Newsletter: Monday, August 3rd 2020

NEWS

--Little Falls Schools Superintendent Stephen Jones is expected on Wednesday to release the next part of the plan for schools to return this September. A parent survey was to be sent out yesterday (Sunday) about which option the parents are asking for their student including talk on school lunch, transportation, atheltics and learning with the note that the school has to agree to any parent who wishes to have distance learning for their child this year no questions asked even if the schools have mostly in school learning. The survey is again to give better options for the upcoming school year. Jones reminds those that the mask mandate in the State of Minnesota is in place and all who enter any of the school buildings, staff, faculty, volunteers, parents and students are required to wear a mask. Jones did state a lot of work will be done in the coming days and weeks with the Department of Education, Department of Health, he has metn with local medical personnel from CHI St. Gabriel's and community members on the best and safest approach to get students back to school this September 8th. Pierz Schools Superintendent George Weber stated Friday that they are allowed to have all students return to school, and if Morrison county maintains low numbers of COVID-19 and since now the ratio is about 4 to every 10,000 people they plan to return to in school learning classes on September 8th. Some issues like busing capacity will still be limited, so we will need families to help transport children to and from school. All students are required to wear masks on buses. Pierz will have to gather some information from parents in order for us to start the school year and will be sending out a quick survey over the next week or so. It will be critical that parents and caregivers respond to that survey so we can build our new bus routes, determine distance learning, provide meals, etc.More information will be coming out next week and the days ahead from all involved in this. Other schools like Royalton, Upsala, Swanville, Pillager, Staples-Motley have also started putting in phases for plans for students to return for school this fall. Upsala Superintendent Vern Capelle announced last week following the governor's announcement the first re-entry blueprint for Upsala schools is available to download on the Upsala schools website.

--A 37-year-old from Pillager was injured Thursday around 5:15pm on Highway 10 at Azalea Road in Motley. Jacob Voight was eastbound veered to the right of the highway, ran off the road and rolled his vehicle. Voight was taken to St. Cloud Hospital for his injuries.

--The Catholic Community Schools are moving forward with in-person learning this fall. Classes are scheduled to begin on September 1st in all elementary schools and on September 8th at Cathedral High School. The decision follows the state recommendations announcement by the governor Thursday. The Catholic Community Schools say while they are ready to open with in-person learning they say the plan is flexible to accommodate distance learning of the hybrid model is necessary.

--The recent numbers of COVID-19 in Minnesota from the Department of Health Sunday were 769 positive cases and there were 8 new reported deaths. 3 new cases in Benton, 8 in Crow Wing, Mille Lacs 8 and 11 in Stearns, 5 in Todd and Morrison County after the weekend now has 83 total cases, 15 of those in the last 14 days.

--The bike ride for local heroes will be Tuesday at 5:15pm starting at the Morrison County Government Center. All are welcome to ride to Lindbergh State Park and thank are local heroes on the ride.

MORE NEWS

--The Drug Enforcement Administration in a recent statement is asking members of the public to be cautious of telephone calls by scammers posing as DEA employees attempting to defraud and extort victims. The schemers call the victims, spoofing DEA phone numbers in order to appear legitimate, and threaten arrest, prosecution, and imprisonment for supposed violations of federal drug laws or involvement in drug-trafficking activities unless victims pay a “fine” over the phone, via wire transfer, or through a gift card. The reported scam tactics continually change but often share many of the same characteristics. Callers use fake names and badge numbers or names of well-known DEA officials and may use an urgent and aggressive tone, refusing to speak to or leave a message with anyone other than their targeted victim along with threatening arrest, prosecution, imprisonment on phone calls. The DEA is letting you know THESE ARE SCAMS. Never give out personal information and if you receive a call like this hang up immediately and contact your local law enforcement agency to address the situation.

--51-year-old James Arditto, accused of robbing the Deerwood Bank branch in Garrison by gunpoint last week allegedly got away with 500 $1 bills, according to court documents. Arditto of Coon Rapids was charged Wednesday, July 29, in Crow Wing County District Court in Brainerd with two felonies first-degree aggravated robbery and being in possession of a firearm as a felon. Ardito was currently under federal supervision after being convicted of robbing the same bank in 2007. Ardito was arrested Monday, July 27, at a residence in Andover. Ardito has convictions for aggravated robbery in 2010, 1993 and 1988. He also has a second-degree burglary conviction in 2004. Ardito appeared for his first court hearing before Judge Charles Halverson. Halverson set unconditional bail at $150,000, or $75,000 with conditions to include he may not leave Minnesota, can have no contact with the victims, cannot enter any bars or liquor stores, or possess alcohol or drugs or firearms/dangerous weapons. His next court hearing is scheduled at 3:15pm on August 17th.

--The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce announced the August Employee of the Month is Amanda Olson who is a bartender at VFW Post #1112 Arthur Bernard Johnson and has been for the past 6 years. Congratulation to Amanda Olson the employee of the month.

DEATH NOTICES

--Gerald “Jerry” Saxton, age 92 of Randall.

--David “Ken” White, age 83 of Little Falls.

--William True Threlkeld III, age 64 of Staples.

--Diane Lange, age 73 of Upsala.

WEATHER

TODAY= sunny skies, high 73, clear night, low 48.

TUESDAY= sunny skies, high 75, clear night, low near 50.

WEDNESDAY= isolated PM storms develop, high 76, low near 55.

SPORTS
TWINS= Twins win 4-1 on Friday over Cleveland. Sano hits 2 hoemruns and Rosario homers as Twins win 3-0 Saturday and Garver homers to lift Twins 3-1 over the Indians on Sunday to take the series. The Twins (7-2) open a home and home series with the Pittsburgh Pirates tonight 6:30pm pregame on Q92 WYRQ.

REGION 8C= Region 8C Tournament starts Saturday in Pierz, hear all 8 games this weekend starting at 11am Saturday on KLTF.