NEWS
--Graduations will be held for a number of schools starting today and going through the weekend. Royalton will be at 5pm today drive up style near the football field, following the commencement if the weather abides a parade of cars through Royalton for the seniors. Swanville graduates at 8pm tonight at the school, Pierz is at 7pm tonight with a drive up style graduation, only students get out of the vehicle to get their diploma. The Pierz graduation will be heard live on AM960 KLTF. Saturday Upsala graduates their seniors with a drive up ceremony at 1:30pm. On Sunday Little Falls graduates the Class of 2020 at 2pm in the west student parking lot with a drive in movie style event with reserved spots for two cars for students and parents. The event will also be heard live on AM960 KLTF.
--Morrison County Administrator Deb Gruber spoke on KLTF Thursday and said the government center is planning Tuesday to have limited walk in access, there will be a greeter at the north and south entrance doors to have folks check in so that the building does not get overly crowded. They are asking for you to call for appointments beforehand so they can plan on your arrival in the government center. The Department of Motor Vehicles will not allow any walk ins due to the number of items they take care of. Driver's licences' if they have expired are going to be top appointment priority at this time, tabs should be mailed in to the government center to throught the drop box, no walk in or appointment for tabs and registrations that can also be done online. Gruber stated that there are some items still prohibited at this time including jail visits and also construction will continue inside the government center including the moving of the DMV currently on the west side of the building, the sheriff's office which is not allowing jail visits at this time, and more construction starting in June with the loop-horseshoe style parking on the south side of the building. If you have questions or again make an appointment please call 320-632-2941.
--Governor Tim Walz today announced the authorization of emergency assistance for Morrison County for damage sustained from rain and heavy snow during a severe winter storm on March 29, 2020. The storm caused extensive damage to public infrastructure, including rural electric distribution systems. “It is our responsibility to step up when unexpected weather events damage our communities,” said Governor Walz. “We will work closely with the residents of Morrison County to rebuild public infrastructure and speed their recovery from this disaster.” On April 21, 2020, Morrison County declared a local emergency and submitted a request for state disaster assistance for eligible costs. A state/county preliminary damage assessment then identified more than $244,000 in eligible damages. This authorization by the Governor allows the State Disaster Assistance Contingency Account to cover 75% of eligible costs, or approximately $183,000, with the county responsible for the remaining 25%. The Department of Public Safety division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will work with Morrison County officials to provide assistance.
--The St. Cloud Police Department and St. Cloud Fire Department have found a boy who went missing Thursday afternoon. St. Cloud Police say 9-year-old Lowell McClure was found safe at a friend's home Thursday evening. Authorities searched around Munsinger Gardens and by the Mississippi River Dam for McClure who had last been seen around 1:45 p.m. while fishing with his brother.
--There was one new case of COVID-19 in Morrison County on Thursday's report making 32 for the county right now. As of yesterday in the state 809 deaths linked to COVID-19.
--Monday is Memorial Day- a day to remember the men and women of the U.S. Military that have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and country. This has also been named the unofficial kickoff to the summer with many wanting to get out and start the summer events. However, this year with the COVID-19 restrictions many things will be different as events are cancelled, postponed, moved or done privately for Memorial Day this year. The event at the State Cemetery north of Little Falls held on the Sunday before has been cancelled and the Veteran Affairs office will hold one TV special on public television Monday night at 7:30pm. Locally, AM960 KLTF will run a rebroadcast of a number of programs over the past years from the state cemetery with music and speakers Monday at 8:30am. Programs on Monday have been cancelled for public gatherings unlike years past with events at schools, VFW's American Legion's and others. Some private ceremonies are being held by Veteran's organizations at cemeteries, memorials or parks on Monday but they will not be open to public gathering. Those wishing to pay their respects by using social distancing guidelines can still visit their local cemeteries this weekend and remember loved ones who died serving our country, and also you can visit the State Veteran's Cemetery but the committal hall will not be opened. Please remember this weekend the reason for the Memorial Day Holiday on Monday.
--Because Monday is Memorial Day, a federal holiday, Federal, State, County and City Offices are closed (including staff inside off) for the holiday. Banks are closed, some other businesses are likely closed for the holiday so best to call ahead to see what is open on Monday.
--Camp Ripley announced they held their safety day on May 20th virtually due to the COVID-19 restrictions. For their support of Safety day on Camp Ripley May 20, 2020 Officer Brandon McGaw of the Minnesota DNR, Sgt. Neil Dickenson of the Minnesota State Patrol and Officer John Hughes of Camp Ripley Security received a certificate of appreciation from Maj. Arron Krenz, Dir. of Public Safety on Camp Ripley during the event Wednesday to promote safety even in time of isolation. Teamwork is the key to keeping safety first.
--The Minnesota State Patrol will have extra law enforcement out this weekend watching for impaired drivers and speeders. Please be safe.
WEATHER
TODAY= mostly cloudy, few sprinkles, high 70.
TONIGHT= showers develop after dark, low 59.
SATURDAY= showers & storms at times, high 73, low near 60.
SUNDAY= storms likely, some strong, high 78, low near 53.
MEMORIAL DAY= storms at times, some sunshine, high 70, low 51.
TUESDAY= sunny skies, high near 76.
SPORTS
TWINS= listen to Game 4 of the 1991 World Series between The Twins and The Braves Sunday at noon on Q92 WYRQ.
VL= listen to the rebroadcast of the 2014 Class C State Championship game between Sobieski and New Ulm this Monday afternoon at 1pm on AM960 KLTF and online at fallsradio.com.
A reminder due to offices at Little Falls Radio closed Monday for Memorial Day, there will be no newsletter on Monday.