NEWS
--Little Falls Radio received word Saturday morning that the seven year old boy injured in a tractor accident south of Harding has returned home to his family after spending a little over a day in the hospital. The boy did sustain a black eye and wearing a cast but he is doing exceptionally well. The family wants to thank Father Popp for giving a blessing before the boy was airlifted out of Pierz Wednesday and all the prayers and blessing received over the past days for the young boy to return home and he did just that.
--Little Falls City Administrator Jon Radermacher spoke on KLTF Friday and stated that the lobby and inside of City Hall will remain closed still at this time. They are working on COVID-19 Prepareness Plan with different phases on their business schedules in the weeks ahead but first needs preliminary approval from the city council at their next regular meeting. Radermacher stated that the utility boxes and drop offs are available or you can call staff and they can work out details for payment of city bills. Shut offs for late fees continue to be stopped and will be into July. The Economic Development Authority continues with the $5,000 loans to businesses for those who need funding to help from the closures of businesses from the last months. Street work has been busy and rennovation work has started on some curb and alley work and will continue in the weeks ahead so reminder to slow down in work zones. The City recently spoke with the Convention and Visitors Bureau on attractions as many Pine Grove Zoo June 10th, the Golf Course and others have reopened and others Morrison County Historical Society (Weyerhauser Museum) June 30th reservations only and Lindbergh Site planning for the start of July to reopening for the summer months, Jon stated that the attractions are working to get the public back also as our the businesses with outdoor dining. If you have questions call their office at 616-5500 as staff is on hand to assist.
--The Minnesota State Patrol released information on two accidents on June 14th. At 1:35pm 87-year-old James Worcester of Walker was on Highway 371 when his vehicle struck a deer. James and his passenger 83-year-old Beverly Worcester of Walker were both taken to Little Falls hospital for treatment of injuries. Then at 10:17pm Sunday, a motorcycle hit a deer on Highway 28 near Burtrum in Todd County. 56-year-old John Lange of Swanville was injured and taken to St. Cloud Hospital for treatment of injuries.
--Latest numbers of COVID-19 positive cases on Sunday reported that are 461 new cases and 8 more deaths linked to COVID-19. Morrison County had 1 new case and is now at 55 positive cases.
--The Minnesota Department of Health released new guidelines on Thursday regarding outdoor visitation at long-term care facilities. Effective immediately, visitors and residents can interact in outdoor spaces only with social distancing of six feet and mask-wearing. Visitors will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms, and physical contact is not allowed. Commissioner Jan Malcolm says they hope to balance safety with important social interaction. On Friday the Department of Health and CDC announced that outdoor youth sports may resume this week (Little Falls had already announced the start of the youth sports starting today) and indoor youth sports may resume the following week on July 1st as long as they follow CDC guidelines which can be found on the CDC and MDH websites.
--The Morrison County Commissioners meet Tuesday at 9am at the Government Center Boardroom and also on their live stream.
--Authorities are asking for the public’s help identifying two people caught on security camera trying to set fire to the Community OutPost, or COP House, in south St. Cloud. The incident happened Tuesday just after 3am at 600 13th Street South. Authorities say two suspects, one carrying a gas can, were video-recorded pouring a flammable liquid onto the building and lighting it on fire. The fire was extinguished but caused damage to the outside of the house. Anyone with information is asked to call the St. Cloud Police Department.
--Minnesota legislative leaders were unable to come to an agreement on a number of items Saturday after a special session collapsed Saturday with no deal on revamping policing following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The Republican-controlled Senate adjourned just after 6am Saturday. GOP Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka repeatedly had said that Friday was his deadline for adjournment. Gazelka blamed "behind the scenes arm-twisting" from Democratic Gov. Tim Walz for ending "any hope of working together right now." Walz says his administration is planning its next steps, and for Senate Republicans "to take your ball and go home in the middle of this" is "an embarrassment for Minnesota."
--A Maple Lake woman was hurt in a crash on Interstate 94 Thursday afternoon. The incident happened around 3:45pm near Clearwater. The Minnesota State Patrol says a car was going east on Interstate 94 when it hit the guardrail, rolled, and came to a rest in the right lane. The driver of the car, 63-year-old Diane Sorenson was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
--Having been closed since mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Memorial Museum will reopen to limited visitors by appointment only starting on June 30th. Visitors are required to schedule an appointment 48 hours before they intend to visit. There will be time limits on scheduled visits, which will be communicated during scheduling. Masks will be worn by staff while visitors are in the building. Visitors are strongly encouraged to wear masks in order to protect other visitors and museum staff. Visitors who are symptomatic are not allowed to enter. Temperature checks may be conducted on visitors using an infrared thermometer by museum staff before visitors enter the building. Call 320-632-4007 to schedule appointments. Admission is free to enter museum.
--The St. Joesph Church Restoration Fund raffle grand prize winner of $10,000 was Karen Gross of Pierz. Both Marilyn Dorn and Alice Kahlhammer won $5,000 prizes.
--The Little Falls Dam Festival Committee held their raffle Saturday night at Maple Island Park. Here is a list of the winners. 1st place $10,000 John Walburn 2nd place $1000 Tim Witucki 3rd place $1000 Bobby Klowski 4th place $1000 Tim Witucki 5th place $500 Jen Wamre 6th place $500 Killeaney Bednarek 7th place $500 Molly Heldt. Congratulations to all the winners.
--The Pierz City Council meets tonight at 7pm at Pierz City Hall.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, light winds, high 72.
TONIGHT= clear nights, calm winds, low 53.
TUESDAY= partly sunny, high 77, isolated T-storms in afternoon.
WEDNESDAY= sunny skies, high near 80, low near 60.
SPORTS
VL= Pierz Bulldogs and Buckman win Sunday games on KLTF.