NEWS
--Morrison County maintenance crews will be out removing and pushing snow back from bridges/guardrails and intersections around the county again this week. Crews will be using motor graders, tractors and skidsteer with snow blowing capabilities to clear snow away at various locations to improve sight distance and provide for additional snow storage. This work may require lane closures and flaggers at times. Please use caution when driving in work zones. Maintenance crews will also be out patching potholes around the county with warmer weather in the forecast.
--Congratulations to members of the BPA (Business Professionals of America) students from Pierz who have advanced to the state competition in March. Cole Andres finished 1st in Business Law and Ethics, 4th in Fundamentals of Accounting, 2nd in Personal Finance Management and 2nd in Financial Math and Analysis Concepts. Adam Funk finished 2nd in Graphic Design Promotion and 13th in interview skills, Simon Kroll was 1st in Linux Operation Systems, 1st in Computer Security, 1st in PC Serving and Troubleshooting, 1st in Information Technology Concepts, 1st in Financial Math and Analysis Concepts, 1st in Computer Programming Concepts, 2nd in Digital Communication and Design Concepts and 3rd in Business Marketing Management Concepts. Katelyn Smude finished 10th in Interview Skills. Cole Andres, Adam Funk and Simon Kroll will be advancing to State BPA competition in Minneapolis on March 5th through 7th.
--A Sauk Rapids man took home a new pickup truck after catching an 8.29 pound eelpout to win the 2020 Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza. Warren Arnold said he had caught big fish before including muskie and walleye but the eelpout might be the best he has dont in a contest. 2Nd place went to a 3.57 pound walleye caught by Gregory Silkey of Monticello who won a array of prizes including an ATV. 3Rd place went to Ryan Frane of Minneapolis for a walleye at just over 3 pounds and took come $1,000 cash. Five more walleyes and 2 northern pike round out the top 10 fish caught. The event has raised ove 4-million dollars in 30 years for area charities.
--The Minnesota presidential primary is back for the first time in decades on March 3rd. Lawmakers added the presidential primary in 2016. Minnesota will be part of the 14-state Super Tuesday. The Minnesota secretary of state estimates the presidential primary will cost $11.9 million. The state will reimburse municipalities and counties for what they spend. This election will narrow the field of candidates for president. Minnesota Republicans can choose President Donald Trump or write in another candidate. Democrats — officially DFLers in Minnesota will have 15 candidates and an "uncommitted" option on the ballot. Some of those candidates already withdrew from the race but the printed ballots will still have their names on it. Early and absentee voting started January 17th. You can vote now. Or you can vote at your polling place March 3rd. Minnesota allows early and absentee voters to claw back their ballots up to a week before the election. Contact your local election office or the Secretary of State's office for early voting questions.
--Authorities in northern Minnesota say a man is dead after a snowmobile crash. Becker County sheriff's authorities say the rollover was reported around 10:30 a.m. Saturday on a road near the Hubbard-Becker county line. The 50-year-old man who was driving the snowmobile was dead at the scene. His name was not released.
--KLTF Party Line at 10:05 at Mary of Lourdes Middle School today.
--Chuck Zwilling announced Monday that I.C.E. Fest is a go February 8th and 9th on Green Prairie Fish Lake. The event originally scheduled for earlier this month was postponed a month due to the ice not being strong enough. Zwilling said the ice was checked this last weekend and is at between 15-16 inches on Green Prairie Fish Lake. That is enough for the event to take place. I.C.E. Fest also gives Zwilling and his family a chance to break the world record ice carousel and helps the Flyer Pride Pack program. Last year over $16,000 was raised to help the hunger program at the elementary schools. All but one of the vendors were able to commit to attending the new event dates. Along with the world’s largest ice carousel attempt, there will be skating, hockey, snowmobiling, curling, skiing and more February 8th and 9th on Green Prairie Fish Lake.
--The Department of Employment and Economic Development announced $23 million in broadband grants to projects in underserved and unserved areas across the state last week, including Benton Cooperative Telephone Company and CTC in Morrison County, and WCTA in Todd County. As a longtime supporter of rural broadband funding, Representative Ron Kresha, R-Little Falls, released the following statement regarding the grants. “Broadband is incredibly important to our rural communities across the state, and these grants will allow even more Greater Minnesota residents to access fast and reliable internet,” said Kresha. “I look forward to seeing how these grants will improve the lives of those served and make it easier to do business in Greater Minnesota.” The funds, divided over 30 projects, can provide up to half of a project’s infrastructure costs, and require a local match from recipients. The grants are enabled by the Border to Border Broadband Development Grant Program, created in 2014.
--On Saturday, February 8th Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge and the Friends of Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge invites the public of all ages to its free 8th annual candlelight ski event. The event will begin at 5:30pm at the Crane Meadows Sedge Meadow Classroom (19502 Iris Road, Little Falls, MN 56345). The event is free of charge and open to all to come and attend.
BIRTH ANNUONCEMENT
--Eric and Samantha Olson of Royalton, a boy born January 24th.
WEATHER
TODAY= cloudy skies, flurries at times, cooler, high 18.
TONIGHT= cloudy skies, low 12 early then rising overnight.
WEDNESDAY= cloudy skies, high 27, snow showers at night.
THURSDAY= snow early, then cloudy, high near 30, low 23.
SPORTS
HS BHK= Fergus Falls at Little Falls tonight 7pm on Q92 WYRQ.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1956= Elvis Presley makes first television appearance on the Dorsey Brothers Stage Show.
IN 1960= The Dallas Cowboys and The Minnesota Vikings are introduced as the new teams joining the NFL in the fall season.
IN 1973= Barnaby Jones debuted on TV- starring Buddy Ebsen.
IN 1978= Fantasy Island debuted on TV to say “Da Plane”.
IN 1986= Space Shuttle Challenger explodes after takeoff killing all on board including school teacher Christa McAuliffe.