NEWS
**A Statement from Little Falls Schools Superintenent Stephen Jones on the announcement Sunday by Governor Tim Walz. Little Falls Community Schools will have school today Monday, March 16, for all students. All schools in Little Falls will close beginning tomorrow, March 17. We feel it is important for the opportunity for students to personally connect with their teachers before the school closure begins. For parents who prefer to keep their children home today, please contact your children’s school office this morning. During the next two weeks, teachers will be working on distance learning plans that would be ready for students by March 30. We are asking middle school and high school students to clean out their lockers on Monday so we can perform a deep cleaning on those spaces. Also, we are asking that all students be prepared to take home the items from school that they will need over an extended period of absence from our schools. For parents whose children have medicine with our nurses, it is very important that you make arrangements on Monday to pick up that medicine from the school. We know there are a number of questions people have concerning the school closure as we receive a number of pieces of information from the district to explain our actions to the challenges that lie ahead of us all. Stephen Jones will be live on AM960 KLTF and online at fallsradio.com this morning at 8:30am to address the recent situation. Pierz and Upsala will also be closed starting on Tuesday.
–Sunday Morning Governor Tim Walkz proclaimed “In order to give educators the opportunity to form long-term COVID-19 plans, Governor Tim Walz has decided to temporarily close schools across the state starting on Wednesday and lasting until Friday, March 27. During that time, he says school staff, teachers, and administrators should work with the Minnesota Department of Education the Minnesota Department of Health to put together plans to continue student's learning, as well as access to childcare and meals in case of extended closures. Walz says during the week and a half period, schools will still be required to provide care for elementary-aged children of health care professionals, first responders, and emergency service workers. Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Mary Cathryn Ricker says classes will resume on March 30th. Walz stated if schools wish to close earlier they are inclined to do so. Staples-Motley, Brainerd and Holdingford are closed starting today.
--President Donald Trump Friday announced the coronavirus pandemic a national emergency. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz declared a Peacetime Emergency in the state and announced that he is asking to put a halt on gatherings of over 250 people and also smaller gathering have enough spacing between people in ways to protect those from spreading germs and the potential virus. The Convent, Hospital, Assisted Living Faciilites and Nursing Homes have implemented a no visitor policy at this time for the safety of the staff, patients and residents, asking no visitors and the hospital stated that they are asking those with flu like symptoms to please call for an appointment don't just show up. Bishop Donald Kettler announced that he has stopped the obligiation of attending Mass at this time and has asked that all church events, bingos, breakfasts, first communions, confirmations, retreats etc. be cancelled until April 1st.
--Other events cancelled or postponed due to the COVID 19 issues include Firearms Safety Class tonight in Buckman cancelled, Morrison County Public Works announced that the 2020 Township and Small Cities Weed Inspection workshop Wednesday, Sunrise Ag Coop also announced that their meeting on Tuesday has been cancelled. Kinship of Morrison County announced that they will postpone their Soup and Chili Cookoff and it will be made up on October 13th. Hands of Hope has postponed the Hope Rocks Neil Diamond Show with the Vee's until a later date that will be announced. City of Holdingford as cancelled their polka party this Sunday. Bingo at St James in Randall, all religious education classes by the St. Cloud Diocese, Confirmation at the Tri Parish March 29th and other events are likely to cancelled or postponed in the next two weeks until the first of April including spring sports until April 6th and with schools closing, no practices or activities will be planned until after March 30th. First United Church in Little Falls announced Friday no Sunday services until Palm Sunday-April 5th. The Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Memorial Museum will be closed from March 15 through March 31.
--The Minnesota State Patrol reported a fatal accident Friday morning at 8:15am on Highway 71 in Akeley Township near Sauk Centre. The driver left the roadway and struck a tree and died at the scene. Authorities late Friday announced the driver was Nicole Leah Schloegl-Bartkowicz, age 40 of Sauk Centre who died.
--A pedestrian suffered life-threatening injuries after being hit by a truck. The Minnesota State Patrol says it happened at about 4:15pm Friday at the intersection of Highway 15 and County Road 1 in Sartell. State Troopers says the International truck was traveling south on Highway 15 and approaching County Road 1. The pedestrian tried to cross the road against the red light and was struck by the truck in the southbound lanes. The State Patrol has identified the pedestrian as 37-year-old Michael Coulter of Cambridge. He was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The semi driver is identified as 30-year-old Cody Enstad of Cold Spring. He was not hurt.
--Chuck Zwilling informed Little Falls Radio Friday that I.C.E. Fest last month on Green Prairie/Fish Lake raised around $13,000 to the Flyer Pride Pack weekend food backpack program and $1,500 to the Care Closet for kids with needs. They also set the new world record for the largest ice carousel at 749-feet across which is 10.1 acres and 38 million pounds which continuously rotated for over 24 hours.
--The Morrison County Child Care Provider of the Year has been named and is Cheryl Brambrink of Hillman. Brambrink has been a daycare provider for 15 years. Cheryl will be honored at the Morrison County Provider of the Year banquet on May 8th.
--The Little Falls City Council meets tonight 7:30pm at Little Falls.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Jordan Dammann and Ashley Pickarski of Pierz, boy on March 11th.
DEATH NOTICES
--Betty Stockdale, age 85 of Little Falls.
--Ernest “Ernie” L. Popp, age 84 of Rice.
WEATHER
TODAY= snow showers, drizzle, freezing drizzle at times, high 37
TONIGHT= rain/snow early, then clearing skies, windy, low 17.
TUESDAY= sunny and breezy, high 34, low around 20.
WEDNESDAY= rain, freezing rain and snow likely, high 38, low 29.