NEWS
--Two additional poultry flocks are confirmed infected with avian influenza in Minnesota, according to the state Board of Animal Health. A backyard flock of 115 unspecified birds in Stearns County, the second diagnosis in that county, and a commercial flock of 52,000 turkeys in Morrison County were confirmed infected with H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza on Thursday, The new infections were reported Friday on the Board of Animal Health web page on the flu response which is updated at noon each weekday. The new confirmations bring the total sites in the state to seven and the number of birds to 378,998. The first cases of H5N1 in Minnesota were confirmed March 25, according to the Board of Animal Health. The earlier confirmations were in commercial turkey flocks in Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Meeker, Mower and Stearns counties.
--The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office reports that on 3-31-2022 at approximately 1:25 pm, their office received a report of a one-vehicle accident with injuries at the intersection of Nature Road and 310th Avenue, approximately four miles southeast of Buckman, MN in Buckman Township. According to the Sheriff’s Office, 24-year-old Clayton Benjamin from Garrison, MN was traveling east on Nature Road. Benjamin’s vehicle left the roadway off the curve near 310th Avenue, hitting a road approach and coming to final rest on the east side of 310th Avenue. Benjamin was taken to Little Falls with unknown injuries. Benjamin’s passenger, 21-year-old Jocelyn Levard from Garrison was transported to St. Cloud Hospital by Life Link III with unknown injuries in the accident.
--The Benton County Sheriff's Office reported on March 31st at 7:48am that they received a 911 call reported that an individual was laying on the ice in the Harris Channel area of Section 15 of Watab Township. Responders located a deceased female subject on the ice but was unclear the length of time that the person was there. The body was taken to Midwest Medical Examiners for official identification and cause of death. No foul play is suspected.
--City Administrator Jon Radermacher recently informed the City Council that a request for $1.5 million in federal funding to build a child care facility in Little Falls was approved as part of a federal appropriations bill. The measure has already been approved by both the U.S. House and Senate, and was signed by President Joe Biden. In April 2021, after Mayor Greg Zylka and Radermacher met with US 8th District Congressman Rep. Pete Stauber, the City Council voted to apply for the federal funding. The Congressman encouraged Zylka and Radermacher to do so during their meeting. He told them, at the time, projects like those aiming to improve child care opportunities were getting support in the Legislature. Radermacher was not able to provide details on requirements that go along with the funding, because he had not yet received them. However, he anticipated some would be included in the legislation. Once he received that information, he told the Council he would bring it forward for discussion. The facility would be owned and operated by the city.
--Congratulations to the Grand Prize Winner of March In and Win from the Little Falls Business Association on Friday. Wendy Rutz wins $350 in LFBA certificates (same as cash to use at participating businesses), the $150 winner was Karla Bassett and the $50 prize went toe Bonnie Lampert. Also congratulations to all the weekly winners of the $100 prize. A big thank you for shopping local.
--Members of the Norwegian Home Guard will be guests on AM960 KLTF Party Line Tuesday at 10:05am and at fallsradio.com.
--The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce announced their April Employee of the Month is Joyce Wielinski, a cashier at Coborn's Marketplace in Little Falls. She started there over two years ago.
--A shooting in an early morning robbery Tuesday, March 29th put a 23-year-old Pequot Lakes man in the hospital. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call reported at 2:54am of an assault at a residence in Maple Township, in rural Pequot Lakes. Deputies responded and learned the man and a 21-year-old woman were both assaulted at a residence by two male intruders. The man was treated at the scene and was then flown to St. Cloud Hospital for injuries related to the assault, including a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. According to the incident report, during the altercation the suspects hit the woman in the head with a pistol. She was treated on scene for injuries related to the assault. Cass County Sheriff Tom Burch confirmed an incident took place but would not elaborate on details as the case is under investigation. Burch said they believe the act was not random and there is no ongoing danger to the public.
--The Staples-Motley School Board, during its meeting March 21st started in taking action to schedule the public hearing date for closing the Motley building. This meeting will be held at 6pm on Monday, April 11th in the district office. It was reported that the district’s attorney has outlined the process to close the building which first is to hold a public hearing on April 11th at 6pm.
--Extra law enforcement will be out watching for distracted drivers throughout the month of April. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety says it is a statewide campaign. While they say distracted driving is still a problem, we are getting better. Last year distracted driving contributed to 26 deaths on Minnesota roads. That compares to 75 distraction-related traffic fatalities in 2010. They remind you the hands-free cell phone law means drivers can no longer hold their phone in their hand. You can still use voice commands or single-touch activation without holding the phone to make calls, text, or get directions. The consequences for violating the hands-free law is a $100 fine for a first offense and a $300 fine for multiple violations. If you kill or seriously hurt someone you could face a felony charge of criminal vehicular operation or homicide.
--In April 2022, the Brooklyn Park-based 347th Regional Support Group will deploy more than 80 Soldiers to various locations across the Middle East to provide contingency and expeditionary base operations support, manage facilities, provide administrative and logistical support to Soldier services, and ensure the security of personnel and facilities on a base. Numerous communities are represented from soldiers in the 347th including four from Little Falls, two from St. Cloud and one each from Baxter, Sartell, Sauk Rapids, Sauk Centre and Osakis.
WEATHER
TODAY= becoming sunny and warmer, high near 50.
TONIGHT= cloudy and windy, low 35.
TUESDAY= cloudy, rain showers likely, high 47, low near 35.
WEDNESDAY= rain likely, snow by evening, high 45, low 29.
SPORTS
NCAA= South Carolina and Connecticut moved on to the women's finals on Sunday night with South Carolina winning the National Championship. Kansas and North Carolina win on Saturday to advance to men's final tonight in New Orleans.
TWINS= Twins final spring radio game today at noon Q92 WYRQ.