NEWS
--According to the Morrison County website and the Department of Health website on Thursdays report, active cases jumped by over 300 cases on Thursday, the county stated there was a backlog in testing from the past 3-5 days which is the reason numbers are much higher today. There were 355 new cases and 2 new probable cases. On the county website it now shows 668 active cases of COVID-19 with 1,895 total cases and 102 needing hospitalization. The Minnesota Department of Health website reported 7,877 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday and 72 newly reported deaths. The numbers are high in central Minnesota again with 141 new cases in Benton County, 122 in Crow Wing, 501 cases in Stearns, 34 in Todd, 38 in Mille Lacs County. It was reported that by zip code, Little Falls at 276, Pierz at 168, Royalton at 53, Motley 32, Hillman 28, Randall 26, Swanville 21, Cushing and Bowlus at 18 cases. The high case and death toll is the reason Governor Walz has asked for bars and restaruants to go to take out only and gyms, fitness centers and other entertainment entities to close for 4 weeks beginning tonight at 11:59pm and youth sports to pause effective 11:59pm tonight until December 18th. The weekly report shows Morrison County at 1,862 total cases with 1,364 of those cases no longer in isolation and the state website also shows Morrison County with 19 deaths linked to the COVID-19 virus.
--A reminder from Little Falls Community Schools that today is a distance learning teaching day for students. Last week it was to be a transition day but that was moved to earlier this week for students as Distance Learning began Tuesday for Lindbergh and Wednesday for the rest of the public school district. Again students will need to use their I-pads, tablets or whatever device using for learning today.
--If you can help donate or volunteer for the Little Falls Community Thanksgiving Meal please contact Tim Sumner 632-2540. They are in need of volunteers to help Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next week to make and prepare food, and then Wednesday and Thursday to distribute the food to vehicles picking it up and putting in trunks or backseats with no physicial interaction. Also for those who can deliver the food to the those who signed up for delivery. Again call 632-2540. Also they need monetary donations to help in paying for the food and the programs to continue in the future. Please help at 632-2540. There will be more information and a chance to donate to the cause today on the Up Front Program 9:05am on AM960 KLTF.
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office and small town police departments recently conducted night time training operations at the Morrison County Sportsmen Club. Morrison County law enforcement takes training seriously so they are ready to protect and to serve.
--Another Thanksgiving weekend tradition this yeas has been cancelled as organizers of the Fishhouse Parade in Aitkin announce they will cancel the Fishhouse Parade this year due to COVID-19. This comes as the Santa Parade in Little Falls has been cancelled this year and the Christmas Attractions at Linden Hill, Minnesota Fishing Museum, Lindbergh Site and others have cancelled their events for after Thanksgiving. One event still on is the Candle-less hike and scavenger hunt has been set up for January 1st through 10th from 8am-5pm between Lindbergh House, Morrison County Historical Society and the Lindbergh State Park in Little Falls, free of charge.
--A special thank you to all that gave for the Give to the Max day in Minnesota as over 30.4-million ($30,486,184) raised for charities and non-profits across the Minnesota including many local ones.
--As COVID-19 surges across the country, Governor Tim Walz has asked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to act quickly to provide assistance for workers, families, businesses, and states. Minnesota has used previous federal funding from the CARES Act to help workers and families stay afloat through unemployment programs and other supports. Current funding provided to state and local governments must be used by December 30, leaving states without federal resources to combat the rising tide of infections, unemployment, and human services needs that will continue after the funds from the the federal CARES Act expire. FEMA also announced they are stepping in to assist emergency care and health care workers who reported yesterday are at almost full capacity in hospitals and many staff members from their facilities are out sick and unable to help. FEMA will step in and help with those doing their part on the front line to help those sick and ease the stress at facilities to keep up with care.
--Today from 9am-3pm the Stearns County Sheriffs office will again be at the Melrose Police Department to accept both purchase permit and carry permit applications at the Melrose Police Department. Payment is accepted via cash or check in the exact amount only. They are not able to accept cards or make change. Your driver’s license needs to be current with the correct address in order for staff to accept the application. For carry permits, you need to have a certificate demonstrating successful completion of a carry permit class form a MN-BCA approved instructor that is less than one year old. Two other applications dates are set for December 4th and 18th. --Due to the recent restrictions put in place by Governor Tim Walz Wednesday night, many central Minnesota restaurants and organizations that had planned Thanksgiving meals have decided to go to a take-out option and meals can still be picked up and then have to be re-heated at your home. There is a full list of these establishments on city and chamber websites for those respected cities or contact the local businesses on what their plans are.
--There will be another free grocery giveaway on Tuesday at Living Hope Church north of Little Falls from 2-4pm. All are welcome.
--The Pierz City Council meets Monday at 7pm at Pierz City Hall.
DEATH NOTICES
--Walter “Bob” Olson, age 91 of Little Falls.
--Adeline Weber, age 95 of Little Falls.
--Anna Gangl, age 96 of Pierz.
WEATHER
TODAY= becoming sunny, cooler and breezy, high 34.
TONIGHT= clear skies tonight, cooler, low 15.
SATURDAY= sunny skies, high 40, snow late night 1-3 inches, low 28.
SUNDAY= snow early, then sunny and windy, high 35, low near 20.
MONDAY= sunny and cold, high near 30, low around 7.
SPORTS
HS FB= Pierz vs. Albany in Sauk Centre tonight 6pm FM94 KFML. Many games today and tonight before 4 week pause of sports begins.
COL FB= The Gophers (1-3) will take on Purdue tonight at TCF Bank Stadium, kickoff at 6:30pm, pregame after the 5pm news on KLTF.
NFL= The Vikings host Dallas Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium, the game is scheduled for 3:25pm kickoff and live on AM960 KLTF.