NEWS --The Little Falls School Board met Monday evening and the total amount for referendum approved work at the High School came in under budget. The total bid was accepted for the High School Project at $7,651,248.80. That is about $900,000 under budget. Surplus monies can be used for like projects of deferred maintenance and other types of work that need to be done consistent with the work being done now. The bid includes a contingency fund to cover any change orders or unanticipated costs. The contingency fund for this project is $291,000. Previously bids back in the fall for the Little Falls Community Middle School and Early Childhood Center came in about $300,000 under budget. A construction update on the Early Childhood Center, the building is completely enclosed. The plumbing is almost done. The concrete floor should be poured next week. The Little Falls Community Middle School roof work will begin in early spring as weather permits. The next step is the Lindbergh Project bids. Bid packages are already out to contractors and due by March 16th. Bids will be presented to the Little Falls School Board at their meeting on March 20th at the Morrison County Government Center.
--Minnesota budget officials announced Tuesday that the projected budget surplus has grown to $1.65 billion. Top lawmakers had expected a $1.4 billion surplus, based on December estimates, but both sides have largely been in a budgetary holding pattern since session began in early January, as they waited for Tuesday's estimate. Stronger than expected tax collections buoyed the surplus, which budget officials said helped offset some state programs with slight cost overruns. Lawmakers have until late May to pass a new two-year budget.
--Two women were taken to the hospital after a two vehicle crash near Paynesville. The Minnesota State Patrol says it happened just after 4:00pm Sunday on Highway 4 in Lake Henry Township. A vehicle driven by 71-year-old Angeline Arends of Paynesville was going south, approaching county road 32. Meanwhile a car driven by 62-year-old Kathryn Stangler of Albany was going west on the county road. Stangler stopped at the stop sign, but then went into the intersection and collided with Arends vehicle. Both women were taken to Paynesville Hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
--The Sauk Rapids Rice School Board Monday voted to let the school district decide May 23rd on whether to fund $86.9 million dollars to address space, safety, and accessibility needs to the district. The vote will put the referendum vote to the voters on a two question ballot with the first question on construction of a new elementary school, updates to accessibility and safety to the facilities, new athletic facility to the high school and expanded early childhood spaces at Hillside Early Childhood Center and Rice Elementary School. The second question is to rebuild Pleasantview Elementary School at its current site instead of spending millions on updates over time. The second question can only pass if the first question passes on the ballot. Polling places will be at each of the schools in the Sauk-Rapids Rice School District on May 23rd with more info released in the spring.
--A 51-year-old St. Cloud man was arrested Monday night after allegedly threatening another man with a hatchet. Daniel Robert Volkers was taken to Sherburne County Jail after the incident for the investigation of charges of second-degree assault and felony threats of violence. The victim was not injured during the incident.
--The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the March Employee of the Month is Randy L. Tabatt. Randy has been a High School Social Studies Teacher at Little Falls Community High School for the past 32 years.
--Despite the largest winter walleye catch rate ever on Lake Mille Lacs, a decision has been made to go with catch and release walleye fishing for the upcoming open water season. Negotiations on how that season may look, after total pounds of walleye are allocated on what was done over the winter months should be determined within the following two weeks. The DNR stated Monday that there could be a small increase in overall allocations from last year but that still has to be seen as the numbers are expected to be higher than last year.
--An early morning fire destroyed a motor home and damaged several other vehicles at 3620 Roosevelt Road. Firefighters responded to a fire at about 4:30am Tuesday. The cost of damages is unknown. The cause of the fire is under investigation. No reported injuries.
--The Morrison County Historical Society is hosting a retirement party for Alice Smuda on Saturday, March 18th at The Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Memorial Museum in Little Falls. Various members of the Smuda family have been involved with the Weyerhaeuser Museum since it opened in 1975. Alice joined the museum in July 1999 and served as the office assistant, working for over 18 years for the organization. Along with greeting visitors and conducting research, she spent many years processing probate files in the museum's collection. The retirement party will be held from 2-4:00pm and is free and open to the public. Alice requests no gifts for this event. For more information, call (320) 632-4007.
--A 38-year-old of Mora is dead following a two-vehicle accident on Highway 23 at milepost 252 Arthur Township in Kanabec County just after 10:30am Tuesday. Brian Rodenborg was westbound on 23 when he crossed the center line and collided with a semi-truck driven by 50-year-old Igor Kovalchuk of Illinois. Rodenborg died at the scene. The semi driver Kovalchuk was not injured.
WEATHER TODAY= mostly cloudy, light snow in afternoon, high 33. TONIGHT= flurries, mostly cloudy, low around 20. THURSDAY= partly sunny, high 28, clear night low around 10. FRIDAY= mostly cloudy, light snow showers, high 36, low 23.
SPORTS VIKINGS= after 10 years with the Vikings- Adrian Peterson will become a free agent after the Vikings Tuesday opted not to take Peterson's extension to his contract for 2017. This means that Peterson could be picked up by another team later in March when free agency begins or could be resigned by the Vikings for less than his original contract. Teams such as Houston, Tampa Bay, NY Giants and even Green Bay have shown interest in Peterson. Peterson stated yesterday he would like to stay with Vikings if that is possible. TWINS= Twins back on the air with a radio game today vs. Pittsburgh at noon live on Q92 WYRQ. NSIC= Minnesota State-Mankato junior outfielder Josh Wenzel of Randall is this week's NSIC Baseball Player of the Week. Wenzel hit a 2-run homer in their season opening win over Crookston. GBB= Alexandria ended Little Falls season last night in girls playoffs, Pierz travels to Pine City in playoff action Thursday 7pm on FM94.