Wednesday- March 10th, 2010

NEWS

--The Little Falls City Council Monday night selected the person to fill the vacancy for the First Ward council seat.  After interviews they selected Loren Boyum, to fill the seat previously held by Mike Doucette, who passed away suddenly in January.  Only three of the original five applicants were interviews. Becky Olson withdrew her name due to personal reasons and Mike Piotrowski stepped aside due to what he called a possible conflict of interest. Council members called all three candidates, Boyum, Jeff Stumpf and Herman Johannes exceptional, but on a 5-2 vote, Council selected Boyum to fill the vacancy. He will be sworn in at next Monday’s meeting.

--Swanville schools were evacuated for a short time Tuesday after some writing was reported on a bathroom wall.  School officials wouldn’t elaborate on what was written on the wall, but said they notified the sheriff’s office and a search of the building turned up nothing and everyone was sent back to class. 

--Two men were arrested in Foley after a routine traffic stop ended with drugs being found in the car.  54-year old Michael Bies of St. Cloud and 35-year old Jason Hawley of Waite Park were taken to the Benton county jail on drug charges and are being held on $30,000 bail. After the traffic stop, the officer said the men were acting suspiciously and it was found that neither had insurance and after the vehicle was towed, felony amounts of meth were found inside.

--General Motors was slated to close 30 G-M dealerships in Minnesota this fall but have since changed its mind. Scott Lambert with the Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association says 20 stores have been reinstated and a majority of them are in out state Minnesota. Lambert says this good news means several hundred jobs will be saved in Minnesota.

--Defense attorneys are asking for mercy at the sentencing for Minnesota businessman Tom Petters, saying he’s suffering from a tumor on his pituitary gland. In a court filing Monday, they say it’s not growing but his long-term prognosis is bleak, with the risk of blindness and paralysis. In a separate filing Monday, prosecutors asked for a life sentence for Petters, who was convicted of orchestrating a $3.5 billion Ponzi scheme.  U.S. District Judge Richard Kyle has scheduled sentencing for April 8th.

--The Crow Wing County Board voted unanimously Tuesday to combine the offices of county treasurer and auditor. The county treasurer's office would be abolished and a new office of auditor/treasurer created.  Many counties in the state have done the same thing in recent years, and with the county facing budget cuts from the state, the board said the potential cost savings was the compelling reason to make the change.  Morrison County made the change last year and the combined office of Auditor/Treasurer will be on the ballot this fall.

--Ex-Auto mogul Denny Hecker and a former senior officer have been indicted on eight additional counts of wire fraud. A Federal Grand Jury also charged Hecker with 10 counts of bankruptcy fraud. Hecker and 54-year-old Steven Leach are accused of orchestrating a scheme to defraud lenders and others out of millions of dollars. They were already indicted on 5 counts of wire fraud and conspiracy charges. Hecker also faces money laundering charges.

--Though the state saw a drop in unemployment in January, counties like Morrison, Stearns and Benton saw a rise of 2 to 4% in areas.

--Get booths now for HGL show by calling 320-632-2992.

MORE NEWS

--Local township elections will be on Thursday’s newsletter.

--Entrees are being sought for the 11th annual Kinship Soup and Chili Cookoff for Kids later this month. If interested in entering a soup or chili please contact Aaron at 632-8806 before this Friday. The cookoff is scheduled for March 30th from 5 to 7pm at the Falls Ballroom.

--Governor Tim Pawlenty has sent a letter to President Barack Obama requesting an expedited major disaster declaration for the state of Minnesota due to the strong potential for severe spring flooding.  The Governor is requesting direct federal assistance for work and services to save lives and protect property. 

--The Cass County Attorney's Office released disturbing new details Monday surrounding the Leech Lake Reservation shooting that has one Cass Lake man recovering and another behind bars. According to the Cass County Attorney's Office the 31-year-old shooting victim, Amos Laduke, was running away from the shooter while carrying his 5-year-old child when the incident happened last Thursday. The shooter, 22-year-old William Morris, was arraigned in Cass County Court Monday where he was charged with one count of Attempted Murder in the First Degree and two counts of Attempted Intentional Murder in the Second Degree. Cass County Attorney Christopher Strandlie says Laduke was ultimately shot three times in the back on the reservation. He was then airlifted to an area hospital. The child was not injured in the shooting while Laduke was treated for serious but not life threatening injuries. Morris is being held in the Cass County Jail. Bail is set at $500,000. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 22nd.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT

--Jason and Linda Smebak of Little Falls, a girl on March 8th.

DEATH NOTICES

--Kenneth Seppelt, age 73 of Isanti formerly Buckman.

WEATHER

TODAY= rain, areas of fog, high near 40.

TONIGHT= rain, areas of fog, freezing drizzle late, low 32.

THURSDAY= rain in the morning, cloudy, high of 42.

FRIDAY= mostly cloudy, few showers and breezy, high near 40.

SPORTS

TWINS= Twins pitcher Joe Nathan may be gone for the season. Initial reports from an MRI stated severe ligament damage that may require surgery. Pitching Coach Rick Anderson said they will sit Nathan for 2 weeks and he will work with weights to see if it will repair itself on its own. If not the possibility of being put on the disabled list for an undisclosed period of time could happen. The same injury occurred recently to Francisco Liriano and Pat Neshek both ended up missing long periods of time. Nathan is the all time save leader for the Minnesota Twins.

