NEWS
--A major winter storm will bring significant travel impacts across the region. Most locations can expect to see at least a foot of snow by the time it ends Thursday night. The worst conditions will be Wednesday evening through Thursday, as heavy snow combines with northeast wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph, with some areas in western Minnesota seeing gusts near 50 mph. This will lead to significant drifting snow, and whiteout conditions in open areas. A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for the entire area. Parts of this Winter Storm Watch may get upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning by today for a band of snow that will move in on Tuesday. The snow will let up Wednesday morning, but then widespread heavy snow will develop later on Wednesday as the main storm arrives. This main storm is expected to bring near a foot of snow to most locations, with higher amounts possible across central Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Areas in western and southern Minnesota may see blizzard conditions from this storm by Wednesday. The storm prediction center said snow will begin this afternoon with strong winds tonight into Wednesday 1-3 inches then heavy snow with total snow accumulations of 10 to 18 inches possible could accumulate Wednesday through Thursday with strong winds could gust as high as 35 to 45 mph late Wednesday into Thursday. The storm will make all travel very difficult to impossible at times and the gusty winds could bring down tree branches and cause power outages. Continue to listen to Little Falls Radio for weather related announcements.
--Two people were hurt in a crash near Oglivie Sunday afternoon. The incident happened at the intersection of Highway 23 and Harbor Street just before 2:30pm. The Minnesota State Patrol says an SUV was going west on Highway 23 and a second SUV was traveling on Harbor Street. Authorities say the second SUV failed to stop at a stop sign and hit the first SUV in the intersection. The driver of the second SUV, 60-year-old Lue Vang, and his passenger, 52-year-old Mu Yang of St. Paul, were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the first SUV, 17-year-old Cassandra Gray, and her passengers, 16-year-old Katherine Gray and 12-year-old Blake Gray of Princeton, were not hurt.
--Ask any medical or law enforcement expert and they’ll say it’s no surprise drug dealers found a way to turn the market failure of certain, hard to get drugs into an opioid epidemic. Despite laws prohibiting them, law enforcement efforts to combat them and community awareness campaigns to educate, the sale and abuse of legal and illegal narcotics seems to always find a way to sustain itself, experts say. In the past month, Crow Wing, Cass and Wadena Counties have been heading a project to help with trying to get methamphetamine, that's still the king out of their counties but this has been a tough road. The Sheriff's offices said at the end of the day, fentanyl is a drug that, once you're hooked on it, it’s next to impossible to ever get off of it and that has become the #1 drug of choice. Morrison County continues to educate the public and there will be another coffee with the cop event next Monday at the Pierz Senior Center/Dining site to talk about the drug problem and ways to help each other with it. Also while methamphetamine remains popular in the Lakes area, law enforcement leaders in north central Minnesota agreed fentanyl is a drug that makes its mark all on its own. There are many treatment facilities that you can call or again if you need help, reach out to your local law enforcement.
--Listen for FFA Students this week on LF Radio for FFA Week.
--The city of Sartell is closer to naming their next police chief. The city has announced two finalists for the position. The finalists are Brent Bukowski and Brandon Silgjord. Both candidates will be available for a meet and greet with the public on Thursday from 6-7pm at the Sartell Community Center. Final interviews will be held that day, including spending time with the Sartell Police Department. The position became available after current Police Chief Jim Hughes announced he will be retiring March 31 after 32 years in Sartell.
--Sauk Centre Police Officer Eric Grabmeier was the first to arrive on the scene of a house fire. He quickly found out a woman was still inside the home. Grabmeier went in to rescue her. The entire rescue was captured on Grabmeier's body camera. On Sunday, just after 1am emergency crews were dispatched to a house fire on the 700 block of 5th Street South in Sauk Centre. Dave and Catherine Dahle said their 14-year-old son, James, happened to be up late when he smelled smoke coming from the basement. He then woke up his parents. When Grabmeier arrived, he saw heavy smoke coming from the doors and windows of the house. Dave and James told him Catherine was still inside the home. Grabmeier said in order to breathe, he needed to crouch while walking through the home. He made it up the stairs where Catherine was waiting on the second floor. Firefighters and ambulance crews arrived on scene and Grabmeier and his partner were treated. Meanwhile, the Dahle's were taken to Sauk Centre Hospital. Catherine had to stay in the hospital overnight to be treated for smoke inhalation. The family was also able to grab their dog and cat. The fire started with a dryer in the basement. The family thanked Grabmeier for his bravery and helping save their family from the fire.
FAT TUESDAY HISTORY
--Today is Mardi Gras which means Fat Tuesday, the day refers to events of the Carnival celebration, beginning on or after the Christian feasts of the Epiphany (Three Kings Day) and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday, which is known as Shrove Tuesday. Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday", reflecting the practice of the last night of eating rich, fatty foods before the ritual Lenten sacrifices and fasting of the Lenten season. Many establishments celebrate today with fatty foods or pastries before fasting begins tomorrow for Ash Wednesday and the Lenten Season. Tomorrow many churches will hold Mass for the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
--Richard Belzer, the longtime stand-up comedian who became one of TV's most indelible detectives as John Munch in “Homicide: Life on the Street” and “Law & Order: SVU,” has died. He was 78.
WEATHER
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY 6PM TONIGHT/12PM WED.
WINTER STORM WARNING 6PM WED UNTIL 6PM THURS.
TODAY= snow in afternoon, blowing snow likely, high 14.
TONIGHT= snow tonight 1-3 total, blowing snow, low 7.
WEDNESDAY= cloudy, AM and PM snow likely, high 11, low 3.
WED NITE/THURS= heavy snow 5-10 inches with gusty winds.
SPORTS
BHK= Sauk Rapids-Rice at Little Falls is now at 6pm face-off tonight at the Exchange Arena in Little Falls to open up the boys hockey playoffs, hear the action with pregame at 5:30 on Q92 WYRQ.