NEWS
--A fatal accident Sunday in Benton County has claimed the life a Sauk Rapids man. The State Patrol said at 1:50pm a westbound vehicle crossed the centerline on Highway 23 and collided with an eastbound vehicle head-on. The driver of the eastbound vehicle, 55-year-old Bruce Varner of Sauk Rapids was dead at the scene. Two passengers, 46-year-old Janet Lemke of Rice had non life threatening injuries, and 80-year-old Patricia Lemke had serious life threatening injuries in the accident and were at St. Cloud Hospital. The other driver 26-year-old Logan Christensen of South Dakota, his passenger, 25-year-old Ivy Blakely of South Dakota and two juvenile passengers were all taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non life threatening injuries.
--At 9:16am Friday the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a subject that was snowshoeing and went through the ice on the Mississippi River approximately nine miles north of Little Falls in Ripley Township. According to the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office, 58-year-old Catherine Stoch of Fort Ripley was snowshoeing on the Mississippi River when she fell through the ice up to her knees. She was able to get back up on the ice and make it to an island where she called 911. Morrison County Deputies along with MN DNR Officers were able to rescue Stoch and get her back to shore where she was treated by medical personnel. Sheriff Shawn Larsen credits Stoch for providing detailed information about her location to the 9-1-1 dispatchers. Sheriff Larsen states that he is proud of the coordinated effort and the swift actions taken by Stoch, 9-1-1 dispatchers and rescue personnel, this incident ended successful.
--At 10:57am Sunday the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a snowmobile accident along Iris Road just east of 180th Avenue, approximately three miles southeast of Little Falls in Little Falls Township. According to the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office, 45-year-old Jamie Ruhland of Becker was driving a snowmobile eastbound on a marked snowmobile trail along Iris Road. Ruhland drove over a road approach, lost control and hit a power pole. Ruhland was transported to the hospital with unknown injuries.
--At 12:05pm Saturday the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office also received a report of a snowmobile accident along Highway 238 east of 90th Avenue, approximately one mile east of Elmdale in Elmdale Township. According to the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office, a 7-year-old juvenile male of Royalton was driving a Polaris snowmobile westbound in the ditch along Highway 238. The snowmobile hit a driveway approach causing him to be thrown from the machine. The juvenile male was transported to the hospital with a broken arm. The juvenile’s parents were riding with the juvenile on separate snowmobiles when the incident occurred and were not hurt.
--The Stearns County Sheriff's Office is reminding gas station workers and the public there has been a large uptick in gas drive offs through the month of February. Stearns County reported 17 alone that month. The Morrison County Sheriff's Office has also reported gas drive offs from their reports occurring at gas stations around the county. Law enforcement is reminding gas stations to watch when customers are at the pumps and report gas drive offs as soon as possible. A reminder to customers that gas drive offs is a crime and you can be prosecuted in a court of law if caught. They ask please pay for gas.
--“Going for the Gold.” is the theme of the 31st annual ice show the Winter Wonderland Figure Skating Club is presenting Saturday, March 5th, at 2:00pm and at 7:00pm and Sunday, March 6th, at 2:00pm at the Exchange Arena. Tickets can be purchased at the door.
--The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the March Employee of the Month, Brandon LeBlanc, Kitchen Manager at Pizza Ranch. Over the years Brandon has helped other employees grow into their jobs by showing them the ropes. He learned to delegate and manage co-workers, often working with new employees. Handling deliveries to handling mishaps, he is a great asset to Pizza Ranch. Congratulations to Brandon LeBlanc the March Employee of the Month by the LF Chamber of Commerce.
--The Little Falls Community Schools on their social media page stated they are saddened to share the news that Mary Larson, longtime Little Falls Community Schools teacher, passed away on February 26th. During her tenure, Mary filled many roles from teacher to coach to adviser. Recently, Mary was recognized for her love of the District when she was inducted into the Flyer Hall of Fame in 2020 as a contributor to Little Falls athletics. In addition to all of the time she devoted to the schools, Mary was also chosen for the local Golden Deeds Award in 2018 for her selfless service to her community.
Mary will be remembered for her continuous dedication, commitment, and support for our community, students, and Flyer activities.
--Minnesota's already record-breaking budget surplus continues to grow. The Minnesota Management and Budget Office released its latest budget forecast Monday with a forecast improvement of over $1.5 billion for the current biennium. The state's revised projected general fund surplus is now at over $9.2 billion, up from $7.7 billion in the last forecast. The state says a higher income, consumer spending, and corporate profit has resulted in an improved revenue projection, while spending is slightly lower in E-12 education and Health and Human Services. However, uncertainty due to inflation and the Ukraine pose a risk to the budget and economic outlook.
--One person was injured at 9:57am Sunday in Crow Wing County in a two vehicle accident. 59-year-old Joan Lawniczak of Isle was exiting a gas station in Garrison and collided with 19-year-old Austin Loeffelholz of Wahkon. Lawnicazak was taken to the Onamia hospital with non life threatening injuries. The other driver was not hurt.
--Another central Minnesota music festival has announced their lineup. FireFest 2022 will be happening Saturday, July 23rd, 2022 in Cold Spring and this year’s lineup is Midland, Lauren Alaina, John Michael Montgomery, Roots & Boots featuring Aaron Tippin, Sammy Kershaw & Collin Raye and Anderson Daniels.
DEATH NOTICES
--Anna M. Pederson, age 90 of Little Falls.
--Dwayne Tretter, age 79 of Onamia.
--Mary M. Larson, age 79 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= AM snow showers, partly sunny, high 31.
TONIGHT= snow and freezing mix overnight, low 18.
WEDNESDAY= AM snow and mix, then cloudy, high 28, low 1.
THURSDAY= sunny and cooler, high 18, snow late, low 13.
SPORTS
HS GBB= girls basketball playoffs started for some teams last night, Staples-Motley tonight, then on Thursday, Little Falls at Detroit Lakes starting at 7pm on Q92 WYRQ Aitkin at Pierz at 6pm on 94ROCKS other teams like Foley, Royalton, Holdingford, Upsala, Pillager and Swanville all begin on Thursday for opening of their playoffs.
HS WRE= State Wrestling coverage starts Thursday on Q92 WYRQ