BBB= Little Falls routed Sauk Rapids last night and will play Bemidji in the 2nd round of the playoffs Saturday around noon on KLTF. Royalton and Swanville won Monday and will play in 2nd round action Thursday as will Upsala and Pierz. Catch Upsala action live on Q92 and Pierz vs. Paynesville Thursday at 7pm on FM94 KFML.

“Hot Hits” tonight and Thursday “Ramblin’ Roads” Friday at WS Bar

Tuesday- March 9th, 2010

NEWS

--District 12 Democrats held their endorsing convention over the weekend for the state legislative races. Political newcomer, 22-year-old Taylor Stevenson won on the first ballot for the DFL candidate for Senate in District 12 currently held by Senator Paul Koering. Stevenson won nearly 80% of the votes to defeat former Crow Wing County Commissioner Terry Sluss. Stevenson, a Dartmouth College Senior and Baxter resident, was nominated by a Ben Surma, a Little Falls High School student. Stevenson plans on graduating June 13th with degrees in philosophy and government and an minor in German studies. The convention also re-nominated Representative Al Doty for House District 12B and Representative John Ward in District 12A.

--Senator Paul Koering has authored two bills of interest to hunters and anglers. If passed; the first bill would allow muzzle loaders to use scopes on their muzzle loading rifles. The 2nd bill prohibits efforts by the DNR to stock South Long Lake in Crow Wing County with muskellunge. Many anglers are opposed to the DNR stocking the lake because of the fear that the muskies will deplete the bass and panfish populations in South Long Lake.

--Police are keeping close watch over the 47-year-old man accused in the fatal shooting at a sports bar in Chisholm Saturday night. Authorities say 40-year-old Edward Walberg died and two other men from Chisholm are in the hospital. The shooter was heavily armed but a patron was still able to subdue him after striking him in the head with a chair. Authorities say the incident was the result of a dispute between the suspect and his former wife. More than 100 people were in the restaurant at the time of the shooting.

--After standing idle for nearly a year, the Hibbing Taconite Plant will resume production the first week of April. More than 500 steel workers will be back on the job. Hibbing’s mayor says it’s not just the miners that will be benefiting but everyone associated with the mining industry in the state and nationwide.

--A man killed in a house fire Saturday in St. Cloud has been identified as 42-year-old Timothy Haukos. The fire is believed to have started in the room where Haukos was found and right now is being call a tragic accident. Two others in the home were treated for smoke inhalation and another 3 were not hurt.

--A 25-year-old Ottertail woman is dead after her SUV was struck by a charter bus Friday night near Detroit Lakes. The State Patrol says Tabitha Janssen was struck when she crossed Highway 10 over the center lane and into the path of the oncoming bus. Janssen died at the scene. Nobody on the bus was injured.

--State Senator Tarryl Clark has proposed that a charter commission be created to reshape county government in the St. Cloud area. The bill would create a 21 member commission to frame a charter for Stearns, Benton and Sherburne counties. Charter commissions are likely in bigger cities, like St. Cloud but only Ramsey County has one. All other counties are governed as outlined in state statues. The bills comes a year after the three same counties were put in a bill by Clark to be renamed the Lake Wobegon County, but that was met with opposition from county official and many residents.

--The Morrison County Commissioners meet today at 9am at the government center with many agenda items. Mostly reports from county agencies including planning and zoning and public health.

--Help families of deployed soldiers by donating to the Thanks for Our Freedom Fund at area banks or LF Radio. Call 632-2992 for info.

MORE NEWS

--A St. Paul man has been charged with burglarizing a Sauk Rapids drug store. 39-year-old Jason Mussehl was charged with two counts of second-degree burglary and reports say that he is a suspect in about a dozen other similar burglaries in and around the Twin Cities area. Mussehl will be sentenced in May for a burglary in Scott County last year. Police say that Mussehl attempted to steal an ATM from the Sauk Rapids Walgreens but fled the scene when the alarm went off. He remains jailed in Benton County on $250,000 bail.

--Spring weight restrictions began today for frost zones in central and north-central Minnesota. However, Governor Tim Pawlenty yesterday signed an emergency executive order lifting the seasonal weight limits for certain motor carriers and drivers operating in Minnesota.  Currently, many vehicles used to transport heating fuel exceed the weight permitted under seasonal load restrictions even when empty and businesses and homeowners may be at risk of running out of necessary heating fuels if it cannot be delivered in a timely and efficient manner. 

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

--“The Hurt Locker” took best picture at Sunday’s Academy Awards. The movie’s director Evelyn Bigelow was named best director becoming the first woman to win that honor. Best actor to Jeff Bridges for “Crazy Heart” and best Actress to Sandra Bullock for “The Blind Side”. James Cameron’s “Avatar” won 3 awards. Minnesota native Pete Docter won 3 awards for his movie “Up” from Disney including best animated picture and best musical score.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT

--Corey and Marie Huben of Pierz, a boy born March 6th.

WEATHER

TODAY= areas of fog with mist and rain, high around 40.

TONIGHT= cloudy, rain likely, low 35.

WEDNESDAY= rain likely, precip over an inch in areas, high 40.

THURSDAY= rain, mixing with wet snow early, high near 40.

SPORTS

BBB= Sauk Rapids at Little Falls playoff action at 7 tonight on Q92

BBB= Upsala and Pierz open boys basketball playoffs on Thursday.

BHK= the State Boys Hockey Tournament begins tomorrow at 11am.

TWINS= catch Twins baseball today at noon also on Q92 WYRQ

TODAY IN HISTORY

IN 1855= a train passed over first railway suspension bridge at Niagara Falls, New York.

