NEWS
--Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen reported that at 6:57pm Saturday Morrison County Jail staff were alerted of an unresponsive inmate in a housing unit. Correctional officers immediately responded to the cell block and discovered an unresponsive inmate. Staff called for backup and Morrison County Deputies, Little Falls Police Department Officers, Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service personnel and a nurse from St. Gabriel’s Hospital in Little Falls, arrived on scene and assisted correctional officers with lifesaving efforts, to include administering Narcan. Upon working on the first inmate that was unresponsive, other inmates in the same housing unit began showing signs of a potential overdose. In total, 6 inmates showed signs of overdosing and 5 were treated with Narcan. All 6 male inmates in the same housing unit were transported to St. Gabriel’s Hospital for treatment and monitoring. After being evaluated at the hospital, the 6 inmates were cleared and released back to the Morrison County Jail. The Minnesota Department of Corrections has been notified of this incident. An investigation is being conducted by the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the Little Falls
Police Department. Sheriff Larsen states that he is proud of everyone’s collaborative efforts, for their quick response and lifesaving actions, which ultimately saved the lives of 6 inmates. This case remains an active investigation and no further information will be released at this time. The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Little Falls Police Department, St. Gabriel’s Hospital Staff, Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service, and the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office.
--An Alexandria man has been sentenced for promoting prostitution in Stearns County. 37-year old Michael Jamal Williams pleaded guilty to the charge back on January 27th and was immediately sentenced to 3 ½ years in prison. As part of the plea agreement charges of sex trafficking and receiving profits from prostitution were dismissed. He gets credit for already serving 64 days in the county jail. According to the criminal complaint, an undercover officer responded to an ad posted on a website known to advertise prostitution on February 2021, and struck an agreement to pay for sex acts at a St. Cloud hotel. When undercover officers arrived they saw Williams leaving the hotel. The officer texted the woman that he would not meet her because there was a man who appeared to be waiting outside. The woman denied being with a man at the hotel. Several search warrants were used in the investigation including a search of the woman's phone showing multiple texts about sex for money.
--Airmen from the Minnesota National Guard's 148th Fighter Wing were responsible for shooting down a flying object over Lake Huron on Sunday, according to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. The airmen took off from Madison, WI and were working on a federal mission. President Biden ordered the unidentified object be shot down with a missile on Sunday. It was the fourth object to be shot out of the sky by U.S. fighter jets in the last eight days. Since then, fighter jets last week also shot down objects over Canada and Alaska. Pentagon officials said they posed no security threats, but they were ruling nothing out on what they are, not even UFOs.
--Little Falls Community Schools are reminding students, parents and staff that next Monday, February 20th is now a student in class day, this is a make up day from the earlier snow days this school year.
--Royalton FFA is hosting a breakfast this Sunday from 9-12 at Royalton High School with a silent auction for a free will offering.
--Chuck Zwilling is cautioning those coming out to the Green Prairie/Fish Lake coming off the big weekend of Ice Fest. With the very warm weather, and rotating carousels, there are lots of bad spots on the carousel so they wanted to get a message out to the fisherman to be sure they stay outside the cones. They have Caution tape around it and the cones are 25’ out from that. By the looks of the weather, it probably won’t be safe until Friday or Saturday. The Zwilling Family thanked all who came out and enjoyed the fun of Ice Fest last weekend and donated to the Flyer Pride Pack and Kare Closets projects at the school, but they also wanted to mention caution to all venturing out on the ice.
--Crow Wing County Sheriff Eric Klang reported a snowmobile accident with injuries Sunday at 12:09pm on Bay Lake. When they arrived the found the victim's leg was caught in the snowmobile. The 15-year-old female was a passenger on a snowmobile that was pulling a sled. When the driver lost control on a slushy patch this caused the girls' leg to get caught in the machine. Deerwood Fire Department helped and getting the girl free from the snowmobile and she had to be airlifted to Children's Hospital in the Twin Cities. Her condition is unknown. The sheriff's office the driver of the snowmobile, also 15 was not injured.
--This past Saturday the Morrison County Republicans held a convention and voted on board members. All members this year are new to the board although numerous previous members did not run for re-election. Elected were: Chair: John Ulrick; Deputy Chair: Jeff Stanek; Treasurer: Rene Krousey; Secretary: Kelli Spencer; and two Vice Chairs: Taylor Anderson and Jesse Doroff.
--Parts of Minnesota have been declared a disaster area due to last summer's drought in areas. The six primary counties are Sherburne, Blue Earth, Chisago, Goodhue, Meeker and Watowan. Eligible counties also for assistance can be near the primary ones and that includes from central Minnesota, Benton, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Stearns and Wright Counties. Each of the counties Farm Service Agencies will have applications for those asking for coverage assistance in the selected counties. For further information you can contact the FSA office in your area or go the USDA website.
VALENTINES DAY HISTORY
--Today is Valentine's Day originally St. Valentine's Day on the feast day of St. Valentine who helped with forbidden love and performing weddings of Christian soldiers who were not allowed to marry. Valentine would be imprisoned for this and later executed. Valentine's Day is not a public or legal holiday in any of the United States.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Mitchel and Kellen Welinski of St. Joseph, a boy born Feb 11th.
DEATH NOTICES
--Urban J. Frank, age 85 of Sartell.
WEATHER
TODAY= rain likely by afternoon, turning breezy, high 37.
TONIGHT= rain changing to snow overnight, low 19, 1-3 inches.
WEDNESDAY= snow early, temps dropping, very strong winds.
THURSDAY= sunny and colder, high 13, low around -7.
SPORTS
HS BBB= Albany at Pierz tonight 7:15pm on 94ROCKS KFML.