News

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory from 1pm Wednesday to 7pm Thursday for central Minnesota. Mixed precipitation is expected with 3-5 inches of snow over the advisory area starting Wednesday afternoon, could mix with sleet and freezing rain at times causing slippery roadways into Thursday. 

Students from Westwood Elementary School are being reunited with their parents on Tuesday afternoon following a fire at the school earlier in the morning. St. Cloud Police and Fire departments responded to the fire at Westwood Elementary, located at 5800 Ridgewood Road, at 8:58 a.m. First responders assisted school staff in safely evacuating all students to designated areas. All students and staff are safe. Fire crews contained and controlled the situation, and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Fire Marshal. The investigation is considered active. The reunification process started just after noon at Westwood Community Church, located at 5719 Walnut Drive, where students are being picked up by their parents. City agencies are working with St. Cloud Area School District 742 to assess the building, with primary concerns surrounding air quality and cleanup of the area affected by the fire. The future occupancy of the structure is also being evaluated.

A piece of farm equipment is believed to have sparked a fire in a Stearns County field last weekend. The sheriff’s office responded just after 11:00 Saturday morning to a report of a prairie and farm field fire on County Road 177 near Paynesville. Deputies arrived to find smoke and active fire in multiple areas across the farm field and along a riverbank on the west side of the property. Investigators determined the flames were sparked when a piece of farm equipment caught fire, igniting the surrounding vegetation. The St. Martin Fire Department extinguished all active fire areas and checked the scene to make sure the fire was fully out. The cause was ruled accidental. No injuries were reported.

A natural gas leak prompted evacuations in a St. Cloud neighborhood Monday evening. According to a critical incident report, St. Cloud firefighters responded to the 2100 block of 8th Street North just after 5:30 after reports of a gas leak. Crews arrived to find a large leak continuously venting through a relief valve near the road. The Hazardous Materials Team also monitored homes and apartment buildings for elevated natural gas levels. As a safety precaution, firefighters and St. Cloud police closed nearby roads and evacuated ten homes and five businesses. Xcel Energy shut down the valve responsible for the leak and remained on scene to permanently fix the problem. No one was hurt. The cause of the leak remains under investigation by Xcel Energy.

A man and a child were found dead from apparent gunshot wounds at a rural Minnesota home on Monday afternoon. The Becker County Sheriff’s Office says it was called at around 12:40 p.m. to a home in Holmesville Township – northeast of Detroit Lakes – by a man who expressed concern about his brother, who had not shown up for work. The man’s brother was found inside his home dead from a gunshot wound. Deputies found a child also dead at the property from a gunshot wound. The sheriff’s office says that there is “no known threat” stemming from the incident, suggesting that it is a possible case of murder-suicide. No identities have been released as of Tuesday, with family still being informed.

The April Employee of the Month from the Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism is Nina Lange of Oasis Central MN. Nina is Program Director & Licensed Social Worker and has been there for almost 3 years. Nina said "I am extremely surprised and honored to be a recipient! I am grateful for the support of my amazing team and leadership at Oasis who make it possible to do meaningful work everyday. My job allows me to grow, help others and make a difference, which motivates me to continue giving my best and contributing to our shared success! Thank you!". Employer-Supervisor: Rose Surma stated We are beyond lucky to have Nina as part of the Oasis team. She is compassionate, professional and dedicated. She goes above and beyond to serve households of diverse backgrounds, ensuring they are supported and empowered. She tackles problems with creativity and tenacity. Her work truly makes a meaningful difference.

Sister Julien Dierkes of the Franciscan Sisters invited all to their Good Friday Walk for Peace on Friday, April 3rd at 9:30am. The plan still is to start at the convent and walk around Little Falls with a Cross held by many who walk the journey to many places the Government Center and Jail, across the bridge and other areas ending at the Church Hall at the Convent, then Stations of the Cross at 11am and a Good Friday service will be held at 2pm on Friday. In case of bad weather the event will be held inside the convent. If you have questions contact Sister Julien at the Convent at 320-632-0663 or online at fslf.org.

Death Notices: Elizabeth "Betty" Waytashek, age 94 of Pierz. 

Weather: Winter Weather Advisory goes into effect Wednesday at 1pm until 7pm on Thursday night. Wednesday snow develops after 3pm with cloudy skies and breezy, high 38. Snow likely Wednesday night 1-3 inches, low 28. Thursday snow likely 2-4 inches during the day and windy, high 35, low around 24. Friday snow mixing with rain, freezing rain and sleet at times, gusty winds will also be a factor during the day, high 38, low around 28. Snow likely with accumulations possible Saturday high 35, clearing and colder Saturday night low 17. Sunday sunny skies, high 44, low around 23. 

Sports: After Tuesday off, the Twins are back at it on Wednesday at Kansas City at 6:40pm, then wrap up series Thursday at 1:10pm. Weather could be a factor as rain in the forecast both days. Also the Twins Home Opener is against Tampa Bay on Friday at 3:10pm at Target Field again rain/sleet and snow is in the forecast for the opener on Friday which end up changing game plans this weekend in Minneapolis. 

Listen to the Good Friday Service Live at Grace Covenant Church in Little Falls Friday at noon on AM960 KLTF and streamed at fallsradio.com. 

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