IN 1887= first telescopic fishing rod was patented by Everett Horton

IN 1954= Edward R. Murrow devoted time on his CBS TV show “See It Now” to criticize Senator Joseph McCarthy’s anti-communism campaign. The show proved to be McCarty’s demise.

IN 1959= the Barbie Doll was first sold in stores.

IN 1964= the first Ford Mustang was produced.

IN 1976= the first female cadets were accepted at West Point.

IN 1981= Dan Rather took the anchor seat for CBS Evening News.

IN 1985= “Gone with the Wind” debuted on home video for $90.

IN 1996= comedian George Burns died at age 100.

“Hot Hits” Wed and Thurs, check out happy hour at West Side Bar

Monday- March 8th, 2010

NEWS

--A preliminary hearing is set for April 13th in North Dakota for 27-year-old Nicholas Caspers. Caspers is accused in the death of former Pierz resident Paul Varner. A criminal complaint stated that after an autopsy was done on Varner that Caspers “willfully caused the death” after an altercation between the two occurred at Varner’s residence in Wishek on February 28th. Casper’s legal council maintains that Caspers acted in self-defense and that Varner initially attacked him. If convicted Caspers could face life in prison.

--One person is dead and 2 others injured from a fire Saturday morning in St. Cloud. Authorities say six people were the home on 7th Avenue South around 6am when the fire started. Officials say 2 people were taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The victim’s name has not been released until relatives have been notified.

--A change in state law could mean a change in the way you pay your property taxes in Morrison County. Auditor Russ Nygren says starting this year, if your property tax is $250 or less, you will have to pay the entire balance on May 15th rather than being able to split it up in two payments, with the second one in October. The old law was $50 or less. Nygren says about 8,000 of the 29,000 tax parcels will be affected and if missed, you could pay a penalty.

--Another sign of spring, the state’s legal truck spring weight restrictions go into effect today. The restrictions began in the southern part of the state and Twin Cities metro area frost zone this morning at midnight. Restrictions for the central, north central and north frost zones take effect tonight (Tuesday) at midnight.

--The search continues for 82-year old Peter Ackermann, who has been missing for more than 7-months, and a reward for helping to find him has been extended now until September. Cass county authorities say the reward has doubled in size to $20,000.  His car was found abandoned back on July 25th, one day after he was reported missing. He did some errands in Motley and Staples on the 24th and that is the last anyone knows of his whereabouts. Months of extensive air and ground searches have turned up nothing.  If foul play was involved, the family is hoping someone with any information will step forward and either help find him or bring closure for his family and friends.

--The man who robbed the First National Bank of Deerwood in Garrison two years ago was finally sentenced yesterday.  40-year old Richard Kyle of Coon Rapids was sentenced to 11-years in prison, for the robbery back in Sept. of 2007.  He was not arrested until a year later, and then entered a guilty plea in January of last year.

--A shooting at the Leech Lake Reservation sent one man to the hospital.  Authorities say the shooting was reported just before 4pm Thursday when 31-year old Amos LaDuke was shot by 22-year-old Williams Morris following an argument. LaDuke remains in a Duluth hospital with serious injuries. Morris was arrested and faces 2nd-degree attempted murder charges in Cass County.

--The Little Falls School Board meets tonight at 6pm at Lindbergh Elementary. One major agenda item is a recommendation for reconfiguring of the elementary schools. Last week, 30 people attended a public input meeting on the reconfiguration. Administrators met with a consultant last week following the public input meeting and will give their recommendation to the school board tonight. The meeting is in the Performing Arts Center.

MORE NEWS

--An Avon man was killed Friday afternoon when a flat-bed semi trailer he was working on fell on top of him. Authorities say 29-year-old Jesse Himsl was working at a business in Motley when the jack broke and the trailer fell onto his chest. He was pronounced dead by the time authorities arrived on the scene.

--Governor Pawlenty and Democrats have reached an agreement on extending the General Assistance Medical Care program for very low-income Minnesotans. The program will be extended for another 16 months. But Democrats say the program used to get $500-million dollars from the state will now only get $164-million. Lawmakers say people who can get health coverage elsewhere will be taken off GAMC but about 78,000 very-low-income Minnesotans will still be covered. Some say hospitals, especially small rural ones, could bet put at risk of closing because of the state money they will lose.

--A bus driver for special meds children in Anoka has been fired after he drove drunk with one child and a student assistant on board. Investigators say the 51-year-old Andover man was arrested Wednesday at a stop along his bus route. They say he failed a field sobriety test and was later fired. Nobody on the bus was injured.

--Police have arrested a man they considered a “person of interest” in the deaths of two people whose bodies were found following a house fire in Moorhead last month. 38-year-old Tracy Zornes of Naytahwaush was taken into custody last week for outstanding felony probation violations. Authorities have not said if they believe the two in the house were dead before the fire. The investigation continues.

--Longtime WCCO TV reporter Darcy Pohland died last Thursday night. The 48-year-old journalist was found by a personal care attendant at her home in Minneapolis. The cause of death is not known. Pohland has been part of the WCCO family since 1986.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT

--Paul Krutchen and Michelle Stewart of Little Falls, a boy on 3-4

DEATH NOTICES

--Richard Arlen Benge, age 78 of Motley.

--Lesley Taylor, age 83 of Randall.

WEATHER

TODAY= dense fog and freezing drizzle early, then clouds, high 43.

TONIGHT= freezing rain, slippery through overnight, low 30.

