NEWS
--Governor Tim Walz's Stay at Home Executive Order goes into effect at 11:59pm tonight and stays in effect through April 10th. There will be a number of essential employees still working, grocery stores, gas stations and others to help with needs of the public. All will be encouraged when outside to continue the social spacing guidelines by the CDC during this time. It was reported Thursday a second death in Minnesota from the COVID-19. Like the first it was a person in their 80's and in Ramsey County. As of Thursday there have now 346 positive tests in Minnesota and of those 41 were hospitalized. There are still no positive tests in Morrison, Todd, Crow Wing and Mile Lacs County. Benton and Cass still at 1 and Stearns still at 5. You are encouraged to continue to call and talk to the elderly to make sure they are fine since they will have no visitors at nursing homes, assisted living, hospitals and the convent for the near future. Remember to help small businesses before the closure, if possible Shop local today. For a complete list of items from the Governor's list, security and small business loans, a number of links and items are available through the fallsradio.com website and click on news.
--CHI St. Gabriel's Health is asking for donations of hospital masks. Groups have come together including students in making hand crafted masks to help donate. They are in need of elastic for the masks and if you can help they can be dropped off at the Little Falls Community High School inside door #1 and left at the window. Otherwise masks themselves if purchased or handmade may also be dropped off the at the back of the hospital at the Facilities Services Department located near Alverna Apartments.
--A moment of road rage is the suspected cause of a one-vehicle crash just outside of St. Cloud, sending a man to the hospital. The Minnesota State Patrol says the crash happened Wednesday around 4:45pm on Highway 10 near County Road 33 in Watab Township. An SUV driven by 52-year-old Carlos Mendoza was westbound on Highway 10 when the vehicle left the roadway and hit a tree. Mendoza's passenger, 25-year-old Thomas Law, was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The state patrol report lists a 'road rage incident' as the cause of the crash.
--Stearns County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a two-vehicle crash with injuries at the intersection of County Road 4 and County Road 2 in St. Wendel Township around 6:40am Tuesday morning. This intersection is several miles north of the City of St. Joseph. Investigation revealed Kristen Posch, 56, of Holdingford was eastbound on County Road 4 when she stopped at the four-way stop at the intersection of County Road 2. As Ms. Posch proceeded through the intersection, she was struck on the driver’s side rear door area. Mary Johnson, 45, of St. Stephen was southbound on County Road 2 when she struck Ms. Posch’s vehicle in the intersection. Ms. Posch to the St. Cloud Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
--Following the announcement by Governor Walz; Great River Arts announced they will be closed through April 14th. Many other businesses announced closures, shortened hours and other issues from the announcement. Little Falls Radio learned that Greater Minnesota 2-Cylinder Club has cancelled their Field Days event later this year, LF Rifle and Pistol Club April 28th meeting cancelled, LF Alamo Club meetings will be postponed until restrictions lifted. St. Gabriel's Advocates “The Nut Man” March 30th and 31st cancelled. The latest list of cancelled items can be found at fallsradio.com.
--Little Falls Radio's AM960 KLTF will have the Mass on Sunday at 9am from Our Lady of Lourdes Church due to the social distancing guidelines by the Bishop and Governor Walz. Heart the Mass Sunday morning at 9am on KLTF and fallsradio.com. Also you can hear the rosary Saturday before the 7am news on AM960 KLTF. Plus Gene Retka will be doing Polka World Today from his office on Sunday.
--At 5:11am on Sunday the Little Falls Police Department received a complaint of a car alarm that went off while parked at the complainant's residence. Officers arrived in the area and observed that there were two sets of foot tracks with the same shoe print leading down numerous streets on the SW side of town. Officers learned that there was a large amount of vehicles that had been tampered with along with the suspects going into open garages and sheds. Authorities identified the two suspects and the case is still under investigation. If your property was stolen and you have not yet called police please call 616-5570 and report it. Remember to lock up your belongings and valuables.
--The Department of Natural Resources has put into place burning restrictions to a number of central Minnesota counties. Effective Thursday restrictions are in place in Morrison, Todd, Stearns, Benton, Mille Lacs and counties east and southeast from that line. Only variance permits will be allowed during the restrictions. Most of western and southwestern Minnesota are permit only at this time.
--A Sauk Rapids man is charged with coercing three girls ages 15-years old at the time to have sex with him and then filmed the acts. 20-year old Deshun Nathan is charged with three felony counts of 3rd degree criminal sexual conduct involving a victim between the ages of 13 and 15. Court records show the sexual assaults occurred in 2018. Nathan is not in custody and has been charged via long form complaint. He'll be issued a summons to appear for a hearing. No hearing date has been set yet.
--Listen in for community leaders on AM960 KLTF in the coming days, today Little Falls Mayor Greg Zylka, Monday Pierz Schools Superintendent George Weber, Tuesday Pierz Mayor Dave Fischer and Wednesday Little Falls Schools Superintendent Stephen Jones on updates for our communities. Listen just after 8:30am on AM960.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Tim and Michelle Wasland, had a baby boy born on March 25th.
WEATHER
TODAY= becoming sunny and mild, high 55.
TONIGHT= increasing clouds, rain after midnight, low 37.
SATURDAY= rain likely, changing to wet snow by nightfall, high 42.
SAT NIGHT= rain/snow mix, all snow overnight, 1-2 inches, low 29.
SUNDAY= snow showers early, then sunny, breezy, high 48, low 30.
MONDAY= sunny skies, and mild, high 58, low around 38.
SPORTS
MSHSL= The State High School League announced Wednesday after the governor's announcement of Stay at Home, and schools having distant learning through May 4th, there will be no spring activities until May 4th including scrimmages or practices. The league did not cancel the spring season at this time with hopes of playing in May.
TWINS= another classic Twins broadcast, this time the 1965 All Star Game played at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington (The Old Met) this Sunday at noon on Q92 WYRQ and at fallsradio.com.