.
WRE= Individual wrestling begins tomorrow at 9am in St. Paul for wrestlers from Royalton-Upsala, Holdingford, Pierz and Little Falls with first two rounds Friday and the remaining rounds leading to the championship matches on Saturday. Coverage live on Q92 WYRQ.