NEWS
--Two people were injured Thanksgiving at 5:14pm at the intersection of Highways 10 and 210 in Motley. 23-year-old Caleb Grattan of Brainerd had parked his vehicle on the right shoulder of Highway 210 and was outside his vehicle working on his exhaust when 41-year-old Jeffrey Dorr-Slowey turned off of Highway 10 and rear-ended Grattan's vehicle causing the vehicle to strike Grattan who was working on it. Grattan was taken to the Staples hospital and treated for injuries. Dorr-Slowey was checked out the scene and then taken to the hospital in Little Falls. A passenger in the 2nd vehicle was not injured in the accident. The State Patrol stated on their report that drugs may have been a factor in the accident.
--The Salvation Army Northern Division – thanks to a $10,000 contribution from AT&T distributed Thanksgiving meals to paramedics, EMTs and support personnel deployed to Minnesota by Global Medical Response (GMR), the largest ambulance service in the country. These mutual-aid first responders are on the front lines helping strained Minnesota hospitals hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. “One of our missions is to respond to emergencies by providing food and comfort to first responders and victims,” said Lt. Colonel Dan Jennings, commander of The Salvation Army Northern Division. On Thursday, The Salvation Army is delivering to-go Thanksgiving meal boxes for the medical personnel at Camp Ripley in Little Falls. On November 19, GMR deployed 73 paramedics, EMTs and support personnel, along with 25 ambulances, to assist Minnesota’s emergency services providers supporting communities hit hard by the virus. “As we celebrated Thanksgiving during what has been a difficult year for so many, we are very appreciative of our first responders and the efforts of The Salvation Army and AT&T to support our local COVID-19 relief efforts,” said State Representative Ron Kresha of Little Falls. Thanks to the all who helped and served out meals to those who are working this past Thanksgiving day.
--The 2021 Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza will be virtual due to COVID-19, according to an announcement on the event’s Facebook page Wednesday. Tournament organizations, along with the direction of state officials, determined the virtual format is the most responsible joince to continue the tradition during the coronavirus pandemic. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in all likelihood would not issue permits for ice fishing tournaments larger than 250 people this winter because of rising COVID-19 cases. Though holes can be drilled far enough apart, there will always be gathering points like weigh-in stations and food vendors where people will be likely to congregate, the representative noted. The Brainerd Jaycees event typically draws tens of thousands of participants to Gull Lake. This winter, however, anglers can fish on their own on any lake in Minnesota on January 30th and submit their catches virtually to the Brainerd Jaycees website where prizes will still be done for the largest fish.
--Two people were hurt Wednesday night at 6:18pm on Highway 10 in Clear Lake. Hayden Michaelson, age 20 of Coon Rapids was eastbound on Highway 10 and made a U-turn at 97th Street when the vehicle was struck by an oncoming vehicle driven by Deborah Stephani, age 59 of Coon Rapids. Both were treated for non-life threatening injuries at St. Cloud Hospital. No passengers were hurt.
--The LeBourget Park Disc Golf Course in Little Falls now has all 9 baskets and tee pads installed. Signage will be added in the Spring.
--Help out the Holiday Gift Giving Program in Little Falls by helping them fill the truck this Saturday from 10am-3pm at the Little Falls Wal-Mart. Toys, clothes and others gifts can be donated. For more information call Judy Buckingham at 630-8497. Also Little Falls Radio will be live at the event this Saturday starting at 10am.
--A deadly day Friday and the Minnesota Department of Health reminds those to please continue to follow guidelines to help stop the spread of COVID-19. 101 new deaths Friday (3 reported in Morrison County), 45 new cases in Morrison County (no report on Thursday due to Thanksgiving). On Saturday there were 9,040 new cases and 45 new deaths (another 2 in Morrison County) and 40 new cases in Morrison County. Sunday was a very heavy day of number 8,953 new cases in the state, 57 new deaths linked to the virus and another 35 new cases in Morrison County on Sunday's report. As of Sunday according to the state website, Morrison County has reported 2,316 cases of COVID-19 since testing began with 29 deaths linked to it.
--A special thank you from Morrison County United Way and Moments Hospice for packing the trailer last Monday at Coborn's in Little Falls. It was reported that that trailer was “definitely filled and loaded” at the end of the event on Monday. Thanks to all you donated.
--Little Falls Radio was informed Friday morning that the Horsin' Around Parade in Harding on December 5th had to be cancelled following the recent restrictions in place at this time.
ENTERTAINMENT
--The TV Game Show Jeopardy announced that they will start new program tapings today for the first time with out longtime host Alex Trebek who died back on November 8th. One of the winningests contestants in the game show history- Ken Jennings will fill in for now as the interim host to finish out their current season. A new host will be selected during the summer of 2021.
DEATH NOTICES
--Richard A. Aschenbrenner, age 87 of Rice.
--Anna C. (Ullrich) Wirth, age 97 of Ramey and Pierz.
--Gwendolynne Lemke, age 88 of Long Prairie.
--Yvonne “Voni” Larson, age 69 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and cold, high 28, clear night, low 15.
TUESDAY= sunny skies, high 33, clear night, low 20.
WEDNESDAY= partly cloudy, high near 32, low around 18.
SPORTS
VIKINGS= Kirk Cousins tossed 3 touchdowns, 2 to Justin Jefferson as the Vikings scored 18 in the 4th quarter to beat Carolina 28-27 on Sunday. The Vikings are 5-6 and have Jacksonville on Sunday.
COL FB= The University of Minnesota announced Saturday that at least 40 players and staff of the U of M Athletics Programs have tested positive for COVID-19. The Gopher football team remain on virtual practices today and Tuesday and are still scheduled to play Northwestern Saturday at 11am on AM960 KLTF. Another announcement on tests and possible cancellations comes Tuesday.
NFL= due to an outbreak of COVID-19 on the Baltimore Ravens team their game with Pittsburgh has been moved to Tuesday. Also the NFL announced that all facilities are to be closed to in person activities today and tomorrow (unless they play tonight or Tuesday).