NEWS
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office responded to a rollover accident Tuesday at 3:40pm on Nature Road and 250th Avenue about four miles south of Buckman. 38-year old Luke Solinger of Royalton was heading north on 250th Avenue, when he lost control of his vehicle, went into the ditch and struck a power pole. He was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with unknown injuries.
--Authorities have identified the two men who died during an officer-involved shooting Saturday night near Wadena. The Midwest Medical Examiner's Office has identified the men as 42-year-old David Savela and 36-year-old Shannon Savela, both of Sebeka. The brothers died of multiple gunshot wounds. Authorities say Wadena County Deputy Troy Mayor attempted to pull over David Savela's vehicle for speeding shortly before 9pm and a struggle happened between the deputy and Savela. A second vehicle, driven by Shannon Savela, then came to the scene, followed by officer Jason Worm from the Sebeka Police Department. The struggle continued when Shannon Savela moved to the passenger side of Deputy Mayer's squad and began shooting, striking both Mayer and Worm. Authorities say Mayer and Worm retreated, at which point David stood up and pointed his gun. Officer Worm then shot both brothers. Both officers are on standard administrative leave. The BCA investigation into this is ongoing.
--The Morrison County Farm Service Agency/USDA office wanted to remind the public that their offices are closed currently at this time for walk in traffic. Staff members are working from home and will still be able to help if you have questions. Call the number at 632-5477 and they will relay the messages on to the staff to assist you.
--The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has completed a draft of its 5-year management plan for Mille Lacs Lake. The public review and comment period on the draft plan is underway now through April 2nd. You can view the plan on the Mille Lacs Lake website and take an online survey. There will also be a public meeting on March 23rd where DNR staff will give a presentation summarizing the draft plan and answer questions. The management plan includes species specific goals for walleye, northern pike, and bass. The plan also includes information gathered from a 2019 survey of users on what is important to them.
--The St. Cloud Fire Department responded to a garage fire Tuesday. The call came in for the fire just before 5pm along 14th Avenue Southeast. The detached garage in the alley of the property was fully engulfed and the roof had collapsed by the time fire trucks arrived. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. No one was hurt.
--Governor Tim Walz announced that the first Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine doses have arrived in Minnesota and met one of the first shipments to arrive in the state. Minnesota will receive 45,200 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine this week. Immunizations will begin shortly after doses arrive to Minnesota providers. Minnesota is already a national leader in getting shots into arms. As of Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control ranks Minnesota 3rd among states for the percentage of doses received that have been administered. Minnesota providers have administered more than 1.4 million doses to almost 930,000 Minnesotans. More than 54% of Minnesotans 65 and older and 56% of K-12 educators and child care workers have gotten at least their first dose. The State Website showed 788 new cases and 17 new deaths on their COVID report yesterday. Morrison County only 2 new cases on Wednesday.
--Camp Ripley announced Wednesday that approximately 1,100 Soldiers from Task Force 1-194 are preparing to deploy to the Middle East for a nine-month mission in support of Operation Spartan Shield. While deployed, the Soldiers will mobilize and resume responsibilities within the CENTCOM Area of Operations assuming the Operation Spartan Shield response force mission. “This task force will bring together Soldiers from several units across the state,” said Lt. Col. Jacob Helgestad, commander of Task Force 1-194. “Our Soldiers are well-trained and ready for this mission and I’m confident they will represent the State of Minnesota well.” The unit’s deployment ceremony will be streamed live on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/194Armor at 1pm this Sunday. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, members of the public are asked to view the ceremony virtually. The task force includes Soldiers from the following units: 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 194th Armor of Brainerd, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 194th Armor Camp Ripley, Company A, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 194th Armor Sauk Centre, Company B, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 194th Armor St. Cloud, Company C, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 194th Armor East St. Paul, Company A, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 136th Infantry Detroit Lakes Company B, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 136th Infantry Crookston, Company C, 134th Brigade Support Battalion Cottage Grove, and Company G, 134th Brigade Support Battalion Camp Ripley. The Soldiers will travel to Fort Bliss, Texas for additional training prior to traveling overseas.
--Mary Warner from the Morrison County Historical Society mentioned on KLTF Wednesday that the museum is staffed and open for appointments only if someone would like to come and see the exhibits and items inside call 632-4007 for an appointment today.
--The Community Good Friday service will be on Friday, April 2nd at noon at Living Hope Church in Little Falls. A number of community churches will be involved some in person and some virtually for the service that can be heard live also on AM960 KLTF on Good Friday.
NATIONAL NEWS
--On Tuesday- President Joe Biden announced that all adults should have access to at least one of the COVID-19 vaccines available by the end of May, that is two months earlier then President Biden first reported due to more vaccines becoming available by companies.
WEATHER
TODAY= partly cloudy and pleasant, high 45.
TONIGHT= clear skies, refreezing overnight, low near 20.
FRIDAY= sunny skies, high 44, clear night low 22.
SATURDAY= sunny and warmer, high 47, cloudy night, low 35.
SUNDAY= partial sun, breezy and clouds, high 58, low 37.
MONDAY= cloudy skies and mild, high 52, low around 30.
SPORTS
TWINS= another Twins spring game at noon today on Q92.
HS GBB= Pierz at Little Falls tonight 7:15pm on Q92 WYRQ.
HS BBB= Pierz at Pequot Lakes tonight 7:15pm on FM94 KFML.
TODAY IN HISTORY
March 4th was innauguration day starting with George Washington on his 2nd term in 1793 through Franklin Roosevelt's first term in 1933 before it was moved to January 20th except if the date fell on Sunday.