NEWS
--It was the biggest snow storm of the entire winter Monday as snow totals varied from 7-8 inches near St. Cloud, 8-11 inches around Little Falls and many 12-14 inch amounts in Morrison, Crow Wing, Todd, Wadena, Cass and Aitkin Counties. Nimrod reported the most snow in the area at 16.5 inches. Ice led to highway closings in Mille Lacs County, schools closed Monday and delayed Tuesday in the area. Most of central Minnesota before the last two snow storms was 20-30 inches below average for snowfall since December 1st but after the last two snow storms which brought nearly 20 inches of snow to the area, snow totals are 40-55 inches for the winter and that is nearly average. According to the state climate reports, a line from St. Cloud, Little Falls to Brainerd receives around 60-65 inches of snow a winter.
--A St. Cloud woman and South Carolina man were taken to the hospital after a two-car crash on Highway 23 near County Road 6 in St. Joseph Township. The Minnesota State Patrol says the incident happened around 5:40pm Monday. 49-year old Nyaluak Rik of St. Cloud was driving east on Highway 23 when she lost control. Rik went through the median and hit another vehicle driving west on Highway 23 head-on, driven by 37-year-old Faye Slye of Cold Spring. The Patrol says ice covered roads played a role in the crash.
--A 43-year old Baxter woman was injured in a two-vehicle crash at 6:48am Friday on Highway 371 and Glory Road in Baxter. The Baxter Police Department reported Angela Jo Bahr, was driving a Honda Civic south on Highway 371, and 42-year old Michael T. Carey of Baxter was driving a Nissan pickup east on Glory Road, when he drove into the intersection on a red light, colliding with the Honda. Bahr was transported by North Memorial Ambulance to Essentia Health-St. Joseph's Medical Center for injuries.
--A 59-year old Brainerd woman was injured in a two-vehicle crash at 3:20pm Friday at the intersection of James and Southwest Fourth streets in Brainerd. The Brainerd Police Department reported Kathern Carey was traveling south on Southwest Fourth Street as 18-year old Nicole Rud of Brainerd was traveling north on Southwest Fourth Street. It was reported that Carey was attempting to turn east onto James Street when the two vehicles collided. Carey was transported to Essentia Health-St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd to be treated for injuries. Rud was not injured. The Brainerd Fire Department assisted at the scene with traffic control and cleanup.
--A 58-year old man suffered a possible broken leg following a snowmobile crash at 5:31pm Saturday near the intersection of Crow Wing County highways 22 and 23 in Brainerd. The Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office reported the operator, Scott Havlik of Maple Grove, was attempting to cross County Highway 22 when the snowmobile overturned. Havlik was treated for injuries in Brainerd.
--Grants from the state's "Corridors of Commerce" highway funding program would have to be evenly split between the seven county metro area and Greater Minnesota under a bill that cleared committee yesterday and now awaits a vote in the full Minnesota Senate. Edina Democrat Melisa Franzen argues fresh money for transportation is what's needed. "A 50-50 split is quite frankly a band-aid approach." Bill sponsor, Big Lake Republican Mary Kiffmeyer says, "Not a war against or anything like that. It's a very practical thing: The monies and fairness to everybody, they still have to be apportioned out."
--The Royalton Alumni will be holding their bean bag tournament this Saturday at the Royalton American Legion at 3:00pm. Call Nick for information at 420-6640.
--At the February staff meeting, employees of Little Falls Radio Corporation voted to award $5000 in radio advertising grants to five organizations. Each organization will be able to use their grant to suit the needs of the organization. The five organizations are: Kinship of Morrison County, Morrison County Chaplancy, DECA at the Little Falls Community High School, Junior Achievement and Wreaths for the Fallen. “The organizations improve our listeners’ lives, the quality of life for our community and the well being for families. We are pleased to assist their efforts by enhancing awareness of their successes and needs,” said Chris Grams, General Manager and owner of Little Falls Radio Corporation. Congratulations to all of them.
--A recall was issued for about 36,000 Graco highchairs after the company received five reports of injured children, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The children sustained bumps and bruises when their highchair fell over as they were in it. The company also received 38 reports of cases where the rear leg pivoted out of position. The recalled Graco Table2Table highchairs were sold exclusively at Walmart stores across the nation and Canada from October 2016 through December 2017. They were sold for about $100. The highchair’s cushion is white with gold and gray polka dots. Consumers are advised to stop using the recalled highchairs immediately and contact Graco for a free repair kit. The model number is 1969721, and can be found on the underside of the toddlers seat and on the back of the booster seat.
--The Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf is kicking off their March Food Share Campaign to help restock their shelves. All month long Catholic Charities will be accepting food and cash donations. Throughout the state, food shelves have a competition to see who can bring in the most donations. Catholic Charities came in 4th place last year. To help give the organization an extra push at the end of the month they host the "Pack the Porches" event. On Friday, March 23rd, Catholic Charities will set up three drop-off locations for people to make a non-perishable food donation or cash donation. Donations will be taken from 7am to 1pm. Drop off locations will be at Pioneer Place on Fifth Theatre, 22 5th Avenue South, St. Cloud, St. Cloud Hyundai, 900 2nd Street South, Waite Park, and Health Partners Central Minnesota Clinic, 2251 Connecticut Avenue South, Sartell. Along with the donations collected through Pack the Porches, Coborn's matches up to 10,000 pounds of food that is collected.
--The Pierz Pizzazz Dance Team is hosting their soup cook off and silent auction Saturday at 5pm at the Pierz Ballroom.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, high 27.
TONIGHT= increasing clouds, low 6 above.
THURSDAY= sunny, high 27, clear night low around 0.
FRIDAY= partly sunny, high 32, low around 11.
SPORTS
LYNX= The Minnesota Lynx acquired three-time WNBA All-Star point guard Danielle Robinson and a 2019 second round draft pick from the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for this year's No. 12 overall pick. Robinson, 28, made three consecutive All-Star appearances from 2013-15 with the then San Antonio Silver Stars before being traded to Phoenix ahead of last season.
TWINS= Twins baseball at noon today and then Twins Hot Stove tonight at 6:00pm both live on Q92 WYRQ.
HOK= The State Boys Hockey Tournament begins today in St. Paul.
BBB= Little Falls and Pierz lost last night in boys basketball playoffs.