NEWS
--Starting Monday, November 16, Pierz public schools grades 5-12 will go into full distance learning as staffing has become an issue. Grades K-4 will remain in school all day every day with an increased number of classrooms resulting in less populated classrooms and greater social distancing. There is no school today Friday, November 13 for grades 5-12 in Pierz as this will be used as a transition day to create the new distance learning schedules starting for them Monday.
--Upsala Area Schools is transitioning to a Hybrid Learning Plan for grades 7-12 beginning on Monday and going through Friday, January 15. Grades K-6 remain in-person every day at this time in Upsala.
--Royalton Public Schools was notified today, 11/12/2020, of two confirmed cases of COVID-19, affecting the Elementary and High School Communities. This confirmed case had an exposure date of November 5th and 6th. We have worked with MDH to identify those people that were in close contact with the cases and have communicated with those affected directly by phone. The risk of exposure for other individuals in the Elementary and High School Communities present on November 5th or 6th poses no greater risk of contracting the virus in the general community. We are confident that all close contacts have been identified and communicated with.
--The Morrison County website Thursday reported 1,292 cases of positive COVID-19 in Morrison County since testing began, 318 active cases in the county and 70 requiring hospitalization from all positive tests. Pierz zip code has taken over as the highest in the county as of the report yesterday with 90 active cases, Little Falls is down to 79 active cases, Royalton 41, Motley 23, Hillman 21, Bowlus 16, Swanville and Cushing reporting 9 active cases Thursday. Another very large day of positive cases in the state with 7,228 new cases and another 39 reported deaths. Benton County 106, Crow Wing 99, Stearns County 346, Mille Lacs 49 new cases (4 more probable) and Morrison was also at 49 new cases with 1 more probable case, making in the county 1,259 cases and 14 confirmed deaths. Of the 1,259 cases; 1,014 no longer isolation period. There were 4,668 reported cases in K-12 education buildings and facilities but of that number 1,494 actual facilities reported cases. 5,925 cases in facilities of higher eduation (colleges) learning and 849 cases in a child care/daycare facility in the state of Minnesota since testing began.
--With the higher numbers of COVID-19, Steve Smith of CHI St. Gabriels Hospital Thursday stated he is asking the community to do their part to slow the spread of COVID-19, so that our healthcare workers and our educators can do their part for our community. The hospital has been dealing with COVID for 9 months now, and have been here to ensure that our communities get the care that they need. COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Central Minnesota. Recently in October and now in November we are seeing record number of COVID positive patients, our hospital beds are filling up fast with COVID patients. Staff members and our educators are being exposed in the community and that means that they can’t be at our hospital for the care of our patients and they can’t be in the classrooms to be there for our children. They ask for everyone to follow 4 simple steps, wear a mask, social distance, wash your hands and avoid large gatherings. It is the least we can do to protect each other and to slow the spread of COVID. The hospital is asking this for the protection of our community, our healthcare workers, and our educators. Please continue to do your part so they can keep the healthcare needs of our community members and those in need.
--A reminder that Governor Tim Walz's latest restrictions on bars and restaurants go into effect at 10pm with no serving after that time inside, drive thru service can continue. Bars must close at 10pm and patrons are not asked to use counter to eat unless that is only server option, no standing bar games. Also gatherings of three family groups and less than 10 and receptions will begin to drop in numbers (50 on November 27th and 25 on December 11th) from the latest restrictions starting tonight from Governor Walz. The full list of items was on Wednesday's newsletter, fallsradio.com click on archives.
--Even with the snow Tuesday and Thursday, Little Falls City Hall stated that the Brush and Leaf pickup event WILL go on as scheduled starting tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 6am. Have your bag of leaves or brush on the boulevard or street (not in the alley) by 6am.
--A snow squall between Albertville and Monticello Thursday morning casued multiple crashes on westbound Interstate Highway 94 just after 9am. A semi-truck reportedly had a large plume of smoke coming from it. The driver of the semi was not injured. The crashes occurred between Wright County Road 19 and Wright County Road 18.Both directions of I-94 between Highway 25 and Wright County Road 19 were closed to traffic until about 1pm. Westbound I-94 remained closed Thursday afternoon while responders work to remove vehicles from the road. A snow squall is a localized weather event that makes vehicle travel especially dangerous from snow whipping around from the sky along with icing up roads from exhaust causing spinouts around the squall of snow.
--Pastor Keith Thompson of Living Hope Church announced on KLTF, they will be hosting a free grocery giveaway every Tuesday from November 17th through December 22nd from 2-4pm at Living Hope Church north of Litlte Falls. No Appointments and all are welcome.
--Good luck to the hunters as the firearms deer hunting season enters its second weekend. Please remember to use safety first.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
--The Weeknd has been announced as the Halftime show performer for the Super Bowl February 7th in Tampa, Florida. The NFL announced there will be limited number of fans at the big game.
DEATH NOTICES
--Marlin Parker, age 81 of Silver Bay formerly of Little Falls.
--Darrel Eastman, age 61 of Little Falls.
--Sister Mary Fabian Schneider, age 105 of St. Francis Covent.
--Curtis “Curt” Hatfield, age 69 of Burtrum.
WEATHER
TODAY= increasing clouds, high 33, cloudy night, low 28.
SATURDAY= rain before noon, rain/snow into Saturday night, high near 40 early then falling into the 20s by late evening (1-3 inches).
SUNDAY= becoming sunny, windy and cold, high 30, low 15.
MONDAY= sunny skies, high near 40, low around 25.
SPORTS
HS FB= Pierz wins and Little Falls lost last night in HS Football.
COL FB= Gophers vs. Iowa tonight 6pm kickoff on AM960 KLTF pregame at 4pm, local news will at 5 during pregame coverage.
TWINS= Twins Hot Stove program returns Wednesdays in December at 6pm live on Q92 WYRQ.
NFL= The Vikings are at Chicago Monday night 6:30pm on KLTF.