TUESDAY= freezing drizzle, rain and fog, high 43, low 32.

WEDNESDAY= rain likely, some freezing drizzle early, high 40, low 30

SPORTS

WRE= State Wrestling wrapped up Saturday with Clint Poster and Sean Huls of Pierz both finishing 3rd, also 3rd place finishes for Jacob Bowland and Brandon Seppelt of Foley. Marshall Ash of Milaca was a state champ at 215 in Class AA. Team Champions were Apple Valley, Jackson County Central and Simley. Foley was Class AA runner-up.

GBB= New London Spicer ousted Pierz Saturday 43-22 in playoffs.

BBB= playoffs for Royalton and Swanville begin tonight, Little Falls on Tuesday and Upsala and Pierz on Thursday.

NFL= Brett Favre says he hasn’t made a decision yet in his football future with the Vikings. Running-back Chester Taylor signed a 4-year deal with the Chicago Bears on Friday.

 “Hot Hits” Wednesday, great lunches and happy hour at WS Bar

Friday- March 5th, 2010

NEWS

--Representative Al Doty has joined the list of incumbents seeking reelection this fall. Rep. Doty represents District 12B that includes areas of Morrison and Crow Wing County. The endorsing convention for District 12 candidates is Saturday at the Fort in Fort Ripley.

--A state representative from St. Cloud has introduced a health care bill that he says could save the state up to $300-million dollars a year. Rep. Steve Gottwalt, say under his proposal, those who receive state-supported health insurance would get subsidies to buy the health coverage they want in the private sector. Gottwalt says he would give people a greater choice and control over their healthcare and help drive down costs.

--A farm accident has killed a Waseca man. Rescue workers were called to the farm in Otisco Township and found the man trapped in a grain bin. Officials say 49-year-old James Eaton died after being suffocated underneath a pile of corn.

--Sherburne County is seeking state lawmakers’ approval to institute a quarter-cent sales tax to pay its share of operating the Northstar Commuter Rail Line. County Commissioners passed a resolution of support of the tax earlier this month. They hope a bill will be introduced in the Legislature in the next week or two.

--After nearly a year in a Denver critical care facility, a wounded Minnesota deputy is back home. Mahnomen County Deputy Chris Dewey was shot in the head as he answered an emergency call in February of last year. He was transported to a Denver facility that specializes in severe brain trauma and his recovery has been slow and difficult. This week, Dewey’s wife, Emily, wrote on their caringbridge website that she and Chris are now back in Minnesota and will live with her parents and as they modify their home to accommodate Chris’s special needs. The man accused of shooting Dewey is to stand trail later this spring.

--The Minnesota Department of Health reports little or no more flu activity in the state over the past month. The H1N1 virus has slowed down dramatically and seasonal flu has been non-existent. The latest findings this week say 3 people died from H1N1 in November and December. The 3 were from Carver, Dakota and Benton counties and all had underlying health conditions.

--The Pawlenty Administration is sending mixed signals on how large a bonding bill the governor would agree too. Budget Commissioner Tom Hanson told a legislative working group their desire is to keep a bill in the $725-million dollar range. But Hanson appeared to change his position after a representative said he’d never heard the governor directly say 725-million. Hanson then added quote “we have to agree on size and scope and I’m not foolish enough to think that in the end it’s going to be $725-million dollars”.

--Minnesota schools are out of the running, at least for now, for a slice of the $4.35-billion “Race for the Top” grants after the state’s application didn’t advance past the first round. The U.S. Department of Education named the 16 finalists from the 41 applicants. The winners will be chosen in April. A second round of applications will be accepted in June. The grants are designed to spur states to lift student achievement by developing strong standards, pay-for-performance teacher compensation plans and turning around low-performing schools.

--check out a lot of weekend events, and good breakfasts on Sunday at the community calendar page at fallsradio.com.

MORE NEWS

--The Little Falls School Board will meet Monday night at 6pm at the Performing Arts Center at Lindbergh Elementary School. Agenda items include accepting numerous donations from area organizations; hear reports from board members and the superintendent and the board will receive the recommendation on the elementary reconfiguration from school officials from their public input meeting held last Tuesday at Lindbergh Elementary.

--The Royalton Fire Department is one of four in central Minnesota to receive a federal Homeland Security Grant.  The grants are part of more than $611,000 awarded to Minnesota fire departments in the latest round of Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program awards. Freeport firefighters receive over $85,000, Paynesville over $28,000, Richmond was over $56,000 and Royalton received $12,152.

--It’s a year in prison for a federal corrections officer who took a bribe for smuggling contraband to an inmate in Rochester. Prosecutors say 27-year-old Richard Torres admitted soliciting the $6,500 bribe and smuggled cell phones, tobacco and dietary supplements to the inmate at the Federal Medical Center. The inmate told investigators Torres said he simply needed the money.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT

--Jamie and Jessica Holm of Little Falls, a boy born March 3rd

DEATH NOTICES

--Clarence A. Vavra, age 89 of Swanville.

--Lorraine Balder, age 82 of Onamia.

--LaVerne Hanson, age 85 of Hillman.

--Albert ‘Al’ Lampert, age 82 of Grants Pass, Oregon formerly Bowlus

--Fern Johnson-Hansen, age 86 of Andover formerly of Upsala.

WEATHER

TODAY= partly cloudy, high around 40.

TONIGHT= partly cloudy, slight chance of freezing drizzle, low 20.

SATURDAY= partly cloudy, slight chance of rain or freezing drizzle early changing to light rain by afternoon, high around 40.

