NEWS
--The Little Falls City Council met on Monday night. At the meeting the council approved the 2020 levy at $3,936,200, an increase of about $132,000 from last year. Because the taxable market value total in Little Falls increased approximately $50 million dollars from 2019 and the local government aid also increased about $136,000, the taxable rate dropped from 73.02% to 67.872%. The Housing and Redevelopment Authority levy was passed at $90,000 as presented. The water, wastewater, garbage and recycling fees were approved with the largest change coming from a state drinking water fee increase from $6.36 to $9.72. That fee is required to be collected by the city and given to the state. Also approved was a SmartFLOE, SmartCover Monitoring System at Wastewater. The council approved a change in City of Little Falls Office Hours to 8:00am-4:30pm weekdays effective January 2nd. The city office had been open until 5:00pm but will close 30 minutes earlier starting in January. The council approved hiring Jeremy Doroff at the Little Falls Police Department as a replacement for the outgoing Trace Swanson. Doroff was a previous officer at Little Falls Police Department but left a few years ago and now has returned. A Phase II Environmental Investigation Report on the former CentraSota property was received. The Little Falls City Council meets again on Monday, December 16th.
--At 2:03am Tuesday a vehicle driven by 43-year old Aaron Salzer of Rice left the road and struck a power pole. Salzer contacted the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office advising he was involved in a single motor vehicle crash at the intersection of County Road 2 and 421st Street in Brockway Township. Upon deputies’ arrival, they found a power pole sheared off and power lines stretching across County Road 2. The power pole belongs to Stearns Electric. Salzer did not complain of any injuries and did not seek any medical attention. Deputies observed signs of alcohol impairment in Mr. Salzer. After additional investigation, he was placed under arrest for suspicion of driving while intoxicated. Salzer was transported to the Stearns County Jail on charges of 3rd Degree Driving While Intoxicated.
--An icy patch of Interstate 94 caused a crash near St. Joseph Tuesday morning around 6am. 57-year-old Theodore Purvis of Fair Play, Missouri was westbound on I-94 when he hit a slippery spot in the roadway, lost control and entered the right ditch. The pickup Purvis was driving then struck a road sign, rolled and came to rest on its roof in a grove of trees. Purvis was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
--A Benton County woman is suspected of using and selling drugs after police identified 48.6 grams of methamphetamine in her home in Maywood Township near Sartell. 46-year-old Sarah Buschette has been charged with first-degree and second-degree controlled substance crimes. Buschette was arrested last Wednesday and booked in the Benton County Jail. The Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force had been investigating Buschette and her boyfriend and Nathan Rue. The 51-year-old Rue was also booked the same day and both remain in the Benton County Jail.
--The Morrison County Disabled American Veterans Chapter #12 (which also represents Todd County veterans) will hold their Christmas dinner and meeting to all members on December 11th with social at 5:30pm at the Little Falls VFW. All members are invited. For information contact Danny L. Noss at 232-9412.
--St. Nick Nite tonight in Pierz events begin at 4pm at the church.
--The next Wreaths for the Fallen national remembrance ceremony will be on Saturday, December 14th at 11:00am at all Minnesota State Veterans Cemeteries in Little Falls, Preston and Duluth. The mission of WreathsForTheFallen.org is to honor our Veterans (and their families) by providing honor wreaths for the Minnesota State Veterans Cemeteries in December of each year. The first wreath ceremony was held in 2006 when the Little Falls American Legion Post 46 and Randall VFW Post 9073 placed 5 wreaths at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery at Camp Ripley north of Little Falls. In the following years the numbers have grown exponentially too many thousands. It is their goal to honor every fallen veteran and family member’s grave with an honor wreath every year. It is projected that the number of honor wreaths required will increase substantially each year. Minnesota State Veterans Cemeteries are presently in operation at Little Falls, Preston and Duluth with future construction planned for Redwood Falls. As in years past if you plan to attend, carpooling is recommended as parking is limited.
--The 9th Annual Randall Holly-Day will be Thursday from 4-7:30pm in Randall. 4-7pm Santa at the VFW, Santa's workshop for kids to make crafts, music and refreshments then at 5-7:30pm head to the Randall Bingo Park Building for trolley rides, hot chocolate, cookies and a bonfire all happening Thursday night in Randall.
--The last of three men who were caught in a police sex sting in November 2018 has been sentenced. 23-old Jacob Young of St. Cloud has been sentenced to a stay of imposition with 10 days in jail already served. He must register as a predatory offender, be on probation for four years and pay more than $2,300 in fines and fees. Young pleaded guilty to a felony count of soliciting a child through electronics to engage in sexual conduct in July. 35-year-old Sory Sidime and 39-year-old Corey Wentz made guilty pleas earlier this year. The men responded to an online profile set up by undercover officers acting as a 14-year-old girl. Wentz was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison and he must register as a sex offender. Sidime was sentenced to a stay of imposition, time served, probation and fined.
--The 5th annual Christmas on the Platte tree lighting event will take place on Saturday Memorial Park. Enjoy the entertainment, food, and hot cocoa while visiting with friends around the fire. Sing carols while riding in the wagon around town. The event is 4:30-7pm, Christmas trees will be lit at 6pm to begin the season and last until January.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--John and Michelle Boeder, boy on December 2nd.
WEATHER
TODAY= mostly sunny and mild, high 36.
TONIGHT= partly cloudy, low around 18.
THURSDAY= cloudy skies, scattered flurries, 32 early then falling.
THURS NITE/FRI= clearing skies, colder, low 6 above, high near 17.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins Hot Stove program tonight 6pm on Q92 WYRQ.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1775= first time U.S. flag raised on a Naval vessel (The Alfred)
IN 1910= first Neon lights displayed in Paris, France.
IN 1947= “A Streetcar Named Desire” debuted on stage in NYC.
IN 1964= Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer makes its TV debut.