NEWS
--Records broke around the state Sunday as the high temperature reached 48 degrees in Little Falls. Then Sunday into Monday the rains were heavy as the Morrison County Airport in Little Falls had 2.27 inches of rain on Sunday and then another half inch on Monday. More rain today and could change to wet snow overnight tonight.
--Thick fog on Friday led to many accidents around Minnesota. At least two fatal accidents were reported including one in Stearns County at 4:06pm when a 17-year-old was on Highway 15 at Powder Ridge Road and collided with a vehicle driven by 54-year-old Kari Fischer of Kimball that caused the first vehicle to veer into the opposite lane and collide head-on with 80-year-old Elton Hatcher of Watkins. Hatcher was pronounced dead when authorities arrived and he was not wearing a seat belt. The other drivers and their passengers were treated at the scene for injuries. The second fatal accident happened in Hubbard County around 5:45pm on Highway 34 near Park Rapids where a Jeep struck a pedestrian. 68-year-old Willard Pietila of Park Rapids was taken to a medical facility but pronounced dead. One person was seriously hurt in a crash near Montrose Friday afternoon. The Minnesota State Patrol says at about 5:30pm an SUV driven by 21-year-old Chloe Christianson of Howard Lake was going west on Highway 12 near Clementa Avenue SW when it hit a pedestrian, 41-year-old Greggory Leeman of Motley who was on the roadway. Leeman was taken to the hospital with life threatening injuries. Christianson was not injured. Another vehicle vs. pedestrian accident was reported Saturday just after 7pm on Highway 18 in Garrison Township of Crow Wing County. It was reported a vehicle struck a 30-year-old from Princeton. Paige Dahler had life threatening injuries and later died. The driver of the vehicle was not hurt. Another fatal accident happened in Renville County Sunday killing a 58-year-old from Pequot Lakes who the state patrol said was not wearing a seat belt and another accident in Pope County killed a Glenwood man. Wet roads, thick fog, and driver going too fast for conditions led to a number of these fatal accidents.
--A St. Cloud man faces a felony assault charge after he allegedly attacked a Veterans Affairs Federal Police Officer. St. Cloud Police responded to the St. Cloud VA Medical Center Thursday at around 3:45pm for a duress alarm. Officers arrived to find Veterans Affairs officers standing over 43-year-old Jessie Bjerga who was handcuffed. Police learned Bjerga is not a veteran, but was with a family member at the primary care unit. Court records allege Bjerga was shouting and acting crazy which caused the primary alarms to go off. Officers responded and Bjerga allegedly pulled out a Phillips screwdriver and stabbed one of the VA officers twice in the head. Bjerga was taken to the Stearns County Jail on assaulting a peace officer charge. The officer suffered puncture wounds behind his left ear and on the back of his head. The injuries were not considered life threatening.
--Governor Tim Walz says the state will send 300 million dollars to local governments across the state before the end of the week to enhance public safety. Local communities will have a lot of latitude on how they can use the funding for everything from officer recruitment and retention to equipment, mental health crisis response programs, victim services and first responder wellness and training. Stearns and Sherburne receive over $1-million dollars in funding with other counties receiving thousands of dollars to help in public safety.
--After holding a Truth-in-Taxation public hearing, the Little Falls School Board approved and certified the levy to be collected in 2024 at $5.6 million, an increase of $307,413.43 (5.77%) from the 2022 pay 2023 levy of $5.325 million. For the 2023-24 budget, it shows an estimated total revenue of $38.580 million, which includes $33.304 million in the General Fund, $1.527 million in the Food Service Fund, $1.312 million in the Community Service Fund and $2.437 million in the Debt Service Fund. Comparing the two, the total percentage change is negative 1.41%.The budget for 2023-24 shows an estimated total of $39.609 million, which shows a negative 1.93% change from the previous year. Of the total, $33.866 million is projected to be spent from the General Fund, $1.857 million in the Food Service Fund, $1.502 million in the Community Service Fund and $2.384 million in Debt Service. The reason the Food Service Fund expenses were up from previous year is due to inflation and the fact that the District has purchased some equipment, such as the dishwasher at the high school and more.
--A new state law aimed to crack down on dumping trash and human waste on lakes this winter is aimed at what the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says is a growing problem. The new law gives conservation officers and other law enforcement more leverage to enforce it. Major Robert Gorecki says if it goes on the ice with you, it must come off with you as well...Most of our ice anglers leave only an impression. And, many others even pick up after that small number of people that leave trash on the ice. We're hoping the new law convinces that small number of people to keep our lakes clean all year long. The new law requires people to secure trash in a container and makes it clear that human or animal waste is strictly prohibited. The DNR says the growing problem stems, in part, from some owners of wheelhouses who dump their holding tanks on the ice before heading to shore.
--Due to Christmas yesterday, the Pierz City Council will meet Wednesday night 7pm at City Hall.
DEATH NOTICES
--Duane “Dewy” Eiynk, age 55 of Royalton.
WEATHER
TODAY= rain at times, high 36 early then dropping and windy.
TONIGHT= rain mixing with wet snow, low 28 half inch of slush.
WEDNESDAY= AM snow then rain, cloudy, high 37, low 22.
THURSDAY= sunny skies, high near 40, low around 27.
SPORTS
VIKINGS= injuries and turnovers cost the Vikings Sunday as Detroit wins 30-24 and clinches the NFC North Division for the first time since 1993 (30 years). Vikings fall to 7-8 and will some help to make the playoffs. Green Bay won 33-30 over Carolina and are also 7-8. The Vikings host Green Bay on Sunday night at 7:20pm part of a triple header of NFL on Sunday on AM960 KLTF.
COL FB= Gophers have their Bowl Game today against Bowling Green this afternoon in Detroit in Quick Lane Bowl at 1pm.
HS= A number of holiday tournaments begin today for girls and boys basketball. Other basketball tournaments will start later this week and some run through Saturday along with later this week girls hockey, boys hockey and wrestling will also have action during the holiday break for area schools.