SAT NITE= rain/snow mix early then cloudy, low 25.

SUNDAY= clouds decrease through day, high 40, low 25.

MONDAY= partly cloudy, high 45, low 25.

SPORTS

WRE= Foley and Milaca both won their quarterfinal team matches Thursday and will compete in separate semi-final matches today at noon. Foley vs. Kasson-Mantorville while Milaca takes on Simley the winners play Saturday night at 6:30pm. 9 individuals from Foley, 4 of Milaca, 3 Pierz and 1 Holdingford continue wrestling later today in semi-finals or wrestlebacks. Catch live local matches on FM94.

GBB= Pierz beat Albany 65-40 last night to advance and play New London Spicer Saturday at 8pm at St. John’s live on FM94 KFML.

TWINS= Twins vs. Boston today and Saturday at noon, Twins vs. Yankees Sunday at noon in spring play, all games on Q92 WYRQ.

VONN= another accolade for Olympic gold medal skier Lindsey Vonn, as she is the latest athlete to appear on a Wheaties Cereal Box. General Mills out of Minnesota is honoring the Burnsville native for her achievements at the Olympics. Fellow Americans Shaun White and Seth Wescott are also featured on Wheaties packages.

“Sweet Siren” tonight, “Hot Hits” Saturday at West Side Bar

MORE NEWS
--24-year-old Devin Gray was formerly charged with 2nd-degree manslaughter in the death of 29-year-old Amanda Kemmer of Fergus Falls. Court reports say the two struggled over a handgun last Friday and it went off shooting Kemmer in the chest killing her. Gray and two other men fled the trailer house after the shooting and Gray was later located about 10 miles from Fergus Falls. Test results are still pending on if Gray had gun residue on his hands.

--A 22-year-old St. Cloud man faces charges of criminal sexual conduct after allegedly having sexual contact with two 4-year-old victims on more than one occasion from June 2009 through this January. Following an investigation, James Marek was arrested and is currently in the Stearns County jail awaiting formal charges.

--Should Minnesota ban cell phone use while driving? Lawmakers don’t have a bill before them but took testimony on the issue yesterday at the Capitol. The National Safety Council says over ¼ of all crashes are caused by cell-phone distracted drivers with no difference between hand-held and hands-free. However, Cell Phone providers say a cell phone driving ban would create an environment where people would try to circumvent it.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Michael Thunborg and Jayme Gessell of Little Falls, a girl on 3-2

DEATH NOTICES
--Lawrine “Swede” Thompson, age 84 of Onamia.
--Jean Mundt, age 88 of Onamia.

WEATHER
TODAY= partly cloudy, fog this morning, high 40.
TONIGHT= partly cloudy, fog late, low 15.
FRIDAY= partly cloudy, morning fog, high near 40.
SATURDAY= rain, freezing rain and wet snow, high 35.
SUNDAY= partial afternoon sun, high around 40.

SPORTS
WRE= State Wrestling continues with team competition today at 9:30am including Foley vs. Thief River Falls, Mille Lacs, Milaca and Frazee will also compete. Individual competitions continue starting at 4pm for area teams with 3 Pierz, 2 Royalton, 6 Foley, 1 Holdingford, 4 Milaca and 2 Staples-Motley wrestlers advancing to quarter-finals Wednesday the rest of the area wrestlers including the 1 from Little Falls have to wait and see if they get a wrestleback tonight.  Follow along live with Al Windsperger on FM94 KFML.

GBB= Pierz at Albany in playoff action 7:30 tonight also on FM94.

TWINS= Twins open Spring play with Boston tonight at 6 on Q92.

CC= join Rick Grammond for the final Coaches Corner from Coborn’s this winter season Saturday at 9am on AM960 KLTF.

TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1789= the Constitution of the U.S. went into effect.
IN 1902= American Automobile Association was found in Chicago.
IN 1925= President Calvin Coolidge’s inauguration first to air on radio
IN 1968= Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. began Poor People’s Campaign.
IN 1994= actor John Candy died in Mexico at age 43.
IN 1996= country comedienne Minnie Pearl died at age 84.

“Hot Hits” tonight, “Sweet Siren” Friday, great lunches at WS Bar






Wednesday- March 3rd, 2010

MORE NEWS
--The First National Bank of Walker in Akeley was robbed at gunpoint, last Friday afternoon. Hubbard County deputies say the male suspect entered the bank while three employees displayed a handgun to one of the tellers and demanded that the money be placed in a bag. The suspect then fled the bank. The suspect is a white male dressed in a camouflage jacket and blue jeans.  He is approximately 5'10" to 6'00" in height, 210 lbs, and late 40's to mid 50's and was last seen driving a blue, dirty, Chevy Tahoe.  Anyone with information is urged to contact the Hubbard County Sheriff's Office at 218-732-3331.

--The budget forecast for Minnesota looks a little better today with projected deficits of just under $1-billion dollars. That’s an improvement of about $200-milion from last December. The deficit is for the budget that runs through the middle of next year. Governor Pawlenty has proposed solving it mostly through spending cuts but legislators haven’t released their own plans yet.

--Minnesota employers added 15,600 jobs in January, the largest one-month gain in state employment since 2005. The state’s unemployment rate fell to 7.3% in January, compared to 7.4% in December. The big gain was in 8 of the 11 industrial sectors that saw increases in jobs, there is a bad side as education and health services lost 700 jobs and financial activities lost 500 jobs after in January.

