News

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory from 10pm Wednesday to 7pm Thursday for central Minnesota. Mixed precipitation with possible ice accumulation causing very slick roadways Thursday during the day into Thursday night with winds gusting 10-35mph from the East and then the North. Central Minnesota could see 2-5 inches of snow Wednesday night through Thursday afternoon with slippery and slushy roadways, also northern and northeastern Minnesota will see much more snow with some areas near a foot by late Thursday. Then another round of rain, freezing rain, sleet and snow starts late Friday through Saturday with another 2-4 inches expected before drier but chilly conditions return for Easter Sunday. 

Authorities stated that the fire at Westwood Elementary School in St. Cloud Tuesday is being investigated as arson. Students from Westwood Elementary School were 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 is under investigation by the Fire Marshal who stated it is believed to be intentionally set. The reunification process started just after noon at Westwood Community Church, located at 5719 Walnut Drive, where students were 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. Westwood Elementary stated last night they are going to an E-Learning situation for all students today and Thursday, and after assessing the situation will let parents and students know what will be happening when school then resumes next week after the Easter holiday weekend. 

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: cloudy skies today, high near 41. Snow after 5pm, snow likely tonight 1-3 inches, breezy, low 28. Winter Weather Advisory 10pm tonight to 7pm Thursday, snow, mixing with sleet and freezing rain at times during the day Thursday, icy roads, high 32, windy 15-30mph winds from the East and then the North. Snow will end for a time Thursday night low around 24. Rain sleet and snow Friday high 39 early then falling temps with all snow by late day Friday into the night low around 27. Saturday snow likely with another 2-4 inches possible Friday night into Saturday afternoon, high 35, low around 22. Partly sunny but chilly on Easter Sunday high near 40, low around 26. Snow showers develop again early on Monday. 

Sports: The Little Falls Track Team finished 1st for the Girls and 2nd for the Boys at the Bemidji Invite on Tuesday with Pillager finishing 2nd for the girls and 4th for the boys at the invite yesterday. The baseball and softball games that were scheduled yesterday have been rescheduled for later in the season. After a day off yesterday, the Twins are back in action tonight at Kansas City at 6:40pm, then wrap up series Thursday at 1:10pm. However, 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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