NEWS
--Governor Tim Walz has ended the statewide mask mandate, nearly a year after it was issued to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Minnesota. On Friday just after 1pm, the governor's office reported that the executive order has officially been signed, after the executive council voted unanimously to end it. Walz used the moment to urge those who are still hesitant to get their COVID-19 vaccine. During the executive council meeting Friday, Walz also acknowledged that some people will still want to wear masks. It was also stated that some cities like Minneapolis, St. Paul and others have city mask mandates and some businesses, schools, hospitals, assisted living facilities and other entities will still ask for those not vaccinated to wear masks.
--Little Falls Community Schools Stephen Jones stated on Friday on KLTF that graduation for LFCHS will now be in the gymnasium due to spacial distancing being allowed to expire before that so May 30th at 2pm at the High School Gym. Jones stated that normalcy will be a factor for the summer activity schedule. There will be targeted summer school giving remediation to students where the parents should have been given the information. More of K through 8 would only be a short amount of time and not a whole summer school type program. Jones said that in prior years a lot of construction over the summer months but this year pretty quiet with very minimal items to be worked on before the next year starts with even more normalcy expected. Jones did state as mentioned before that masks will continue to be worn until the school year officially ends and graduation on May 30th is still in the school year so masks would have to be worn inside on that event has they expect to near or over the 500 maximum as per the state ordinance.
--A St. Cloud man with a lengthy criminal history has been charged with seven different crimes of theft dating back to June of 2020. Thirty-six-year-old Travis Magney is accused of stealing a motorcycle in St. Cloud last June, fleeing police on a stolen motorcycle in July, trying to pass a counterfeit $100 bill at the Sartell Walmart in July, a St. Cloud motorcycle theft in August, check forgery this past February, a stolen pickup from a Kanabec County auto shop also in February, and theft-by-swindle for giving a fake cashier's check to buy a car off of Facebook Marketplace earlier this month. Stearns County court records show drugs and theft charges dating back as far as 2011. Magney's being held in the Stearns County Jail.
--Upsala High School announced its top five honor students for the graduating class of 2021. Myra Arvig is the daughter of Scott and Sara Arvig of Grey Eagle. Arvig intends to attend University of Mary, ND and obtain her degree in biology with a pre-pharmacy concentration. Shelby Krebs is the daughter of Donald and Marsha Krebs of Little Falls. She was crowned the 2021 Morrison County American Dairy Association Dairy Princess and will attend the University of Minnesota, Crookston for animal science with a veterinary medicine emphasis and ag business degree. Olivia Peterson is the daughter of Tim and Patty Peterson of Burtrum. Peterson plans to attend North Dakota State University for a degree in interior design and art. Audrey Thomas is the daughter of Ryan and Sarah Thomas of Burtrum. She plans to attend the University of St. Thomas, majoring in neuroscience and Michael Young is the son of John and Lori Young of Grey Eagle. He has been admitted to North Dakota State University to pursue a degree in psychology and business. Graduation at Upsala Area Schools in May 29th at 1:30pm.
--The Little Falls School Board meets today at 5pm at the middle school media center. High School Principal Tim Bjorge will give the 2020-2021 high school update, give the latest COVID-19 update in the school district and discuss the purchase agreement between the city of Little Falls and the Little Falls school district.
--The Morrison County Commissioners meet Tuesday at 9am at the government center boardroom. They will proclaim Emergency Medical Services Week, Foster Care Month, hear from Camp Ripey, Council on Aging, Soil and Water and the Sheriff along with other agencies.
--A Stearns County jury has found a St. Cloud teenager not guilty of shooting a police officer during a struggle last June. Nineteen-year-old Sumaree Boose was acquitted on one count of 1st degree assault-use of deadly force against a peace officer. According to the criminal complaint, officers were made aware of a Facbeook Live video showing Boose and another person dancing, making gestures, and repeatedly showing what appeared to be a handgun in Boose's pocket. Boose does not have a permit to carry. At around midnight on June 15th, 2020 officers made contact with Boose near the area of the Go For It Gas store, at which time he fled the scene on foot through a nearby neighborhood. When he fled on foot, an officer fired his taser, which triggered the taser's video. According to the video, one of the officers caught up with Boose and tried to take him into custody. A struggle ensued while Boose was holding the handgun. Moments later a shot was fired, and the bullet struck the officer's right hand. Records show Boose also received an injury to his chin from either the gunshot or struggle. Other officers arrived on the scene, helped subdue Boose, and arrest him.
--The Pierz Knights of Columbus remind those that their annual Buffalo Feed and Raffle is this Saturday May 22nd at the Pierz Ballroom. Feed from 4-8 and the large raffle at 8:15pm. The event usually held in January was moved to May due to the COVID-19 restrictions that were place at that time.
--The last Farm to Families food distribution at St. James Church in Randall will be Sunday, May 23rd at 4pm. Volunteer are needed and those unable to pick up food should call for assitance at the church.
--The Little Falls City Council meets tonight at 7:30pm at City Hall.
DEATH NOTICES
--Robert J. Angevine, age 58 of Little Falls.
--Caroline Gwost, age 85 of Little Falls formerly Flensburg.
--Connie M. Plumski, age 59 of Little Falls.
--Mary A. Bellefeuille, age 71 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and warm, high 81.
TONIGHT= partly cloudy and mild, low 52.
TUESDAY= partly sunny, PM showers possible, high 75, low 50.
WEDNESDAY= showers and storms likely, high 77, low near 55.
SPORTS
TWINS= Oakland beat Twins 6-1 Friday. Miguel Sano hit a big 3 run homer to lift the Twins to a 5-4 win Saturday. Oakland won the series winning 7-6 on Sunday. The Twins open series at home against Chicago White Sox tonight, pregame 6pm on Q92 WYRQ.
WILD= Wild won 1-0 in overtime over Las Vegas in playoffs Game 1
PREAK= Rombauer wins the Preakness no triple crown winner.
HS SB= Holdingford at Pierz today at 4:30pm on 94ROCKS.