DEATH NOTICES
--Donald Newman, age 85 of Little Falls formerly of Randall.

WEATHER
TODAY= early fog, then mostly sunny, high near 45
TONIGHT= partly cloudy, fog forms late, low 10.
THURSDAY= partly cloudy, patchy fog early, high near 40.
FRIDAY= increasing clouds, high near 40, low near 15.

SPORTS
WRE= State Wrestling coverage live from the XCEL Energy Center today beginning at 4pm with Class AA individuals that includes wrestlers from Foley, Little Falls Long Prairie-Grey Eagle and Staples-Motley. 6pm is Class AAA including Brainerd and 8pm is Class A with Pierz, Royalton-Upsala, Holdingford and Mille Lacs of Onamia and Isle. Team competition begins Thursday morning. Al Windsperger will be live through Saturday with wrestling action on FM94 KFML.

TWINS= Twins spring training games start Thursday on Q92.

TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1915= the film “Birth of a Nation” debuted in New York City. The movie was dubbed the greatest silent film ever produced.
IN 1931= “The Star Spangled Banner” officially became the National Anthem of the United States. It was written by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812.
IN 1933= Mount Rushmore in South Dakota was dedicated.
IN 1959= comedian Lou Costello died at age 59. He and his partner Bud Abbott formed one of the most popular duos of all time.
IN 1960= Lucille Ball filed for divorce from Desi Arnaz.
IN 1965= The Sound of Music opened in theaters with Julie Andrews
IN 1966= actor William Frawley, Fred Mertz of I Love Lucy died at 79
IN 1987= legendary entertainer Danny Kaye died at age 74.

“Hot Hits” tonight and Thurs. “Sweet Siren” Friday at West Side Bar






Tuesday- March 2nd, 2010

MORE NEWS
--The oil pipeline that runs through central Minnesota is providing a property tax windfall for local governments. The pipeline is expected to generate more than 1.03-million dollars in property tax revenue in Stearns County which is double what its owner paid for the previous year. In Morrison County the company will pay over $667,000 in property taxes which is a big jump from over $200,000 last year. The pipeline completed in 2008 runs from Clearbrook in northwestern Minnesota, through Cushing, Flensburg, Upsala and down to Albany in Stearns County. Landowners signed easements allowing it to be buried on their property in return for payment.

--Fire damaged an office at the First Baptist Church of Pequot Lakes Friday night. Firefighters arrived around midnight and were able to extinguish the fire before it spread to other rooms. The church sustained minimal water and smoke damage. No one was in the church at the time and the cause is under investigation.

--The Pequot Lakes High School student who took a plastic toy gun from a rummage sale box and walked to a doorway of a classroom and pointed at the people in the room will not be finishing the year out in the High School. The school says that they have followed policy and suspended the student for 5 days. The School Board announced the district had found an alternative placement for the student for the remainder of the school year.

--Over the next month, Minnesota Foodshare officials hope to raise 12-million pounds and dollars during the March Food Drive Campaign. This year’s theme is “Be a super-hero”. Foodshelf use was up 25% last year across the state and thanks to the generous donations they were able to meet the increased demand. Morrison County has 3 food-shelves in Little Falls, Pierz and Motley.

--Minnesota Timberwolves Center Al Jefferson was taken to jail Sunday for allegedly driving while intoxicated. Jefferson was first pulled over for speeding then arrested after a blood-alcohol test was administered. Jefferson has been given a 2 game suspension.

--Get booths now for the Annual Home Garden and Leisure Show April 10 and 11th at the Exchange Area by calling 632-2992.

DEATH NOTICES
--Paul Robert Varner, age 30 of Wishek ND, formerly Pierz.

WEATHER
TODAY= partly cloudy, high near 40.
TONIGHT= mostly cloudy, low around 15.
WEDNESDAY= partly sunny, high in the 40s.
THURSDAY= mostly sunny, high of 45, low around 15.

SPORTS
GBB= Little Falls at St. Cloud Apollo in playoffs 7pm tonight Q92.
BBB= Pierz at Eden Valley Watkins tonight 7:30pm on FM94 KFML
WRE= State Wrestling coverage begins 4pm Wednesday on FM94.

TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1836= Texas declared it’s independence from Mexico.
IN 1949= first automatic street light was installed in Connecticut.
IN 1959= the first push-button phones were installed in Connecticut.
IN 1976= Walt Disney World in 6 years, logged its 50-millionth guest
IN 1999= singer Dusty Springfield died in London at age 59.

Music, food, happy hour and a whole lot more at the West Side Bar






Monday- March 1st, 2010

MORE NEWS
--A Morrison County prosecutor, who recently resigned, has been charged with trying to take photos of women disrobing in a dressing room at a South Minneapolis store last November. 39-year-old Jason Rolloff faces charges of privacy interference and disorderly and indecent conduct and lurking with intent. According to the complaint the woman looked up and saw a man holding a camera phone over the partition then screamed for help. Rolloff was identified from the store’s security camera photos. He worked for the County Attorney’s Office since 2006 until resigning in mid February. He is scheduled to appear in Hennepin County District Court on March 17th.

--The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce at its annual dinner last night, honored the recipients of its selections for Large and Small businesses of the year along with volunteer for 2009. The Pine County Bank was selected as the large business and the Little Falls Granite Works the Small Business for 2009. Mark Gerbi was honored as the volunteer of the year.

--The Little Falls City Council meets tonight 7:30 at City Hall.

