NEWS
--The Little Falls Fire Department responded to a garage fire attached to a home on Saturday night. Around 10:10pm 15 Little Falls firefighters responded for about an hour to the Kelsi Saehr address of 515 7th Avenue SW. Four people were home when the fire started but there were no injuries. The garage sustained minor damage from the fire and some smoke damage was sustained in the garage and home. The fire was contained to the garage. Inside the garage some materials were burned but there were no vehicles damaged. The cause is under investigation. The Little Falls Fire Department recently responded to a Carbon Monoxide alarm. Little Falls Fire Chief Mike Nieman has also requested that residents clear snow away from fire hydrants on your property. If the fire department responds to an incident, the time it takes to clear away the snow from the fire hydrant could be the difference of containing a fire or not.
--The Minnesota State Patrol reported dozens of spin outs and fender bender accidents Monday due to the icy conditions. The Morrison County Sheriff's Office said the roads were extremely slippery this morning. Multiple vehicles in the ditch off Dove Road between Randall and Pillager. There have also been reports of Semi's running off Highway 10. Douglas County reported 32 accidents between 5-7am alone with one serious injury accident east of Alexandria. Many schools were closed Monday due to the ice and foggy conditions.
--A vehicle crashing into a power pole caused a couple of St. Cloud roads to be closed for several hours Sunday overnight into Monday morning. St. Cloud police say County Road 136 and 40th Street South were both closed after the crash happened just after midnight. County Road 136 was closed between 34th Street South and 255th Street South. 40Th Street South was closed for both eastbound and westbound traffic at the intersection with County Road 136. Police say that while the roads are open to traffic again, Xcel Energy crews worked in that area to restore power.
--Junior Achievement of Morrison County is searching for volunteers in Pierz as around 11 volunteers are needed to teach the Junior Achievement lessons this year. For those that are interested it consists of up to 5 lessons of 45 minutes taught by the volunteer. All the volunteer material is provided for the volunteer. If there is anyone interested, but not quite sure, they are free to tag along with Katie January 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st or February 7th either 1:10-1:40 or 1:40 – 2:10 to see what it is all about. Any questions you could contact Katie or any member of Junior Achievement of Morrison County. Katie's email is Katie.hoheisel@fmpierz.com.
–A family of five and two others were displaced after fire destroyed a duplex in Crosby on Friday afternoon. Firefighters were called to First Street Southwest on the 500 block around 4:30pm and found flames shooting out of the roof of one of the apartments. The Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport had to close for a time Friday due to the large smoke from the fire with was miles east of them. Two pets were lost in the fire and the cause is under investigation. The duplex was considered unlivable. The inside of the structure was considered nearly a total loss although most of the outside structure remained.
--The Morrison County Commissioners meet today at 9am at the city hall council chambers. They will hold their first of the year items with a number of annual resolutions, bid for legal printing and then hear from social services and public health.
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office in the past week responded to a number of disturbance calls, a theft of a portable fish house taken from the back of a truck in Hillman, arrested a 35-year old man and a 25-year old woman for giving false names who were found to have felony warrants out for both of their arrests in other counties.
--Pillager firefighters were called to a garage fire in Sylvan Township on Sunday night. The detached wooden garage and all its contests were a total loss. No injuries were reported. A power pole nearby was charred and the transformer nearby was sparking when firefighters arrived at 12000 block of 19th Avenue Southwest near Pillager.
--As Republicans and Democrats continue to work with the President on ending the partial government shutdown, local officials are starting to see some effects in central Minnesota from it. The USDA/FSA Office in Little Falls remains on furlough/closed until the shutdown is over. Some other agencies funded by the federal government are dealing with issues and even colleges like Central Lakes College stated Friday that their financial aid offices have been experiencing hiccups from the shutdown at this time.
--A Paynesville police officer was arrested in connection with a domestic assault reported in Le Sauk Township early Friday morning. 34-year old Nathan Johnson of St. Cloud could face misdemeanor charges of domestic assault in the fifth degree. Law enforcement responded to the incident at about 2:00am, where the caller reported that they had been struck by Johnson. Johnson was arrested and transported to Stearns County jail. Johnson has worked for the Paynesville Police Department since 2016. Police Chief Paul Wegner declined to comment any further as this matter is a personnel issue.
--The new Governor Tim Walz was sworn into office on Monday as Minnesota's 41st Governor. Walz was elected in November defeating Jeff Johnson. Previous Governor Mark Dayton did not seek reelection. State House and Senate legislators will be sworn in today at noon.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
--The Golden Globe Awards were presented Sunday night. The Queen movie “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “The Green Book” picked up multiple awards. “Spiderman Into the Spider Verse” won the award for best animated film award.
DEATH NOTICES nd year in a row.
NFL= Colts at Chiefs and Rams host Dallas on Saturday, while Chargers at Patriots followed by Eagles at Saints on Sunday in the NFL playoffs for the Divisional round. Catch all the games on KLTF.
--Dennis Duclos, age 69 of Swanville.
WEATHER
TODAY= cloudy, flurries, dropping temps, blustery winds through day.
TONIGHT= flurries end, clearing late, cold, low -3, wind chills -25.
WEDNESDAY= sunny and cold, high 7 above, wind chills around -20.
THURSDAY= cloudy skies, high near 15, low around 0.
SPORTS
HS BHK= Little Falls at River Lakes Stars tonight 7pm on Q92.
HS GBB= Little Falls at Albany tonight 7pm on FM94 KFML.
COL BB= Gophers host Maryland today at 5:30pm on KLTF.
COL FB= Clemson destroyed Alabama last night 44-16 to win the College Football National Championship for the second year in a row.
NFL= Colts at Chiefs and Rams host Dallas on Saturday, while Chargers at Patriots followed by Eagles at Saints on Sunday in the NFL playoffs for the Divisional round. Catch all the games on KLTF.