NEWS
--A reminder from the Little Falls Community Schools that preschool through 5th grade back in classrooms today. On Friday, Little Falls Community Schools announced that grades 6 through 11 will return to in class learning on January 19th due to the Governor asking for only three grades at a time return the week of January 18th the 12th Graders (Seniors) will stay on distance learning a bit longer until the semester ends and the next phase for in class learning is determined by the state. Mary of Lourdes returning all of their students to class today, Pierz Schools K-4 in class, while grades 5 through 12 are going back to hybrid today, Royalton Preschool through 5th grade back in classrooms today, it was reported that Staples Motley schools are going back to in class learning today, Swanville remains all in class and Upsala elementary in class, high school remains in hybrid.
--As per Governor Walz, bars and restaurants may open at 50% capacity starting today following safety protocols from the Department of Health. Some fast food places and others may stay with the drive through or carry out option only while many others are opening back up their doors for the public today, so help them out.
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office reported that the trailer stolen from Nilson's Hardware was located Friday afternoon off Abaca Road (County Road 19), west of Upsala. The Sheriff's Office would like to thank the public for their assistance in locating the trailer. The Sheriff's Office is still investigating the incident, so please contact our agency at (320) 632-9233 if you have any information in regards to this case. They still report that one of the two trailers stolen recently from Hilmerson RV south of Little Falls has still not been found and suspects in all of the stolen trailer cases have not been arrested.
--The Minnesota State Patrol says a woman leaving a store was struck and killed by a speeding pickup. The incident happened on Highway 169 in Mille Lacs County, just south of Lake Mille Lacs, at about 6:30pm Thursday night. Troopers say a pickup was traveling at a high rate of speed in the Super Stop parking lot and hit 72-year-old Gloria Rosekens of Brainerd. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
--The Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force conducted a search warrant at a residence in the 1800 block of Eastern Star Loop in Sauk Rapids. The Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force learned that a female, 39-year old Sara Ann Brixx of Sauk Rapids, was suspected of distributing quantities of controlled substances throughout Central Minnesota. The buys of the controlled substances occurred both in Benton and Stearns Counties. Investigators then learned that Brixx may be storing more quantities of controlled substances at her residence in Sauk Rapids. Thursday investigators from CMVOTF executed a search warrant at Brixx’s residence. In the residence investigators located the tenants of the residence, Brixx, 37-year old Tommie Shalimar McNeal Hicks of Sauk Rapids, along with their children and two other adults. After a search of the residence, investigators located suspected cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, and prescription pills. Investigators also located 3 hand guns in proximity to the controlled substances. Brixx was transported to Stearns County Jail and booked for 1st degree sale of controlled substance. Brixx will later be transported to Benton County for 1st degree sale of controlled substances. Charges will be forwarded to Benton County for 5th degree possession of controlled substance on both Hicks and Brixx for the controlled substances located in their residence.
--Morrison County Public Health last week began dispensing initial doses of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine to the Phase 1a, Priority 1 group that includes vaccination staff and emergency medical responders. Other Priority 1 groups include hospital staff and skilled nursing facility staff and residents who will be reached directly through healthcare distribution or pharmacy partnership. Morrison County Public Health is receiving guidance directly from the Minnesota Department of Health on priority groups and how vaccine is to be allocated locally. Public Health is also asking that you please protect yourself and your private information by being aware of potential scams. Use caution when unsolicited callers request personal information. For more information on COVID-19 scams please visit the FBI’s COVID-19 webpage. You can call Morrison County Public Health for information at 320-632-6664.
--Morrison County website on Friday reported 136 active cases, Little Falls zip code was at 68, Pierz 18, Royalton 17. Over the weekend, Morrison County reported 12 cases Friday, 17 Saturday and 7 Sunday.
--During the statewide holiday extra DWI enforcement campaign November 25th through December 31st officers, deputies and troopers arrested 1,383 drivers for driving impaired compared with 2,353 DWI arrests during the 2019 holiday campaign. Law enforcement agencies across Minnesota participated in the campaign conducted by the Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety. They expected numbers down with bars closed and less travel on roadways. Morrison County had the dubious honor of getting the arrest with the highest Blood Alcohol Level for DWI with an arrest at .39 during that time period of the safe and sober campaign.
--District 9B State Representative Ron Kresha, R-Little Falls, was sworn in last Tuesday for his fifth term as the representative for Minnesota House District 9B. Kresha was named to three House committees: Education Finance, and Higher Education Finance and Policy, and Ways and Means. He was also named the Republican lead member on the Education Finance Committee.
--St. Francis Convent announced they surpassed their goal on their blood drive asking for 215 and got 237 units of blood in the 3 days.
--Little Falls Radio was informed that there will be no bus going down to St. Paul January 22nd from Morrison County this year to the pro life rally from MCCL due to COVID-19 restrictions. No bus this year.
DEATH NOTICES
--Sister Mary Siena (Annella) Wald, age 79 of St. Francis Convent.
--Sharon Jirasek, age 70 of Little Falls.
--Gretchen Ann Sylvester, age 84 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= becoming sunny, high 33, clouds increase tonight, low 20.
TUESDAY= partly sunny skies, high 36, mostly cloudy night, low 24.
WEDNESDAY= sunny and mild, high near 40, wintry mix late night.
SPORTS
NFL= Buffalo held off Indianapolis, LA Rams shocked Seattle on the road and Tampa Bay beat Washington in Saturday games. Baltimore beat Tennessee, New Orleans ousted Chicago and last night Cleveland scored 48 to beat Pittsburgh in an upset to advance on to the Divisional rounds of the playoffs this weekend live on KLTF.
MLB= Hall of Fame LA Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda died last Thursday night at the age of 93. World Series wins in 1981 & 1988.