NEWS --The Little Falls City Council is in the process of negotiating with the garbage haulers to renew their contracts. As part of the negotiations, its anticipated that at some time in early 2017, the city will be switching to a can system for garbage collection at one and two unit residential properties. Cans will be delivered to each property when the time comes, eliminating the need for residents to purchase the city's garbage bags. As in the past, there will be drive by fees for garbage and recycling services as well as administrative and sales tax charge that will appear on your monthly utility bill. Fees for next year have not been finalized. More information will be provided as the city approaches switching from the bag system to garbage cans. If you have any questions please call Little Falls city hall at (320) 616-5500.
--After Little Falls ruled that no displays would be allowed on city property, the Lindbergh Lions had no place to put up their Christmas display. The display was once been placed on the Little Falls School District property and then in LeBourget Park along the Mississippi River. After the city’s ruling, the future of the display was uncertain. However, Minnesota Power volunteered their property to put the display up along 11th Street Northeast in Little Falls.
--53-year-old Danny Heinrich was sentenced Monday morning to 20 years in prison for possessing child pornography, a crime that led to the discovery of Jacob Wetterling's remains. Heinrich pleaded guilty to the child porn charge and admitted abducting and murdering Wetterling. He led authorities to Jacob's remains on a farm just outside of Paynesville. As part of the plea agreement to the federal child porn charges, Heinrich will not be prosecuted for Wetterling's murder. The 20-year sentence was part of a plea agreement that had the blessing of the Wetterling family. That plea also included an admission by Heinrich that he kidnapped and sexually assaulted Jared Scheierl nine months before the Wetterling abduction. The statute of limitations prevents any prosecution of Heinrich for that crime.
--A St. Cloud auto shop received major damage to its office in a fire early Sunday. Firefighters were called around 2:30am to Triple H Auto at 1501 West St. Germain Street. The fire was largely contained to the building's office. The shop area received minor smoke damage. The fire department estimated $65,000 in damages. One firefighter suffered a muscle strain while on the call. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
--Two people were injured Saturday night in a rollover on Minnesota Highway 15. According to the Minnesota State Patrol 26-year-old Roger Hodgeman of Little Falls was northbound on Minnesota Highway 15 at County Road 29 when the vehicle left the road and rolled into the median. Hodgeman and his passenger, 21-year old Delia Thompson of Blaine suffered non life threatening injuries.
--The Crow Wing County Sherriffs Office has reported around 3:45pm on Saturday a 65-year-old male from St. Louis Park was found deceased in Ross Lake Township. The man had been hunting and was located by a friend lying in the snow a short distance from a deer stand. Foul play is not suspected and it appears the man may have had a medical emergency. The man was transported to Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy. The name of the man is not being released at this time to allow family members time to notify relatives.
--Community Thanksgiving Meal 11-1 Thursday at LFCHS. Tim Sumner said they have enough volunteers, now just come and eat.
--A 45-year-old Princeton man was killed on Highway 200 near Laporte just after midnight Sunday. Luke Prescott was driving a vehicle that went off the road into the median side near milepost 114 in Hubbard County. Prescott had walked away from the vehicle and was standing on the left shoulder when he was struck by an eastbound vehicle driven by 30-year-old Bradley H. Smith of Laporte. Smith had no apparent injuries and alcohol was detected in his system. Smith was wearing a seatbelt. The State Patrol described road conditions as wet.
--Around 7:45am on Monday a house fire destroyed a home in Richmond. The fire at the address of 18941 Fall Ridge Road in Richmond started when the homeowner used a small kitchen appliance and she tried to extinguish the fire, but the fire grew too fast. The home owner then exited the house. Nearby neighbors assisted the home owner till emergency personnel arrived on scene. The homeowner was taken by ambulance to the St Cloud Hospital for precautionary reasons. The house is believed to be a total loss. The fire is still under investigation.
--The Brainerd Police Department has received notification regarding the release of a level 3 predatory offender that will be moving into the Brainerd city limits. 30-year-old Joshua Tromblay will be released from prison today. Tromblay intends to be living in the area of Gillis Avenue NE in Brainerd. Since Tromblay has previously residided in this general area, there will not be a community notification meeting. Tromblay's prior offenses include criminal sexual conduct involving penetration with an adult female he was known to. He also has a prior history of sexual contact with a three year old female victim. The Brainerd Police Department reminds everyone to report criminal activity by this offender or any other by contacting authorities.
--The Heartland Detachment of the Marine Corp League is putting out an “all-call” for volunteers to help with the 35th annual Southern Crow Wing County Toys For Kids Program. Hundreds of families have applied for gifts for boys and girls through age 15. Anyone wanting to get involved by volunteering to bag toys should go to the Brainerd National Guard Armory weekdays between December 5th-15th, from 9:00am-3:00pm. Volunteer baggers are also needed December 15th from 8:00am-4:00pm. Also, toys and monetary gifts are still needed and are being taken through December 15th, the day of distribution. Monetary gifts can also be mailed any time to Toys For Kids, P.O. Box 2811 Brainerd, Minnesota 56401. Anyone with questions about any volunteer opportunities or Toys For Kids should contact Steve Amerud by calling (218) 838-1640.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS --Joe and Amanda Hyatt of Pierz, girl on November 18th --Matthew Peterick and Cassandra Holtz of Avon, girl November 19th
DEATH NOTICES --Douglas Sam, age 80 of Onamia --Geraldine Shingobe-Kegg, age 65 of Onamia.
WEATHER TODAY= snow likely- heavier in southern Minnesota, high 32. TONIGHT= snow continues 1-3 inches by midnight, low 30. TOMORROW= snow in morning, another inch, cloudy 34, low 25. THANKSGIVING= rain/snow mix by afternoon, windy, high 35.