NEWS
--The Morrison County website reported there has been an uptick in cases of COVID-19 cases in the past week but no where near the number it was late last year. In the past 2 weeks the website reported an increase of double the numbers from 23 cases to now 46 active cases. 21 of those in Little Falls zip code, no other zip code reporting over 10 cases. Again this is still not even 1 percent of the entire county meaning that this keep kids in schools and businesses and restaurants open. Morrison County Public Health is asking residents again to please use the safety protocols indoors to continue to keep the numbers low in the county and across the region. There were only 443 new cases and 4 new deaths on Tuesday's report. The report stated 3 cases (2 positive & 1 probable) in Morrison County.
--A Stearns County home was heavily damaged by a fire Saturday night. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office says the fire broke out after 11pm at a home in the 36,000 block of County Road 14 in Spring Hill Township. A passerby noticed flames, called 911. The passerby also knocked on the doors to alert the residents, but no one was home. The owners, Stanley and RuthAnn Heinen of Melrose, had recently bought the home and were planning on making renovations. The cause of the fire is unknown and the damage is to be significant.
--The Sartell-St. Stephen school board has narrowed down their list of candidates for their next superintendent. During Monday's school board meeting, the board chose six candidates out of a pool of 18. The candidates are: Janell Bullard, Executive Director of the Meeker and Wright Special Education Cooperative, Pipestone Superintendent Kevin Enerson, Albany Superintendent Greg Johnson, Sartell Assistant Superintendent Kay Nelson, Mounds View Assistant Superintendent Jeffery Ridlehoover and Kristine Wehrkamp, Executive Director of Community Education at Robbinsdale Schools. The board will select two or three finalists by the end of this week and who will go through a full day of interviews next week. If all goes well the board hopes to selected their next superintendent by March 11th.
--The Stearns County Sheriff's Office was called to a two vehicle crash near Eden Valley Monday. The incident happened at around 2:45pm near the intersection of County Road 34 and Lakewood Road. Sixty-nine-year-old Ronald Utsch, of Albany, told deputies he was driving his Lakes Gas Propane Truck north on Lakewood Road and was approaching a stop sign at the four-way intersection. Utsch says he entered the intersection and was hit by another gas truck heading west on County Road 34. He told authorities he did not see the vehicle when he entered the intersection. The crash caused Utsch's truck to tip over onto its passenger side. The driver of the second vehicle, 64-year-old Robert Block of Paynesville, went off the road but was able to keep the truck on its wheels. Both drivers had minor injuries and were treated at the scene. The sheriff's office says the hazmat team was called in to assist in the clean up.
--The Benton County commissioners want more time to research a mutual aid plan before sending sheriff's deputies to help with security during the Derek Chauvin murder trial. Commissioners voted 4-0 with one abstention to further review the mutual aid agreement and ask surrounding counties whether they are sending officers to help. Commissioners also voiced some concerns about the Minneapolis City Council's efforts to defund the police department amidst the need for extra officers during the trial. The board meets again March 16th.
--Listen to Up Front weekdays at 9:05am on AM960 KLTF.
--Two teenagers were injured when there vehicle pulled out in front of a oncoming freightliner on Highway 10 near Aldrich in Wadena County Tuesday just after 8am. 17-year-old Brookelyn Huisenga of Aldrich and 15-year-old Madden Roberts of Aldrich were both taken to the Wadena hospital for non-life threatening injuries. The truck driver 37-year-old David Markham of Henderson was not hurt.
--Authorities have arrested a second man allegedly involved in the deadly shooting on Friday in Meeker County. The Sheriff's Office says 23-year-old Christian Brown of Hutchinson was arrested just before 10:00pm Monday. The Sheriff says Brown is believed to be the gunman who shot 42-year-old Devon Remmel of Grove City. On Sunday 23-year old Byron Jackson of Hutchinson was arrested. Authorities say Remmel was shot during a confrontation between multiple people and died at the scene. With the arrests of Brown and Jackson, the sheriff believes the two people directly involved with the fatal shooting are now both in custody.
--An appeals court is considering whether to reinstate a third-degree murder charge against the former Minneapolis police officer accused of killing George Floyd. Jury selection begins next Monday in Derek Chauvin's trial on charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter. The trial judge dismissed a third-degree murder count last October. Prosecutors asked the Minnesota Court of Appeals on Monday to reinstate the charge in light of its recent decision to uphold a third-degree murder conviction against another ex-officer in a different case. A three-judge panel that heard oral arguments Monday promised an expedited decision given the looming trial date.
--The Little Falls Youth Wrestling Program is sponsoring a breakfast Sunday with pancakes and scrambled eggs from 8:30-12:30pm at the Little Falls VFW, all proceeds go to the youth wrestling program.
--The final day of the Blood Drive at First United Church today starting at 1pm, call 632-0663 for any appointments that remain.
--Today is the free food distribution at Holy Family Catholic Church/Belle Prairie at 3:30pm-5:30pm today. All are welcome.
WEATHER
TODAY= mostly sunny, high near 40.
TONIGHT= partly cloudy skies, low around 22.
THURSDAY= sunny skies, high near 40, low around 25.
FRIDAY= partly sunny and breezy, high 42, low around 32.
SPORTS
SKI= Congratulations to the Little Falls Boys Nordic Ski team for finishing second in Tuesday's Section 8 meet and qualifying for State on Friday, March 12 at Biwabik.
NFL= The Minnesota Vikings Tuesday released long time tight end Kyle Rudolph citing salary cap issues to keep the veteran on team.
TWINS= Twins baseball from Florida today at noon on Q92 WYRQ.
COL BB= Gopher basketball at Penn State tonight 5:30pm on KLTF.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1634= considered the first Tavern in the U.S. opens in Boston.
IN 1791= the U.S. Mint is established by the U.S. Congress.
IN 1931= The Star Spangled Banner officially is U.S. National Anthem
IN 1931= Cab Calloway recorded “Minnie the Moocher” it becomes the first million seller for Jazz music.
IN 1933= Mount Rushmore is dedicated in South Dakota.
IN 1955= Elvis Presley makes TV Debut on the Louisiana Hayride.