NEWS
--The Little Falls Fire Department responded to a car fire at 1:27pm Sunday at the address of 515 3rd Street NE in Little Falls. 12-firefighters were on scene for about 30 minutes. There were no injuries and the vehicle sustained moderate damage.
--During the week of November 20th-26th the Little Falls Police Department responded to a variety of incidents. There were several theft reports including from Tractor Supply Company, Rudolph's Auto Solutions and the Morrison County Animal Humane Society. Several residences also reported thefts. There were a couple reports of illegal burning incidents and a few incidents reporting different scam calls. Little Falls Police also responded to numerous traffic stops, suspicious activity, vehicle lock outs, disputes and other types of incidents too.
--More information was released on the three National Guard members killed last Thursday. According to the National Guard, 28-year-old Chief Warrant Officer James A. Rogers Jr. was born in Madelia, gradated from St. James and resided in Winsted, 30-year-old Chief Warrant Officer Charles P. Nord was born in Breckinridge, graduated from Perham and resided there with his wife and child with one on the way and 28-year-old Sgt. Kort M. Plantenberg was born in St. Cloud, graduated from Albany and lived in Avon. The Minnesota National Guard says all three of them were members of Company C, 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion, based in St. Cloud. The investigation according to Major General Jon Jensen is being led from a group from Alabama. There is no timeline on when the full investigation will be completed. The top priority at this time is to help the families of Rogers, Nord and Plantenberg in their time of loss.
--Little Falls Radio received just under 4 inches of snow on Monday with some areas like Pequot Lakes receiving over 7 inches of snow. Now the coldest weather in some time will effect the state with temps today and tomorrow staying below zero in central and northern Minnesota. Overnight lows could drop to 35-below zero in International Falls, -28 in Bemidji and -23 in Little Falls tonight with wind chill factors of -30 to -45 in the northern region of the state meaning that frostbite can occur in just a few minutes on exposed skin tonight into Wednesday. A reminder from law enforcement to take precautions, check that you have a full tank of gas, tires are at the right weights, fluids are up to par in the vehicle, have a safety kit with flashlights, blankets, some extra food items in case you become stranded. Have a charged up cell phone for emergencies, and if you end up in a ditch, stay with the vehicle until help arrives. Drivers remember to slow down for flashing lights and move over to the other lane if at all possible to protect those getting help and those providing the help on the side of the roadways with the frigid cold.
--It was a tough Monday morning commute for drivers across the state. The Minnesota State Patrol says from 6-11am Monday they responded to a total of 133 crashes. Twenty-two people were hurt in those crashes, but there were no serious injuries or fatalities. Another 168 vehicles went into the ditch and required help. Troopers also assisted with three jackknifed semis.
--The 6th annual Live Drive Through Nativity sponsored by area churches will be presented at the Cass County Fairgrounds in Pillager on Wednesday and Thursday from 6-8:30pm. Complete Christmas story portrayed in live drama. You never leave the car. Bring the whole family. The event features four living scenes including camels, sheep, horses, donkeys, and nearly 100 people in costume.
--A 28-year old from Little Falls was injured Monday at 8:41am on Highway 371 at Hummingbird Circle by Fort Ripley in Crow Wing County. James Block was northbound on Highway 371, lost control and spun into the right ditch. Block was taken by ambulance to the hospital in Little Falls with non life threatening injuries.
--An Albany couple was injured Monday afternoon at 2:22pm on Interstate 94 and County Road 75 at St. Joseph. 69-year old Donald Barchenger was exiting onto 75 when he slid into the snowbank and then went off into the ditch. Donald and 62-year old Janice Barchenger were both treated for non life threatening injuries.
--All are invited to Zion Lutheran Church for a ‘Chicks For Bricks’ dinner tonight from 5-7pm. The menu is chicken, ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, green beans, corn, coleslaw, pickles, dinner rolls, dessert, and beverage. $8.00 per person suggested donation. Zion is located at 411 Third Avenue Northeast in Little Falls. Zion has hosted nine previous Chicks For Bricks dinners, serving approximately 175 people each time. Proceeds go to their new Fellowship Hall addition. Over $15,000 has been raised from these dinners for the building fund debt reduction.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
--Caroll Spinney, the legendary puppeteer behind beloved Sesame Street characters Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, died on Sunday at the age 85 of after living with Dystonia (a disease that effects the muscles) for some time. Spinney joined the cast of Sesame Street in 1969 and retired from the show just last year due to health reasons.
--Rapper and singer Juice Wrld (Jarad Higgins) died suddenly after suffering a seizure at a Chicago airport on Sunday, he was only 21.
DEATH NOTICES
--Christopher “Chris” Athman, age 58 of Milaca
--Janet Clare (Fischer) Huver, age 75 of Lake Mary Township.
--Judy Janey, age 65 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
WIND CHILL ADVISORY IN EFFECT NOW THROUGH NOON ON WEDNESDAY FOR WIND CHILLS OF -20 TO -35.
TODAY= becoming sunny, cold, high -3 wind chills near -25.
TONIGHT= clear and very cold, low near -20, wind chills near -35.
WEDNESDAY= increasing clouds, high -2, wind chills near -30 early.
WED NIGHT= snow after midnight, temps rise to 7 above overnight.
THURSDAY= snow in morning, 1 inch, high 14 and turning windy.
SPORTS
HS GBB= Pierz at Milaca tonight at 7pm on FM94 KFML.
HS BHK= Prairie Centre at Little Falls tonight 7pm Q92 WYRQ.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1901= first Nobel Prizes are awarded on the day of Alfred Nobel's death of December 10th, first winners were Jean Henri Durant and Frederic Passy. The first for physics in 1903 given were given to Pierre and Madam Marie Curie. The First American was President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906 for the Nobel Peace Prize.
IN 1927= The Grand Ole Opry debuts on radio in Nashville, TN.
IN 2012= Brian Kobilka, who was born in Little Falls and his partner Dr. Robert Lefkowitz win the Nobel Prize for Chemistry for their work on G-protein coupled receptors.