NEWS
--Governor Tim Walz announced Friday he will discuss the next steps in his Stay Safe orders this week (either Tuesday or Wednesday) and had stated he is looking to ease some restrictions on bars and restaurants but would not say how much. He is also to outline the next step in schools getting students back in class as many return to either in class, hybrid or distance learning today after winter break.
--The Morrison County website reported 88 active cases Thursday (no report from the county Friday due to New Years Day), Little Falls had 33 active cases, 14 in Swanville, 12 in Pierz and 8 in Royalton. There were 2,204 new cases on the state website (who also had no report on Friday due to New Years Day) and 61 new deaths linked to the virus. Morrison County had 12 new cases on Thursday's report. Saturday showed 2,543 new cases and 54 new deaths linked to the virus, 12 new cases in Morrison County. Sunday's report had 2,714 new cases and another 53 new deaths and Morrison County had 16 new cases on Sunday's report. Morrison County reported 2 new deaths last Wednesday and none on any of the reports from this past weekend, however, Crow Wing reported 14 new deaths linked to the virus December 24th to January 3rd their highest total in months.
--The Little Falls School Board meets at 5pm today and will do the Oath of Office for School Board Members Julie LeMieur, Doug Dahlberg and Kelsie Herzog who won election back in November. A presentation by Superintendent Stephen Jones that on the outgoing members of the Little Falls School Board who opted not to run again in November will then take place. Most of the meeting is to reorganize for 2021 as the New Year as started and the Superintendent will address the latest on the school calendar where elementary students are expected back in class January 11th and secondary students on January 19th. Jones will be the guest this Thursday on KLTF at 8:30am to address the latest developments also Pierz Superintendent George Weber will be on Wednesday morning at 8:30am to address the latest for the Pierz schools. Other schools return to in class, hybrid or distance learning methods today.
--The Little Falls City Council will hold their reorganization meeting tonighta at 7:30pm with the swearing in of council members that were elected or reelected this past November and the appointing of the next council president at the meeting tonight, some still via zoom and the public can watch the meeting online but not in person still at this time due to the restrictions put in place for the council chambers.
--The Morrison County Commissioners hold their reorganization meeting Tuesday at 9am held virtually for those not wishing to attend with others in attendance in the boardroom, and for those wanting to watch the meeting it will be available on the county website. They will have the oath of office of reelected commissioners from this past November and the appointing of the next board chair and vice-chair and then approval of the yearly resolutions for prepared items to be used in 2021 by the county board.
--The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Employee of the Month for January is Terry Lehrke. Terry is the managing editor at the Morrison County Record and has worked in the newspaper industry for more than 40 years. Congratulations to Terry Lehrke.
--Congratulations to the top prize winner Grace Wamre of Little Falls who won $1,000 in the St. Stanislaus Church Cash/gun raffle drawn via facebook on Thursday night. All other winners were to be notified by their phone numbers on the ticket from the church in Sobieski.
--The Minnesota Legislature convenes for its 2021 regular session Tuesday, and it won't like anything like normal. The House will meet via Zoom until further notice because of the pandemic. The Senate will try a hybrid approach. And the Capitol will remain surrounded by riot fencing. That’s going to make it a challenge for lawmakers to interact with each other, constituents, and advocates for a myriad of causes. With the Capitol mostly closed to the public, phone calls, emails, and online meetings will replace most face-to-face work and that’s going to make it harder for citizens to be heard.
--In August 2020, the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry published new minimum wage increases effective January 1, 2021. As of Thursday last week the wage was $10.00 per hour for large employers; $8.15 per hour for small employers. Increases to $10.08 per hour for large employers; $8.21 per hour for small employers effective January 1, 2021. All businesses within the State of Minnesota must display the new Minnesota’s Minimum Wage Laws Notice along with other state-mandated posting requirements where it is sufficiently accessible and viewable to all employees.
--The most recent projections from the U.S. Census Bureau that ended their cencus results last Thursday still show Minnesota on the verge of losing one of its eight seats in the US House. The state's population has grown by more than 300,000 since 2010 but that may not be enough to warrant all eight of our seats in Congress. The Census Bureau's latest prediction has Minnesota falling 25,554 people short of the number it would take to justify claiming eight of the 435 seats in the House. Preliminary numbers will be plugged into a formula, which currently ranks our eighth seat at 437. If we're left with just seven US House seats the district boundary maps will change dramatically within the state. And Minnesota will lose some of its influence in the Electoral College, dropping from 10 votes to nine.
--The Franciscan Sisters are hosting a blood drive with First United Church today, tomorrow and Wednesday, contact Sister Julien for an appointment (no walk ins at First United Church) today 632-0663.
DEATH NOTICES
--Kelly Klinker age 59 of Burnsville formerly of Little Falls.
--Joesph “Joe” Kozulla, age 39 of Little Falls formerly of Harding.
--Duane Ballou, age 69 of Randall.
--Karolyn Waninger, age 77 of Pierz.
--Dr. John F. Beaty, age 95 of Edina, long time resident and prominent chriopractor in Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= freezing mix early, clearing in afternoon, high 36.
TONIGHT= clear skies, freeze fog late, low around 12.
TUESDAY= freeze fog early, then partly cloudy, high 27, low 21.
WEDNESDAY= snow showers 1-2 inches during day, high 30.
SPORTS
NFL= Vikings win the shootout with the Lions Sunday 37-35 as Kirk Cousins tosses for over 400 yards and 3 touchdowns. Finish 7-9.
COL FB= Alabama and Ohio State won Friday to advance to the College Football National Championship on January 11th.
Little Falls Radio recently switched streaming systems if you unable to get Little Falls Radio to listen online, go through the fallsradio.com website and click on the station of choice.