--Republican gubernatorial hopeful Tom Emmer picked up two high-profile endorsements from former Congressman Vin Weber and Republican National Committee chairman Brian Sullivan. Emmer says he’s humbled and grateful adding it demonstrates his campaign is uniting members of the Republican Party of Minnesota.

BIRTH ANNOUNCMENTS
--Brandon-Michael York and Tiffani Pitman of Little Falls, a boy 2-25
--Shawn and Amanda Van Heel of Swanville, a girl on February 25th

DEATH NOTICES
--Lorraine Balder, age 82 of Onamia.

WEATHER
TODAY= sunny, high near 40.
TONIGHT= partly cloudy, low around 10.
TUESDAY= partly sunny, high near 40.
WEDNESDAY= clouds early then sunshine, high near 40, low 15.

SPORTS
OLYMPICS FINALS= U.S. beat Finland 6-1 Friday to advance to gold medal game in men’s hockey only to be beaten by Canada in a classic match 3-2 in overtime. Sidney Crosby had the game winner. U.S. takes Silver while Canada has the Gold in both men and women’s hockey. Lindsey Vonn ended her run at the Olympics with a DQ after hitting a gate Friday in her last ski race. She still finished with a gold and bronze medal as well as a bruised shin and back and a busted pinky. The U.S. won the overall medal count with 37, Germany 2nd with 30 and Canada with 23. U.S. only had 9 Gold Medals, while Canada brought in 14 Gold. Overall the events were well attended.

HS GBB= Little Falls at Apollo playoff action Tuesday 7pm on Q92

HS GBB= Pierz at Albany playoff action Thursday 7pm on FM94

WRE= 6 Pierz, 5 Royalton-Upsala, 1 Little Falls and 10 Foley wrestlers will compete in individuals at the State Wrestling Tournament beginning Wednesday at the XCEL Energy Center in St. Paul. Foley will also compete as a team. Catch live action of area wrestlers with Al Windsperger started Wednesday on FM94 KFML.

Check the West Side Bar for great specials and lunches this week.






Friday- February 26th, 2010

MORE NEWS

--A 32-year old Little Falls man was arrested on charges of assaulting his girlfriend. Last Saturday, Jeffrey Lee Kapus was involved a verbal dispute that turned physical. Police said Kapus allegedly knocked the victim to the ground then placed his knee on the downed woman's neck, and as a result the victim reportedly began to lose consciousness. Kapus was charged with domestic assault by strangulation and faces 3 years in prison and/or $5,000 in fines.

--Morrison County officials and residents are asking for state support in building a recreational trail from the Crow Wing State Park through Camp Ripley, downtown Little Falls and just north of Royalton. This would link the Paul Bunyan State Trail to the Soo Line South ATV Trail. Supporters hope still that the bonding bill that passed this week in the legislature though then pulled back due to a likely governor veto will still hold the $2-million dollars to design and acquire land for the trail. Whether or not the proposal gets bonding dollars or not, supports say they will not give up on working for it.

--The Little Falls City Council meets Monday night at 7:30. Agenda items include numerous committee reports; calling for a special city council meeting to fill the vacancy for the Ward One council seat; approval of the Mayor’s appointments and approval of the monitoring upgrades for the water treatment facilities. Council meets at City Hall.

--Charges have been filed in a deadly snowmobile accident near Alexandria that killed an off-duty police officer. 25-year-old Mark Ruder is charged with operating a snowmobile at an unreasonable speed and operating the sled without a valid certificate. Ruder, Officer Patrick Callaghan and another friend were riding separate snowmobiles on the Central Lakes Trail last month when Ruder crashed into the back of Callaghan’s sled that stopped, killing him.

--The cases of sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise in Minnesota and organizations are asking state government to ramp up efforts to fight it. Around 62,000 STI tests are administered annually in Minnesota, North and South Dakota. Bills are still in the introduction stages to bring more pamphlets and education materials to teach students the dangers of unprotected sexual encounters.

DEATH NOTICES
--Mardelle R. Oothoudt, age 90 of Little Falls.

WEATHER
TODAY= mostly sunny, high near 30.
TONIGHT= clear, patchy fog in areas, low around 0.
SATURDAY= sunny, fog in the morning, high 35.
SUNDAY= partly cloudy, high near 35, low around 10.
MONDAY= partly cloudy, high around 35, low near 10.

SPORTS
OLYMPICS= Canada beat the U.S. 2-0 yesterday to win the Gold medal in Women’s Hockey, which means U.S. takes Silver, Finland won the Bronze. The U.S. finished 4th in Women’s figure skating meaning the first time since 1964 that the United States didn’t medal in women’s figure skating. U.S. men take on Finland in semi-final action today. The U.S. leads the medal count 32 to 28 over Germany.

GBB= Rockford at Pierz tonight 7:30 on FM94 KFML.
COL HK= Gophers at UMD in Duluth Saturday at 7 on FM94 KFML

TWINS= a countdown to the Twins home opener at fallsradio.com.

“Hot Hits” tonight and Saturday, ask about the pizza at WS Bar.






