NEWS
--Chuck Zwilling announced Tuesday on Little Falls Radio that they raised $24,000 for the Kare Kloset at the High School and the Flyer Pride Backpack Program at the Elementary schools in Little Falls, which is a 20% increase than the previous year. Zwilling said that they will make the official check receiving to the school Thursday. Zwilling again thanked all the supporters, sponsors, volunteers, those that brought in the excess food after they ran out the first day to keep it going through the second day. He thanked those that took aerial photos and videos of the Ice Carousel that broke the world record and can be viewed at mnicefest.com. Zwilling is already thinking about next year and possibly a different approach as they are pretty much out of lake of going any bigger on the rotating ice carousel but maybe an ice carousel inside an ice carousel is in the works for 2023. The 2 day event is planned for next February and still planned on Green Prairie/Fish Lake so plan another a great time.
--Some anglers may be coming in with a few less fish after the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) updated fishing regulations on more than 50 lakes across the state. The regulations involve the number of sunfish anglers can keep on 52 lakes and connected waters. They are part of a DNR initiative to protect and improve the size of panfish, after anglers expressed concern over the declining size of sunfish they were encountering. Under the regulations, anglers can keep only the prescribed number of fish per day but can return the next day for another limit if they don’t exceed the statewide inland water possession limit of 20 sunfish per angler. Signs will be posted at the water access points of lakes with lowered limits. Those lakes will also be posted in the 2022 Minnesota Fishing Regulations booklet. For more about the Quality Sunfish Initiative, check out the DNR website.
--A St. Cloud man who pleaded guilty to raping two women has been sentenced for the crimes. A Stearns County judge has sentenced 22-year-old Joseph Vogel to just over five years in prison with Vogel getting credit for already serving more than a year in the county jail. A separate filing accused Vogel of slashing the throat of a dog after it killed two cats. As part of a plea agreement, that charge and two additional charges of domestic assault and threats were dismissed.
--An Isanti woman died in a two vehicle crash over the weekend. The incident happened around 4:15pm Saturday on Sherburne County Road 4, just east of Zimmerman. 68-year-old Frances Morinville was heading east on County Road 4, when she was hit broadside by another vehicle heading south on County Road 19 that ran the stop sign. Morinville was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities say the driver of the second vehicle, a 17-year-old from Elk River, and an 18-year-old passenger had non serious injuries.
--A 19-year-old from Barnesville in northwestern Minnesota was killed in a two-vehicle accident just after midnight Sunday in Otter Tail County. 19-year-old Grace Olson was westbound and collided with a large straight truck on Highway 210 near Underwood. Olson was dead at the scene. The 10 people in the larger truck were treated at the scene with one being taken to a local hospital with a broken arm.
--Sister Julien informed Little Falls Radio that they had a good Blood Drive on Monday with the goal being 79 and received 88 units of blood. Thanks for everyone who came to donate. The blood drive continued Tuesday and wraps up today at First United Church. If someone can’t make their appointment today please call Sister Julien at 320-632-0663 so others can fill that time, today 8:30-2:30pm.
--The Little Falls Community School District is thrilled to invite you to the 43rd annual Massed Band Concert. After not being able to have a mass band concert last year, we are excited to be featuring over 360 students from 5th grade to 12th grade in the Little Falls Community Schools Band Program. Highlights include movie themes from the great John Williams, including Star Wars and Jurassic Park, as well as Williams’ famous Olympic Fanfare. It is sure to be a night of great music! Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for students. In support of the Morrison County Food Shelf, we are able to offer $1 off admission for each food drive item brought in. Come out and support the Little Falls Band Program this Monday night at the Little Falls Community High School starting at 7:00pm, doors open at 6:30pm.
--The CDC recently lifted some of their COVID restrictions and recommendations. One of those is regarding masks on school buses. Masks will no longer be required on school buses and vans according to the our local school districts. However students, and families who wish to still wear masks on buses are welcome to do so but it is no longer required by the CDC and Federal Government mandates.
--A 15-year-old driver and her 74-year old passenger suffered injuries Saturday after a vehicle rolled on County Highway 2 in Crow Wing County. The Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash, reported at 1:45pm in Daggett Brook Township, south of Brainerd. According to the report, the vehicle was traveling south on County Highway 2 when it hit a patch of ice and left the roadway, rolling over and striking a small tree. Both the 15-year-old girl and 74-year-old woman were transported by North Memorial Health Ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries. The Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office did not release the names in the accident report.
ASH WEDNESDAY
--Today is Ash Wednesday, the Catholic tradition of placing ashes on the forehead and beginning the 40 days of Lent leading to Holy Week and then Easter Sunday. Many local churches will be holding Ash Wednesday Mass or service. The day is considered a day of penance and reflection and fasting for many today to begin the days of Lent during the time that Christ was in the desert and then leading to the Crucifixion and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ for Easter.
WEATHER
TODAY= AM flurries, then partly cloudy, high 28.
TONIGHT= partly cloudy, colder temps, low 2 above.
THURSDAY= sunny and cooler, high near 20, snow late, low 12.
FRIDAY= mostly cloudy, few flurries, high 28, low 19 with snow late.
SPORTS
MLB= After failing to reach a labor agreement between the owners and players by yesterday's deadline, Major League Baseball has canceled the first two series of the baseball season. The earliest the season would get underway is now April 7th for Minnesota when they host Seattle, although there is a strong possibility that more games will be canceled before an agreement can be reached.
COL BB= Gophers vs. Maryland tonight 7:30pm on AM960 KLTF
HS WRE= Royalton-Upsala vs. United North Central Thursday at 11am from the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, win or lose the Royalton-Upsala wrestlers would again at 1pm Thursday. Hear their matches live on Q92 WYRQ with Al Windsperger.
HS GBB= Aitkin at Pierz Thursday at 6pm on 94ROCKS KFML.
HS GBB= Little Falls at Detroit Lakes Thursday 7pm on Q92.