NEWS
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office released information according to Minnesota Statute of a level 3 offender being released from prison. 39-year-old Terry Lee Bryant has served his sentence imposed on him by the courts. Bryant reportedly has been convicted of having sexual contact with teenage boys and girls including penetration and in one case met the teenager online to arrange a meeting. Bryant's address before arrest was on Cable Road and 92nd Avenue in rural Little Falls. More information on Bryant was posted on the sheriff's office Facebook. The sheriff's office stated that the information is to inform the public of Bryant's release which is January 16, 2022.
--A friendly reminder about the City of Little Falls 24 hour parking on public streets and parking lots (unless posted otherwise). With the recent snow it is important to get those vehicles moved to an already plowed area so our street crews can get the roads cleared of snow. This will help get the streets clear quicker and prevent that unwanted tow bill. Please help the street crews out this winter! It is unlawful for any person to stop, park or leave standing any vehicle upon any street or municipal parking lot for a continuous period in excess of twenty four hours. The city thanks you for your cooperation.
--John Decker, a longtime employee of the Stearns History Museum, will receive the 2021 Zapp Historian Award. The honor recognizes his longtime service to the community and his commitment to promoting the rich history of Stearns County and Central Minnesota. Each year the Museum presents the award to someone who has made a significant contribution to the history and culture of Stearns County. Decker of Cold Spring recently ended an exceptional 44-year career with the Stearns History Museum. Decker was hired in 1977 shortly after graduating from St. Cloud State University with a bachelor’s degree in American studies and history. He was vital in coordinating the Museum’s Century Farm program since its inception in 1978 and the annual Bus Tour from 1994-2015. He also was the Museum’s photographer from 1978-1983 and head of the Research Center for many years. Decker served as treasurer of the Oral History Association of Minnesota and president of the St. Cloud Area Genealogists. He received a Leadership in History Award from the American Association for State and Local History in 2014. The award is named in honor of the Zapp Family, who was instrumental in securing funds to build the Stearns History Museum in the 1980s.
--Minnesotans will have the opportunity to get out and enjoy some fresh air at several state parks to ring in 2022. The Minnesota DNR is hosting First Day Hikes at six state parks on Saturday. Guided hiking and snowshoeing will be available at Minneopa State Park from 10am-11am, William O’Brien State Park from 10am until 11:30am, Mille Lacs Kathio State Park 1pm until 2pm, and Itasca State Park, Lake Bemidji State Park, and Whitewater State Park from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. The events are free, but pre-registration is required and vehicle permits are required to enter the parks. Charles A. Lindbergh State Park in Little Falls with the Lindbergh Site and Weyerhauser Museum will have the trail open during daylight hours from January 1st through the 9th for all to come and enjoy for free and there is a scavanger hunt. Lists are available during the regular hours at the Lindbergh State Park building.
--The Long Prairie Chamber Orchestra presents Farewell Come VIII Friday at 6:30pm at Long Prairie-Grey Eagle High School. The concert is a free will donation. There is a dinner event before where pre-sale tickets had to be sold for. Details on the orchestra's Facebook page.
--Join Brothers Tone at the Falls Ballroom this Friday night for their Ballroom Blitz music show. Andy Spofford spoke on KLTF yesterday and said they will be playing everything from Toby Keith, Jason Aldean, Bruno Mars, Pink, Van Halen, Bruce Springsteen and more along with Will from the Ballroom making hand tossed pizza, cash bar and more for $10 at the door or by getting tickets at Eventbrite, the ballroom itself and a few tickets still at Little Falls Radio to purchase. Social begins at 7:30pm, music at 8:30pm-1am and balloon drop at midnight, any questions call the ballroom at 632-9992 for more info.
--Effective January 1, 2022, amendments to the Nursing Mothers Statute (Minn. Stat. § 181.939) will take effect, expanding on provisions previously passed under the Women’s Economic Security Act (WESA). Paid Breaks for Nursing and Lactating Parents Employers with one (1) or more employees are required to provide paid lactation breaks for up to one year after the birth of the employee’s child. This is a change from the previous nursing mothers’ statute, which provided for reasonable unpaid break time for nursing mothers. If possible, these break times must run concurrently with any other break times already provided to the employee. Employers may also not reduce an employee’s compensation for time used for the purposes of lactating or expressing milk. The employer may require the employee to provide a note from a licensed health care provider or certified doula to verify the need for the accommodation.
--Some of the hospitals in a combined effort in Minnesota are coming out with the the top baby names born in the state in 2021. Below are the complete 2021 top baby names lists for girls and boys. Top 2021 girls' names: Nora, Olivia, Emma, Evelyn and Eleanor. Top 2021 boys' names: Henry, Mohamed, Jack, Noah and Theodore. The National Baby Center list for 2021 reported that for girls the top name is Olivia, followed by Emma, Amelia, Ava, Sophia, Charlotte, Isabella, Mia, Luna and Harper. Boys' names tops in the nation are Liam, Noah, Oliver, Elijah, Lucas, Levi, Mason, Asher, James and Ethan. The top ten girls names were the same as last year but some switched spots in the top 10. Boys names Levi and Asher moved into the top 10 while Aiden and Logan dropped out in 2021 rest remained same.
--Little Falls City Hall stated they will be closing at noon on Thursday and closed all day on Friday New Years Eve. Other government agencies will be closed Friday for the observance of New Years's Day which falls on Saturday. Banks will be open Friday for shorter hours and mail delivery will be Friday but not on Saturday again like last week as the New Years Day holiday is on Saturday. Call ahead.
DEATH NOTICES
--Janice M. LaBorde, age 85 of rural Pierz.
--David Kliber, age 71 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
WIND CHILL ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 10AM TODAY.
TODAY= sunny and cold, high 2 above, clouds increase overnight
THURSDAY= cloudy, snow showers high 15 early then dropping late.
FRIDAY= partly cloudy and cold, high -3 low around -19.
SPORTS
GOPHERS= Gophers win 18-6 last night over West Virginia in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl in Arizona. Gophers finish 9-4 on season.
COL BB= Alcorn State at Gophers tonight 6:30pm on AM960 KLTF.
MADDEN= former Oakland Raider coach and NFL announcer for over 30+ years John Madden died yesterday at age 85.