Thursday, February 5, 2026
A road reconstruction project involving three townships, the city of Sartell, and Stearns County is receiving $1.5-million in federal money to push it over the finish line. 6th District Congressman Tom Emmer announced on Tuesday that the Townline Road project (30th Avenue/75th Avenue) was included in the federal transportation bill. New Stearns County Engineer Chris Byrd says the project has been in the pipeline for a long time. The county is facilitating the project development for the local agencies. Byrd says it is unique because of all of the entities involved, and the challenges created by the landscape the road runs through... So it's what, five-and-a-half, almost six miles of reconstruction where we're taking a narrow, poor condition, two-lane roadway and we're going to reconstruct it completely with wider lanes and wider shoulders. So that takes quite a bit of work. In addition to the federal funding, the project received $7.5-million from the state legislature to cover most of the engineering and construction costs.
Early reports stated that large crowds did attend Caucuses in Minnesota. DFL officials say at least 30,000 in-person attendees from around Minnesota gathered in classrooms, cafeterias, and gymnasiums for precinct caucuses Tuesday night. The release adds many caucus-goers said it was their first time attending with Senator Amy Klobuchar getting top votes for Governor. Republican Caucuses had big numbers including in Morrison County of over 300 attending in Little Falls Tuesday night. On the straw poll in Morrison County Representative Lisa Demuth getting 49.30% of the votes, Kendall Qualls second with 21.68% and Mike Lindell third place at 13.99%. Demuth was the top finisher by the GOP Straw Polls at Caucus around the state on Monday for Republican candidates vying for governor this November.
Two men who were arrested at a Brainerd restaurant by ICE Federal Agents and local authorities has been charged in U.S. District Court in St. Paul. Both men did plead not guilty in U.S. District Court on January 26th. Both men face improper entry of an illegal alien and illegal reentry of an alien to the United States both offenses in federal court. Two others that were arrested during the raid in Brainerd has yet to be charged in federal court.
Border czar Tom Homan said 700 federal agents would leave Minnesota in a press conference Wednesday. This update comes a week after Homan took over the operation from former Border Commander at Large Greg Bovino. Homan previously stated that he was negotiating with Minnesota leaders to remove more ICE agents from the state. He said if county jails cooperated with immigration officials, then ICE leadership might pull some federal agents. Through Operation Metro Surge, Homan said federal agents have arrested 14 people with homicide convictions, 139 people with assault convictions, 87 people with sex offenses and 28 gang members. Notably, many people without criminal records, including children, have been detained in the Twin Cities as well. As of January 14th, officials reported 2,400 people had been detained.
The Brainerd School District has narrowed their search for the next superintendent down to two finalists on Wednesday morning. Chip Rankin, Superintendent of Minnewaska Schools and Dr. Mike Nuebeck interim superintendent at Jackson County Central Schools. The school announced there was a third candidate but that candidate opted out of the running and did not attend the second interview with the schools. The School Board will interview one more time the final two on February 10th and make their final decision for the new superintendent to begin for Brainerd Public Schools on July 1st.
The Department of Public Safety is reminding motorists that hundreds of law enforcement personnel and agencies will be out watching for impaired drivers during the Super Bowl Game this Sunday. That Sunday night in previous years been not as bad as prior years in DWI or DUI arrests because more people are staying home to watch the big game however, in previous years domestic violence, fighting and disputes have been up due to the football game and what happens during and after in homes and because of that law enforcement will be out in force and remind those if you have an emergency or in need of help immediately do not hesitate to call 911.
Janet Retka wanted to thank all who bought tickets for the Valentine's Dinner at St. Stanislaus in Sobieski for February 13th they are sold out of tickets for the events. Thanks again and hope all enjoys next Friday that bought tickets but again the tickets are sold out for the event.
Death Notices: James "Jim" Norbert Thoma, age 52 of Woodbury formerly of Little Falls.
Weather: partly sunny and mild today, high 38, cloudy skies at night, still mild but turning windy, low 27. Friday sunny early with highs near 33, then falling temps with gusty winds 20-35mph in afternoon, temps into the 20s by 4pm and down to 3 above with wind chills around -13 below zero by late Friday night. Saturday morning flurries early then partly sunny, high 28, low around 17. Sunday sunny skies, high 35, low 23. Monday sunny high near 40. Rain and snow develops Monday night into Tuesday, low 28, high 36.
Sports: Super Bowl LX is Sunday at 5:30pm New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks kickoff at 5:30pm with coverage all afternoon live on AM960 KLTF and fallsradio.com. The Winter Olympics were scheduled to begin in Italy on Wednesday, some of the events were canceled due to weather and also due to a power outage that hampered the start of the events. Opening Ceremony is Friday night on NBC. Timberwolves and Wild win close matches last night in sports. Little Falls Flyer Football and track and field coach Joe Bartos announced he is stepping down as coaches for both teams to head the flag football team that is being introduced this spring at St. Benedict's College in Collegeville.