NEWS
--At 9:26pm Monday the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office responded to a vehicle off road near the intersection of County Road 18 and Wedgewood Road Lake Edward Township. Upon arrival, deputies found that a 2004 Toyota Tundra was traveling eastbound on County Road 18, lost control and collided with a tree. The driver of Toyota Tundra, a 29-year old rural Nisswa man, was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash is currently under investigation.
--A Sauk Rapids woman was severely hurt in a head-on crash that killed another woman. The Minnesota State Patrol says it happened just before 2pm Monday on Highway 200 north of Bemidji in Cass County. A car was going west on the highway while a pickup was going east moving at a high rate of speed while passing another vehicle when they collided. A passenger in the pickup, 39-year-old Lavae Oothoudt of Sauk Rapids, was ejected from the vehicle. She was taken to Sanford hospital with life-threatening injuries, she was later transferred to Fargo and is in critical condition. The driver of the pickup, 39-year-old Corey Wuori of Walker, was taken to the Bemidj Sanford hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the car, 53-year-old Virginia Stewart of Longville, died in the crash.
--A St. Cloud woman is charged with attacking another woman with a pair of scissors. 24-year-old Aisha Hassan Shakul is charged with 2nd-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and domestic assault. St. Cloud Police were called to the 400 block of 9th Avenue North Sunday on a report that a woman had stabbed another woman with a pair of scissors. According to the charges, the two women got into a fight when Shakul grabbed a pair of scissors and began stabbing the victim in the head and arm. Police say Shakul acknowledged getting into the fight, picking up the scissors, and repeatedly striking the victim. Officers found the scissors in Shakul's bedroom. Court records don't indicate the severity of the victim's wounds.
--The Brainerd Jaycees reported on Monday: In light of this year’s unprecedented format for the Ice Fishing Extravaganza Saturday, the No. 1 ranked largest fish and the winner of the grand prize, a GMC or Ford truck from Mill Auto Group were separate entries, unlike prior competitions. Here are the three most notable entries in which northern pike dominated: The largest fish caught this year was a 40.5-inch northern pike hooked by Chuck Betterman at 2:46pm Saturday, which was good for a 50-quart Maluna cooler. The winner of the grand prize truck, slotted at the 128th spot this year, was a 28-inch northern pike caught by Mike Ringer at 2:04pm Saturday. The winner of an Ice Castle Mille Lacs LT was a 22.25-inch northern pike caught at 1:15 p.m. Saturday by Marvin Forbragd at the 500th spot on the leaderboard. The announcement Monday evening marked the end of a long and tedious process during which tournament judges examined and authenticated more than 10,500 photos of 4,198 fish from all over Minnesota to determine what deserved to be on its 500-slot leaderboard. It was reported around 4,700 participated this year down from previous years as expected with virtual means, but they still continue to count the donations and monies raised from the event and thank all you participated and took part this year.
--Active cases in Morrison County are dropping at a quick rate, as of Tuesday's report only 29 active cases, 12 of those in Little Falls Zip Code. The county has continued to only see an increase of 1-2 cases on average per day. The State Website reported 633 new cases, 8 new deaths and 4 new cases in Morrison County on Tuesday.
--Catholic Schools Week continues with KLTF Party Line live today at Holy Trinity School in Pierz with students talking and singing about the praises of attending Catholic Schools. A special thank you to the students and staff that joined KLTF yesterday virtually from Mary of Lourdes Schools in Little Falls for Catholic Schools Week.
--Fire crews Tuesday had to battle a fire into their own building as the fire was at the Backus City Hall. Firefighters from Backus, Pine River and Hackensack work at Backus City Hall where a fire broke out. The building that caught fire also includes the Backus Fire Department. Haze, smoke and red glare filled the night, as emergency vehicles parked just outside on Highway 87 in front of the city hall/fire department building. Firefighters worked both to put out the fire and remove emergency vehicles from the building. It was reported as of last night, the extent of the damage wasn't clear. Fire crews were reportedly working on cleanup of the building last evening.
--There are still a few of the steak and shrimp meals for purchase to help out the United Way of Morrison County during this fundraiser for a Valentine's Meal at Home. For details and ticket information go to the website unitedwayofmc.org or call Meghann at 320-632-5102. They cut off is Sunday. The pickup is February 12th from 4-7pm at Coborn's Marketplace and this is contactless pickup as they will place it in your vehicle to take home and cook up for Valentine's weekend.
NATIONAL NEWS
--President Joe Biden continues to meet with Senators on both sides about his $1.9 trillion dollar COVID rescue plan. This was announced after the Republican's 618-billon dollar bill was considered too low. The Senate 50-49 votes to pursue the issue father with a vote is approved and signed, the outcome will increase vaccine distributions, give a direct $1,400 stimulus check payment to households, work on school reopenings and business aid for those affected by shutdowns.
DEATH NOTICES
--Margaret Anne Howes, age 70 of Little Falls.
--Florence M. Wodarz, age 98 of Outing, born in Bowlus.
WEATHER
TODAY= mostly cloudy, freeze fog early, high near 30.
TONIGHT= freezing drizzle, to snow overnight, low 21.
THURSDAY= snow showers then gusty winds and dropping temps.
FRIDAY= partly sunny and very cold, high 7, low around -20.
SPORTS
TWINS= Another Twins Hot Stove tonight 6pm on Q92 WYRQ.
VIKINGS= only a rumor coming from the Minneapolis sports reporters Tuesday but the latest Vikings trade rumor has quarterback Kirk Cousins going to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and other considerations. According to the reports the 49ers are likely interested because head coach Kyle Shanahan coached Cousins when they were in Washington together and the 49ers don't have salary cap issues. However, this seems unlikely, due to the Viking's salary cap issues and also the Vikngs just gave another 2 year extension to Cousin's current big deal.
GROUND HOG NEWS
--Punxsutawney Phil early Tuesday reported saw his shadow meaning that there will be 6 more weeks of winter