NEWS --A reminder again that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has released a public review draft of a five-year action plan for the sustainable use of groundwater in the Little Rock Creek Area, in central Minnesota, south of Little Falls. The DNR launched the planning process in response to evidence that groundwater use was affecting the quality of Little Rock Creek, a designated trout stream. Well pumping tests in the area indicated that groundwater use was depleting the stream. A statewide watershed health assessment indicated that water appropriation in the Little Rock Creek Area was high. Additionally, a Minnesota Pollution Control analysis found that cumulative groundwater use across the area was reducing stream flow. The DNR’s draft plan is designed to ensure that groundwater use in the Little Rock Creek Area will continue to support local economies, be protective of the environment and provide for continued outdoor recreation. The DNR created an advisory team that included local irrigators, residents and government officials so the agency could hear and consider different perspectives as the plan was developed. The DNR will host a public meeting Saturday from 11am-3pm at Little Falls Community Middle School Commons. DNR staff will answer questions and provide opportunities for comment on the draft plan. More details will be available closer to the event. The draft action plan lays out the steps that the DNR will be taking over the next five years to better understand the relationship between groundwater use and the ecosystems of Little Rock Creek and work with people from the area on ways to manage water use in the future. No permit modifications will be made during this period. More information is also available at the DNR website under Little Rock Creek Development Plan.
--Stearns County Deputies and Albany firefighters battled a structure fire early Sunday in Collegeville Township. Around 1:30am, a building fire at 31602 Maple Lane in Collegeville Township was reported at the Glenn and Deborah Diedrich residence. A 30 foot by 30 foot wood shed was fully engulfed. The building was a total loss. The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time and remains under investigation. There were no injuries.
--Two people from Becker were hurt in a two-vehicle crash. The Minnesota State Patrol says it happened at about 8:15pm Sunday on Highway 10 and Highway 25 in Sherburne County. An SUV driven by 19-year-old Logan Steffen of Becker was going south on Highway 25 when it crossed the westbound lanes of Highway 10 and collided with another vehicle. The driver of the second vehicle 50-year old John Schwartz of Becker and his passenger, 49-year old Lori Schwartz of Becker, were both taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Steffen and his passenger were not hurt.
--A 16-year-old girl was hurt in a two car crash near Princeton. The Minnesota State Patrol says the crash happened around 2:30pm Sunday on Highway 169 near 308th Avenue. Authorities say a pickup driven by 41-year old Chad Nelson of Plymouth, was going south on Highway 169 when a car pulled out in front of him. The car, driven by 16-year old Hailey Merritt of Princeton, was struck by the pickup. Merritt was taken to North Memorial Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. Nelson was not hurt.
--Bethel Lutheran Church in Little Falls Lutefisk and Meatball Supper is tonight from 4pm-8pm, takeouts available.
--The Pierz Facilities Committee will have their first meeting tonight regarding how the Pierz School District proceeds relative to facilities. They will have a few meetings between now and late January. The meeting is at 6:00pm tonight in the Healy Media Center. There are about 20 community members who are willing to help the board come up with a plan. They will meet again in early January.
--A 33-year old Ohio woman was injured in a rollover on Highway 47 in Mille Lacs County Friday. Keli L. Smith of Willoughby, Ohio, was driving north on Highway 47 in East Side Township when she lost control of the vehicle and went off the right side of the road. The force of the crash ejected Smith through the passenger side window, and she suffered non-life threatening injuries. She was taken to Mille Lacs Health System for treatment. She was not wearing a seat belt.
--A resident of Pequot Lakes won a Northstar Cash jackpot worth $96,851. Gary Nutz claimed the prize Thursday at the Minnesota Lottery headquarters in Roseville after purchasing the winning ticket at a store in Pequot Lakes. Nutz's quick-pick ticket matched all of the winning numbers drawn Wednesday to win the jackpot.
--The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is announcing new pike regulations which will go into effect during the 2018 fishing opener. The DNR is dividing the state of Minnesota up into three zones. Much of the state will be in the North-Central Zone where there is an overpopulation of pike. Anglers will be able to keep 10 pike, but not more than two longer than 26 inches. The protected slot is 22-26 inches where you must release the fish in that range. In the Northeast Zone anglers will be able to keep two pike and release all fish 30-40 inches with only one longer than 40 inches allowed. In the Southern Zone, the regulation is intended to grow the pike population and improve the size of fish harvested. Anglers can keep two fish at 24 inches or longer. The new regulations go into effect with the May 2018 opener. All current pike regulations are in effect for this ice fishing season.
--Superintendent of Little Falls Schools will appear today at 8:45am on KLTF Community Events to give an update on the projects that continue in the school district. Also due to last night's weather, parent teacher conferences at the high school are next Monday at 3:45pm.
DEATH NOTICES --Sharon Ehrnst, age 73 of Fargo, ND formerly of Little Falls.
WEATHER TODAY= clearing and cold, high 18, wind chills near -10. TONIGHT= clear skies, temps steady around 14, cold winds. WEDNESDAY= sunny and cold, high 19, wind chills near 0. WED NITE= clear and very cold, lows of 0 to -5, wind chills -15. THURSDAY= increasing clouds, high 20, light snow by nighttime.
SPORTS HS BHK= Little Falls at Fergus Falls tonight 7:15pm on Q92 WYRQ HS GBB= Pierz at Royalton tonight 7:30pm on FM94 KFML. COL BB= Gophers take on Nebraska tonight 7:30pm AM960 KLTF NFL= Pittsburgh scored a last second field goal to come back to beat Cincinnati last night 23-20. The game is being called a brutal affair. NBA= Memphis beat the Timberwolves 95-92 last night, Wolves now have dropped to 14-11 on the season. NHL= Wild out west tonight against the LA Kings.