Newsletter: Monday, December 7th 2020
NEWS
--The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office wants everyone to stay safe during the upcoming ice fishing season. Our agency has received information that on the edges of some of our area lakes, there is approximately four inches of ice. However, areas further away from the shoreline toward the middle of the lakes just recently froze, so it’s unsafe. Ice is never 100 percent safe, especially with the warmer weather that we’ve been having. Temperatures, currents, springs, winds and other factors affect the ice thickness. Ice is seldom the same thickness over the entire lake. If you venture out ice fishing, please remember the following: Have a charged phone, Share your location with someone and what time you expect to return. If possible, always have someone present with you. Carry a pair of ice picks in case you need them. Wear a flotation device, Use a chisel or ice auger when checking ice thickness. Check ice thickness 150’ or less. Please use caution and stay safe. No fish is worth your life.
--Governor Tim Walz has ordered all state and United States flags on government buildings to be flown at half staff today in honor of the those who lost their lives on December 7, 1941 during the sneak attack by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii which led the United States into the deadly World War II battle from 1941-1945. This is also to honor all the men and women who battled during the War and gave their lives protecting our country's freedom against Nazis.
--The Morrison County website on Friday reported 359 active cases of COVID-19 in the county. 132 total since testing began required hospitalization. The report shows 139 cases with Little Falls zip code, 80 in Pierz, 37 in Royalton and no other zip codes over 20 cases. The State totals Friday were 5,371 new cases, 61 new deaths and another 48 new cases of COVID-19 in Morrison on Friday. Saturday there were 6,337 new cases of COVID-19 and 75 new deaths linked to the virus. Morrison County reported 46 new cases on Saturday and another new death linked to the virus, making 32 deaths since testing began earlier in Morrison and 2,562 total cases of COVID-19. On Sunday the state reported another 5,588 cases and 64 new deaths linked to the virus. Morrison County reported another death (this of a person in their 50s) and another 16 new cases on Sunday's report.
--The Minnesota State Patrol reported an accident with injuries at 4:11pm Thursday on Highway 27 in Mille Lacs County. 33-year old Master Hinkle of Brainerd was stopped at a stop sign and turned from Emmons Road north of Onamia onto 27 and was struck broadside by a pickup driven by 36-year old Daniel Dmytrasz of Mankato. Hinkle was taken to the Onamia hospital and treated for injuries while the others had injuries but was treated at the scene for those.
--The Minnesota State Patrol reported an accident with injuries Thursday at 2:42pm in Cass County. 33-year-old Andrew Gaustad of Fergus Falls stopped at the intersection of Highway 210 at mile post 111 in Sylvan Township near Pillager when he was reared ended by a vehicle driven by 64-year-old David Schlegel of Pillager which caused a third vehicle to strike Schlegel, driven by 50-year-old Rebecca Bearth of Pillager. Gaustad was not hurt. Schlegel was treated at the scene for injuries and Bearth was taken to the Brainerd Hospital for treatment of reported non life threatening injuries in the accident.
--The Stearns County Sheriff's Office reported at 7:42am Thursday a single vehicle crash on County Road 2 just north of the City of Cold Spring. A vehicle had left the roadway and struck a tree, but the driver was not complaining of any injuries. The driver was identified as Sebastian Novak, 16, of St. Joseph.
--A very big THANK YOU too all who volunteered and gave Saturday at the fill the truck event for the Holiday Gift Giving Program in Little Falls. Thousands of dollars, toys, canned goods, clothing were given to the program on Saturday making it the most successful fill the truck event at Wal-Mart (who also donated a large number of items to the program on Saturday). Thank you again from the Holiday Gift Giving Program and Little Falls Radio for helping out Saturday.
--A Paynesville woman has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl after a night of drinking. 56-year old Stacy Row pleaded guilty Thursday to 1st-degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim under 16-years-old. Her husband, Steven Row was also charged in the case, but he was found dead of an apparent suicide about three months after the charges were filed. Row has admitted to authorities to the charges and will be sentenced in February in Stearns County.
--An innvoator and fishing legend, Ron Lindner died November 30th. Lindner built a media empire on fishing and used his knowledge for books, radio and television shows, and thousands of videos showing the right way to fish on our lakes and rivers. Lindner is in the Minnesota Fishing Hall of Fame and the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. Ron Lindner died last Monday, he was 86 years old.
NATIONAL NEWS
--President-elect Joe Biden announced that his first act as President is asking for all Americans to commit to 100 days of mask wearing to help in stopping the spread of COVID-19 across the nation.