NEWS
--Governor Tim Walz has directed flags at all state buildings in Minnesota to be flown at half-staff effective immediately until sunset on Thursday, January 26, 2023, to honor the lives lost in the shooting in Monterey Park, California on Saturday, January 21, 2023. “Gun violence has no place in our society. Everyone deserves to be safe and free from violence in schools, community gatherings, workplaces, at home, and everywhere in between,” reads the proclamation issued by Governor Walz. “Minnesota joins states across the nation to remember and honor the victims whose lives were lost on Saturday”. Minnesota joins the nation in remembering, mourning, and honoring the lives lost in Monterey Park. Individuals, businesses, and other organizations are also encouraged to join in lowering their flags.
--The Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza is a go this weekend. It as reported last Saturday that 15 inches of ice is enough to make the mark for the contest. The 33rd annual Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza will take place from 12pm-3pm this Saturday on Hole-in-the-Day Bay, where thousands of anglers will gather in hopes of winning prizes and supporting area charities. Area law enforcement and the Minnesota State Patrol are reminding motorists that there will be extra traffic coming into the Brainerd/Baxter area this weekend. Motorists should expect traffic delays along Highway 371 near the site of the fishing tournament again during the late morning before the noon start and than after the tournament around 3pm that afternoon in Brainerd/Baxter.
--On Monday, the Wright County Attorney Brian Lutes issued a statement after he charged 18-year-old Dillon Lawrence Tilbury with attempted second degree intentional murder and first degree assault for the shooting at the compost site adjacent to Montissippi Park in Monticello on January 16th. Lutes said, “This level of violence in our community is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. I want the public to know this was not a random act of violence but a targeted act aimed at a specific individual. This is an ongoing investigation; not allowing me to say too much, but the people you associate with and the activity you engage in impact your level of safety.” According to police, at about 8:30pm they were called to the Montissippi Park compost site for a shooting. They found 44-year-old Jade Nickels of Monticello on the road near the facility’s entrance. He had been shot multiple times and had also been assaulted. Nickels was rushed to North Memorial Hospital in the Twin Cities and was said to be in serious but stable condition. Witnesses say Tilbury fled the scene, but Lutes says deputies tracked him to a home where they used a robot to open the garage service door where Tilbury was hiding and then flew a small drone into the garage to obtain surveillance footage inside the garage. The Sheriff’s office then deployed K9 Chase in the garage, who alerted to a trunk of a vehicle in the garage where Tilbury was hiding. Tilbury surrendered once Chase aggressively barked directly at the trunk. Tilbury made his initial court appearance Friday morning. Bail was set at $450,000 with conditions or $750,000 without conditions. Tilbury next court date in Tuesday, January 31st.
--Stearns County Monday sent out pictures of open water on some area lakes like Pearl Lake from over the weekend. The sheriff's office asks to please use caution when venturing out on lake ice.
--The Pine Grove Zoo wants to thank all you bought tickets to the Zoo Gone Wild Fundraiser event on February 10th at the Falls Ballroom. The Zoo informed Little Falls Radio Monday that all tickets are sold out. If you want to be on a waiting list call 616-5595.
--Morrison County has completed an updated draft of the of its Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) and is now seeking public feedback. Like all Minnesota counties, Morrison County is vulnerable to a variety of potential natural disasters, such as tornadoes, windstorms, severe winter storms, flooding, drought, and extreme temperatures, which threaten the loss of life and property in the county. Planning for natural disasters minimizes the impact of these events that can cause vast economic loss and personal hardship. All county residents, as well as other interested stakeholders (those in neighboring counties, tribal nations, or working with affected agencies) are strongly encouraged to review and offer feedback on the interactive website, PDF of the draft plan, and proposed local mitigation actions. The review and comment period is open for a period of 15 days through February 6, 2023. The public can access the plans on the Morrison County HMP Website then click on Mitigation Action Charts and Public Comment Feedback Forms which are available there.
--A group of Girls Scouts from Troop 887 stopped by Little Falls Radio yesterday. They spoke about scouts. Some of them started as early as Kindergarten and are still in scouts now as 6th through 8th graders. The scouts said they are more than camps and cookies they given back to the community, volunteer at the Humane Society and other events in ways to give back to the community. They attend camps to show their leadership, friendship and other skills. Yes, they also sell cookies and that will start February 1st and you can Google their troop game and get info to get cookies locally. They will also be part of the annual Ice Fest event with the Zwilling family on Green Prairie Fish Lake on February 11th and 12th. Thanks to the scouts for their work.
--Pro-life advocates from across Minnesota gathered at the State Capitol on Sunday on the 50th Anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe vs. Wade decision. Sunday’s march was also the first since the Supreme Court overturned that decision in June. The event began with a special Mass for Life inside a packed Cathedral of St. Paul, where Archbishop Bernard Hebda thanked those in attendance for their advocacy for women and the unborn. Several hundred people marched from the Cathedral down to and around the State Capitol before a rally sponsored by Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life. The Annual MCCL Dinner in Little Falls will be this Sunday at the Falls Ballroom. To see if tickets are available contact Sue 630-7045.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Shawn and Julie Hansen of Royalton, boy on January 19th
WEATHER
TODAY= cloudy skies, fog possible, high 26.
TONIGHT= light snow after midnight, low around 19.
WEDNESDAY= snow showers, high 27 early then falling temps through the afternoon and turning blustery.
WED NITE= snow showers, colder, low near 0, wind chill -13.
THURSDAY= sunny and colder, high 16, more snow at night.
SPORTS
HS BBB= Crosby-Ironton at Pierz 5:45pm on 94ROCKS followed
HS GBB= by Pierz hosting Holdingford at 7:45pm on 94ROCKS.
HS GBB= Little Falls at Albany tonight 7:15pm on Q92 WYRQ.
TWINS= Twins keep making moves acquiring outfielder Michael A. Taylor from Kansas City for minor league players. Twins also back in December got Joey Gallo to help in the outfield. Twins traded Luis Arreaz last Friday to Miami for pitcher Pablo Lopez to help staff.