NEWS
--Minnesota Department of Health had the biggest swing in increasing COVID-19 numbers Friday with 2,297 new cases and 13 new deaths related to the virus. Health officials stated that a backlog in tests was part of the reason for larger numbers in each county. Morrison County had 58 new cases and 1 new death linked to the virus. Stearns had 202 new cases, Crow Wing 43 with 1 new death, Benton 35, Mille Lacs and Todd had 31 and Wadena 17. Morrison County Website showed 205 active cases in Morrison County and of those 106 cases were Little Falls Zip Code. On Saturday's report the Department of Health reported 1,704 new cases with 5 new deaths including another 1 in Morrison County making 6 total. Morrison County had 26 new cases on Saturday. On Sunday it was reported that new cases 1,732 with 17 new deaths. On Sunday Benton 10, Crow Wing 34, Todd 26, Stearns 90, