NEWS --Earlier this month a letter was sent out to downtown property owners from numerous groups including the Little Falls Police Department and the Mayor regarding parking restriction enforcement in Little Falls. The city desires to welcome foot traffic while respecting motorists need to parking spaces. Most downtown streets have a three hour parking limit; parking lots are 24 hours. City ordinances are in place to ensure that vehicles do indeed move to allow customers access to the retail and service businesses in the downtown. Those ordinances will be enforced going forward. Note that initially a warning may be provided prior to ticketing. Repeat offenders will be fined up to $100 per offense.
--A Minnesota school district is requiring girls who plan to attend its April prom to submit a photo of themselves wearing their chosen dress to a prom advisor before the event. The Osakis School Board approved the idea while discussing the district's prom dress code with prom co-advisor Bobbie Jo Haakinson at a recent meeting. The board wanted to prevent anyone from being embarrassed or turned away at the door the night of prom if they didn't meet the dress code. After discussion, the school board agreed to maintain a prom dress code. The prom rules have gone out to the juniors and seniors in advance of the April 22nd event.
--A Litchfield man is in critical condition after he was struck by a train Monday night. The Wright County Sheriff’s Office says 18-year-old Tre Ertl was taken to a Twin Cities hospital after he was found lying near the tracks in Waverly. A Burlington Northern-Santa Fe engineer told authorities they saw a man walking on the tracks, sounded the horn and applied the brakes but were unable to stop in time. The call came in around 7:30pm and rescue personnel found Ertl on the north side of the tracks just east of the Waverly city limits.
--The governing body for competitive cycling in the United States has opened an independent investigation into claims made earlier this year by Alexandria native and six-time American cycling national champion Missy Erickson that she was sexualy abused. That's according to an article posted on bicycling.com written by Caitlin Giddings. Giddings wrote that USA Cycling wouldn't discuss details of the case while it was ongoing only that Erickson went public through a story first published on bicycling.com where she alleged that she was sexually, verbally and emotionally abused starting at the age of 17 as a junior racer. She has not named the man she says abused her. Since 2014, USA Cycling has used a program called SafeSport in how it fields allegations of sexual abuse.
--Authorities say a St. Cloud man fled on foot and refused a blood test after a vehicle taken from his acquaintance hit a tree and phone pole on Sunday morning near Lake George. 23-year old Jacob Nhial Elijah was being held in Stearns County Jail Tuesday on possible charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, criminal vehicular operation, leaving the scene of an accident, and driving after revocation. The accident happened at 7:30am on 7th Street South when his vehicle lost control, struck a tree and a pole. Passenger 21-year old Paris Samuel Morman was taken to the St. Cloud Hospital for treatment of non life threatening injuries. Officers found Elijah trying to leave the area on foot. Police say Elijah had taken the vehicle from an acquaintance without their knowledge, had a revoked driving status and also had signs of intoxication.
--With recent rains and warm temperatures the National Weather Service Tuesday issued a flood warning for the Mississippi River at Fort Ripley. The warning remains in effect through Saturday and could be extended depending on snowfall which is expected Thursday into Friday. Crow Wing County on Tuesday also had a number of roads under water due to over one inch of rain that fell on Monday. Most of the water issues had started to subside with the warmer temperatures yesterday afternoon.
--Mudfest was brought up at the Morrison County Commissioner's meeting on Tuesday. The event organizers were hoping to be able to increase the attendance capacity but it appears it may stay where it was the last year. The problem has been too many violations where the security on site was not able to handle all complaints. Last year, 30 complaints were made inside Mud Fest including theft, liquor violations, disturbing the peace and more. A plan was created by the Board to allow up to 100 people on site the Wednesday before the event and up to 500 on Thursday so long as all events, such as the ATV trails and the mud truck pit were off limits until Friday. Mudfest will be voted on after all these details are finalized.
--A Stearns County judge has temporarily committed as mentally ill a St. Cloud woman accused of killing her father and fleeing to Kentucky. It's the second time that Lisa M. Kearney has been committed since she was charged with one count of second-degree murder in the death of Jeffrey Schilling of St. Cloud. He was found dead January 4th, 2016 inside the home he shared with Kearney in the 300 block of 21st Avenue North. Kearney was committed in August for six months. Her mental health status was the topic of a hearing last week in Stearns County District Court. Judge Andrew Pearson signed an order committing Kearney for a year. She will be housed in a secure setting with the goal of restoring her competency so she can stand trial on the criminal charges. The criminal case against her will be dormant until then.
--Pierz Healy High School will host Parent Teacher Conferences today from 3:30-6:30pm.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT --Ethan and Emily Branum of Little Falls, boy on February 20th
DEATH NOTICES --William “Bill” Graff, age 62 of Onamia --Gerald Fuchs, age 81 of Bowlus
WEATHER TODAY= cloudy, rain and T-storms by afternoon, high near 50. TONIGHT= rain changes to snow, half inch of slush, low 25. THURSDAY= cloudy and breezy, high 37, snow likely at night, low 27 FRIDAY= temps steady in 20s, snow likely, 3 to 5 inches possible.
SPORTS HK= last week it was 4 overtimes for the girls, last night 2 overtimes of the boys and Fergus Falls eliminated Little Falls 4-3 from the section playoffs. Fergus Falls advances to take on Cathedral. COL BB= Gophers at Maryland tonight 7pm on AM960 KLTF. TWINS= Twins Deep Cuts tonight 6:30pm from Florida on Q92. The Twins have their first exhibition game from Ft. Myers Friday night when they take on Tampa Bay at 6pm on Q92 WYRQ.