NEWS
--The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has extended the air quality alert until 6pm tonight. The air quality is considered very unhealthy still today with pollutants like car exhaust, particles from snow and ice trapped in the air with light winds and low cloud cover thus causing the haze that, could harm those with breathing issues, those that suffer from heart disease, also for the very young and elderly who could experience breathing issues for long periods of time outside. Again an Air Quality Alert in effect until 6pm tonight.
--A juvenile was airlifted to the hospital Sunday after running into a tree at Mount Ski Gull. The incident was reported at 4:39pm at the ski hill located at 9898 County Highway 77 SW in Cass County. A Pillager firefighter snowboarding with his family was able to respond to the scene almost immediately. North Memorial Health Ambulance crew later arrived on scene and began treating the juvenile. Ski and snowboard runs were shut down while the fire department along with Ski Gull staff and ski patrol secured a landing zone for the helicopter. Patrons were asked to remain seated on the hill and at the chalet as the helicopter landed. The juvenile was airlifted to CentraCare-St. Cloud Hospital with reportedly serious injuries but a condition update was not available. 13 firefighters responded to this incident.
--A 64-year-old Ottertail man died after falling through the ice on the northeast side of Otter Tail Lake Saturday evening. According to the Otter Tail County Sheriff's Office, emergency personnel were called to the lake just before 7:30pm on a report that two snowmobiles and an ATV had gone into the water. Officials said they pulled the man from the water, and he was transported by ambulance to a hospital, where he later died. Authorities did not release his name. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says ice is never 100% safe, but has tips online to help people stay safe this winter.
--Area roofers and law enforcement are reminding that with the heavy snowfall early this season poses a threat to the roof of your house. The heavy snow, coupled with the thaw and freeze cycles, can create ice dams. When you have this massive amount of snow this early on, and then you get the freeze and thaw, it's perfect conditions for building ice dams. When you're facing the house if it's looking wider and you see a whole bunch of ice at the edge, that's when you should start getting concerned. Now, a lot of that can depend on how big the overhang is. If you have a larger overhang, the less susceptible you are to an ice dam. If you have a small, like a one-foot overhang, and it is building up, then you have more of a chance of getting an ice dam sooner than others. You can help prevent ice dams from forming by using a roof rake to pull the snow off of your overhang. It's important to remove the snow past where the eave meets the frame of the house. If the snow isn't removed, it can melt and refreeze at the edge, effectively damming up any water that tries to escape the roof. The water then folds back underneath the shingles and will cause damage. Also be careful to not scrape the rake down to the shingles or you may damage them.
--This last weekend the Morrison County Sheriff's Office hosted the 50th REC program (Residents Encountering Christ). The REC program took place at the Morrison County Jail. The REC program is a two-day retreat that is designed for jail residents to learn about Christ and how he can help change their lives and help them through the struggles that we all face. The sheriff's office thanks all of the staff, volunteers and all the jail residents who participated in this event.
--The City of St. Cloud announced they will be testing their air sirens today at 1pm, don't be alarm if you hear them, only a test.
--Little Falls Community Schools have announced that due to the recent snow days the school will have a make up day on Monday, February 20th will now be a full day of student contact in school. The school stated that the next two Mondays, January 16th Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the following Monday, January 23rd was a teacher workshop will still be days off for students in Little Falls.
--One person was hurt in a two vehicle crash near Clearwater. The incident happened just before 11am yesterday on eastbound I-94 between Highway 24 and County Road 8, about two miles east of Clearwater. The Minnesota State Patrol says a semi truck, driven by 36-year-old Abdi Aden of St. Cloud, was heading west on I-94 when the semi went through the median cables and collided with another semi heading east. The driver of the eastbound semi, 53-year-old Darin Olson from Barrett was taken to St. Cloud hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Aden was not hurt.
--MNsure, Minnesota’s health insurance marketplace, is warning residents of new scams during this year’s open enrollment period through January 15th. Officials ask residents to beware of the “red flags” that might mean they’re being scammed. Watch out for any unsolicited calls, especially if they require payment immediately. MNsure does not cold call customers or ask for a social security number, credit card number, or bank accounts. Make sure that you’re on a legitimate website, and not a fake site built to gather your personal information. Take advantage of free, anonymous, tools that allow you to compare different plans and coverage areas. MNsure has a cost estimator tool that does not require personal information, like a phone number, which may lead to unwanted calls. Finally, make sure you’re buying comprehensive coverage, instead of reduced coverage for cheaper prices. Check that all plans contain essential health benefits and consumer protections to make sure you don’t have surprise bills if you need medical services. MNsure will have certified brokers standing by through the open enrollment period.
--The American Red Cross blood drive continues today from 12-6pm and 8:30am-2:30pm Thursday. There are a few spots today and still a good number of spots on Thursday. If you still want to make an appointment please call Sister Julien at 320-632-0663.
WEATHER
TODAY= fog, haze, freezing drizzle in morning, high 31.
TONIGHT= partial clearing late, colder, low 12.
THURSDAY= becoming sunny, high 20, low 5 colder winds.
FRIDAY= sunny skies, high 16, temps rising at night into 20s.
SPORTS
TWINS= Catch the Twins Hot Stove tonight 6pm on Q92 WYRQ. After first announcing a signing with the Giants, then a signing with the Mets in what is being now as a very strange move, Carlos Correa has agreed to a deal with the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday for a 6 year deal worth around 200-million dollars, which is much less than the two other deals for less years. Insiders say Correa's leg problem last year and his age may have been a deal breaker for other teams but as of now Correa is once again a Minnesota Twins.
SWANVILLE= The Swanville Girls Basketball Team announced that their games at Upsala January 31st and the Boys game in Swanville on February 2nd will be cancer awareness nights. There will be a cancer wall and other activities both evenings to help with awareness and raise money to be donated to a Cancer Center. If you would like to purchase a t-shirt contact Aaron Gapinski at Swanville School.