--Little Falls City Administrator Jon Radermacher stated on KLTF Monday that the City of Little Falls that policies have been created and would be put into place if new mandates by the Supreme Court, President or Governor would go into effect for workplaces, schools and other cities and government agencies from a Federal or State mandate. Radermacher said as of now there are no city mandates from the City of Little Falls on masks and other items related to COVID-19 as they are leaving that up to each particular businesses, site and school but again that could change if the State or Federal Courts see fit to change it. Radermacher spoke on the redistricting process that started last year that is to balance the 3 Wards around 3,046 in each ward to even out the population. Ward 3 is below that number while While Ward 2 is well above that number which was recently annexed into the city. The idea would be to have Ward 3 as the entire west-side and then adding the Golf Course area in south Little Falls and areas east of 1st Street to balance out that Ward. Then Ward 1 and 2 would be divided from 4th Avenue Northeast as the divide line from Ward 1 and 2. Another area is the northeast end of Little Falls east of the Highway 10/371 corridor which again may have to be added to Ward 1 to even out the three Wards. Again this is still in a discussion state and more input will be taken during this time on the City's Facebook page or contact your local council member. There will be a public input meeting later this year when more details are being more finalized. Radermacher stated that there has been a lot of calls on the new garbage/recycling bins and there is a new schedule on some pickup dates mainly for recycling. Radermacher said questions could be directed to City Hall and they can pass them on to the garbage hauler. The City is still progressing with the Local Option Sales Tax to be on the November 2022 ballot, still hopeful on federal dollars for a child care facility in Little Falls getting support from U.S. Senators Klobuchar and Smith and Congressman Stauber. They are still working on the Apartment complex with the TIF district but again with costs and distribution stoppages and material shortages have that on on hold and hope to restart the work later this year. The Little Falls City Council is meeting tonight (as offices closed yesterday in honor of the Dr. King holiday) at 7:30pm at City Hall Council Chambers. The public may attend the meeting to hear the latest.
--A St. Cloud man is charged with sexually abusing a teenage girl over the last several months. 43-year-old Carlos Calachij Gutierrez is charged with 1st degree criminal sexual conduct for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl. St. Cloud Police responded to a report of child sexual abuse on Wednesday and learned that the girl's mother had discovered the alleged abuse was taking place while she was at work. She confronted Calachij Gutierrez who denied having sexual intercourse with the girl. The victim told police that he began sexually abusing her three months ago and did it every time they were alone together, with the most recent assault taking place just two days prior. Officers interviewed Calachij Gutierrez who allegedly admitted he had intercourse with the girl and he knew that it was wrong, but only did it because she begged him to. He's making his first court appearance on the charge Friday.
--A man was hurt in a snowmobile crash in Stearns County. The sheriff's office says the incident happened at about 5:30pm on Friday on the Lake Wobegon Trail near Albany. The snowmobile was going east when it left the trail and struck a tree. Deputies say 44-year-old Jason Panek of St. Stephen had injuries to his right arm and right leg.
--The Morrison County United Way is working with area businesses on their 2nd Sweethearts Dinner (at home) fundraiser. Tickets are on sale now and will get you a take and bake steak and shrimp dinner for two to go. Purchase your “pick up” ticket now, then stop by the meat department at Coborn’s in Little Falls to pick up your meal on Friday, February 11th from 4pm to 6pm. Ticket sales end on Sunday, February 6th. Cost for one ticket which includes dinner for two is $50 and bottles or select beers and seltzers are available for additional costs. Tickets for MCUW’s Sweethearts Dinner are on sale now at www.unitedwayofmc.org/tickets. If you have any questions, please contact Morrison County United Way at 320-632-5102.
--A St. Cloud man wanted on several warrants in multiple counties was arrested Friday afternoon. Officers with the St. Cloud Police's Community Response Team and St. Cloud SWAT used a search warrant at a home in the 1200 block of 10th Avenue South. 38-old Michael Batsche was arrested at the scene. Authorities say Batsche has multiple outstanding warrants including second degree burglary in Wright County, 5th degree drug possession in Anoka and Sherburne counties, aggravated robbery in Washington County and felon possession of a gun in Stearns County. St. Cloud police says Batsche also faces possible charges of fleeing police from an incident earlier this week. He is being held in the Stearns County Jail.
--Brainerd firefighters responded Sunday to a third house fire in the span of a week. At 12:09pm Sunday the Brainerd Fire Department responded to the blaze on the 8200 block of Harvest Trail in St. Mathias Township, south of Brainerd. Upon arrival, crews found heavy black smoke rising from the eaves of the home but were quickly able to extinguish a fire in the kitchen with the help of 24 firefighters. Firefighters remained at the scene for about three hours, ensuring no hot spots remained and fire did not extend to other areas of the home. All occupants and their pets exited the home safely, but will be displaced until the house can be repaired. Moderate smoke and heat damage occurred throughout the house. The cause is under investigation but is not believed to be suspicious.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Scott and Shari Stangl of Pierz, girl born January 14th
DEATH NOTICES
--Sharon C. (Dickmann) Schuett, age 67 of Little Falls.
--Leroy P. Czech, age 74 of Sartell.
WEATHER
TODAY= cloudy, light snow early, high 34, temps drop/gusty winds.
TONIGHT= clearing skies, cold and windy, low -8, wind chills -30.
WEDNESDAY= sunny and cold, high 0, lows around -23.
THURSDAY= partly cloudy and cold, high -2, low around -17.
SPORTS
NFL= Los Angeles Rams eliminated Arizona last night 34-11 to claim the final win of the Wild Card weekend. Next up is Divisional Playoffs starting Saturday with Cincinnati at Tennessee then San Franscisco at Green Bay, Sunday it's Tampa Bay hosting the Rams and Buffalo is at Kansas City. All the games can be heard on AM960 KLTF.
TWINS= The Minnesota Twins announced Monday that they have canceled this year's Twins Caravan and Twins Fest due to COVID-19 and the lockout currently happening in Major League Baseball. They hope that both will return in the next offseason.