NEWS
--Governor Tim Walz has extended the Stay Home Order in Minnesota until Monday, May 18th. In an effort to get more Minnesotans back safely to work while the order remains in effect, the Governor announced that retail businesses and other non-critical businesses will resume operations with curbside pick-up. As part of his Executive Order Governor Walz strongly encouraged all Minnesotans to wear a manufactured or homemade mask at all times when they leave their homes to any place where social distancing is difficult. By extending the Stay Home Order, the Governor said the state will: slow the spread of COVID-19 and slowly build herd immunity; protect those working on the front lines by increasing access to personal protective equipment; ensure our health system can care for all who require care; gradually allow more Minnesotans to return to work; and safely and slowly resume in person contacts and other activities that are critical for our well being. Starting May 4th, retail businesses and other non-critical businesses may begin offering curbside pick-up. This will put up to 30,000 Minnesotans back to work in a safe, coordinated way. Businesses must: Develop and publicly post a plan for how to open safely. Use online payment whenever possible. Employees and customers should wear masks and protective equipment. In curbside pick-up scenarios, social distancing guidelines apply. If possible, customers should not leave their vehicle. In delivery scenarios, items should be deposited outside a customer’s residence. Minnesotans should also continue to telework whenever possible, wear face masks in public, screen for symptoms and regularly check their temperature, and maintain physical distance from each other. The Governor’s Executive Order will have the full force and effect of law upon approval by the Executive Council.
--A murder suspect, 31-year old Harlan Davis Swanson of Randall, was apprehended on Tuesday by the Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s Department for a homicide believed to occur on Monday, April 27th in Onamia Township on Pony Farm Road East. Mille Lacs County Sheriff Don Lorge stated that the suspect did confess to the murder. The name of the victim is currently being withheld. The sheriff added as a side note an unrelated burglary was also solved as a result of the search and apprehension. Swanson was apprehended without incident. An autopsy is being done, stabbing was the cause of death.
--The Minnesota Department of Health reports 5 positive cases of COVID-19 in Morrison County. Stearns up to 267 and Benton is up to 15 cases as of the report from the MDH. There have 5,136 positive cases in Minnesota of the 70,276 test completed and 343 deaths.
--Denise Vogl from the Department of Motor Vehicles in Morrison County stated that as of April 30th, with the extension of Real ID and Advance Driver Licenses until October 1, 2021 so there is no need to rush on getting those licenses for upcoming travel as this will not go into effect until next year. Also there has been a 60 day extension for expired driver's licenses if you licenses expired before May 13th. Also for area anglers trailer/watercraft renewals due need to be done as soon as possible as DMV has to mail out those forms and delays are may take some time to mail back out to the anglers. The DMV is still doing title transfers and tab renewals, use the drop box as the offices are closed to walk in traffic. If you have questions call 632-0115.
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office reported that 1,028 masks were donated last Saturday during the mask drive at area fire departments in the county. Thank you for your generosity.
--Little Falls Community High School prinicpal Tim Bjorge addressed that they have a graduation planned at 2pm on May 24th, how it will be done is still to decided by the governor and CDC guidelines could be split up into groups but the hope is to have all 150 students together that day on the football field. There will be three interactive shows from the Flyer Media Productions, on May 6th at 7pm will be the Honors Night- honor the top 10 students and Class of 2020 and Honor Society members on U-tube. On May 13th at 7pm will be the Scholarship event with the awarding of $300,000 in scholarship to a number of students. Then on May 20th also at 7pm will the Athletics and Acitivites Banquet along with the Senior Fine Art Students to be recognized. Bjorge also stated a number of school, city and community members will meet next week on Grad Bash 2020 and how that will be able to be done, also the distribution to be dropped off with items like cap and gowns, signs showing that a Class of 2020 students lives here (at their residence). Questions call 616-2201.
--Little Falls Fire Chief Craig Seelen is asking to remember fire safety as they deal with the “new normal.” As people find themselves spending extended time at home, for work, to self-isolate, or while practicing physical distancing. The Fire Department buildings continue to be closed to the public along with other city facilities. Fire Chief Craig Seelen is also urging the public to remain vigilant in the ongoing battle to prevent unintentional fires and injuries by practicing fire prevention and fire safety during these extraordinary times. If you smoke, smoke outside and make sure cigarettes are extinguished completely, every time. Keep an eye on what you fry. While staying home will likely involve more cooking, remember to pay attention to what is on the stove. If you need to leave the kitchen, turn the burners off. Keep pets and young children at least three feet away from the hot surfaces. Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms using the test button. If the alarm fails to sound, replace batteries or, if you have lithium-ion 10-year battery-powered alarms, replace the device. Replace all smoke alarms, even hard-wired alarms, every 10 years. Practice your home fire-escape plan to make sure everyone in the household knows what to do if a fire occurs. Designate someone to help older adults, children, and anyone else who may need help to escape. Use care when recharging electronic devices such as laptops, tablets, or mobile devices. Check electrical cords and charge cables to ensure they are in good condition. Do not overload electrical circuits and electronics on hard surfaces when recharging so no overheating.
--The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce has announced their May Employee of the Month is Brad Hircock at Coborn’s Pharmacy. Brad has been a Pharmacist at Coborn’s Pharmacy for the past 10 years. Congratulations to Brad Hircock.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Anthony Pierce and Rebecca Benjamin of Pierz, a boy April 27th.
WEATHER
TODAY= cloudy skies, scattered showers, high 67.
TONIGHT= showers early, then clearing late, low 46.
SATURDAY= sunshine, windy, high 72, clear night, low around 47.
SUNDAY= sunshine, less windy, high 66, showers after midnight.
MONDAY= rain likely, cooler, high 61, showers at night, low 38.
TWINS= Classic Twins Baseball Sunday at noon on Q92 WYRQ.
MLB= 2020 Hall of Fame is cancelled, inductees moved to 2021.