NEWS
--Little Falls Community Schools Superintendent Stephen Jones stated that normalcy is the key and in the past 2 weeks they have been dealing with winter issues instead of COVID-19 issues with the students K through 12 in class. Jones stated that the governor's announcement yesterday on middle and high schools would not have any impact on the Little Falls schools. Jones stated that practices for athletics and activities continue, games going well with Flyer Media Production which has seen a 400% increase in use with less fans in the stands for the games and knows the same for games listened to on Little Falls Radio showing that peak interest for those to listen. Jones said in the previous days they starting meeting and talking about prom, graduation and Day of Caring which as long as students are in school these items will happen, maybe with some differences but still going to happen for the high school students. Jones did state they still have some concerns on traffic flow and transportation when you have a facility built near a busy highway these will continue to be an issue but thanks all who have worked around it to pick up and drop off students this school year. Jones is planning on or around April 15th on summer programs for the school district that is being worked out by state and school protocols in place. If you need to reach out to Superintedent Jones he can be reached at 632-2001.
--A St. Cloud man has been cited and fined for allegedly shooting and wounding squirrels with a blow gun. Earlier this year, St. Cloud-based organization Central Minnesota Wildlife Rehabilitation received reports of injured squirrels on the city’s southeast side. Callers reported seeing squirrels with darts sticking out of their bodies. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources led an investigation into the incident with assistance from the St. Cloud Police Department. Joe Albert, Communications Coordinator for the Minnesota DNR’s Enforcement Division, says 26-year-old Shane Barnes has been charged in Sherburne County Court with taking or possessing squirrels in a closed season, which is a misdemeanor. Albert says at least two squirrels were injured and two were killed.
--The Department of Natural Resources Parks and Trails Division is developing master plans to guide development of future off-road vehicle and off-highway motorcycle trails. The plans will include input from members of the public, the off-road vehicle and off-highway motorcycle communities and local government units to understand the perception of off-road vehicle and off-highway motorcycle enthusiasts, identify potential areas for trails and discuss trail management needs. While the plan will identify potential new areas for off-road vehicle and off-highway motorcycle opportunities, any new opportunity will be subject to project specific DNR interdisciplinary review, environmental review and public review. Off-road vehicles are larger 4-by-4 vehicles such as Jeeps, Land Rovers, trucks and rock crawlers. Off-highway motorcycles are vehicles such as dirt bikes and dual sport bikes. These master plans do not include smaller all-terrain vehicles such as class I ATVs (four-wheelers) and class II ATVs (side by sides, i.e.. Razors and Rangers). To share thoughts on off-road vehicle opportunities if you wish to give input on this it has to be in by February 28th by either going to the DNR website or contact their vehicle planner at 651-259-5279.
--The first Friday in Lent is tomorrow which means many fish fries at area American Legion's, VFW's, ballrooms, churches and schools. Check with local establishments for times and prices of the fish frys.
--Governor Tim Walz has announced a timeline for bringing middle and high school students back to the classroom. According to a release from the governor's office, all middle and high school students can resume hybrid or in-person learning starting February 22nd. Walz said he expects all Minnesota schools to offer "some form" of in-person learning by March 8. Walz's office said districts and charter schools that are already holding in-person or hybrid learning or have publicly announced a plan to transition to in-person or hybrid learning can continue with their plans. According to the governor's office, 85% of K-8 students are already back to some type of in-person learning, including hybrid modes. A spokesman for the governor, Teddy Tschann, said the COVID-19 transmission rate among teachers is 0.37%.
--At 4:37pm on Sunday the Stearns County Communications Center received a call reporting a building fire at 23864 360th Street in Albany Township. Deputies responded to the scene and located the fire in a machine shed on the property. Albany Fire and Rescue arrived on scene and extinguished the fire. An SUV located inside the shed was consumed in the fire. The owner of the property was identified as 50-year old Troy Krebs of Albany. Deputies Spoke to Krebs and determined that the vehicle did not belong to him and was left at the location by an unknown person. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. If you have any information regarding this fire please call the State Fire Marshal’s tip line 1-800-723-2020.
--Minnesota Department of Health website showed 783 new cases and 10 new deaths linked to the virus Wednesday. Morrison County reported 7 new cases on Wednesday's report. While there were 7 new cases Wednesday the active cases in Morrison County continue to drop to 17 cases and only 7 of those in Little Falls zip code.
ENTERTAINMENT DEATH NEWS
--The Voice of Conservative Radio Rush Limbaugh died on Wednesday at the age of 70. The Rush Limbaugh Show started 33 years ago and became the #1 talk show on all of radio. Limbaugh was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer in February 2020.
WEATHER
TODAY= flurries and snow showers through day, high 12.
TONIGHT= flurries early, clearing overnight, low -6.
FRIDAY= partly cloudy skies, high 14, low around -3.
SATURDAY= partly sunny, high near 20, temps rise overnight.
SUNDAY= snow showers early, then sunny and warmer, high 31.
SPORTS
HS BHK= Prairie Centre at Little Falls tonight 7pm on Q92 WYRQ.
HS BBB= Little Falls at Pierz tonight 7pm on FM94 KFML.
WRAP= Saturday morning catch the Saturday Morning Sports Wrap with scores highlights and interviews from the past week in our local high school sports teams. That is Saturday at 8:30am on KLTF.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1885= author Mark Twain has his Adventures of Huckleberry Finn first published for the United States to read.
IN 1908= 1st U.S. Postage stamps in rolls issued.
IN 1965= Frank Gifford announced he is retiring from the NFL, the same day is signed a 30 year broadcasting contract with ABC Sports.
IN 1978= first Iron Man triathlon is held in Hawaii.