NEWS
--The Little Falls Fire Department was called out just before 7am Sunday to the Little Falls water treatment plant on a report of smoke inside the building. Fire Chief Craig Seelen said “We were unable to find any source of smoke inside the building. We used fans to ventilate the building. We believe the smoke entered the building through the building's heating system as it drew air in from outside”. After a time ventilating the building they cleared the scene.
--Little Falls City Administrator Jon Radermacher spoke on KLTF yesterday morning. Jon said the Golf Course clubhouse renovations should be done by June, work opportunities for their pro shop, bar and restaurant in there and using also a Friends of the Golf Course idea like the friends of the zoo, Linden Hill for other groups. The work on City Hall, Police and Fire Department are on hold waiting for legislature approval when they get to business. The Child Care Facility is being worked on with Little Falls Schools to open in 2025. Radermacher said that housing is a big question, development near the Fairgrounds, also apartment complex on the southeast part of town that broke ground last year, another project for a 45 affordable housing project that will be put in place later this year in the city. Recently the city has meant with local, state and federal politicians on the rail grade separation over the bridge. Funding is still being worked but Jon said even after all is put in place you are looking 3-4 years before final approval and likely 2030-2031 for work to start. Little Falls Police Chief Greg Schirmers is retiring next week after 25 years at the police department. Radermacher said that they will make the assistant police chief Kyle Johnson to be the interim police chief while they go through the process of hiring the next Police Chief in Little Falls. Radermacher hopes they can hire internally for the next position. Questions for Radermacher or City of Little Falls items and projects can be called in at 320-616-5500.
--Four people were hurt, one seriously, in a head-on crash near Paynesville. The Minnesota State Patrol says the incident happened just before noon Sunday on Highway 4. Thirty-four-year-old Brandy Peterson of Paynesville was taken to Paynesville Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Her five-year-old passenger had non-life-threatening injuries and was also taken to Paynesville Hospital. The driver of the other vehicle, 70-year-old Charles Hagen of Paynesville, and his passenger 58-year-old Karla Stransky of Paynesville both had non-life-threatening injuries and reportedly not hospitalized.
--A Cold Spring woman was hurt in a crash in Meeker County. The Minnesota State Patrol says the incident happened just after 7pm Sunday on Highway 15 near Dassel. Eighty-one-year-old James Gill of Cold Spring was driving north on the highway when his vehicle left the road. Gill was not hurt but his passenger, 73-year-old Celina Gill, was taken to Hutchinson Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
--Inver Grove Heights Fire and Police crews were called to a small plane that flipped on the Mississippi River on Sunday. The pilot safely got out and onto a wing. The pilot was picked up by a boat, transported to a marina, he reportedly was not injured.
--Minnesota Department of Public Safety announced that extra DWI law enforcement officers will be out this weekend for those planning on watching the big football game Sunday at area bars, homes, establishments and events. Please remember to plan ahead and not to drink to drive after watching the Super Bowl this Sunday.
--Area schools are planning breakfasts for FFA Week which will be February 18th-24th. Royalton will have an Alumni Breakfast on Sunday, February 18th at the Royalton High School from 8am-11am for free will offering. Then to finish the week the Little Falls FFA chapter will have their Appreciation Breakfast and silent auction event at the Little Falls VFW on Sunday, February 25th from 9am-12pm. Again a free will offering and all proceeds from both go to help their FFA chapters. You will get a chance to hear from the students from Royalton, Pierz, Little Falls and Upsala during FFA Week with commercials from FFA supporting businesses on all three Little Falls Radio Stations.
--Officials with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) are investigating after an officer shot a man during an altercation on Sunday. According to Willmar police, around 8:10am someone called 911 saying a man was threatening him with a knife. An officer arrived and found the caller outside. As the officer tried to speak to him and gather information, the suspect "suddenly exited from a nearby doorway and charged at the officer with a knife," officials said. The officer said he tried to get away from the suspect, giving repeated commands and drawing his handgun. According to Willmar PD, the suspect continued to advance and threaten the officer with the knife. The officer then shot him. The suspect fled, making it a little more than a block away before the officer and others were able to catch him. They worked to save the man's life and then he was taken in an ambulance. The suspect's identity has not been released at this time and his current condition is unknown. The BCA reported that the officer suffered minor injuries.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
--Iconic Country Music Singer Toby Keith has died after a battle with stomach cancer. Toby started with songs like Should've been a Cowboy in 1993 then got his biggest push in the 2000s with songs like How Do you Like Me Now, Beer for My Horses with Willie Nelson and his Patriotic songs like Courtesy of the Red White and Blue, Made in America and American Soldier. Toby Keith toured across the world to perform for years for our American Soldiers. Toby Keith was 62.
DEATH NOTICES
--Marcia Derosier-Visneski, age 70 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= mostly cloudy skies, high 44.
TONIGHT= cloudy skies, low around 32.
WEDNESDAY= partly sunny and mild, high near 50, low 35.
THURSDAY= rain likely, gusty winds, high near 47, low near 34.
SPORTS
HS BHK= Little Falls at Northern Lakes at Breezy Point tonight, puck drops at 7:15pm on Q92 WYRQ and fallsradio.com.
HS BBB= Aitkin at Pierz tonight 7:15pm on 94ROCKS KFML.
NFL= Super Bowl is Sunday kickoff at 5:30pm catch all the action and the pregame festivities starting at 1pm Sunday on KLTF.
NBA= Karl Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards and Wolves Coach Chris Finch will represent the team in the NBA All Star Game that is scheduled for February 18th at 7pm in Indianapolis.