NEWS
--A Little Falls man wanted by police was arrested Wednesday. The Morrison County Sheriff's Office says just before 4:30pm deputies tried to stop a driver who had active warrants for his arrest on Highway 27, west of Pierz. The driver failed to stop and sped off. The suspect later pulled over near Centennial Drive and Highway 27 and took off running near the Dollar General Store in Genola. Authorities set up a perimeter near the business. With the help of a drone and police dog, authorities arrested the suspect, 31-year old Antonio Oatis. Oatis was booked into the Morrison County Jail where he awaits formal charges fleeing police in a car and on foot.
--Little Falls Schools Superintedent Stephen Jones on Facebook Wednesday gave an update on the School District. He said that the numbers keep going up and that is disappointing and reminds the public to be keep safe and watch for others. Jones said many questions on how long hybrid will stay in place and will hybrid happen at the elementary and pre-school level, they exact answer “I don't Know” but right now they are doing everything they possibily can to not have this happen. Right now the hybrid will stay in place until further notice for middle school and high school. Jones said that how they keep younger and other students in school, Morrison County Public Health in a statement is that all cases they have tracked in the last several weeks, they are confident in saying that no positive cases started (again started) at any schools in the county. Students have been affected but they are not coming from inside the school. One big thing is the impact on the staffing more than students. The school has had a diffucult time getting all the staff in schools if COVID-19 effects some of them, if they feel ill they stay home and a substitues have to be found, if you would be aware of anywhere who can help in subbing call Jones at 632-2001 because they could really use the help. Stephen Jones said that large family, social gatherings, work place gatherings should be taken seriously right now to keep the numbers from reaching inside the school where the changes to learning methods would be done.
--Upsala Schools Superintendent Vern Capelle on KLTF Thursday stated right now with Public Health reporting no cases starting inside the school (there are cases in Upsala but not from inside the school itself) are continuing with in class learning for all K-12 students. He stated the feel is good that the students and teachers are happy to be back. As like other schools they are looking for some added help in the school on staffing if you have questions call the Upsala School District at 573-2174. He hopes that they can stay with in class learning for now but the numbers of COVID-19 will decide that. --Royalton Public Schools reported that since this past Sunday, they have had three confirmed cases of COVID-19 throughout the district. All three exposure cases are different situations with last Friday (October 2nd) being the last exposure dates. Staff has worked with MDH and the regional coordinator to identify those affected directly by phone. The risk of exposure for other individuals in the district 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. All future announcements will be added to the Royalton School District COVID-19 page on website.
--There will be a Trunk or Treat event at the Morrison County Fairgrounds today from 5-6:30pm, a school donation is asked for otherwise a free and safe event for kids, you stay in the cars.
--KLTF Up Front is holding a District 9B debate next Tuesday between District 9B State Representative Ron Kresha and challenger Laura Wright. Tuesday 9:05am on KLTF. Questions can be emailed to upfront@fallsradio.com, no phone calls taken during the debate.
--The Minnesota Department of Health website reported Thursday there were 1,276 new cases of COVID-19 with 8 newly reported deaths including one person in the 60s from Stearns County. Morrison County reported 15 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday from the state website. The Morrison County website Thursday reported 382 positive test cases of COVID-19 in the county since testing began, 25 of the 382 have been hospitalized. In the past 14 days it was reported 123 active cases of the virus with 65 of those in the Little Falls 56345 Zip Code. As of Thursday's report no other zip code in the county had more than 10 cases in the past 14 days of COVID-19. In the weekly report on COVID-19 by the state, 379 cases of cumulative cases in Morrison County with 278 no longer in need of isolation. It also shows by the cases per county residence around 3.5% of of the over 3,100 tests given in Morrison County have come back positive since testing began at hospital labs earlier this year. The website also stated that there are 73 public schools that have reported at least 1 case of the virus since the school year began and 1,315 cases that were school age students or staff members from a public school.
--The Heartland Symphony Orchestra is happy to announce that they will be able to offer an online program this month. The option to hold rehearsals and concerts with their dedicated players has been restricted due to location allowances. HSO Music Director Ryan Webber continues to think outside the box in order to provide orchestra music to fans through these difficult times. Along with the Music Mondays postings on the Heartland Symphony Orchestra Facebook page, he has created a compilation of past concert footage to be debuted on October 17. The Fall Program and the opportunity to support HSO can be accessed directly through their website where the concert can be seen at heartlandsymphony.com.
--Zion Lutheran Church Friendship Club presents nurse practitioner speaker. Marilyn Husby is a Minnesota advanced practiced registered nurse and nationally certified family nurse practitioner will fill in the details about the topic of being a nurse practitioner. The speaker will be at the church October 16th at 1pm. Safety guidelines followed.
DEATH NOTICES
--Maurice Faust, age 88 longtime resident of Pierz.
--Ronald “Ron” Tschida, age 82 of Little Falls.
--Jerry E. Fabian, age 81 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= partly cloudy and warm, high 80, clear night, low 42.
SATURDAY= sunny and cooler, high 60, cloudy late, low 47.
SUNDAY= partial sun early, high 72, rain showers in PM hours.
MONDAY= showers likely, gusty winds, high 57, low of 37.
SPORTS
HS FB= Little Falls at Milaca tonight 7pm on Q92 WYRQ.
HS FB= Royalton at Pierz tonight 7pm on FM94 KFML.
Other football games tonight Howard Lake Waverly vs. Upsala/Swanville, Sauk Centre at Holdingford, Foley vs. Cathedral.
WRAP= Saturday Morning Sports Wrap 8:30am on KLTF.
NFL= Vikings at Seattle Seahawks Sunday 6:30pm on KLTF.