NEWS
--Federal funds that could be due are paying less to local counties because of congressional decisions. Counties are unable to receive property tax revenue for land controlled by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The purpose of the National Wildlife Refuge Fund is to help counties recoup some of the tax base lost after a refuge is created. For years, counties nationwide have received less than the full amount possible from the National Wildlife Refuge Fund because of decisions made by Congress. This year, funding was set at 24.9 percent of the total allowed. There is one such qualified property in Morrison County which was eligible to receive up to $27,638. With the under 25% payout Morrison County will only see $6,878, leaving a $20,760 difference.
--The Minnesota House of Representatives approved the Minnesota Premium Security Plan (HF5), which establishes a state-based reinsurance program on a bipartisan vote of 78-53. This program is designed to stabilize and reduce premiums by mitigating the impact of high-risk individuals, or those who are the most sick, on the individual health insurance market. According to Minnesota Management and Budget, the proposal is estimated to reduce premiums by 17-18 percent. According to the legislation, the Minnesota Premium Security Plan will be administered by the Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association (MCHA), which for over forty years ran a high risk pool that brought stability to the individual market and ensured the sickest Minnesotans had access to needed coverage. It will be funded using existing revenue sources. The MCHA board, comprised of members of the public and health plan experts, will design payment parameters to mitigate risk, stabilize or reduce premium rates, increase participation, and account for federal funding available for the plan. Parameters will be submitted to the Department of Commerce for approval. The board will also have the authority to audit eligible health carriers and is required to contract with an independent auditor for an annual reinsurance program. The Senate is expected to pass a similar proposal in the coming days.
--Criminal charges filed in Crow Wing County Court Monday against Crosby Mayor 68-year old James Jesse "Jim" Hunter allege an illegal financial scheme, that culminated in confrontation and gunplay. Together with 46-year old Candice Ann McCartan, Hunter reportedly ran a confidence trick against her husband. Hunter faces five charges: felony second degree assault with a dangerous weapon, felony theft by swindle, felony receiving stolen property, felony lawful gambling fraud, and gross misdemeanor engaging in the business of a vehicle financing company without a license. McCartan is charged with felony theft by swindle. Hunter's next court date is scheduled for March 27th.
--Members representing different aspects of the upcoming Day of Caring in Little Falls will appear on this morning's Community Events program at 8:45am on AM960 KLTF. The Day of Caring is scheduled for Wednesday, May 3rd. This project has helped the elderly and disabled perform simple outdoor tasks like raking leaves and washing ground floor windows. Volunteers consisting of community members and Little Falls Community High School students with remaining time have also cleaned up community parks. The city of Little Falls has partnered with the project organizing the collection of leaves.
--Police are looking for a suspect involved in the robbery of a St. Cloud convenience store Monday night. St. Cloud Police Department responded to a report of a robbery at the SuperAmerica in the 10 block of 14th Avenue Northeast at about 8:12pm Monday. Upon arrival, officers determined an unknown male had entered the store, displayed a handgun and demanded money from the 33-year-old male clerk working at the counter. The suspect left the store on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash and headed northwest. Officers searched the area with a K-9 officer, but were unable to locate the suspect. No one was hurt during the incident. There were no customers in the store, and a 22-year-old female employee was in the back of the store at the time of the robbery. The incident is under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact St. Cloud Police Department or Tri-County Crime Stoppers.
--In July of 2016 Camp Ripley was designated by the US Department of Agriculture, Department of Defense, and the Department of Interior as a Sentinel Landscape. Camp Ripley is one of six federally designated Sentinel Landscapes in the country. There is an open house event tomorrow at 6:00pm at the Camp Ripley Hangar Conference Center. This will be an informational open house to explain more about the Army Compatible Usage Buffer and the Federal Sentinel landscape program. All are welcome.
--Township elections were held yesterday at 21 of 30 Morrison County townships. If you have election results please email them to news@fallsradio.com so we can share the results in the coming days.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS
--Scott and Shari Stangl of Pierz, a boy born March 13th.
DEATH NOTICES
--Suzanne Furney, age 64 of McMinnville, OR formerly of Onamia
--Claus Miedema, age 84 of Albertville formerly of Pierz.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, high 34.
TONIGHT= increasing clouds, low around 20.
THURSDAY= cloudy, afternoon rain showers, high 41.
THURS NITE= rain mixing with wet snow, low 30.
FRIDAY= freezing mix early, then clearing, gusty winds, high 43.
SPORTS
NCAA= Mount St. Mary's and Kansas State won first round NCAA games Tuesday night to advance round of 64 that starts on Thursday. The Gophers have Middle Tennessee State Thursday at 3pm in the round of 64 from Milwaukee. A win puts them in action on Saturday.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 44BC= Julius Caesar was assassinated by his close ally Brutus, thus the warning Heed the Ides of March.
IN 1945= Billboard Magazine started record charts for albums the first #1 album on Billboard Charts was from the Nat King Cole Trio.
IN 1971= after 23 years on CBS Television, the Ed Sullivan was canceled by the network. Sullivan was a Sunday night staple.
IN 1978= Waylon and Willie hit #1 on the country charts with Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys.
IN 1985= the first internet domain was given a registered name