Monday, January 5, 2026

Icy conditions were reported Sunday from Brainerd along Highway 210 to Crosby, Aitkin and along Highway 169 and 35 in eastern Minnesota from Hinckley to Duluth. Most of central Minnesota saw some sleet and light flurries then another string of icy roads were reported in southwestern Minnesota around Benson to Eden Valley and around Melrose to Hutchinson. Freezing rain and sleet is forecast again Monday and also on Tuesday leading to more slippery roads around the state. 

A reminder to motorists that area schools are back in session after a long holiday break for many schools and school buses will be back out Monday morning and afternoon dropping off and picking up students. Please remember to watch for the school buses and their flashing lights again Monday. 

An Albany boy was hurt when he crashed his snowmobile on New Year's Day. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office got a report of a snowmobile crash just after 3:15 p.m. The incident happened in the 36000 block of County Road 12 in Oak Township near New Munich. The sheriff's office says 13-year-old Brayden Hinnenkamp was traveling south and was following another snowmobile when his left ski hit a rock. The incident caused Hinnenkamp to lose control of the machine and hit his left leg on a right-of-way sign, injuring himself. Melrose Ambulance brought Hinnenkamp to the hospital with a leg injury. Stearns County also were informed of another snowmobile accident around that same time near Melrose but no injuries reported there.

A two-vehicle crash near Elrosa on Friday killed both drivers. The Minnesota State Patrol says the incident happened about 5:15pm in the afternoon on Highway 71, about 5 miles south of Elrosa at the intersection of 265th Street. Authorities say an SUV being driven by 55-year-old Paul Matthys of Osakis was going north on Highway 71, and an SUV being driven by 63-year-old Linda Erickson of Sauk Centre was going south when they crashed head-on at the intersection. Both Matthys and Erickson died in the crash. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office, Sauk Centre Ambulance, Elsosa Fire, and the Minnesota Department of Transportation assisted at the scene. That was one of four fatal accidents around the state this past weekend. The Minnesota State Patrol reported a 19-year-old was killed in Olmsted County Saturday died around 6am. The 19-year-old was not wearing a seatbelt when his vehicle rolled killing Braden Rahlf of  Rochester. A third fatal accident was reported near Sandstone and then late Saturday a fatal accident happened in Jackson County. There were other non fatal accidents reported in Pine County, Cass County near Pine River and Stearns County near Roscoe. The State Patrol said many accidents were due to speed and not driving for snow and icy conditions that will still be factor during this week. 

The Little Falls School Board meets at 5pm at the district office on Riverwood Drive for reorganization of the new year along with policies and reports to be given. The Little Falls City Council meets at 7:30pm also on Monday night at City Hall Council Chambers again for reorganization of items for the new 2026 year.