Friday, March 14, 2025

--A strong late winter/early spring storm will effect Minnesota today and Saturday. The southern part of the state will see the rain start this afternoon, though central Minnesota likely not until later tonight after dark, heavy rains, thunder and lightning and some small hail could roll through between 7pm and 4am tonight across southern and eastern Minnesota with some isolated strong storm possible. A winter storm watch is in effect for western Minnesota where snow will start tonight and freezing mix of weather causing slushy and slippery roads into Saturday morning. Add on to that strong winds 25-50mph across the state by late Saturday morning causing blowing and drifting show. Temps will drop from the 40s early into the 20s by afternoon on Saturday turning the rain to a freezing mix and then all snow before done. Parts of western Minnesota could see 3-5 inches of snow depending if all snow, with only around 1-2 inches over central Minnesota by 9pm Saturday night as most of the moisture will be rain with some minor ice accumulation. The system will move out late Saturday night, dry by cold on Sunday. Travel advisories have been posted by many law enforcement agencies and check road conditions at 511mn.org if you are heading out on Saturday. 

--An alert Meeker County Sheriff’s Deputy is credited with spotting a fire and quickly getting help to the scene. According to a press release, around 9:30 Wednesday night, the deputy was patrolling in the area of Highway 4 when he saw the fire in Union Grove Township. He called for help from his own department, Allina Ambulance, and the Paynesville and Eden Valley Fire Departments. When they arrived, the barn was fully engulfed and is considered a total loss. A heat lamp in the barn is believed to be the cause. The fire didn’t spread to any other structures and no one was hurt. That was not the only fire in Meeker County Wednesday. Around 2:45 that afternoon, authorities were called to a house fire in Dassel. The Dassel and Cokato Fire Departments responded, as did Mayo Ambulance and police. A woman at the home said she was in the backyard with her dogs when she noticed the blaze. She went back in to look for her three cats, but was turned away due to fire and smoke. She was not hurt, but the house was severely damaged. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

--The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says anglers on Mille Lacs Lake will have the opportunity to harvest up to two walleye per day during the upcoming open water season. A press release from the DNR says after years of restrictive regulations, the Mille Lacs Lake walleye fishery appears to be healthy, according to both state and Tribal fisheries biologists. More than a decade ago, the DNR and Ojibwe treaty Tribes significantly reduced harvest limits due to concerns over ecological changes and declining survival rates among young walleye. That strategy has proven successful. Harvested walleye must be at least 17” inches long, with only one over 20” allowed. “The walleye population in Mille Lacs is currently in a good place,” said Brad Parsons, Minnesota DNR fisheries section manager. “Ojibwe Tribes and the Minnesota DNR limited harvest, which allowed for an increased number of adult spawning walleye, and a strong 2024 year class that bodes well for the future health of the fishery.” The walleye opener is May 10th, 2025. For other fish, from May 10th through the 23rd, all large and smallmouth bass must be released. Starting May 24th, all bass greater than 17” inches must be immediately released and there is a possession limit of three in combination. Starting May 10th, through March 21st. 2026, all northern pike larger than 30” inches must be immediately released with a limit of three. 

--Remember to Tune in Sunday after 9am for Gene Retka and Polka World Today on AM960 KLTF where LaVerne Bzdok will draw the raffle winners for Share Sunday from the tickets bought. Grand Prize ticket will be $700 winner. 

--Weekend events include the Kinship Fish Fry tonight 4:30-7pm at the Little Falls VFW help the mentoring program of Kinship tonight and enjoy the fish, that is one of many around the area tonight to check out. Linden Hill happy hour event is tonight 4-8pm with food and drink, no cover charge with proceeds going to the Mansion's upkeep, Little Women is being performed at Pierz Healy School tonight and Saturday at 7pm tickets at the door. St. Mary's in Little Falls as a  St. Patrick's Day breakfast and raffle starting at 9am Sunday in the church basement with raffle at noon. There is a breakfast for the Ramey/Morrill Lions at St. Joseph's Church in Morrill on Sunday, a quilt bingo will be Sunday at St. Michael's Church in Buckman. Upsala is hosting a skywarn spotting class for weather spotters 2-4pm Sunday at St. Mary's Church in Upsala, no charge all are welcome to take part. More details on events at fallsradio.com on the community calendar. 

DEATH NOTICES- Delores J. Dalhquist, age 92 of Randall. 

WEATHER- today partly sunny and very mild, high near 70, increasing clouds and breezy night, rain develops towards midnight, some thunder overnight, low 41. Saturday rain in the morning, could mix with sleet and then all snow by afternoon, gusty winds near 40mph temps drop into the 20s by 3pm, 1-2 inches of snow possible on Saturday. Sunday sunny and windy, colder, high 32, low around 18. Monday sunny and warmer, high 51. 

SPORTS- Upsala vs. Nevis tonight for the Section 5A Championship in boys basketball from St. Cloud State at 7:45pm on Q92 WYRQ and fallsradio.com they are the second game with Albany and Spectrum first at 6pm and then the Upsala game to follow tonight on Q92 WYRQ with Alex. State Girls Basketball Tournament continues today and concludes tomorrow with Crosby-Ironton in state semi action tonight, Alexandria goes for 3rd place and Sauk Centre and Brainerd go for consolation championships at the State Tournament. Tomorrow is the seeding for the State Boys Basketball Tournament.  Also in sports University of Minnesota has fired head men's basketball coach Ben Johnson following their first round Big 10 Tournament loss to Northwestern on Wednesday night. Johnson was finishing his 4th season with the team.