NEWS
--Today is a federal holiday in honor of Civil Rights Leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. which falls on the third Monday in January as per a ruling in 1986 by then President Ronald Reagan. This means that government agencies are closed today, that includes banks and the post office with no regular mail delivery today. Some businesses are closed while others are open today so best to call ahead. Many schools are closed for the holiday today but again others are in session. Civil Rights leaders have asked that today be shown as a day of service to help others in need and community pride to help out friends and neighbors in you community to remember the coming together in unity preached by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
--Minnesota Governor Tim Walz held a news conference Friday at noon to give an update on the public safety efforts in place at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul. Walz was joined by Department of Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington, the Minnesota National Guard's Shawn Manke, State Patrol Chief Colonel Matt Langer among others. The Department of Public Safety says visitors to the Capitol complex will notice some, but not all, security measures in place. State Patrol troopers, Department of Natural Resources conservation officers and National Guard soldiers will be visible and available to respond to threats. Traffic restrictions will be in place around the Capitol. Foot traffic will be allowed. Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington asks people who don't have planned activities or business at the state Capitol to consider waiting of visiting the State Capitol at a later time after next weeks events.
--Crow Wing County Sheriff Scott Goddard is holding a virtual public meeting on Tuesday at 6pm. The meeting is designed to inform the public about a level 3 predatory offender who is moving into Crow Wing County on Wednesday. The offender, Lumasakila Izick Patterson, age 29, will be residing on Johnson Road in First Assessment where he will be monitored by staff 24 hours a day. Patterson was released from prison in 2017 and has been on intensive supervised release (ISR) since that time. The public is invited to the meeting to listen to Sheriff Goddard, his staff, representatives from the Minnesota Department of Corrections, and staff from the home Patterson will reside. There will also be an opportunity for questions from the community. Those wishing to learn more about this offender can call 218-302-1725 and enter meeting code 393626021# or visit the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office website or Facebook for the meeting link. Sheriff Goddard reminds residents that his office diligently monitors all registered offenders in the County. As always, Sheriff Goddard requests that citizens report any suspicious activity to law enforcement. Patterson will continue to be monitored by ISR personnel and the sheriff’s office.
--The Morrison County website Friday reported 125 active cases of COVID-19 with 56 of those in Little Falls, Royalton 15, Pierz 13, Bowlus 10 and Randall 8. State Department website reported 1,640 new cases and 33 deaths linked to the virus. Morrison County reported 6 new cases on the state website. There were 1,529 new cases on Saturday's report and 37 new deaths. Morrison County had another 7 new cases on Saturday's report. There were 1,364 new cases Sunday and 40 new deaths, including one person in their 80s from Morrison County on Sunday's report and 11 new COVID cases.
--Upsala schools announced that all students K through 12 will be able to return to in person learning at the Upsala Schools beginning tomorrow, the secondary school was on hybrid until last Friday.
--Pierz Schools Superintendent George Weber announced some changes to in person learning beginning today. Grades K-4 will remain in person every day. Starting on January 26th, all students will be in class with the teacher they were assigned in September. Preschool students will return on January 26th. For students who attend Monday and Tuesday, they will attend the 26th and 27th; students assigned to Thursday and Friday will attend the 28th and 29th. Grades 5 and 6 will return to every day, in-person learning starting today. Grades 10-12 will return to every day, in-person learning starting today. Grades 7-9 will remain in hybrid learning for the month of January. Starting February 1, all 7-9 will be allowed to come back to full in-person learning. This gap from hybrid to full in-person learning for grades 7-9 is due to the state requirement of returning only three grades per two weeks within a building. Plus all 7 through 12th will again be going back to their regular bell schedule including on Wednesday which was the distance learning day.
--A St. Augusta woman was taken to the hospital after a single vehicle crash in rural Stearns County. The crash was reported Thursday around 6:15pm near the intersection of County Road 44 and Dover Road in Lynden Township, southwest of Clearwater. Upon arrival, Stearns County deputies identified the driver as 52-year-old Patricia Kronenberg of St. Augusta. Kronenberg said she was traveling westbound on County Road 145 when the roadway suddenly changed from asphalt to gravel, and her vehicle left the roadway. Authorities say a witness to the crash saw Kronenberg’s car proceed through a stop sign without stopping, coming to a stop when it struck a tree. The witness was able to have a nearby homeowner contact 911. She was taken to the hospital with injuries not considered to be life-threatening.
--The Morrison County Commissioners meet Tuesday at 9am at the government center boadroom. You can watch from county website.
DEATH NOTICES
--Larry Kowalzek, age 74 of Harding.
--Adella Wollack, age 81 of Royalton.
--James “Jim” M. Nordlund, age 65 of Royalton.
--James “Jim” Christianson, age 81 of Little Falls
WEATHER
TODAY= mostly cloudy, high 17, partial clearing late, low -4.
TUESDAY= snow early then afternoon sun, high 15, temp rise late.
WEDNESDAY= partly cloudy and mild, high 37, low around 25.
SPORTS
NFL= Green Bay beat Los Angeles Rams 32-18 on a big game from Aaron Rodgers, and Buffalo held off Baltimore Saturday 17-3 to advance knocking Lamar Jackson from the game. Kansas City beat Cleveland 22-17 Sunday but Patrick Mahomes left the game with a concussion and is questionable on Sunday. Tampa Bay defeated New Orleans Sunday night 30-20 for Tom Brady to head to his first ever NFC Championship game. Sources saying that was Drew Brees last game. Sunday 2pm Tampa Bay at Green Bay, 5:45pm Buffalo at Kansas City with winners going to the Super Bowl February 7th. Hear the action starting at 1pm Sunday on AM960 KLTF.
COL BB= Gophers get a big win 75-57 over Michigan Saturday handing the Wolverines their first loss of the season. The Gopher game with Nebraska on Wednesday was cancelled due to COVID-19.