NEWS
--Belle Prairie Park announced that they will be closed to visitors not only this week but also December 19th through the 23rd for forestry management activities. Again please continue to respect appropriate barriers and signage. A message from Morrison County Public Works.
--Judy Buckingham of the Holiday Gift Giving Program is reminding those if you took a tag from the participating stores and churches to please fill the tag and return it to Wal-Mart as soon as possible. The distribution of gifts for the program is this Saturday afternoon. If you have questions or still wish to give a monetary donation call Judy at 630-8497. But she asks that tags please be filled and returned as soon as possible so that the gifts and be ready for this weekend.
--On Monday at approximately 10:51am, the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center took a driving complaint of a possible intoxicated driver. The vehicle was reported to be weaving and driving on the wrong side of the road in St. Wendel Township. The Stearns Deputies located the suspect vehicle on County Road 4 in St. Wendel Township and attempted to stop the vehicle. The suspect vehicle left the roadway and drove through several yards in the west St. Cloud area. The deputy did not continue to pursue the vehicle and began checking the area. A short time later, the deputy was waved down by construction workers in the area and told that a male had just stolen his truck. The deputy relayed the stolen vehicle information out to other responding units. Sartell Officers observed the suspect vehicle and attempted to stop the vehicle. The suspect failed to stop for officers and crashed into another vehicle at the intersection of 36th Avenue North and 10th Street North in the City of St. Cloud. Both drivers received unknown injuries from the crash and were transported to St. Cloud Hospital. The scene is still an active investigation, and no further information is available at this time.
--St. Cloud police say officers are investigating a non-suspicious death. Officers responded to the 10 Block of 4th Avenue North Tuesday night where they found the body of an adult man. Police Chief Jeff Oxton says the death did not involve any type of shooting as which was falsely reported in social media circles.
--Commuters in East St. Cloud had to find another route Tuesday morning after a truck got stuck on the railroad tracks. The St. Cloud Fire Department were called around 6:30am to East St. Germain Street after a truck with a ruptured fuel tank got stuck on the tracks. Battalion Chief Steve Richardson says about 40 gallons of diesel fuel spilled on the railroad right of way, with no threat of spreading. Richardson says fire crews provided a hose line for protection, in case the gas started on fire. Authorities stated that the truck was removed safely, no injuries and the train tracks were reopened after that.
--An Apple Valley woman has been sentenced for trying to stab a Waite Park man last April. A Stearns County judge has sentenced 29-year-old Awar Omot Talian to four years and one month in prison. She gets credit having already served approximately eight months in the county jail. Talian pleaded guilty to 2nd-degree assault with a dangerous weapon through a Norgaard plea in September. A Norgaard plea is a guilty plea where the defendant is unable to recall the facts due to intoxication or amnesia.
--Congratulations to John Fussy of Royalton winning $100 in Ho Ho Dough. John registered at Coborns Marketplace. The Grand Prize Drawing of $500 cash and $500 in Ho Ho Dough bucks will take place on Tuesday, December 20th. To see all the winners and qualifiers go to fallsradio.com and click on the ho ho dough link.
--The Winter Storm Warning from yesterday has been downgraded this morning to a Winter Weather Advisory which remains in effect until noon. Over 3 tenths of rain at the airport yesterday then freezing mix, then late yesterday snow develops. Wet heavy snow 1-3 inches fell overnight and another inch by noon today and the snow could change back to a freezing mix at times. All area schools Little Falls, Pierz, Royalton, Upsala, Swanville, Pillager, Long Prairie Grey Eagle, Browerville, Foley are running 2 hours late today. A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for northern Minnesota as snow will continue today and some areas around the Duluth area could see two feet of snow by Friday, Brainerd over 10 inches, and again 2-5 for Morrison County from yesterday into today, however another system comes in tomorrow and brings another 3-6 inches of snow Thursday, Friday and into Saturday morning for the area. Please slow down, expect delays, intersections and untreated areas are very slippery with the snowpack on top of the freezing mix from yesterday. Please use caution. Continue to Listen to Little Falls Radio for the latest weather related announcements today on schools and other events.
DEATH NOTICES
--John J. Lehmann, age 35 of Little Falls.
--Leona (Smieja) Burggraff-Borg, age 95 of Upsala.
--William “Bill” Geschwill, age 67 of Menahga formerly Little Falls.
--Grace Ann Petrich, age 70 of Motley.
WEATHER
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL NOON TODAY
TODAY= snow, freezing rain and rain possible, high 36 most of the precipitation this morning, tapering through the afternoon.
TONIGHT= freezing mist, fog and snow showers, low 26.
THURSDAY= snow likely, 3-5 inches during the day, high 32 early then temps dropping into the 20s. Snow continues into Friday.
FRIDAY= snow likely, 1-2 inches more, high 24 then dropping.
SPORTS
TWINS=The Minnesota Twins have signed free agent catcher Christian Vazquez to a 3-year contract. Vazquez appeared in 119 games combined between Boston and Houston in 2022. You can find out about more Twins news tonight on the Twins Hot Stove program live at 6pm on Q92 WYRQ.
LF=Congratulations to Little Falls High School Senior Jayda Alholm has committed to compete in swimming at College of St. Benedict. Jayda is the daughter of Julie and Shawn Alholm of Little Falls.
BHK= The Little Falls vs. Princeton Hockey Game scheduled for last night has been rescheduled for December 22nd at 7:15pm on Q92.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1911= Roald Amundson first man to reach the South Pole.
IN 1960= The Washington Senators were given a new team after a month earlier Calvin Griffith announced the moving of the former Washington Senators to Minnesota to become the Twins. The new Washington Senators lasted until 1971 and became Texas Rangers.
IN 1961= Jimmy Dean's “Big Bad John” hit #1 and became the first county record to reach gold record status.
IN 1969= The Jackson 5 made their television debut.
IN 1977= Saturday Night Fever debuts in theaters starring John Travolta. The soundtrack by the Bee Gees is still one of the most bought albums of all times with all but 1 song reaching top 40.