NEWS
--Ice compacted roadways Thursday, Friday and Saturday led to dozens of accidents across central Minnesota. The blowing snow made for impassable roads over the weekend and that led to cars hitting the ditch or spinning off the roadway. In some of the cases, Sunday at 12:22pm a vehicle left the road in Langola Township of Benton County south of Royalton, 56-year-old Laurie Bjork of Shakopee was the driver and not injured. Her passenger, 63 year old John Pellenger from Minneapolis was taken to St. Cloud Hospital for injuries. A spin-out and crash in Cass County at 2:50am Sunday injured one person. 26-year-old Crystal Grosland of Pillager was on Highway 210 when the vehicle left the road. She was not hurt, her passenger 27-year-old Linzie Schelde of Pine River was treated for injuries in Staples. A 34-year-old from Houston, Texas was injured Friday morning in a one vehicle accident in Crow Wing County. At 8:49am Alejandro Mendoza was eastbound on Highway 210 in Oak Lawn Township when it spun out and rolled due to the slippery conditions. Mendoza was taken to Brainerd's hospital and treated for his injuries. It was reported on earlier newsletter, one person injured Friday and two others injured Thursday in Morrison County accidents. There were three fatal accidents reported over the weekend, the one listed from Anoka County that killed a 5 year old, another fatal in Grant County and a third in Pennington County. In most cases the accidents were from vehicles going too fast for the wintry conditions. More snow is back in the forecast later today.
--Little Falls Community High School Principal Tim Bjorge stated yesterday on KLTF they are preparing for the next Day of Caring, the 12th of these events will be May 3rd in Little Falls, along with Randall and the Villages of Sobieski and Flensburg. Applications and registration forms are out at area schools, businesses, organizations and even at Little Falls Radio Station and need to be returned to the school by April 7th and then the volunteer form by April 14th where any group, businesses or community member want to help the students on May 3rd from 8:30-12pm on volunteering at sites. Bjorge said if you signed up last year you will receive a call tonight (Tuesday) from staff or student council members on if you wish to have the Day of Caring students there again this year. Any questions on Day of Caring please contact the High School office 616-2200.
--Authorities in Waite Park have ruled a death in February now as a homicide. Police conducted a welfare check on on February 6th and found 52-year-old Andrew Cottew deceased inside the home. The Midwest Medical Examiner recently ruled the death a homicide. Police have called in the BCA to aid in the investigating which is ongoing.
--The St. Francis Blood Drive at the Convent continues today starting at noon until 6pm and Wednesday from 8:30am-2:30pm. Appointments are required by calling Sister Julien to see what slots are open today at 320-632-0663. Also if you cannot make the appointment please call and let her know then they can see if another can fill the slot to make their goal this week. You can also check appointments online at redcrossblood.org.
--Laverne Bzdok wanted to thank all who attended Share Sunday this past weekend at Mary of Lourdes Middle School. They had 12 acts perform in the talent show and John Justin of Little Falls was the top prize in the raffle drawing on Sunday at the event.
--Join local author Bonnie Paulsen at the Little Falls Carnegie Library for a book reading of her first published children's book. The reading of the book is Thursday at 11am at the library in Little Falls and free.
--At 2:23pm Saturday the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a snowmobile accident along Jewel Road north of 243rd Street, approximately eight miles northeast of Little Falls in Ripley Township. According to the Sheriff’s Office, 37-year-old Jason LeBlanc of Fort Ripley, was driving a snowmobile southbound in the ditch along Jewel Road. The snowmobile hit an area of hard packed
snow and LeBlanc was thrown from the machine. The snowmobile came to rest on top of LeBlanc causing an injury to his arm. LeBlanc was transported to St. Gabriel’s Hospital by Mayo Clinic Ambulance.
--On Saturday a Motley Police Officer observed a vehicle drive past him in Motley having dark window tint and expired registration. The officer conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver as 41-year-old Timothy Salazar of St. Paul and identified the passenger as 64-year-old Steven Sutton of St. Paul. Both subjects were initially placed under arrest for outstanding warrants. The officer also observed drug
paraphernalia in plain view in the vehicle. The officer searched both subjects and located what was believed to be controlled substances on both subjects including methamphetamine, cocaine, prescription pills and suspected fentanyl. During a search of the vehicle, more suspected controlled substances were located inside of the vehicle. An estimated total of 102 grams of methamphetamine, 243 suspected fentanyl pills, 6 grams of cocaine, and 24 other prescription pills were located in the search. Timothy Salazar was booked in the jail with felony 3rd degree controlled substance possession and felony introduction of contraband into the jail. Steven Sutton was booked in the jail for felony 1st degree controlled substance possession, 2nd degree controlled substance possession,
and prohibited possession of a stun gun.
--Wright County deputies responded to a shooting in Howard Lake Monday afternoon. The incident happened around noon in the 300 block of Dura Drive. The sheriff's office says deputies arrived on scene to find a victim with a gunshot wound. Police say a suspect was arrested in connection to the shooting. Authorities say there is no known risk to public safety at this time. The incident is currently under investigation by the Wright County Sheriff's Office and the Howard Lake Police Department. More information on the shooting, including the identities of the suspect and victim, will be released at a later time by the police department as the investigation is ongoing.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Brian and Leeanna Lunn of Upsala, boy on March 17th.
DEATH NOTICE
--Joyce Waldvogel, age 82 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= cloudy, afternoon snow showers, high 33.
TONIGHT= rain and snow mix, up to 1 inch, low 27.
WEDNESDAY= cloudy and breezy, high 34, low around 23.
THURSDAY= flurries early, then sunny, high 32, low near 10.
SPORTS
NFL= former Viking Adam Thielen has signed with Carolina.
COL BB= The Gopher Women's Basketball Team announced that West Virginia Women's Coach Dawn Plitzuweit will be their next coach. She replaces Lindsay Whalen who recently stepped down.