NEWS
--The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce our May Employee of the Month, Ron Specker, Little Falls Radio. Ron has been an on-air personality at Little Falls Radio for the past 26 years and the KLTF Program Director since 2011. Comments on Ron’s nominations included “Ron does such an amazing job not only for the radio station but the entire community. His dedication to his job shines through every day.” “Ron’s positive attitude and outlook on life makes the start to my day a great one.” Ron states: “I have always figured if the community continues to listen to Little Falls Radio, I am doing something right. I appreciate all who tune in and am very grateful for the opportunity Little Falls Radio has given me since 1995 working with owners like the late Jack Lemme and Jack Hansen, Steve VanSlooten who continues to do shows for KLTF and since 2004 Chris Grams and her late husband Rod. Again, to those who nominated me, thank you, I am very grateful and as we always say on AM960 KLTF “Thanks for Listening”.
--A Benton County jury has found a Rice woman guilty of illegally obtaining medical assistance while acting as the guardian and conservator for a man who was hurt in a car crash. 54-year old Sheila Burski was also charged with two counts of financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult for taking social security payments intended for that man, 69-year-old Norman Meinert. Burski was found guilty on all three charges following a three-day trial this past week. Burski was appointed Meinert's guardian in December 2013. She listed Meinert had no assets when filing for medical assistance for him. From 2013 until Meinert's death in the fall of 2017, the county and state paid approximately $132,000 in medical assistance payments. Upon his death, Burski completed a final accounting of Meinert's estate and court records show several discrepancies, including a real estate sale from Meinert to Burski and her husband in the amount of $510,000 in 2005. In 2011, records show the contract for deed was satisfied somehow. Based on the monthly payments, Burski would have paid just over $162,000 of the $510,000. It's unknown if the nearly $350,000 remaining on the property was ever paid to Meinert. The charges alleged Burski didn't disclose the property sale. The contract for deed was satisfied in 2011 and with Meinert's accident occurring in 2013, the money fell within the 5-year look-back window to disclose assets. It ultimately would have prevented Meinert from qualifying for the medical assistance payments. Burski was also charged with taking Meinert's social security payments, cashing them through her own bank account and failing to disclose those payments over a three-month span in 2017 prior to Meinert's death. She'll be sentenced on June 30th.
--The Little Falls Community Schools announced their Educators of Excellence for 2020-2021 school year. They are Glennda Davis at Dr. S.G. Knight in Randall, Jayme Fuchs of Lincoln Elementary, Susan Benjamin of Little Falls Community Middle School, Sara Pohlman of Little Falls Community High School and MaryJo Olson of Lindbergh Elementary. Also if you noticed law enforcement vehicles at the school on Friday because there was no school for students the Minnesota State Patrol was using the Middle School pool Friday afternoon for a DNR water course, no need to be alarmed.
--Due to the lower numbers of COVID-19 it was announced that CHI St. Gabriels in Little Falls has loosened their visitor restrictions at the hospital and the Gift Shop by the Advocates has reopened during the week. You must still wear a mask and be screened at the door.
--Due to a rising number of COVID-19 cases in the Swanville School District they announced there will be no school today for students as faculty will hold a planning session. No distance or in person learning today in Swanville. Due to the higher numbers they had to postponed a number of games last week and their prom last Saturday night.
--A motorcyclist was injured Friday around 4:15pm on Highway 25 near Buckman in Morrison County. 56-year-old Virginia Trego of Clear Lake was driving her Harley Davidson on Highway 25 when it drifted into the gravel off the roadway was not able to pull back out on the 90 degree curve and struck the ditch throwing Trego from the cycle. She was treated for non-life threatening injuries in St. Cloud.
–A 79-year-old Nevis man was injured Saturday afternoon around 3:20pm on Highway 238 near Elmdale when the motorcycle struck the gravel off the highway and rolled into the ditch. Dwayne Monson was life linked to St. Cloud Hospital for treatment of injuries.
--Dan Noss of the local chapter of the Morrison and Todd County DAV's announced Friday a correction from last week that the DAV clothing drop off site will not open this week but will be open Fridays starting on June 4th and lasting until the end of September. Again not this week, but instead starting June 4th.
--The Morrison County Commissioners meet Tuesday at 9am at the Government Center boardroom. They will proclaim May as Mental Health Awareness Month. The board will hear from Hands of Hope, Soil and Water, the sheriff, social services, public health, land services, motor vehicle and the auditor/treasurer and public works during a busy agenda for the County Board on Tuesday.
--The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating a fatal one vehicle rollover accident in Pine River Township of Cass County. The crash happened around 1:30 Sunday morning the driver, reportedly 29 year Vincent Kordiak from Grand Rapids was dead at the scene.
--A 19-year-old from Milaca was injured when his vehicle struck the median of Highway 169 near Princeton Wednesday around 4:20pm. Levi Anderson was taken to the Princeton Hospital for injuries.
--Linden Hill announced that their fundraiser plant sale will be on Tuesday May 18th from 8am to 1pm at the pavillion. You can purchase unique plants at a reasonable price to plant at home or share with friends. All proceeds from the sale of plants will be used toward the beautification of Linden Hill's garden and grounds.
DEATH NOTICES
--Benno J. Gall, age 86 of St. Cloud.
--Robert “Bob” Oldakowski, age 92 of Buckman.
--John H. Hanson, age 80 of Swanville.
WEATHER
TODAY= cloudy with scattered sprinkles, windy, high 53.
TONIGHT= sprinkles early, then clearing, cooler, low 34.
TUESDAY= sunny skies, breezy and cool, high 51, low near 32.
WEDNESDAY= partly sunny skies, not as windy, high 57, low 35.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins beat Kansas City 9-1 on Friday night, KC rebounded and beat up the Twins Saturday 11-3. Twins win the rubber game on Sunday pounding the Royals 13-4. The Twins open a 4 game series tonight with the Texas Rangers, pregame at 6pm on Q92 WYRQ.
DERBY= Bob Baffert's Medina Spirit a 14-1 odds maker won the Kentucky Derby starting first and finishing first in the race. Baffert has won the Derby 7 times with his horses. Preakness is May 15th.