NEWS
--CHI St. Gabriel’s Health is excited to start vaccinations of our community members. Thursday, marked the start of vaccine distribution to their patients, with 200 patients receiving their first dose of the COVID-19 Vaccine. Although, supply is limited, they are following the Minnesota Department of Health’s guidelines on vaccine prioritization. CHI St. Gabriel's Health are currently identifying those patients who are most at risk and calling them to schedule their vaccination appointment. They ask everyone for patience as St. Gabriel's works through this list. Their vaccine is currently in limited supply, but they are working to get patients in as quickly as they can. The hospital asks that you do not call the clinic to get an appointment as this will create a delay in this process.
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office, Motley and Pierz Police and the Minnesota State Patrol along with many others from law enforcement agencies are reminding motorists to please slow down. This after a week of several accidents on Minnesota roadways with most being stated that drivers were going too fast for the conditions also it was reported by Motley police that the region they cover with the sheriff's office through Morrison, Cass and Crow Wing County have given out over 100 speding tickets were given out between January 3rd to January 18th just in that region alone for speeding. --A driver from Fargo spun out on snow covered roads near Avon Sunday morning around 2am. 30-year-old Steven Evitt was on Interstate 94 spun out into the median and struck the cable barrier. Evitt was taken to St. Cloud Hospital for injuries. One of the his three passengers was also treated at the hospital for non serious injuries.
--A Hutchinson woman was hurt in a crash near Avon Saturday night. The incident happened around 6:30pm on Interstate 94. The Minnesota State Patrol says a car was going east on Interstate 94 when the driver lost control. Authorities say the car went off the road into the ditch over the culvert, and into the creek before coming to a stop on the passenger side. The driver, 47-year-old Teri Lynn Darby Burd, was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non serious injuries.
--Crow Wing County Sheriff Scott Goddard reported at 12:39am Saturday, Crow Wing County deputies and Brainerd Fire Department were dispatched to a house fire on the 8800 block of Wise Rd. The homeowner, 55-year-old Thomas Phillips, was transported by ambulance to Essentia-St Joseph’s in Brainerd, then later to Hennepin County Medical Center by air ambulance. A female at the residence was uninjured. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Minnesota State Fire Marshall’s Office.
--Sheriff Scott Goddard also reported that on Friday at approximately 8:57pm Crow Wing County deputies were dispatched to a report of two snowmobiles through the ice on Cross Lake near the Cross Lake Recreation Area and the Pine River Dam. The drivers of the snowmobiles were identified as 21-year-old Trevor Fern and 21-year-old Jacob Giesler, both of Plymouth, MN. Both drivers were able to get out of the water on their own and walk to a nearby residence. Neither of the drivers was impaired but were unfamiliar with the area. The Crosslake Police Department and North Memorial Ambulance Service assisted deputies on the scene. Sheriff Goddard reminds the public that no ice is one hundred percent safe and those venturing out should be familiar with areas where you will be doing recreational activities. With unseasonable temperatures that we’ve experienced in January, ice quality should be monitored more closely.
--The Morrison County Fair Board announced that the 2021 Morrison County Fair will be July 29th through 31st with more details to come.
--For the first time since October, all students K-12 (that wanted to be back in class learning) will be in class for the Little Falls Community public schools as seniors return today. Some students are remaining on distance learning as per their parents/guardians wishes, understood by the school. A reminder thought the the schools will have early release each Friday (just the public schools) or when no school Friday on Thursday for remainder of the school year. Mary of Lourdes reminded parents that they will not have busing on those early release days at their afternoon release time (regular time for Mary of Lourdes) and parents would have to provide the rides.
--The Minnesota Department of Heath website reported 1,525 new cases and another 21 new deaths on Friday's report. Morrison County had 6 new cases on the report. The Morrison County Website Friday reported only 76 active cases in the county. Little Falls Zip Code had 30 cases and Pierz reported 11 on Friday's county report. Saturday the MDH reported 1,565 new cases, 31 new deaths and there were 5 new cases in Morrison County on Saturday's report. Sunday reported less again with 1,196 new cases, 32 new deaths, 5 cases in Morrison.
--The Convention and Visitors Bureau are still looking for big things to take place later this year. They wanted to thank all who participated last month in the Light of Little Falls (and Morrison County) event with the large displays of Christmas Lights. Their winner was the Dancer Family from Royalton showing that all over the county the holiday spirit still shined. Like other entities right now it is a wait and see but Kris from the CVB said Friday on KLTF they would like to have outdoor events by the late spring and summer using the outdoor parks and recreation areas. Use the bike trails and hiking trails more promoting outdoor items right now to get moving and fit in Little Falls with or without the snowfall. She has ideas for larger type swap meets and music on the river events that could not happen last year with the hopes that 2021 will be a better year. Ideas or in need of information on Little Falls call the Convention and Visitors Bureau at 616-4959 or go to littlefallsmn.com.
NATIONAL DEATH NOTICES
--Longtime CNN talk show host Larry King died early Saturday at the age of 87. King was a staple on TV and Radio since the late 1950s.
--Hall of Fame Baseball player Henry “Hank” Aaron died on Friday at the age of 86. Aaron hit 755 career homeruns in his MLB career.
DEATH NOTICES
--Bernadette C. Dolney, age 69 of Sheboygan, WI formerly Little Falls
--Eva V. Koehler, age 85 of Little Falls.
--Mary Ann Pugh, age 74 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, high 14, clear night low around -5.
TUESDAY= sunny, turning breezy, high 16, low -10 wind chills -20.
WEDNESDAY= sunny skies, high near 20, low around 0
SPORTS
NFL= Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers held off a late comeback by Green Bay to win 31-26 and win the NFC Title. Kansas City returns to the Super Bowl beating Buffalo 38-24 for AFC Title.
HS BBB= Albany at Pierz tonight 7:15pm on FM94 KFML.