NEWS
--Today is Ladies Night Out Little Falls Style with participating sponsors and FM94. Stop into all the sponsors between 12-7pm and get the back of your brochure stamped to be eligible for prizes to be given away at Cabin Fever at 7:30pm. The grand prize is a $1,000 design your own jewelry package to be viewed at Melgram Jewelers to be given away from FM94 KFML. Wear anything unique in black and white attire and win a special prize. Brochures available at participating sponsors and the Little Falls Radio station. Full rules and details can be viewed at fallsradio.com.
--The Initiative Foundation based in Little Falls along with its partners awarded 81 grants totaling over $750,000 for the third quarter of 2017. They include Morrison County United Way, $3,000 for the Imagination Library, Central Minnesota Housing Partnership, $4,000 to develop at least one housing project to meet the growing workforce. The Blandin Foundation received $1,000 to sponsor their Border Broadband Conference at Madden's on Gull Lake, City of Little Falls received $3,000 to support their revitalization project for the downtown business district and another $2,500 to the city of Little Falls for the Highway 27 Memorial Bridge railroad crossing on Highway 27. The money is for a feasibility study for the railway crossing and trying to bring business growth to the west side of Little Falls. Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce received $5,000 for Region Five internship an apprenticeship models for juniors and seniors at schools for summer employment. Grants were also issued to Productive Alternatives Inc., Salem Lutheran Church, Essentia Health Foundation, Pine River Backus School District, City of Pequot Lakes, Fairview Township for the Gull Lake Trail and Central Lakes College for their Small Business Development Center.
--A semi-trailer went off Cass County Road 77 in Lake Shore Tuesday morning at 10:15am. Authorities say the semi left the road in front of Zorbaz struck power poles and the guardrail before coming to a stop. The driver was not injured. Power was out in the area until 5pm that afternoon. The driver said that he was unable to stop from something wrong with his rig; the state patrol said they will conduct a vehicle inspection on the semi-trailer.
--A St. Cloud man faces several felony charges after two incidents last week involving weapons. Police were called to a home along Clearwater Road Friday on a gun complaint. A man told officers he had been staying with 34-year old Robert Maloney Jr. for the last week. The man and his girlfriend were sleeping when Maloney allegedly came into the house and was yelling for the couple to get out of his house. The victim said Maloney pointed a handgun at his face and threatened to kill him. He also pointed a large knife in a sheath at the woman and said they needed to leave. Later that day two St. Cloud Police officers were staked out in a north St. Cloud gas station parking lot when Maloney drove up to their car and blocked them in. The Officers say he quickly got out of the car and started coming at them in an aggressive manner. Maloney was also carrying a machete in his hand and made a comment about having a gun. Police were able to subdue Maloney and arrest him. They recovered the machete and a replica handgun. Maloney is now charged with two felony counts of terroristic threats against the officers and two felony counts of terroristic threats and a second degree assault charge for the incident involving the couple earlier that day.
--The State of Minnesota has been notified by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that all states that have applied for REAL ID extensions – including Minnesota – have been granted an additional grace period for implementation. This grace period will begin on October 11, 2017, and extend through January 22, 2018. According to DHS, during this grace period, federal agencies will continue to accept driver’s licenses and identification cards issued by states with pending extensions. All Minnesotans should be assured that they can continue to board airplanes and access federal facilities, as Minnesota works to fully implement REAL ID and comply with federal requirements.
--Minnesota's cold weather rule takes effect Sunday, and that means utilities cannot shut off heating service to residential customers who are unable to make payments. The rule stays in effect through April 15th. Utilities like Xcel Energy work with eligible customers through several programs and with agencies that can provide heating assistance. Eligible customers must commit to a monthly payment not to exceed 10 percent of household income, and they must immediately contact the utility and set up a payment plan if they receive a disconnection notice. Xcel Energy will also provide contact information for local community energy assistance programs.
--Crossroads Center announced that the Sears Store in their mall will be closing for good in January 2018. The St. Cloud Sears was a staple for the mall since 1964 and the Sears franchise had been part of the St. Cloud business district since the 1920's.
--A 70-year-old Hoffman man died Tuesday after the ATV he was driving collided with a pickup on County Road 25 near Hoffman in Grant County. Phillip Koehntop was flown to the Alexandria Hospital but later died. Koehntop was driving an ATV when it collided with a pickup driven by 78-year old Larry Habben of Hoffman around 3:20pm on Tuesday. Habben was not injured.
--The 8th Annual Bowl to Build fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity of Morrison County is this Saturday at noon at the Little Falls Bowling Center. Bowl for fun and to help build the next home for Habitat for Humanity. Silent auction, door prizes, 50/50 raffle, games and food. Teams of 4 are still being sought for the event this Saturday. To sign up call Kathy at 616-2084.
--The 4th Annual Kiwanis Trivia night is tonight at 7:00pm at Great River Arts in Little Falls. For information call 632-0960.
WEATHER
TODAY= decreasing clouds, sun and wind in afternoon, high 64.
TONIGHT= increasing clouds, low around 48.
FRIDAY= clouds early, afternoon sun, high 57, clear night, low 32.
SATURDAY= rain develops in afternoon, cloudy, high 55.
SAT NITE= rain likely, some wet snow after midnight, low 35.
SUNDAY= rain/snow early, then partly sunny, cooler, high 45.
SPORTS
MLB= Yankees win 5-2 over Cleveland and win the series 3-2 after losing the first 2 games. Nationals & Cubs tied at 2, game 5 tonight.
HS FB= Little Falls at New London Spicer Friday 7pm on KLTF.
HS FB= Paynesville Area at Pierz Friday 7pm on FM94 KFML
HS FB= Royalton at Upsala/Swanville Friday 2pm on Q92 WYRQ
TIMBERWOLVES= The Minnesota Timberwolves signed Andrew Wiggins yesterday to a five year contract extension.
NFL= Philadelphia at Carolina tonight 7pm on AM960 KLTF.