[fullwidth background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”underline solid” sep_color=”#000000″ margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Newsletter: Wednesday, March 9th 2016[/title][fusion_text]
NEWS
–The Minnesota Supreme Court announced this week that they will release its decision in the Byron Smith murder case this morning. 67-year old Byron Smith is serving two life sentences without parole for first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of Haile Kifer and Nicholas Brady. Smith shot the two after they broke into his Little Falls home on Thanksgiving Day in 2012. Smith’s trial took place in Morrison County District Court in April 2014 where he was found guilty. Smith’s attorney Steven Meshbesher announced the appeal in the case shortly after the verdict was read. The Supreme Court heard the case in September 2015 where Meshbesher asked that the Supreme Court dismiss Smith’s murder conviction or send the case back to court for a new trial, due to missteps in the trial, beginning with the evidence shown to the Grand Jury when it first indicted Smith on first-degree murder charges, and evidence not allowed to be heard in Morrison County District Court. A decision is expected by 10:00am today.
–A parking lot is going in near the Little Falls city library and across from the Morrison County Courthouse. The site is on 3rd Street NE and the former location of a funeral home and the old Boys and Girls Club building. Morrison County had purchased the land and has so far funded the project but is working with the city of Little Falls to help with the funding of the project. The county bought the property and has paid for the demolition of the building with the hopes the city would cover the estimated $65,091.51 cost for construction of the lot. The county is also requesting the city of Little Falls covers the cost associated with snow/ice removal and 25% of the lighting cost. With the estimates for the construction of the lot, the County would have about 75% and the city the remaining 25% cost of the overall project. The funds would have to be approved by the Little Falls city council. They will vote on the issue Monday, March 21st. The benefit for the city would include additional parking spaces for the city library while the county may utilize parking at a site near the Morrison County Courthouse. Also, at this week’s council meeting the city approved to participate in the Day of Caring on Wednesday, May 4th.
–The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office reported a one vehicle accident around 1:00pm Monday on 165th Street in Little Falls. Deputies responded and found that 64-year-old Raymond Westre of Little Falls was east on 165th Street in a dump truck when he left the roadway, hit an approach and then struck a tree. Westre did not suffer any documented injuries. The Knife River dump truck was totaled.
–Governor Mark Dayton will deliver his state of the state address tonight at 7pm. With work being done at the state capitol. Tonight’s address will be held in the McNamara Alumni Center at the University of Minnesota.
–A Brainerd man was charged with making terroristic threats and felony assault in Crow Wing County District Court. 45-year-old Matthew Norman is accused of strangling and threatening to kill his ex-girlfriend at a residence in northeast Brainerd this past Friday night. According to the criminal complaint, officers observed redness on both sides of the woman’s neck and hand prints were visible, consistent with someone grabbing her neck with both hands. The woman was visibly shaken by the ordeal. Norman has a criminal history including convictions for domestic assault in the past.
–General admission passes for Pierz Freedom Fest on July 16th are $30 and available for purchase at Little Falls Radio.
–The Mille Lacs Band Tribal Police Department is actively investigating a suspicious death discovered Monday on Ataage Drive in Onamia. The department is partnering with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s Office on a continuing investigation into the death. The department believes there is no threat to the public in connection with the incident. The department is not releasing any details about the deceased person or other information about the case as investigation is ongoing.
–Live Better Live Longer is holding the 2016 Community Health Fair from 10:00am to 6:00pm on Monday, May 2nd in the Little Falls Middle School Commons. The theme is “Your Health: Always in Style.”
–Last night Little Falls School Superintendent Stephen Jones made a presentation on the upcoming Little Falls Community School’s two question bond referendum. If you missed last night three more presentations will be coming up in April. Additional presentations will be at 7:00pm on Tuesday, April 5th at Dr. S.G. Knight Elementary in Randall, Thursday, April 7th at Lincoln Elementary in Little Falls, and on Tuesday, April 12th at the Little Falls Community High School. For information call 632-2001.
–The 6th Annual Pine Grove Zoo Gone Wild coming out of hibernation party is this Friday. Social at 7pm, 8pm show with the Dueces Wild Dueling Piano Show. Purchase tickets for $45 by calling 616-5595.
–Township Election results will be on Thursday’s newsletter.
DEATH NOTICE
–Bernice A. Muehlbauer, age 89 of Sauk Rapids
WEATHER
TODAY= rain, some sleet early, cloudy, high near 40.
TONIGHT= clearing skies in late evening, low around 30.
THURSDAY= becoming sunny, warmer, high 51, low 33.
FRIDAY= sunny and warmer yet, high around 65.
SPORTS
COL BB= Big 10 Tournament begins today, the Gophers take on Illinois this afternoon, pregame at 3pm on AM960 KLTF.
HS BBB= The Boys Basketball Tournament begins today for area teams, quarter finals in Class AA, AAA and 4A today which includes teams in action as Fergus Falls, Annandale and Braham. Class A quarters are tomorrow including Browerville/Eagle Valley at 1pm Thursday at Williams Arena, as is the semi-finals for Class AAA and 4A. The Championship for all 4 classes are on Saturday.
ESPN= The ESPN Sunday NFL countdown show announced Tuesday that hall of fame coach Mike Ditka has been removed from the show and will be replaced by former quarterback Matt Hasselback. No reason was given for Ditka being removed from the show.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1820= first wedding of a daughter of a President done in the White House for the daughter of James Monroe.
IN 1959= Barbie debuts in stores, the doll has sold over 800 million.
IN 1961= The Supremes began recording songs for Motown.
IN 1964= Ford introduces the Mustang.
IN 1981= Dan Rather becomes anchor of CBS Evening News.
IN 1995= Major League Baseball announced that Arizona and Tampa Bay have been awarded new teams- the final two added to MLB.
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