NEWS
--The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office reported that Saturday afternoon 1:21pm their office received a report of a motorcycle accident with injuries on Jewel Road near 253rd Street, approximately seven miles north of Little Falls in Ripley Township. According to the Sheriff’s Office, 56-year-old Jeremy Girtz of Pierz was traveling south on Jewel Road when his motorcycle left the roadway and went into the ditch. Girtz was not wearing a helmet. He was transported to St. Cloud Hospital for his injuries.
--The warm and dry weather have sparked numerous wildfires already in the past week. On Sunday, a large fire hear Waseca burned over one thousand acres and caused black smoke to be seen for numerous miles and the smoke could be seen and smelt because of the strong winds over a dozen counties in south central Minnesota. Another large wildfire was reported by Fergus Falls in Western Township on Sunday in Otter Tail County that burned over 900 acres and scorched a lot of wild lands in the area. There were minimal reports of grass fire Sunday in Medford, Faribault, Lakeville and Spicer all again sparked quickly with the high winds and warmer temps. Red Flag Warnings were issued for most of the state on Sunday. The hope is that with cooler temps this week and less wind that should ease some fires from sparking but with no snow pack or lack of moisture that will keep the fire danger elevated in the state. The DNR said that burning restrictions are already in place for a number of counties and variances only for Morrison County.
--Purva Watten, CEO of the Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism spoke on KLTF yesterday and said the transition of Visit Little Falls and the Chamber working in one building is going very well. They mentioned there a website (on its own) for the Little Falls Arts and Crafts Fair this September at littlefallsartsandcraftsfair.com to view the site and get information on the event, they already have 117 vendors signed up since applications started February 1st. Watten said that the annual chamber banquet will be May 2 at the Falls Ballroom where the announcement of the Small and Large Business of the Year and Volunteer of the Year will be done. More details to come on that event. Watten mentioned the Tourism crew are getting ready of the annual Charm Ride to area businesses and attractions around Little Falls that will start June 1st. Watten also invites anyone with questions for State Representatives Ron Kresha, Isaac Schultz and Mike Weiner or also State Senator Nathan Wesenberg to attend the Legislative Update 9-11am this Friday, March 8th at the Little Falls City Hall council chambers. For more information on anything related with the Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism please contact Purva Watten at 320-632-5155.
--Investigators are trying to determine what caused a small plane to crash near a home in Minnesota, killing both people on board. The accident happened just before 9:45am Saturday in Afton. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that it received several calls reporting what sounded like an explosion. Responders found the plane engulfed in flames in the yard of a home, near the attached garage. After the fire was extinguished, the bodies of an 85-year-old man from White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and a 68-year-old man from Baytown Township, Minnesota, were found. No one on the ground was hurt. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.
--Little Falls Community High School Principal Tim Bjorge stated yesterday that the school is getting ready for the 2024 edition of the Day of Caring on Wednesday, May 1st. Applications will be sent out around the community or at the high school by the 18th of this month and as in the past if you participated with Day of Caring last year, you will be getting a call near the end of the month to see if you wish to do it again. The Day of Caring is for the communities of Little Falls and Randall along with the Villages of Sobieski and Flensburg. Questions can be directed to Tim Bjorge at 320-616-2201 and Tim will be live on AM960 KLTF today around 8:35 to discuss it more.
--A Sartell homeowner received a shock Saturday morning as a vehicle crashed into their home. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office says they received the report from a residence in the 1800 block of Riverside Avenue at 10:54am. The caller said a vehicle had crashed into their residence and the driver was injured. Officials believe the driver, 56-year-old Gemma Webster of Sartell was learning how to drive with a passenger, 51-year-old Gemma Blaskowski of Waite Park. It’s believed Webster confused the gas and brake pedals, lost control of the vehicle, struck a parked car, and crashed into the garage of the residence. The condition of the driver and passenger is unknown.
--A reminder that this Sunday we “spring ahead” one hour as Daylight Saving Time returns to most of the United States. Turn your clocks one hour ahead before bed Saturday night or before 2am Sunday morning. This is also a good time to check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are working correctly.
NATIONAL ELECTION NEWS
--The Supreme Court on Monday unanimously restored Donald Trump to 2024 presidential primary ballots, rejecting state attempts to ban the Republican former president over the Capitol riot. The justices ruled a day before the Super Tuesday primaries that states cannot invoke a post-Civil War constitutional provision to keep presidential candidates from appearing on ballots. That power resides with Congress, the court wrote in an unsigned opinion. The outcome ends efforts in Colorado, Illinois, Maine and elsewhere to remove former President Trump from the ballots.
--Today is called “Super Tuesday” by political parties in the United States as 15 states will hold primary election for U.S. President today and other states hold their caucuses. Minnesota is one of the states holding Presidential Primary elections today. Details on where to vote area available on the Secretary of State's website or you can contact your local county or city offices for further details.
WEATHER
TODAY= partly sunny, high near 40.
TONIGHT= cloudy skies, low near 20.
WEDNESDAY= rain and snow showers at times, high 47, low 28.
THURSDAY= AM flurries, then clearing in PM hours, high 41, low 22.
SPORTS
HS BBB= Little Falls at St. Cloud Tech tonight, the tip off is scheduled for 8:05pm (after primary election) on Q92 WYRQ.
BBB= Staples-Motley eliminated Pierz last night 83-65, other teams like Upsala, Swanville, Royalton, Foley and Holdingford open the playoffs on Thursday night, winners play on Saturday.