Newsletter: Tuesday, September 21st 2021
NEWS
--After questions arose recently to Swanville School officials a statement Monday read “Masks will NOT be required during school, students are still encouraged to wear a mask if they feel more comfortable. This protocol may change as the year progresses. Masks WILL be required when riding school transportation-This is not a school policy, but a federal mandate that must be followed. Commons doors will open at 7:50 am for students. Upon entering the building, as well as boarding buses, students will have their temperatures screened. Visitors and volunteers should enter through the front doors and will also be temperature screened before entering. As always, we ask that if you are sick, please stay home! If there is a positive case in your household and you ARE VACCINATED, there will be no quarantine required unless showing symptoms. If there is a positive case in your household and you ARE NOT VACCINATED, you will be required to complete a quarantine lasting 10 days total for the household. New this year, students who present with loss of taste/smell will be sent home and a negative test result will be required before they’re allowed to return. Swanville Schools also announced they have changed their early release day on Friday October 1st to Friday October 8th so that students can be released before the USA Patriots Homecoming Game that afternoon in Upsala. Both Upsala and Swanville will have homecoming festivities that week leading up to the game.
--A Staples man was hurt in a single-vehicle crash. The Minnesota State Patrol says it happened just after 10:30am Sunday on westbound Highway 10 east of Staples in Villard Township in Todd County. 51-year-old John Abbas of Staples was driving his vehicle west when it went off the road and hit a tree. He was treated for non life threatening injuries.
--A two vehicle accident Sunday at 11:23am on Highway 64 north of Motley in Cass County sent two people to the hospital. 22-year-old Evelyn O'dell of Staples rear ended a vehicle that turning off of 64 into a driveway. O'dell was taken to Staples Hospital and treated for injuries. The other driver, 27-year-old Scarlet Lidula of Pillager was treated for injuries also in Staples. Her 29-year-old passenger and two young children ages 2 and infant age had no apparent injuries.
--A man was killed in an ATV crash in Douglas County. The Sheriff's Office says they were called just before 8pm Sunday to the crash near Miltona. 48-year-old Todd Mrnak of Miltona died at the scene. Deputies say Mrnak was driving the ATV east and tried to make a right turn into a field approach when it overturned.
--The Todd County Sheriff's Office released information on Friday of a fatal ATV accident in rural Motley back on September 5th. At approximately 7:32pm the Todd County Sheriffs Office, Staples Fire Department and Staples Ambulance responded to an ATV accident on Red Rock Road near 317th Avenue in rural Motley. The driver, 38 year old, Jonathon Sadlo, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
--Zion Lutheran Church in Little Falls will host a Polka Praise Service on Sunday at 9am with muffins and coffee to follow the service. Music by Jerry and Joyce at the church located at 411 3rd Avenue Northeast in Little Falls. All are welcome.
--The City of Brainerd is celebrating 150 years with ther Sesquicentenniel celebration this week with many events and special ceremonies to commemorate the 150 years of Brainerd, Minnesota include the Babe the Blue Ox unveiling today at 3pm in Brainerd.
--Congratulations to Pierz Homecoming Royalty for 2021 crowned yesterday afternoon. Lance Otremba was King and Katie Leidenfrost crowned Queen. Pierz schools will have a number of homecoming events this week with the football game with Rockford Friday at 7pm and the game can be heard live on 94ROCKS KFML.
--A California man charged with felony sex crimes involving a minor has agreed to a plea deal in Stearns County. 21-year-old Lance Davenport Jr. of Tracy, California has pleaded guilty to possessing pornographic work while being a registered sex offender. As part of the plea agreement, charges of soliciting a child to engage in sexual conduct and the use of a minor in a sexual performance have been dropped. He will be sentenced on October 4th. According to the criminal complaint, The Central Minnesota Human Trafficking Task Force began an investigation in May involving a 13-year-old girl. Court records show Davenport convinced the girl to send nude photos and videos of herself to him, was soliciting her to engage in sex acts, and sent a nude photo of himself to her. Records show Davenport was also convicted in May of 2019 for possession of obscene matter in California.
NATIONAL NEWS
--Pfizer said Monday its COVID-19 vaccine works for children ages 5 to 11 and that it will seek U.S. authorization for this age group soon which is a key step toward beginning vaccinations for youngsters. The vaccine made by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech already is available for anyone 12 and older. But with kids now back in school and the extra-contagious delta variant causing a huge jump in pediatric infections, many parents are anxiously awaiting vaccinations for their younger children.
DEATH NOTICES
--Gary Mayer, age 64 of Little Falls.
--Rita T. Britz-Toenies, age 86 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, breezy, high 63.
TONIGHT= clear and cool night, low 36.
WEDNESDAY= sunny skies, high near 70, low near 46.
THURSDAY= sunny skies, high 72, low around 52.