NEWS
--Latest numbers from the Morrison County Website Thursday now show 833 total cases, 39 hospitalized, 255 active cases and the 14 day case rate stills shows around 77 cases per 10,000 in population of the county. Little Falls 132, Pierz 33, Royalton 28, Motley 19 all other county zip codes are under 15 as of Thursday's report. The State Department of Health website Thursday said 2,872 new cases of COVID-19, 32 new deaths linked to the virus which included 2 new deaths each in Benton, Mille Lacs and Stearns County, 1 each in Todd and Wright County. New cases in the counties show 58 in Crow Wing, 28 in Benton, Todd 24, Stearns had 171 new cases, Mille Lacs 17 and Morrison County had had 22 confrimed cases and 1 probable case of COVID-19 on Thursday's report from the Department of Health. The weekly report that schools receive show 825 total cases confirmed of the virus with 636 of those no longer in the isolation period. Pre K through 12th grade show 2,820 cases which shows 1,478 student cases and 1,342 staff or other adult cases. Higher Education Facilities on Thursday show 4,674 affected cases from those facilities.
--Morrison County Auditor/Treasurer Chelsea Robinson wanted to clarify one point she has received numerous questions about for next weeks election. Cushing Township is a mail ballot precinct (not an open polling location). Scandia Valley Township is an open polling place on election day. Some individuals have a Cushing address, but their voting place is Scandia Valley town hall and they are open, however they are getting mixed up with Cushing township being a closed polling place. In recap, Cushing township is a mail in ballot precinct while Scandia Valley Town Hall will be an open polling place on Tuesday. Questions can be directed to the Auditor/Treasurer.
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office reported their incident reports from earlier this month. On October 16th a business on Highway 25 in Pierz reported a theft, a resident on Great River Road in Bowlus reported mail theft, October 17th had theft reports in Randall and Pierz and damage to property in Lastrup. October 18th had a gas drive off in Motley. On October 19th damage to property on Skyview Road in Hillman, also a business on Superior Avenue in Randall reported a scam in which they received five or six letters stating they owed money for advertisement in the amount of $429.45. The business never ordered the items from the corporation out of Texas and also on the 19th a resident on Highway 27 in Lastrup reported someone caused damage to the ball diamond.
--As mentioned yesterday President Donald Trump will be in Rochester for a rally later today, the DFL announced that former Vice-President Joe Biden will be in St. Paul also today to rally for Tuesday.
--Tomorrow is Halloween. Even though large city, chamber and business group events that would have happened today are cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions and the CDC put out what they feel should be done tomorrow for trick or treating, it is still expected that many will enjoy the Halloween holiday. Please use caution as trick or treaters are likely to be out late yesterday afternoon into tomorrow night. Trick or Treaters are asked to use lights or reflectors if you are out after dark. Adults that many partake in larger Halloween events please go about this safely, don't drink and drive and drivers and pedestrians please watch for each other. Father Pierz School of Religion is still doing their food shelf food drive Saturday starting at 5:30pm to 7:30pm going to houses in Pierz, Buckman, Lastrup and Harding to gather items for the local food shelf.
--Daylight Saving Time ends at 2am Sunday morning this weekend. Remember to turn the clocks back one hour (Fall Back) tomorrow night before bed or before 2am Sunday morning so that you are on time of whatever you need to be at on Sunday. This is also a great time to check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are working properly or need batteries changed.
--Pierz Schools Superintendent George Weber Thursday mentioned on Little Falls Radio that Pierz Schools will continue with hybrid for high school grades 7-12 and in class for Pre-K through 6th grade even though the numbers do keep going up in the county. Weber said that we need to work together to help in keeping the numbers low so that students can stay in school. Weber said that the numbers and learning methods can change quickly and he has heard some feel the state should take a directive while others want each local school to make their decisions. Weber hopes the latter stays in place and for now school will continue as best they can in Pierz. Little Falls Community Schools are on distance learning and more details on what will happen next week should come out today. Other area schools continue to run with many in class learning at this time.
--A jury found a St. Cloud man guilty of murder and assault in the Red Carpet stabbing that killed a man last year. In a verdict announced Wednesday, 29-year old Lawrence Michael Johnson was found guilty of one felony count of second degree murder with intent, without premeditation, and one felony count of second degree, unintentional murder while committing a felony. The jury also found Johnson guilty of two counts of fifth degree assault, which were added as lesser counts Monday. In closing statements Monday, Johnson's attorney, Wendy Sturm, asked the jury to find him guilty of the counts of assault instead of the two counts of second degree murder. The jury also found there was an aggravated factor on each murder count of acting in a group of three or more. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. Judge Kris Davick-Halfen ordered conditions of bail be revoked and Johnson have an interim commit to prison. Two others have also been charged in the cases including Johnson's brother in connection with the attack and death of Unity McGill at the bar next years. Their court cases have not started yet.
--The Minnesota Fishing Museum announced they have to cancel Christmas Tree Lane this year as other attractions have made the same decision on COVID-19 restrictions to cancel their events.
--The Little Falls City Council meets Monday night at 7:30pm at the city hall council chambers. Work session precedes regular meeting.
DEATH NOTICES
--Lenore Olson, age 96 of Little Falls formerly of Randall.
--Michael A. Nelson, age 51 of Swanville.
WEATHER
TODAY= becoming sunny, high 38, cloudy and windy night, low 22.
SATURDAY= partly sunny and breezy, high 48, low around 20.
SUNDAY= sunny, breezy, colder, high 34, low around 26.
MONDAY= sunny and warmer, high 47, low around 32.
SPORTS
HS FB= Pierz vs. Minnewaska at Brainerd today 3pm on FM94
HS FB= Royalton vs. Holdingford at St. Cloud Tech tonight 7:30 Q92
COL FB= Gophers at Maryland tonight, kickoff 6:30pm on AM960.
NFL= Vikings are at Green Bay on Sunday at noon.