NEWS
--CHI St. Gabriel's Health and Morrison County Public Health announced they will be hosting a COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic on Saturday from 8am-Noon at the Family Medical Center in Little Falls. This is for all 65 years of age and older who have not received any of the doses of COVID-19 vaccine even if you are or are not a patient of CHI St. Gabriel's. Preregistration is required by calling Morrison County Public Health before 2pm this afternoon at 632-6664. When you arrive at the medical center please make sure to show your insurance card to receive the vaccine. This is the Johnson and Johnson Vaccine that arrived in the state this week and the hospital stated there 500 doses of it to be distributed on Saturday.
--Tuesday, March 9th is Township election day across the state. Some Morrison County Townships have moved their general elections for supervisor, treasurer and clerk to the November general elections while others will have their Tuesday night. Check with your local township officials if your township has elections on Tuesday.
--Sister Julien of the Franciscan Sisters wanted to thank all who came and gave blood this week at First United Church. She stated they received 192 units, their goal was 225 but again they did have to send some away who were unble to give blood during the blood drive. Blood still is in short demand and there will be another American Red Cross Blood Drive next Thursday, March 11th at the Randall VFW from noon to 6pm.
--The Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls invite you to participate in a Good Friday Silent Walk for Peace on Friday, April 2, 9:30a. After gathering outside the west entrance at St. Francis Convent, participants will walk together in a silent procession, stopping to pray at various designated places throughout Little Falls, including St. Gabriel’s Hospital, Morrison County Jail and Government Center, Bank Square, Veteran’s Memorial, Maple Island Park and a few other locations. The procession will be led by a person carrying a cross. Bringing the cross and our prayers to various places in our community reminds us of the ways Jesus is always with us, especially in our joys and sufferings. Participants can take turns carrying the cross and leading the procession. The walk concludes back at the convent at about 11am. While you will be outdoors, please maintain social distancing and follow current coronavirus safety protocols.
--A machine shed on a farm near Brooten was destroyed in a fire Tuesday night. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office got the call just before 10pm about the fire in the 48,000 block of County Road 25 in North Fork Township. The property is about six miles north of the city of Brooten. A passerby noticed smoke and flames coming from the 40'x100' shed and called her husband. He then called the property owner, Norbert Vait to report the fire and make sure he was safe. The machine shop was used to store farm equipment and is considered a total loss. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
--Living Hope Church north of Little Falls has announced they will have another Free Grocery Giveaway on this Tuesday from 3-5pm and also scheduled for March 23rd from 3-5pm this will be until supplies last on both days. Also Holy Family Catholic Church of Belle Prairie which held the event this past Wednesday will have another Wednesday event for food distribution on April 1st from 3:30-5:30pm.
--State Health Website showed 949 new cases and 14 new deaths linked to COVID-19 Thursday. Morrison County had 9 new cases.
--The Pierz City Council meets Monday at 7pm at Pierz City Hall.
--District 9 Senator Paul Gazelka stated that on Monday, the Senate passed bipartisan legislation to extend Minnesota’s successful reinsurance program for another year. Extending the program ensures insurance rates in the individual market will remain stable and without any additional cost to the taxpayers. The original $542 million for operations was offset by federal funding, and the federal dollars will continue through 2022 with this extension. Reinsurance has been proven so effective it is being implemented in several other states across the nation. In 2016 insurance premiums for the individual market increased by double digits, as high as 49%, due to the Affordable Care Act’s changes. Furthermore, many counties only had one insurance company to choose from. Minnesota continues to enjoy some of the lowest rates in the country, every county has at least two providers, and a new provider has started offering plans in the state. Governor Walz, in his proposed budget, did not include reauthorizing the state’s successful reinsurance program. The state risks destabilizing the individual health insurance market, drastic increases in premium costs, and could lose approximately $90 million in federal money if the program expires.
--Local events include lots of fish frys tonight, a breakfast for the Little Falls Youth Wrestling squad Sunday at the VFW and a free gospel/bluegrass concert Sunday at the PAC in Pierz, they as asking for a donation to the local food shelf when attending for door prizes. Details at fallsradio.com on the community calendar.
DEATH NOTICES
--Audrey (Schommer) Welinski, age 84 of Sobieski.
--Emma Jean Knopik, age 73 of Swanville.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies and mild, high 48.
TONIGHT= partly cloudy, fog late, low 27.
SATURDAY= fog early, then sunny, high 46, low near 30.
SUNDAY= partly sunny and breezy, mild, high 57, low 36.
MONDAY= partly sunny and mild, high 55, low around 30.
SPORTS
MSHSL= The Minnesota State High School League says crowds at most tournament games and events this month and next will be limited to 250 people. League Executive Director Erich Martens says it's hoped that one, maybe two, family members of each athlete can attend. Each team will receive a limited number of tickets. The general public will not have access to tickets. Martens says about 45 schools will be required to hold state tournament quarterfinals in basketball and wrestling, rounds that have previously been held at Target Center, Xcel Energy and University of Minnesota venues. Only the state semi-finals and finals will be held in larger venues this year and spread out of a number of days instead of one or two. State Tournaments for Wrestling will be the final week of March and the state tournaments for basketball will be the 2nd week of April.
TWINS= more Twins baseball games from Florida this weekend, games Saturday and Sunday at noon on Q92 WYRQ.
HS BBB= Pierz at Foley tonight 7:15pm on FM94 KFML.
HS BHK= Dodge Center at Little Falls tonight 7pm on Q92 WYRQ.
COL HK= Gopher Hockey vs. Michigan tonight 6:30pm on KLTF.
COL BB= Gopher men finish the regular season Saturday at home against Rutgers at 10:30am on AM960 KLTF.