NEWS
--Steve Smith of St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls announced Friday on KLTF they have started drive up testing of COVID-19. The purpose of the testing is for symptomatic patients and to clear asymptomatic patients for surgeries. They are asking if you have symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, shakes or chills, headaches and fever first see your physician. The physician would then schedule your testing to stop through the drive up and you will be tested on site without leaving your vehicle. This is also a high safety feature to the keep the illness from staff and others in the facility. They continue to expand their testing at the hospital to meet the guidelines from the governor. Dr. Chris Bell said that they are still in need of cloth masks to help employees and others in the hospital and if you can still donate masks please drop them off at the front desk. Visitors are still prohibited at this time unless for emergency reasons from entering the facility so just leave the masks with the person at the front door if you donating masks. Dr. Jon Zellmer stated that if you were set for a elective surgical procedure you should have been called or will be in the coming days as the governor is allowing elective surgeries to resume at this time. If you have questions about appointments, masks to drop off or surgeries contact the main switchboard at 632-5441 for information.
--An update on one of the two teens who were hurt in a crash in Browerville May 3rd. The passenger Connor Throener has died. According to a death notice sent by Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, Connor died on Thursday at HCMC in Minneapolis. Connor suffered life threatening injuries when he was a passenger in a vehicle driven by a 16-year old around 5:00am May 3rd on Highway 71 near 11th Street in Browerville. The truck was going south on Highway 71 when it drifted to the left. Authorities say the truck entered the ditch, vaulted over an approach and rolled. The driver's name was not released. Both the driver and his passenger, 17-year old Connor Throener of Swanville, were taken to HCMC with life-threatening injuries. Neither were wearing a seatbelt.
--Minnesota has essentially banned large-scale high school and college graduation ceremonies to limit the spread of the coronavirus. It's encouraging schools to hold online ceremonies instead. The Minnesota Department of Education issued guidance saying indoor graduations and ceremonies held outside in stadiums and on football fields are not permitted. It says such gatherings are not considered safe at any size. The department acknowledges how much students in the class of 2020 have sacrificed this year, and how disappointing it is for them not to participate in the milestones and traditions they had imagined. It will be decided by our local schools what they will is the best approach for graduation in the coming days.
--St. Cloud State University announced Friday they will be moving their Spring Commencement Ceremony to August. Following word that large gathering events like graduations are ill advised at this time it was announced commencement will be on Friday, August 14th.
--The Todd County Sheriff's Office reported in the past two weeks an injury accident in Bertha where Gary Bartczak crashed his motorcycle, he was treated at Staples Hospital. An ATV rollver accident near Sauk Centre on the Stearns/Todd County Line. Matthew Rahn was injured and taken to the Sauk Centre hospital. They responded to a propane tank and vehicle that started on fire which was put out in Osakis and also were called to a number of possible burglary reports, thefts and suspicious activity in the area between April 24th an May 5th.
--The Morrison County Commissioners meet Tuesday at 9am at the government center boardroom and via the county website as the government center is closed to all visitors at this time.
--Morrison County Public Health reported two more cases of the COVID-19 virus in Morrison County making the number 14.
--Carlos Vondale Weems, 30, Little Falls was charged in Morrison County District Court for attempted murder. Weems was also charged with felonies for using a dangerous weapon on a person and second degree assault. The charges stem from an April 30 incident, when officers received a report of shots fired from a vehicle in the 700 block of Third Street Northeast in Little Falls. Several officers responded to the scene where witnesses stated that a man fired multiple shots into another vehicle, both parked on Third Street. Both vehicles were gone when officers arrived but an investigation of the scene noted numerous nine-millimeter shell casings on the ground and bullet holes in a neighboring shed. Officers met the victim at the hospital being treated for a possible gunshot wound. The victim reportedly stated that he and his girlfriend went to pick up her two children from their grandmother’s house. When they pulled up to the residence the victims allegedly stated that a vehicle pulled up alongside them with Weems driving and another man in the passenger seat. Next, the victim said he turned his head and then heard about eight gunshots, believing he was hit on his side. Before then, the victim allegedly recalled Weems asking the passenger for an item, and assumed that it was the gun. Officers spoke to a witness who allegedly saw several muzzle flashes from the driver’s window, this with the location of the shell cases led the officers to believe that Weems was the shooter. Surrounding law enforcement agencies were notified to look out for Weems’ vehicle, which was pulled over later in Benton County. Both Weems and the passenger were arrested and Weems allegedly refused having anything to do with the incident. If convicted, Weems could face up to 20 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine.
--With the recent decision by Bishop Donald Kettler to reopen churches, the Tri Parish of Little Falls announced that the churches are open for a time during the day for those to come and pray. Churches are open at Our Lady of Lourdes and Holy Family-Belle Prarie from 9am-11am only for those 50+ and also ones considered High Risk of contracting COVID-19, then 11am-3pm those churches are open for all parishioners. St. Mary's will be open 4pm-6pm weekdays for all parishioners. There are still some guidelines- ony 10 people in the church at one time, the pews to use are marked, masks are encouraged and hand sanitizer must be used before entering the church, anyone feeling ill is asked not to come to church. If you have questions you can call any of the tri-parish church offices.
--Another June event cancelled as the Motley June-fest committee announced their festival June 20th in Motley has been cancelled.
DEATH NOTICES
--Connor Throener, age 17 of Swanville.
--Eugene Doble, age 94 of Little Falls/Royalton.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skie, high near 50, clear night low near 25.
TUESDAY= sunny, a bit warmer, high 57, rain late, low 35.
WEDNESDAY= rain likely, high 55, more rain at night, low 38.
Rock n Roll Singer Little Richard died Saturday at 87 also longtime Las Vegas Entertainer Roy Horn of the duo Siefried and Roy died Friday at age 75.