NEWS
--The city of Little Falls held an informational meeting last night covering two topics. The first project discussed was the improvements on Highway 27 bridge in Little Falls. MN DOT has pledged $14 million dollars which would be the cost to replace the current bridge design. The city is exploring moving State Highway 27 one block north from 6th Street East Little Falls and extending the road behind the post office and across the river meeting on the West Side near where it meets now. A big difference would be the new bridge would go over the railroad tracks on the West Side of Little Falls. While traffic congestion has been an inconvenience, the city of Little Falls is more concerned with the high accident predictability with the current bridge structure. The new bridge design showed Monday night would cost $34 million dollars. The $14 million from MN DOT could be used towards this and the city is exploring options having additional funds from the state legislature. Construction would take about two years but realistically the earliest finish date of this type of project would be in 2024. The current bridge could stay open while much of the construction is done, but would need to be closed while the final leg of construction was completed. That could last for several months. This project is still in the early stages. One of the most recent developments was that this project could be engineered.
--Another topic last night in Little Falls was a discussion on a half percent local option sales tax. The purpose of last night and future meetings was to gather public input on what project(s) could be funded from this type of tax. Ideas that were mentioned included bike trails and a community recreation complex. Other areas have used this type of tax for airports, water treatments plant, skating rink, trails and more. The recent study projected income from this possible tax of $530,000 annually with 58% estimated funded by Little Falls residents. The city will continue looking further into public ideas at this time. The city would need to have an idea on what project by August 6th in order for it to be voted on during election day. If passed, a resolution could head to the Little Falls City Council and the state before it is enacted. Because of procedures, even if approved in November by voters, the half percent sales tax would not start until either October 1st, 2019 or January 1st, 2020.
--Superbowl 52 gets underway Sunday at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. During the run up to the big game there are numerous events that kicked off earlier this week. One event that combines footballs biggest stage and one of Minnesota's top industries is the Land o'Lakes Farmbowl held Thursday at 3M Arena at Mariucci on the University of Minnesota campus. There six teams, comprised of one farmer and one current or former NFL player will compete in four agricultural themed challenges. Swanville area farmer Craig Roerick will be competing along side Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly as part of Team Shedders. Other NFL representatives include former Minnesota Viking Greg Jennings, Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis, former NFL player and farmer Jason Brown, current Minnesota Viking Kyle Rudolph, and Lions wide receiver Golden Tate. The teams will compete in challenges including: tractor tire change, hay bale backup, drone drop, and milk pipe puzzle. Little Falls Radio Farm Director Scott will be on hand for all the exciting action. Check out the Little Falls Radio Ag Facebook page for updates.
--AM960 KLTF Party Line will be live today from Mary of Lourdes Middle School in Little Falls for Catholic Schools Week. Hear the program live at 10:05am on AM960 KLTF and also streamed online at fallsradio.com then click on streaming tab.
--Last week the Pierz School Board passed a resolution to hold a building bond referendum of just under ten million dollars on Tuesday, April 10th. Last May voters rejected an $18.75 million dollar referendum. Since then the Pierz School District held a community survey and refined their new proposal to reflect the survey results. Pierz School District Superintendent George Weber is expected to be an in studio guest today at 9:05am on AM960 KLTF Up Front.
--Caucuses are next week in Morrison County. Precinct caucuses are the first step for the party to select candidates and choose the party's goals and values, also known as the party platform. The Morrison County DFL will hold their precinct caucuses next Tuesday at the Little Falls Community Middle School. Registration at 6:30pm with the caucus convening at 7:00pm. The Republican Caucus in Morrison County will be held at four separate locations next Tuesday at 7:00pm. They will be at the Little Falls Community High School Commons, Scandia Valley Town Hall, Upsala High School Media Room, and Pierz Senior Nutrition Center.
--More than 12,000 anglers took part in Saturday's Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing contest on Gull Lake. During the event nearly 900 fish were caught and more than $200,000 was raised for 57 charities across the nation. The contest is the largest charitable ice fishing event in the world, accruing more than $3.5 million for philanthropic causes since its inception in 1991. Next year's contest is scheduled for Saturday, January 26th, 2019.
--Avon area residents, businesses and motorists are invited to learn details about a 2018 project that will construct a noise barrier along Interstate 94 in Avon. The public open house will be held next week on Tuesday from 5:00pm to 6:30pm at Avon City Hall. Those attending the open house will be able to view project’s plan sheets and get their questions answered by representatives from MnDOT and the prime contractor for the project. When complete, the project will construct a 3,400 foot long noise barrier within State right of way along the north side of I-94. The project begins this winter with tree and brush removal and will be complete in summer 2018.
DEATH NOTICES
--Mary Elizabeth (Schlumpberger) Forte, age 88 of Brainerd
--Sharon Schultz, age 70 of Little Falls
WEATHER
TODAY= increasing clouds, light snow after 5pm, windy, high 28.
TONIGHT= windy, light snow in evening, low near 20.
WEDNESDAY= partly sunny, high 27 then falling, very windy.
WED NITE= scattered flurries, low -5 wind chills near -25.
THURSDAY= sunny skies and cold, high 4 above, low around -12.
SPORTS
HS BHK= Little Falls at Sartell 7:15pm on 92.1FM WYRQ
COL BB= Gophers at Iowa tonight 7:30pm on AM960 KLTF.
NBA= Atlanta Hawks beat Timberwolves last night 105-100. Even with the loss, the Wolves are 32-21 on the NBA season.
NFL= Super Bowl this Sunday in Minneapolis 5:25pm on KLTF.