--Minnesota recorded its most traffic fatalities in 14 years. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety says 497 people died on Minnesota roads in 2021. That's the highest number since 2007 when there were 510 traffic deaths. Speed was the largest contributing factor in fatal crashes with 162 deaths. Alcohol-related crashes and unbelted motorists led to the second and third most deaths. There were 67 motorcycle fatalities, 58 pedestrians died, and nine bicyclists were killed on Minnesota roadways last year.
–January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. An estimated 13,300 Minnesota youth experience homelessness each year. As many as one quarter of these youth also experience additional trauma when predators involve them in sex trafficking according to the Minnesota Attorney General's Office. Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota is dedicated to sex trafficking prevention and connecting survivors to safe housing, basic necessities, community resources and emotional support. If you or someone you know has been sexually exploited, needs support or is seeking resources, call the day one crisis hotline at (866) 223-1111.
--The Sartell-St. Stephen school district says High School principal Sascha Hansen has resigned. The district made the announcement to parents via email Monday. Hansen was in her second year as principal. Before becoming principal Hansen served as an Assistant Principal at Sartell High School for three years and was a physical education and health teacher at both the high school and middle school. District officials say Superintendent Jeff Ridlehoover will be officing at the High School and will work with Assistant Principals Jason Menth and Amanda Holstrom and Activities Director Nick Peterson to support staff and students until an interim principal is in place. A formal search for a new high school principal will take place later this winter for the next high school principal in Sartell.
--Fire damaged a storage building near St. Anthony in Stearns County's Krain Township Sunday. The sheriff's office received the call at about 8:50pm reporting that the building had caught fire at the Jerry Breth property. Fire crews from Albany and Freeport arrived at the scene in the 40000 block of 245th Avenue to fight the flames. Sheriff's officials say the building stored farming equipment and diesel fuel. Breth was able to get several pieces of equipment out of the building before the fire spread which helped minimize the damage. There were no injuries and no damage estimate at this time. It's believed the fire started around the building's chimney.
--A South Haven man is charged with felony criminal sexual conduct after allegedly sexually assaulting a woman while she slept. According to the criminal complaint filed in Stearns County District Court, 20-year-old Nathan Valley used his hands to assault the woman last Thursday. Records show the victim and Valley were friends of three years but had never had a romantic relationship. Valley picked the woman up just before noon and brought her to his house to hang out. She told sheriff's deputies that she took a nap because she had been up all night and later woke up to Valley with his hand down her pants and her bra pushed up. Records show the victim told Valley "no" and moved away, but he allegedly pulled her back and did it again. After being told "no" again, Valley allegedly got upset, left the room, and started hitting the walls. Valley was scheduled to make his first court appearance Monday.
--There are still appointments for the final day of the Red Cross blood drive today at First United Church, call Sister Julien 632-0663.
--This week on Community Program at 8:30am on AM960 KLTF we will get an update from area schools. Superintendent Stephen Jones from Little Falls Schools today and Dr. Kristine Wehrkamp of Royalton Schools on Thursday morning and Pierz Schools Superintendent George Weber on Friday morning. Also streamed at fallsradio.com.
--You may have seen the Little Falls Police Department was asking for the public's help locating Robert Schroeder of Little Falls but he has since been found. The Little Falls Police Department thanked all who helped in finding the at one time missing Little Falls resident.
--U.S. Representative Jim Hagedorn announced Monday that he has tested positive for COVID-19. The Republican congressman, who represents Minnesota's First District, said in a statement that he's vaccinated against COVID and is only experiencing mild symptoms. Rep. Hagedorn is currently being treated at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, where he's also been treated for kidney cancer for the last several years. The congressman was first diagnosed with stage IV kidney cancer in February 2019, and in July of 2021 announced that a series of tests revealed the cancer had resurfaced. Rep. Hagedorn plans to remain at the Mayo Clinic until it's deemed safe for him to return to Blue Earth or travel to work in Washington, D.C.
–A new Guinness World Record for consecutive frisbee catches has been set in St. Cloud. Brothers Ben and Matt Bzdok already held the record of 2,944 which they set last year. This past Friday at Cathedral High School they set out to beat themselves. They finished the day by smashing their old record with 6,300 catches. It took about five hours to accomplish. They held the last catch at 6,300 and let time expire, so they never actually dropped it. Matt started to feel sick around catch 5,000 but he pushed through to get them to the 6,300. They had to stand 20 feet apart and they had to release the frisbee within five seconds. They used the same frisbee they used last year.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Cory and Brittany Winter of Upsala, a boy born January 3rd.
DEATH NOTICES
--Edna May Olson, age 93 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 3PM TODAY
WIND CHILL ADVISORY 9PM TONIGHT TO 3PM THURSDAY
TODAY= snow and wind, blowing snow, temps dropping to near 0.
TONIGHT= snow ending, clearing skies, low -12, wind chills near -30.
THURSDAY= sunny and cold, high -7, very cold night, low -27.
FRIDAY= increasing clouds, high 5 above, snow in the overnight.
SPORTS
HS WRE= Little Falls, Pierz and Pine City in a triangular of wrestling Thursday at 5pm on Q92 WYRQ and fallsradio.com.
HOK= Hockey Day in Minnesota is planned for January 22nd though events will take place Wednesday through Saturday in Mankato. There will be a wounded warrior game, alumni game, southern Minnesota celebrity game and a number of high school and college games from around the area that week leading into a number TV covered games on Saturday this year in Mankato.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1940= first tranmission of FM Radio is heard by the FCC.
IN 1945= Warner Brothers cartoon introduce Pepe LePew the Skunk
IN 1956= Elvis Presley recorded Heartbreak Hotel- his first #1 hit.