Newsletter: Monday, February 20th, 2023
NEWS “President's Day”
--A reminder again that today is President's Day a Federal Holiday. City Halls, Government Center, Post Offices, banks, libraries, some schools and some businesses may be closed today. There is no regular mail delivery. May want to check ahead before heading out.
--Little Falls Community Schools has announced the beginning of it's formal Strategic Planning Process. Little Falls Community Schools knows that strong schools are critical to the viability of the community and is committed to involving all stakeholders throughout this process. The important work will be done in partnership with Partner ED Consultants, and will involve all stakeholders in the Little Falls Community including staff, students, parents, community members, and business leaders. The district will be intentional as they work through the process of providing the best possible educational outcomes for the students of Little Falls. There will be a focus group for community members/parents on Thursday at 4:30pm in the media center at the high school. In addition to the focus groups, staff and community members will have the opportunity to contribute via a survey that will be sent out at the end of February. Both are critical components in gathering information about the vision for Little Falls Community Schools. The community will be brought along throughout the entirety of this process. The district plans to complete the work by April, with a presentation to the school board on April 17th. For information, please contact Greg Johnson.
--Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen has asked the county board for a body scanner at the jail. The body scanner would help authorities if drugs or other illegal items were on a person entering or leaving the jail. This would have helped in a the prevention of the recent incident with drugs in the jail leading to overdoses.
–A bill in the State House would give nearly all Minnesota workers paid sick leave under a plan moving through the Legislature that’s aimed at the roughly one-third whose employers don’t already give them time off when they’re ill. Employees would be guaranteed one hour of paid “earned sick and safe time” for every 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours per year. Unused time up to 80 hours could be carried over into the next year. The proposal sets a floor, and nothing would change for workers who already have better benefits. Workers could use the paid time off for physical or mental illness, treatment or preventive care, caring for a family member and absences related to domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking. They could also use it when there are closures for weather or public emergencies or to quarantine to avoid spreading communicable diseases. More than 900,000 Minnesota workers don’t currently get paid time off to care for themselves or loved ones. If the bill passes both the House and Senate it would have to be signed by the Governor. Workers would qualify after they’ve worked for their employer for at least 80 hours. Sole proprietors would not be covered. Employers, who would have to absorb the costs, could require documentation to justify the use of three or more consecutive days off. The requirements would apply to all employers, and they could be fined up to $10,000 for violations.
Business groups oppose the legislation, calling it an unfunded mandate for employers at a time when they’re already stressed by workforce shortages, sales that in many cases have not returned to pre-pandemic levels, inflation, supply-chain challenges, and high tax and regulatory burdens. Larger Minnesota Cities have a plan in place already for sick leave and health care purposes for their workers.
--The Little Falls City Council will meet on Tuesday at 7:30pm.
--The Pierz City Council will conduct interviews for City Treasurer on Tuesday starting at 5:30pm at a special meeting. During the application process three applied for the position. The three are Gary Berg, Sarah Fyten and Angel Lundblad. Following the interviews they will discuss with the vote for the position to be made on February 27th. The City of Pierz stated that only one put in the application for Mayor of Pierz and that John Perleberg. Discussion on that is also planned for Tuesday's special meeting in Pierz.
--A 76-year-old man was injured in a two-vehicle crash Thursday in Irondale Township of Crow Wing County. The Minnesota State Patrol reported the crash at 11:22am Donna Christine Hartung, 71, was eastbound in her 2008 Ford Focus on Highway 210 east of Riverton when a Honda CRV, driven by 76-year-old Ray Eldon Yant, entered Highway 210 from County Highway 12 in front of Hartung. Hartung’s Focus struck the Honda on the driver side. Yant was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Neither Hartung nor Yant’s passenger, 73-year-old Connie Yant, were injured.
--Area firefighters are reminding homeowners to test those carbon monoxide detectors. The Brainerd Fire Department responded to a carbon monoxide incident at 11:52pm Wednesday on the 1000 block of Rosewood Street. Upon arrival, fire crews ventilated the home and determined the carbon monoxide was caused by a maintenance matter. Luckily all were able to get out of the home and it was found to be safe for them to return. Other notes that fire crews from Brainerd also at 3:52pm Wednesday to the intersection of Highway 371 and Highland Scenic Drive for a vehicle crash. Fire crews provided scene assistance. Last Monday crews were called 6:31pm to the Brainerd American Legion, 708 Front St., for a report of a small kitchen fire. Upon arrival, fire crews found no fire or smoke. They determined an electrical cord had burned. No injuries reported.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
--In the past few weeks it was reported that Lisa Loring who played Wednesday Addams on the Addams Family died at age 64. Burt Bacharach, composer for many songs died at age 94 and Baseball Announcer for many years on radio and television and World Series member of St. Louis, Tim McCarver died last week at the age of 81.
DEATH NOTICES
--Richard L. Poepping, age 73 of St. Cloud, formerly Avon and Pierz.
--Eugene (Jack) Kuchinski, age 73 of Little Falls