NEWS
--Little Falls City Administrator Jon Radermacher has updated some information on the utility billing changes since last week. Radermacher states that in order to make the changes for March a reminder that the billing cycle currently has been extended and will be more than previous months as you will be paying for a 6 week cycle from February 10th through March 31st instead of a 4 week cycle like in the past. This change is to better assist residents in understanding the billing cycle for future payments. For those using automatic payment methods be sure to update your dates accordingly. If you payment is via ACH with City Staff, you will not need to change anything but remember the date change. Again the new billing cycle will start in March going from the old method of the 10th of the month ending the cycle with bill mailed on the 20th with payment due on the 5th of each month to the NEW method now of billing cycle ending on March 31st bills are now mailed out on the 10th of the month for payment to be received by the 25th of the month. The first of this will be sent out in March to be paid on April 25th. Again this will be a 6 week cycle or expect to pay more this first time around the it will return to the 4 week for payment again questions can be directed to Little Falls City Hall at 320-616-5500.
--Monday night the Little Falls School Board sent out to district families a letter informing them that grade-level banding was officially approved at Monday's school board meeting, beginning in the 2024-2025 school year. After careful consideration, it was decided that Lincoln Elementary will now become a kindergarten to 2nd grade facility and Lindbergh Elementary will be going to grades 3rd to 5th grade only as of the next school year, the Board and Superintendent Greg Johnson feel this change will significantly enhance our student's educational experience, further staff's professional development, and optimize our budget's efficiency. They deeply appreciate the active engagement of our families throughout this process, from providing valuable feedback to attending informational meetings. Your insights and feedback have been instrumental in shaping this decision. As the board and others continue to implement the district's strategic plan, grade-level banding will serve as a key strategy to support the collective goals. The board has directed the superintendent and administrative team to take all necessary steps to ensure this reconfiguration is a smooth and effective one for all involved.
–A local police force is seeking help identifying two theft suspects accused of taking items from a store’s employees. The Becker Police Department is looking for a man and a woman who were allegedly involved in stealing from a locker room at a business. The business’s name wasn’t released, and no other details on the crime were given. If you can help to identify them, call the Becker Police Department at 763-200-4267 or submit your information Tri-County Crime Stoppers.
--This Sunday is the first Lenten Series on Mental Health at the St. Francis Convent put on by area churches and other organizations and agencies to address mental health, suicide awareness, substance abuse, youth awareness and more. Each week is a different topic and you do not need to come to all 5 sessions. For more information contact Jamie Deering at the St. Francis Convent at 320-632-2981. All are welcome, they would appreciate a head count as refreshments will be served and a chair count, but walk ins are always welcome.
--A tip from the Minneapolis Airport Police resulted in a drug bust in Rice earlier this month. Investigators with the Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force received information from the Minneapolis Airport Police that a package containing several pounds of methamphetamine was going to be delivered to a residence in Rice. Based on that information, the task force executed a knock and announce warrant at a residence on the 1400 block of 115th Street Northwest on February 1st. Investigators recovered multiple pounds of methamphetamine, and arrested 31-year-old Pedro Ramirez Corrales and 23-year-old Jorge Corrales Aragon, both from Rice, for 1st Degree Possession of a Controlled Substance. They were taken to the Benton County Jail and held for court. The Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force includes investigators from the St. Cloud and Sartell Police Departments and Deputies from the Stearns, Benton, Sherburne, and Morrison County Sheriff’s Office.
--Bunny Bingo will be back in Little Falls on March 9th from 10am-2pm at the Falls Ballroom. The event includes bingo, children prizes, 60 gift baskets for kids and adults to bid on, food and a visit from the Easter Bunny. All funds raised through to support the United Way of Morrison County for their programs. Questions call 320-632-5102.
DEATH NOTICES
--Nancy “Nance” A. Kellen, age 61 of St. Cloud.
--James H. Barthel, age 72 of Swanville.
--Jody Boedigheimer, age 65 of Cushing.
--Donna Mae Scholz, age 94 of St. Francis
WEATHER
TODAY= mostly cloudy, light snow showers, high 34.
TONIGHT= snow showers, then clearing, colder, low 17.
THURSDAY= sunny and breezy, high 26, low near 7 above.
FRIDAY= sunny and windy, colder, high 17, low near 6 above.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins pitchers and catchers report to spring training today those many have already been getting ready in Florida for the season. Get the latest Twins news tonight at 6pm on the Twins Hot Stove Inside Twins show on Q92 WYRQ.
TODAY IN HISTORY
--Today is Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine is celebrated annually on February 14. It originated as a Christian feast day honoring a martyr named Valentine know for helping forbidden lovers and killed for it and through later folk traditions, it has also become a significant cultural, religious and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world. Now in previous years it has not been an obligated day for Christian's to attend Mass. However this year is the exception as today is also Ash Wednesday the beginning of the Lenten Season where ashes are placed on the forehead, a day of fasting for many or abstaining of meat or other fatty items to begin the journey leading to Holy Week 6 weeks later and then to Easter Sunday which is this year on March 31st. Now Valentine's Day has become more commercial for selling of cards, gifts, flowers and candy for those to give to their loved ones.