NEWS
--The Minnesota Department of Health reported 931 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday with 9 new deaths linked to the virus. Stearns had 41 new cases, Benton 11, Crow Wing 15, Morrison had 4 and Todd had 1 new case. One case in Morrison was removed from Wednesday and there is now 184 total cases in the county since testing began. According to the weekly report from the CDC and MDH, Morrison County reported 184 total cases and of those 151 are no longer in isolation, however the Minnesota Department of Health does not track those over time to see if they have fully recovered after the isolation period. Going back 14 days there has been 56 new cases of COVID-19 in the county but the weekly report shows that the number of cases to those not isolation living in the county would be around 33 cases. With Morrison County's population estimated at slightly over 33,000, the 33 total current cases in isolation in Morrison County is slightly less than the 10 per 10,000 residents ratio.
--Early voting begins today in Minnesota. All voters have at least one location where they can vote early in person with an absentee ballot. Depending on where you live, there may be additional location. You can vote in person at your county election office. In Morrison County contact the Morrison County Government Center. In addition to your county election office, some cities and towns offer in-person absentee voting. Check with your city clerk's office for more information. For most elections, absentee voting locations must be open during their normal business hours starting 46 days before the election. In addition, locations offering absentee ballots for federal, state or county elections must be open: The last Saturday before Election Day (10am-3pm). The day before Election Day until 5:00pm. This does not apply to school districts holding standalone elections. Some local jurisdictions may provide additional absentee voting days or hours beyond the above required days and times. Call your jurisdiction for more information. Today is the first day to vote early with the final day being the day before Election Day this year November 2nd for early voting. General Election voting will be at the poll sites for particular city, township or Ward on Tuesday, November 3rd.
--President Donald J. Trump will be in Bemidji today and DFL Candidate former Vice President Joe Biden will be in Duluth also this afternoon both working on votes from Minnesotans this year.
--Minnesota's unemployment rate dropped to 7.4% in August, down from 7.6% in July. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 8.4% for August. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development says the state added 40,500 jobs in August. The most gains were in government with 11,000 jobs added, due to census hiring and local government. Leisure and hospitality was next with 7,800 followed by education and health services with 7,100. There were 231,599 unemployed workers in Minnesota last month, down 4,948 from July and down 71,367 since May when the number peaked at 302,966. DEED says Minnesota's labor force participation rate increased to 69.8% in August, closing in on 70.2% where it stood in February. The national labor force participation rate was 61.7% in August.
--The Pierz Commercial Club has announced that their quarterly Outstanding Employee is Crystal Ratke. The program was put on hold after COVID-19 hit. Ratke, a Pierz native, has been with Litke’s Veterinary Service in Pierz for nearly seven years, serving as the lead technician and practice manager.
--Authorities responded to a two vehicle crash near Holdingford Tuesday. The incident happened just before 8am on County Road 17. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office says 53-year old Marvin Skwira, of Holdingford, was heading west on County Road 17, when he stopped waiting to make a turn into a driveway. Skwira was then rear ended by another vehicle, which pushed his vehicle into the ditch. The driver of the second vehicle was 34-year old Scott Zehowski of Rice. Authorities say Zehowski had two kids in the vehicle, ages 5 and 9, who were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
--Congratulations to SPC Jakob Ellingson of the 114th Transportation Company out of Chisholm on finishing 1st Runner Up at the Army National Guard 2020 Best Warrior Competition. Spc. Ellingson, also of the Minnesota National Guard Biathlon, worked hard earning a great achievement for himself and the Minnesota National Guard.
--The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is updating its 20-year old wolf management plan and they want input from the public. The DNR is holding virtual open house meetings and will be taking comments on its website. During the virtual open houses, there will be informational presentations, will allow for real-time public input, and include a question and answer format. The northwest region open house will be September 29th, the central region on October 6th, and the northeastern region on October 8th. All meetings will be from 6-8:00pm. Registration is required and will be available starting Monday on the wolf plan webpage. Questions can also be submitted on your registration form. Comments on the website will be allowed on September 29th through November 1st. The DNR will then have a draft plan ready later this year and public comments will be taken on the draft plan itself.
--Though large church festivals were cancelled for this weekend, the churches are having cash raffles and you can still purchase tickets for the raffles from the churches this weekend. Holy Family Belle Prairie, Holy Cross of Onamia and St. Michael's Catholic Church in Buckman will host live streamed or videos of their raffle drawings on Sunday. Check with the churches to see if any public is invited to watch.
--The Little Falls City Council holds their next regular council meeting on Monday night at 7:30pm at the city hall council chambers.
DEATH NOTICES
--Doris Schutz, age 73 of Eden Valley.
WEATHER
TODAY= partly cloudy skies, high near 60.
TONIGHT= clear skies overnight, low near 40.
SATURDAY= sunny and warmer, turning breezy, high 67, low 51.
SUNDAY= sunny and warm, windy, high 76, storms late, low 58.
MONDAY= storms early, then partly sunny, high 74, low near 60.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins lost 4-3 yesterday to the White Sox and are 3 games behind Chicago in the central. Twins stay in Chicago for the weekend but now take on the Cubs, with games tonight at 6:30pm, Saturday is at 6:30pm and Sunday they play an evening game starting at 5:30pm with Inside Twins starting at 5pm Sunday on Q92 WYRQ.
WNBA= Lynx battle back from 8 down at the half to beat the Phoenix Mercury 80-79 last night. Lynx advance in the playoffs to take on the #1 seed Seattle in best of 3 starting on Sunday.
VIKINGS= The Vikings are at Indianapolis Colts Sunday at noon.