NEWS
--Minnesota reported its first death from the COVID-19 Virus on Saturday, it was a person in their 80s in Ramsey County. Governor Tim Walz announced Friday that he has sent a letter to the President to authorize use of the Minnesota National Guard to help with the efforts against COVID-19 in wherever the President sees fit as the work in helping the crisis continues. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz says he's not prepared at this time to issue a 'shelter in place' order. However, he says he is ready to make that decision in the future if need be. A 'shelter in place' order means residents would be required to stay in their homes except for essential needs. The states of Illinois, New York, and California already have those orders in place. Governor Tim Walz was to hold his State of the State Address tonight but last night decided to postpone it to a later date. He is holding his daily briefing at 2pm with the Department of Health.
--With the Governor's announcement for clinics and hospitals to supend elective surgeries, CHI St. Gabriel’s Health will defer all elective care that can be deferred, effective Monday, March 23rd. This will include both elective surgeries and procedures. Semi-urgent, urgent and emergency care will continue in clinic and hospital settings. This decision is being made to ensure the safest possible environment for their patients and staff and to free up resources to assist the response of CHI St. Gabriel’s Health to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the Family Medical Center Clinic’s located in Pierz and Randall will also be closing temporarily effective March 23rd. Patients of those two clinics are encouraged to reach out to the Family Medical Center (FMC) in Little Falls. For your protection, they are screening for concerning symptoms at their entrances.
--Camp Ripley informed Little Falls Radio Friday that the Norwegian Exchange that was scheduled for April has been cancelled due to the recent health developments. Tony Housey at Camp Ripley said they are hoping to continue the exchange next year, with the cancellation and if they don't reschedule this year, this would the first year at the exchange would not take place since it started in 1973.
--The City of Pierz announced they have closed their lobby to all visitors at this time, they are scheduled to have a scheduled city council meeting tongith at 7pm which will be on the Zoom internet site and they are asking for only those that had scheduled time with the council to be there otherwise no visitors will be invited to the meeting tonight. They have also received some calls on sewer issues, and remind residents please be mindful about only toilet paper should be flushed. All other paper products and similar items DO NOT breakdown and will cause issues to the sewer system.
--More events scheduled for later this month and next are being cancelled including church bingos, first communion, confirmations and breakfasts at the churches through at least April 13th. The German Dinner April 17th in Pierz for St. Joseph's Church cancelled bu the raffle will continue and they have extended sales until June 19th. St. Michael's Christian Mothers/Women of Buckman have rescheduled just the Quilt Raffle (not the BIngo) for Sunday, March 29th. Also a small change to the Easter Egg Hunt at Grace United Methodist in St. Cloud April 4th will be drive up only to get one jet treat filled egg, the event will be from 10-12pm. Details can be found at fallsradio.com.
--Little Falls Mayor Greg Zylka will be on KLTF today at 8:30am and we are scheduled to hear from Superintendent Stephen Jones of Little Falls Schools on Wednesday morning at 8:30 on KLTF.
--The Morrison County Commissioners meeting will be held in the County Board Room of the Government Center at 9am Tuesday. As a reminder we are discouraging any non-essential visits to the Government Center as the building has been closed to walk-in traffic. If you cannot attend the meeting it is also going to be available to view on the county's You Tube channel after the meeting.
--Crow Wing County Sheriff Scott Goddard is informing the public that in the past days they have received a number of calls of suspicious activity, one call from a woman, who said she was walking just north of Brainerd when a man grabbed her arm, she was able to flee the scene without any further incident. Goddard also said the number of scam calls have risen mainly the caller says they are looking to help with the COVID-19 issues and need your assistance or asking if you wish to have a test for the virus and asks for your address. Again do not give out personal information over the phone or by email unless you make the call to you local hospital or doctor's office.
--With the schools closures the Scripps National Spelling Bee won't be held as scheduled this year because of the coronavirus. Scripps made its decision Friday morning, citing recommendations against large gatherings by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the ongoing state of emergency in Maryland as the event was to be in Washington DC on the week May 24th. Students from all over the United States and U.S. Territories, along with local students from our central Minnesota counties were working through regional tournaments but they too have been cancelled.
NATIONAL NEWS
--The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced Friday that the Income Tax Deadline has been extended to July 15th due the COVID-19 Virus concerns as many tax preparing offices are closed.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
--Country Music legend Kenny Rogers died late Friday at age 81, Rogers, started in the late 50s continued well into the 2000s.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS
--Kyle and Nicole Welle of Pierz, a baby born born March 19th.
--Michael Dewitt and Stephenie Meister of Little Falls, a girl born 3-17
DEATH NOTICES
--Anthony “Tony” Carwell, age 55 of Pierz.
--Raymond “Ray” Brisk, age 89 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= becoming sunny, high 41.
TONIGHT= cloudy skies, light rain/snow overnight, low 30.
TUESDAY= rain/snow early, then cloudy and mild, high 50, low 35.
WEDNESDAY= rain/snow early, then cloudy and windy, high near 40.
SPORTS
NFL= it's official Tom Brady is done in New England after a 20 year career and 6 Super Bowl wins. Brady signed a 1 year 30 million dollar deal with many incentives to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Friday.
Little Falls Radio was proud to bring you the Sunday Mass yesterday and will continue to have a Mass on Sundays at 9am through at least April 13th (Easter Sunday).