NEWS
--Chuck Zwilling announced yesterday on Little Falls Radio that all is getting set for Ice Fest this weekend on Green Prairie Fish Lake north of Little Falls. The ice in around 20-24 feet thick making is perfect with the cold weather recently to work on the ice. Zwilling said the big issue after 5 years of breaking and trying to break the world record for a spinning ice carousel is they are running out of lake so likely the last major attempt on a world record will be this weekend on the lake. The event is 10am to 6pm Saturday and Sunday with a number of events, curling, human foosball, igloo building, dog sledding on Sundays, skating, skiing, free airplane ride (weather permitting), hockey, spear fishing and much more. There will be warming tents to warm up during the weekend and beverages at the event for those to enjoy. The event is also a fundraiser for the Flyer Pride Pack and Kare Closet at the schools to help for students in need and with no child going hungry. In the years with the schools the fundraiser of Ice Fest they have raised over $56,000 and Chuck thanks all the community support and all the Diamond, Platinum, Gold and Silver Sponsors making the event a big success each year. There is no admission to the event, also free shuttle buses will go to and from events but only Saturday from Little Falls businesses, Sunday you can park by the beach access for the event. Zwilling stated on the world record attempt the big thing is not the amount of ice which will be around 80 tons of ice but the spinning continuously in breaking the record once they can keep it going, this was not able to happen last year due to the brutal cold. This weekend temps Saturday in the single digits above zero with highs in the 20s on Sunday helping make the events a little more tolerable for those to come and take in the Sunny Zwilling Memorial Ice Carousel Extravaganza known as Ice Fest. Volunteers can still help with the event this weekend for more details on everything go to MnIcefest.com or contact Chuck Zwilling at 320-249-1504.
--A St. Joseph man is in fair condition in St. Cloud Hospital after a car crash Friday. Stearns County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a two-vehicle crash about 8:30pm Friday at County Road 40 and County Road 41 in Farming Township, according to the sheriff's office. St. Joseph resident 81-year-old, Roger Klassen was in his car and had to be removed by the fire department. The other driver and a child passenger were not injured. An investigation showed Klassen was approaching the intersection and did not stop at a stop sign.
--St. Cloud and Waite Park police are reported an uptick in crime in the area since the holidays ended. Between January 15th and February 2nd there has been reports of a business on the 200 block of 2nd Avenue South had someone came into the business when no one was in the reception area, they went into a back room and took cash out of an employee's purse. On the 300 block of Division Street at a business there someone went into a vehicle and took several gift cards. The city of St. Cloud there have been reports of vehicles that were stolen. In the 1500 block of St. Germain Street East a gray 2002 Chevy Tahoe was stolen. She says a 2008 blue Pontiac Vibe was stolen in the 500 block of Lincoln Ave Southeast and also a silver and black 2000 Pontiac Grand Am GT with front passenger side damage was stolen on the 500 block of 7th Avenue south. Shoplifting at area stores and three reports of mugging of items from those walking the streets of Waite Park in the past two weeks. Police remind residents to report crime immediately and suspicious activity so that they can investigate as soon as possible for chances of a quick arrest.
--A level three predatory offender has moved to a rural address in Motley. According to the Morrison County Sheriff's Office, 34-year old Joshua McMillen moved to the new address this past Friday. McMillen has served his sentence imposed on him by the courts. McMillen was convicted of sexual contact with a known teen-aged female. Contact included penetration. Coercion was used to gain compliance. This notification is not intended to increase fear but rather raise awareness. Law enforcement believes that an informed public is a safer public. Any questions regarding this can be made at 632-9233.
--An 81-year-old woman was struck by a vehicle Sunday on the 9600 block of Legionville Road near Merrifield. The Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office reported at 9:52am, the driver, a 76-year-old woman, stated the victim was walking in the middle of the road and then moved in front of her vehicle. Deputies arrived and found the victim, Elaine Sauer, 81, lying in front of the vehicle. The victim was responsive and did not appear to have any substantial injuries. According to the report, the driver said she was unable to stop in time to avoid hitting the victim because of icy road conditions.
--Little Falls Community Schools stated Tuesday that a federal temporary emergency nutrition benefit due to the current COVID pandemic is available. Those you want to see if your family in the school district might be eligible for this assistance should read the letter and fill out the forms that are on the school's website or also located on the Little Falls Community Schools Facebook page.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
--Tuesday morning, the Oscar nominations were unveiled. Best picture nominees were “Belfast,” “CODA,” “Don’t Look Up,” “Drive My Car,” “Dune,” “King Richard,” “Licorice Pizza,” “Nightmare Alley,” “The Power of the Dog” and “West Side Story.” The 94th Academy Awards will be held March 27 at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland in Hollywood and televised live on ABC Television.
DEATH NOTICE
--Evelyn A. Leyk, age 85 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= isolated snowflakes, falling temps into teens by PM hours.
TONIGHT= clearing skies, low near 0, wind chills around -15.
THURSDAY= sunny early, snow/rain/sleet late in day, high 38, low 27
FRIDAY= cloudy with snow early, temps fall into night, low of -10.
SPORTS
COL BB= Gophers at Nebraska tonight 7:30pm on AM960 KLTF.
OLY= Minnesotan Jesse Diggins won a Bronze Medal in cross country skiing at the Winter Olympics in China.
BRADY= the latest in the Tom Brady saga after announcing last week his retirement from the NFL after 22 seasons, Tom Brady in interviews this week say “never say never” about any comebacks.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1870= The U.S. Army established The National Weather Service.
IN 1942= Daylight Saving Time for War Time is established.
IN 1953= “The Adventures of Superman” first airs on television.
IN 1964= “The Beatles” appear on Ed Sullivan for the first time, it is estimated that 73.7 million viewers tuned in to see the Fab Four.
IN 1997= “The Simpsons” become the longest running animated series on television replacing the Flintstones and still going today.