NEWS
--At 3:54pm Friday the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a snowmobile accident on Haven Road north of Highway 115, approximately five miles north of Little Falls, in Belle Prairie Township. According to the Sheriff’s Office, 29-year old Brian Anderson of Nisswa was driving a snowmobile westbound along Haven Road. Anderson’s snowmobile skis got caught in the
railroad tracks and he was ejected. Anderson was transported to St. Gabriel’s Hospital by Mayo Clinic Ambulance with unknown injuries. The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by Little Falls Police Department and Mayo Clinic Ambulance.
--52-year-old Clint Laudenbach of Little Falls was charged with a felony in Morrison County District Court, for domestic assault. The charge stems from a December 23rd, 2021 incident, when the Little Falls Police Department responded to a possible domestic assault occurring at a residence in Northeast Little Falls. Officers approached the residence and could hear yelling inside, and some loud banging noise, said the complaint. The officer spoke with Laudenbach and asked him what happened. Laudenbach was allegedly vague with his responses and stated he wanted to female subject to leave. The officer spoke with the victim, who allegedly said she was in a physical pushing match with Laudenbach when he grabbed her throat with both hands and pushed her up against a door. The victim stated that Laudenbach choked her and restricted her ability to breathe, and they were fearful he might kill them. Laudenbach was arrested for domestic assault. The complaint states Laudenbach was given a portable breath test, which showed a reading of .267 and he was transported to detox. In addition to the felony, Laudenbach was also charged with two misdemeanor charges of domestic assault – intentionally inflicts/attempts to inflict bodily harm on another and commit act to cause fear or immediate bodily harm or death. If found guilty of the felony charge, Laudenbach faces three years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine. If found guilty of the misdemeanor charges, he faces 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
--As Many school districts across Minnesota returned students to the classrooms Monday, the Department of Health is still reminding school districts, staff and students that COVID cases still on the rise districts are asking parents to keep their kids home if they're sick. In a letter to parents, they continue to emphasize that if a student has cold or COVID-like symptoms, they should not come to class. Instead they should stay at home and get tested for the virus. As of this week Morrison County schools plan on following the same scenario when they started the school year that masks are optional, stay home if sick, wash hands after using the restroom and after eating. The schools are not forcing vaccinations of students but encourage that students and staff be vaccinated. Other schools are still mandating masks and some larger schools in the Metro Area are now asking that vaccinations K-6 should be done before students return to class. They also question the latest isolation period of COVID cases after the CDC said they can be shortened if the person with the virus has been vaccinated. Local schools are reminding students and staff that so far the methods of the districts have worked in the first half of the school year and they plan on keeping the same method through the school year unless the state deems otherwise this year.
--The American Red Cross Blood Drive put on by the Franciscan Sisters at First United Church in Little Falls continues today and wraps up tomorrow. Call to see if appointments remain at 632-0663.
--The Minnesota State Patrol reported that from 5pm Friday to 8am Sunday they responded to 47 accidents, 1 fatal, 2 serious injuries along with many vehicle stalled from the cold and stuck in some intersections and sliding off of slippery highway ramps. With more cold weather on the way they ask that you please slow down. The State Patrol also reported during that same time period 117 arrests were made for Driving under the influence or Driving While Intoxicated and other not alcohol related charges included in the arrests, which is the highest number of arrests during a New Years Eve and New Years Day since 2016. Many feel this was because the holiday fell on a weekend, and also last year many bars were closed up due to the COVID pandemic, but still Don't Drink and Drive.
--Chuck Zwilling stopped by Little Falls Radio last week to announce that Ice Fest 2022 is set for Saturday February 12th and Sunday February 13th at Green Prairie, Fish Lake. A FREE Family Friendly Weekend of Winter Events featuring the World's Largest Ice Carousel (attempt), which currently is held again by Finland as the Zwilling family will try to accomplish again this year. Activities to include Human Foosball, Curling, Dog Sledding, Underwater Drone, Santa Rides and Pictures, Airplane Rides, Hockey and Open Skate, Igloo Building, Spear Fishing, DJ Music, Powered Parachute Airplane Ride, and Spin It To Win It. Donations are being accepted the weekend of the event or you can donate online via www.givemn.org/Icefest2022, or mail a check, payable to Pay It Forward Foundation to 21296 Forest Road, Little Falls, MN 56345. The Pay it Forward Foundation then with the Zwilling Family give to the Flyer Pride Pack elementary backpack to feed the hungry and to the Kare Kloset for middle school and high school students in need throughout the school year. More details will be released including shuttle bus info prior to the event next month for the Sunny Zwilling Memorial Ice Carousel Weekend.
DEATH NOTICES
--Pamela “Pam” (Brickweg) Lehnen, age 48 of Rice
--Jerome “Jerry” Posch, age 77 of the Pierz/Buckman area.
WEATHER
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY 6PM TONIGHT-3AM WED.
TODAY= cloudy skies, snow after 5pm, high 25.
TONIGHT= snow likely 1-3 inches, windy, blowing snow, low 4.
WEDNESDAY= temps steady, snow in morning, strong winds.
THURSDAY= sunny and very cold, high -8, low around -26.
SPORTS
NBA= Anthony Edwards had 28 points and 1 of 6 players in double figures as Timberwolves beat Clippers last night 122-104 in L.A.
NFL= Pittsburgh beat Cleveland 26-14 on Monday Night Football.
COL BB= Gophers vs. Illinois tonight 5:30pm on AM960 KLTF.
HS GBB= Pierz at Holdingford tonight 7:15pm on 94ROCKS.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1790= President George Washington gives first State of the Union.
IN 1923= first radio broadcast of the National Barn Dance show.
IN 1935= Bob Hope first heard on American Radio stations.
IN 1958= Sputnik I reenters Earth's atmosphere and burns up.
IN 1980= President Jimmy Carter announced that the United States would boycott the upcoming Olympics in Moscow.
IN 1982= Bryant Gumbel becomes co-host on NBC Today Show and that night “Night Court” with Harry Anderson debuts also on NBC.