NEWS
--Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen appeared on Little Falls Radio Monday. He wants to remind motorists to slow down on roadways after this past weekend of slippery and slushy roads which led to a number of accidents. Larsen said that in Morrison County there were no serious injuries reported from those accidents unlike other parts of the state. With colder weather coming make sure you have a full tank of gas, charged phone, warm clothing, blankets, food, water, etc. in case you get stranded or go off the roadway into the ditch. He wants to remind those heading out tonight for parties and events to please plan ahead and make sure that you have a safe ride home. Do not drink and drive. Extra patrols are expected on Minnesota roadways tonight into New Year's Day. Sheriff Larsen discussed this past year where they received aid to another drug task force member to work on the uptick of illegal drugs to the area and mentioned education as he and his deputies have been to all of the area schools stressing safety measures. He hopes all have a safe and very Happy New Year in 2020. If you notice suspicious activity or need to contact their office do not hesitate to call the Sheriff's Office at (320) 632-9233.
--A grant is in place to help the Brainerd’s water tower committee get another step closer to saving the city’s historic structure. Last year, stucco falling from the tower prompted the city to take a closer look at the iconic downtown structure. The cost to fix it was estimated at up to $3 million, so the city council gave the people of Brainerd an ultimatum: raise the money to fix the tower, or it’s coming down. Since fall 2018, the citizen water tower committee has worked to raise money and find alternative funding sources to save the tower. Now, a $23,700 grant from the Minnesota Historical Society will help fund schematic designs for a new roof for the tower, which is the first step in repairing the structure, according to a 2017 structure report noting the bowl on top will soon start to deteriorate without a roof. The city council agreed to chip in one-third which totals about $12,500 of the cost of designs.
--The Meeker County Sheriff's Office is investigating after a body was found in Kingston Township. They received a call of a body found along the road in the 74500 block of 309th Street at about 8:00am Sunday. The identity of the adult male body is not known at this time. The initial investigation is that the man died somewhere other than where he was found. The body was sent to the Midwest Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy and identification. The Sherrif's Office is asking anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area where the body was found during the overnight hours of Saturday night into Sunday morning to call them. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is assisting in the investigation.
--The Little Falls School Board meets Thursday at 5pm at the Little Falls Community Middle School Media Center. The board will do their election of officers and other items for reorganization. They will also pass their consent agenda of items mostly doing with the first of the year. The board is scheduled to vote on approval of policies, seniority list of EMLF and an Art Club Trip to Australia in 2022.
--Tomorrow is New Years Day. A national and legal holiday meaning that all federal, state, county and city offices are closed, some city halls are also closed today so call ahead. Schools are off today and tomorrow but many return to class on Thursday morning. Banks and businesses may have special hours today and be closed on Wednesday for the holiday so again best to check ahead.
--Unemployment rates were higher in November than recent months across Central Minnesota when using the non seasonally adjusted rates. Morrison County had 4.9% unemployment in November, up from 3% in October and also higher than the 4% unemployment in November 2018. Here is how our other area counties fared for November unemployment rates: Aitken 5.9%; Benton 3.3%; Cass 5.6%; Crow Wing 4.3%; Mille Lacs 4.7%; Sherburne 3%; Stearns 3.6%; Todd 4.1%; and Wadena County at 5.3%. The city of Brainerd registered at 5% and St. Cloud at 3.1% unemployment in November. The non seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate in November was 2.9% and the national average was 3.3%.
--January 1st tomorrow means new laws take effect. The omnibus environment and natural resources law prohibits someone from purchasing or selling a prohibited animal part if they know or should know it is a prohibited animal part. "A tooth or tusk from any species of elephant, hippopotamus, mammoth, mastodon, walrus, whale, or narwhal, or any piece thereof, whether raw or worked" and "a horn; piece of horn; or derivative of a horn, such as a powder, of any species of rhinoceros." Another new law is Pharmacy benefit manager licensure to be instituted. This means PBMs operating in Minnesota will need to be licensed by the Department of Commerce, which will allow the state to impose requirements in areas including network adequacy, ownership interest and transparency. License applications and renewals will require fees and evidence of fiscal responsibility. PBMs may be fined $5,000 for every day they act without a license and additional civil penalties can be imposed for failure to comply with transparency requirements, including annual reports slated to begin in 2020. Also is continuing education need for controlled substance prescribers. Much of the state's sweeping, multifaceted response to the opioid crisis was included in a new law that took effect on July 1, 2019.
--The 24 hour Prayer Vigil of Peace continues until 6pm tonight at the St. Francis Convent where all are encouraged to pray for 1 hour for peace. There will be a service at 7pm tonight at the convent.
DEATH NOTICE
--Leslie V. Hubbell, age 82 of Pierz.
WEATHER
TODAY= becoming mostly sunny, temps steady around 18.
TONIGHT= partly cloudy, low around 8 above.
NEW YEARS DAY= becoming cloudy, high 26, low near 12.
THURSDAY= cloudy, high 34, snow before midnight, low 24.
FRIDAY= snow showers at times, high near 30, low near 18.
SPORTS
COL FB= Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Auburn Tigers Wednesday with a noon kickoff from Tampa in the Outback Bowl. Coverage begins at 10:00am on New Years Day on AM960 KLTF.
HS= Little Falls Boys Hockey wins all 3 games at their tournament Thursday through Saturday, Pierz boys basketball wins both games at Aitkin Tournament, Holdingford girls basketball won both games at the Kimball tournament last week for our area teams.
There will be no newsletter on Wednesday for New Years Day as the Offices of Little Falls Radio will be closed on Wednesday. Happy New Year from Little Falls Radio.