NEWS
--The driver involved in a fatal crash Monday morning is now in the Stearns County jail. Chad Seitz was wanted in two counties and is facing additional charges. The Minnesota State Patrol says just after 6:45, 41-year-old Cassie Mithaugen of Belgrade was going west on Highway 55 near mile marker 90 in Crow Lake Township when she was hit head on by Seitz, who was driving east on 55. Court records show he was driving on an expired license. Mithaugen died at the scene. A three-year-old girl in Mithaugen’s car was rushed to Glacial Ridge Hospital before being transferred to Children’s Hospital for treatment. According to court documents, Seitz was charged in September of 2021 after he was stopped in Avon for an equipment violation and subsequently arrested for allegedly having marijuana and around 30 grams of methamphetamine in the car. A child was also in the vehicle at the time. The 52-year-old Seitz was charged with felony drug possession and released on bond. After missing a court date in April of 2022, a warrant was issued for his arrest. Jail records show he was booked Monday morning at 8:20am after being arrested by the Minnesota State Patrol, and the warrant has been recalled. A warrant was also out for his arrest for a felony drug charge in Hennepin County. Seitz is being held pending formal charges of criminal vehicular operation resulting in death, criminal vehicular operation causing great bodily harm, and fourth degree DWI, in addition to charges of driving on an expired license.
--Members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 663 who work at Quisberg’s and Miner’s grocery foods stores in Brainerd, Baxter, Crosby and Pequot Lakes, reported they overwhelmingly voted to reject their employers’ contract offers for a second time. Local 663 reported the outcome of the latest vote, taken Jan. 18, in an emailed statement. The union, representing grocery workers at five Brainerd lakes area union grocery stores, had a four-day strike they called an unfair labor practice strike from December 22-25. The union said the strike was against the grocery employers for engaging in tactics meant to stop workers from exercising their rights in the workplace. Boyd Hanson, director of human resources at Miner’s, said they started bargaining with the union prior to the close of the contract in late November but they did not come to an agreement. Hanson said the union voted down an earlier offer, which was reiterated December 11. The notice of the intent to strike came the following day. As for the union citing unfair labor practices, employers disagreed with that assessment.
--Two pedestrians were seriously hurt when they were struck by a vehicle. The Willmar police department says the incident happened at about 10:30pm Monday. The two pedestrians were walking along the edge of the road on 19th Avenue when they crossed in front of a vehicle that was in the turn lane. The first pedestrian is a 37-year-old woman from Willmar. She was taken to Carris Hospital with moderate injuries. The second pedestrian is a 41-year-old man from New London. He was taken to Carris Hospital in Willmar and later transferred to St. Cloud Hospital with serious injuries. The driver of the vehicle was a 19-year-old Willmar man. He was not hurt and is cooperating with police.
--7th District Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach will be the guest this morning on AM960 KLTF Up Front at 9:05am. She is also expected later today to be visiting in Little Falls. More details on today's program also online at fallsradio.com.
--The Friends Of Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge candlelight ski/walk event has been rescheduled from February 3rd at 5:30pm to now February 24th at 5:30pm weather permitting. “At this time there is not enough snow for the event to take place next week, if enough snow is available, the ski event will take place on the 24th otherwise if not it will be a candlelight snowshoe or even just a walk. The Friends Of Crane Meadows looks forward to hosting this event, there will be hot chocolate, and cookies!” Crane Meadows Refuge is part of Sherburne NWR Complex which is managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and is located southeast of Little Falls.
--Next week is Catholic Schools Week. Join AM960 KLTF at Holy Trinity Catholic School in Pierz Monday at 10:05am then on Tuesday at Mary of Lourdes Middle School in Little Falls at 10:05am to find out what is going on at our area Catholic Schools. Listen to the programs both on AM960 and also online at fallsradio.com.
NATIONAL NEWS
--Another win for former President Donald Trump with 54% of the vote on the New Hampshire Primary beating Nikki Haley at 43% in the Republican Primary. On the DFL side since President Joe Biden was not on the ticket so the unprocessed write in vote, mostly for Biden received 51.5% of the vote while Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips received under 20% of the vote on Tuesday.
DEATH NOTICES
--Nancy L. Olson, age 94 of Little Falls.
--Norma J. Pantzke, age 95 of Randall.
--Marcella Brock, age 78 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= freezing fog and haze, cloudy, high near 34.
TONIGHT= cloudy, freezing fog, light snow at times, low 30.
THURSDAY= cloudy, freeze fog and haze, high 35, low 32.
FRIDAY= cloudy skies, high near 35, low near 28.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins Catcher Joe Mauer is heading to Cooperstown as a first ballot inductee into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Mauer received just enough 293 votes or 76.1% of the 75% needed to be elected on the first ballot for the Hall of Fame as Mauer retired after 15 seasons with the Minnesota Twins in 2018. Adrian Beltre got 95% of the vote on his first year of eligibility and Todd Helton reached 79.7% of the vote and also is heading to the Hall of Fame along with longtime Pittsburgh and Detroit manager Jim Leyland. The induction ceremony will take place on July 21st. Mauer won batting titles in 2006, 2008 and 2009 and is the only catcher in the MLB to do that 3 times.
TWINS= Inside Twins Hot Stove show is tonight at 6pm. Also Twins baseball spring training games begin next month on Q92 WYRQ.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1848= gold is discovered at Sutter's Mill in California.
IN 1935= Krueger's Cream Ale is first beer sold in a can.
IN 1962= The Beatles sign their first record contract.
IN 1982= Diana Ross sings the National Anthem at Super Bowl XVI in Detroit starting more famous stars performing at the big game.