Thursday- February 25th, 2010

MORE NEWS

--Here is the list of award winners from this week’s Morrison County Commissioners Awards of Excellence handed out this week. The 2009 winners were: Patty Branchaud received the Individual Customer Service Award, The Public Health Vaccination Team received the Group Community Contribution award, Beth Hamlin, Irene Trettel and Amy Kowalzek each received an Individual Leadership Award, John Erdrich, Melvin Backowski, Gloria Gammon, Sandy Lubbers, Jackie Marx, Amy Reinhart, and Kelly Scepurek received the Customer Service Award, Jeanie Garlock, Connie Seelen, Joyce Kahl, Amy Kelash, Steve Messerschmidt, Linda Collins, Russ Nygren, Glen Erickson, Brenda O’Neil, Scott Kunkel, Diane Tamm, Judy Liddell, Sheila Stoerzinger, Jean Popp, Debbie Symanietz, Julie Shelstad, Irene Trettel, Shayla Strack, Nanette Brossoit, Mike Trettel, Mike Disher, Gale Zimmerman, Chuck Forss, and Dale Beierman received the Group Performance Award, Glen Erickson, Dale Beierman, Linda Collins, Scott Kunkel, Judy Liddell, Jean Popp, Julie Shelstad, Shayla Strack, Mike Trettel, and Gale Zimmerman received the Group Customer Service Award, Karla Nornberg, Aaron Stein, Staci Stoner, Lonnie Strack, Tanya Mortenson, Sarah Pratt, and Kris Schlichting received the Group Performance Award. Congratulations to the Award winners and thanks to those who nominated them.

--A Stearns County judge found Keonne Palmer guilty of first-degree, premeditated murder for the April shooting death of a St. Cloud man. The conviction brings a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the chance for parole. He is scheduled to be sentenced May 6.

--The 2010 Morrison County Provider of the year has been selected. Lola Lilga of Little Falls has been licensed provider for 21 years. Lola will be honored along with the other counties from Minnesota at Minnesota Licensed Family Child Care Association 23rd annual Week of the Provider Conference and Banquet April 30th in Bloomington.

DEATH NOTICES
--Beverly Waddell, age 59 of Little Falls.
--Sadie M. Yatckoske, age 104 of Little Falls.

WEATHER
TODAY= mostly sunny, high near 22.
TONIGHT= clear skies, low of -5.
FRIDAY= mostly sunny, high near 30.
SATURDAY= partly cloudy, high 32, low 5
SUNDAY= partial sun, more clouds in PM, high 30, low 10.

SPORTS
OLYMPICS= A disappointing finish for Lindsey Vonn at the Olympics after a crash yesterday in the giant slalom. While she was being attended too, the next racer U.S. Julia Mancuso started and was stopped by officials after a restart finished well behind the pack. The US women’s hockey team plays Canada today for the gold medal with game time around 5:30. The U.S. Men’s Hockey defeated Switzerland 2-0 to advance to the semi-finals Friday against Finland at 2pm. Canada and Slovakia will meet in the other semi-final match. The U.S. got 2 medals yesterday to go to 28. Germany is 2nd with 24 and Norway 3rd with 18. The Olympic Games end on Sunday with the closing ceremonies.

HS BBB= BBE at Pierz tonight 7:30 on FM94 KFML.

 “Hot Hits” tonight, get lunch and happy hour specials at WS Bar.






Wednesday- February 24th, 2010

MORE NEWS

--It was a busy Morrison County Commissioners meeting Tuesday with the county reaching a 3-year contract with its largest bargaining unit that represents 60 social-service employees. The agreement calls for 0% COLA, one furlough day a year and salary scale adjustments in 2012. The County stated they will spend $2.5-million to buy new digital radios for its law enforcement agencies and fire departments. The system will move to digital by January 2013. Sheriff Michel Wetzel says the county will purchase the radios but local agencies will be responsible for the upkeep and repairs. The Board also honored dozens of county employees and groups of county workers for their excellent work in customer service or unique innovations and service to county residence through its Awards of Excellence Program. All of those honored were nominated over the last year. A full list of the names of the award winners will be on tomorrow newsletter.

--The Minnesota National Guard is posting a webpage to help answer questions about money some of the guard members are owed. The payments cover those who were involuntarily mobilized and released from active duty between January and August of 2007, and may be eligible to receive compensation payments. The National Guard says it will work to verify those who are eligible so that every soldier who is owed this benefit is paid correctly. For more information on the Minnesota National Guard's PDMRA Payment Plan visit www.MinnesotaNationalGuard.org and "click" on the PDMRA link.

--Yesterday a phone scam was reported in Todd County, now an internet scam has surfaced in Stearns and Benton County. Police in Sartell and surrounding communities are warning residents of a scam using Craigslist on the Internet. Two people have reported they went on the list looking at a home for rent. The people sent an e-mail and got a correspondence stating that the person who is renting is out of state on a mission trip and then tries to negotiate a $400 deposit to secure the right to the rent the home. Police say there is no house for rent in the Sartell area that matches the description of the online site but police say they are investigating to see if the real estate signs and website match each other. They warn residents not to give any financial information over the phone or online without really knowing what or who you are giving the information too.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Shay Renz and Stephanie Ruikka of Little Falls, a girl on Feb. 17th

DEATH NOTICES
--John I. “Shorty” Fuller, age 84 of Little Falls formerly Randall.

WEATHER
TODAY= sunny, high near 15
TONIGHT= clear and cold, low -7, wind chills near -15.
THURSDAY= sunny, a bit warmer, high of 25.
FRIDAY= mostly sunny, high near 30, low around 0.

SPORTS
OLYMPICS= U.S. women’s hockey team goes for gold later today against Canada while the Men will face Switzerland today in a quarterfinal match with semis on Thursday. The U.S. still holds a small lead of medals over Germany going into today 26 to 23. The games come to a close on Sunday.

“Hot Hits” tonight through Saturday, great food and drink at WS Bar






Tuesday- February 23rd, 2010