NEWS --Voters will head to the polls today in District 5 of Morrison County to narrow the field of candidates vying for a seat on the county board. Three candidates will be narrowed to two that will advance to the general election on Tuesday, April 10th. The candidates are Greg Blaine, K.H. Charlie Gunderson and Ken Primus. The seat has been vacant since the unexpected death of then county commissioner Duane Johnson last fall.
--The Little Falls Fire Department responded to a structure fire on Sunday afternoon. Around 2:00pm 17 Little Falls firefighters responded for about an hour to the Pauline Kastner residence at 61 8th Avenue SE for the structure fire that started in the attic area. The fire was contained to that area of the home where it caused minor damage. The fire was believed to have been caused by a cut electrical wire. Two people were home when the fire started but neither of them nor any of the firefighters sustained any injuries.
--A Brainerd teenager is in fair condition after suffering life-threatening injuries in a Saturday morning crash involving a car and a pickup. 19-year old Justine I. Petersen was airlifted from the scene and taken to North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale. The crash at the intersection of highways 25 and 18 and Oak Street in southeast Brainerd happened just after 10:00am. Petersen was driving a car east on Oak Street and was making a left turn to travel north on Highway 25. The car then collided with a pickup driven by 43-year old Nicholas H. Larson of Brainerd. Larson was traveling west on Highway 18 and crossing Highway 25 at the time of the crash. Road conditions were wet. Petersen was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Larson was not injured.
--Minnesota's highest elected federal officials were in St. Cloud Saturday to meet with community leaders and workers impacted by the announced closure of the Electrolux plant. U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar says she's outraged on how the announcement was handled by the company. This factory that they've given their lives to, by all accounts a successful workforce, is just a footnote at the bottom of a press release about expanding in South Carolina which was issued the day after a board meeting. There was no heads up to the mayor, federal officials, or union people. Sixth District Congressman Tom Emmer says it's unfair that Electrolux didn't give St. Cloud and the state a chance to keep them here. I believe had they given Minnesota the opportunity and this great community the opportunity to make them an offer to expand and make their investment in Minnesota they would have done it. Instead, they already had serious economic incentives provided to them by county officials in South Carolina. They didn't give Minnesota an opportunity to compete. At the same time, Electrolux announced the shutdown of the St. Cloud plant they also announced a $500 million investment in two other facilities in Springfield, Tennessee and in Anderson, South Carolina. U.S. Senator Tina Smith says, even though the three politicians sent a joint letter to Electrolux asking them to reconsider the closure, that's not likely to happen. The idea that we're going to be able to convince this big multinational corporation to change the direction is probably unlikely. But what we need to do is really focus on what happens next in St. Cloud is worthy of this really great community. Last month Electrolux announced they will be closing the St. Cloud facility at the end of 2019, impacting about 900 workers.
--Stream all 3 Little Falls Radio Stations through fallsradio.com.
--The Little Falls School Board will meet at 2:00pm on Thursday in the high school. The board will accept bids for the Dr. SG Knight Elementary and the Community Middle School renovation projects.
--Authorities in northern Minnesota are requesting the public's help to locate a missing person. 27-year old Kara Blevins was last known to be walking along Howard Lake Road in Akeley during the evening of February 2nd. Kara, who is pregnant, is 5'9” tall, about 170 pounds with blue eyes and reddish/blonde hair. Authorities are concerned for her welfare due to her medical condition and the cold weather. It is believed she has no phone, car, money or extra clothing. She was last seen wearing a light grey winter coat with a white scarf and dark pants. If you have any information regarding Kara Blevins or her whereabouts you should call Cass or Hubbard County Sheriff's Office.
--One person from Isle was injured Monday in a two vehicle accident at the intersection of Highways 169 and 27 in Onamia. 31-year old Adam Nesbitt of New Prague was on 169 when 48-year old Collin Tenbruin of Isle turned from 27 and collided with Nesbitt. Nesbitt was not injured. Tenbuin was treated at the Onamia hospital for injuries.
--Five days without pay and six months of probation are among the disciplinary actions taken against Motley police Chief Ron Smith. Smith's privilege to take home a squad car was also revoked until further notice, and Smith has 30 days to complete "certain actions”. City Clerk/Treasurer Lacey Smieja said the subject of two closed meetings in January concerning Smith's conduct included violations of the city's employee manual requiring annual firearms training and a section dictating an officer be "properly armed for the protection of society and themselves." The discipline also centered on violations of the city's personnel policy, including the following sections: willful misconduct or insubordination, failure to report or refusal to work when necessary to keep essential services operating and incompetence in the performance of duties.
--Today is considered Fat Tuesday or another name as Mardi Gras, the day before Ash Wednesday which is a day of fasting. Many splurge on sugary and fatty foods to lead up to the Lenten season.
DEATH NOTICES --Gerald D. Golden, age 93 of Royalton.
WEATHER TODAY= clouds early, then clearing and warmer, high 28. TONIGHT= clear skies, low around 15. WEDNESDAY= sunny and mild, high near 40, low around 18. THURSDAY= light snow during day, temp 25 then falling in PM hours
SPORTS HS GHK= Moorhead at Brainerd/Little Falls today 5:30pm in the second round of playoffs on Q92 WYRQ and fallsradio.com. HS BBB= Howard Lake Waverly vs. Pierz at SCSU 7:15pm on FM94. COL BB= Michigan State at Gophers tonight 7:30pm AM960 KLTF.
TODAY IN HISTORY IN 1795= University of North Carolina- first U.S. state college opens IN 1866= first report of Jesse James robbing a bank, Liberty, MO. IN 1895= the movie picture projector is patented. IN 1924= King Tut's tomb is opened in archeologists. IN 1932= George “Spanky” McFarland makes Little Rascal's debut. IN 1965= 16 year Peggy Fleming wins U.S. Figure Skating title.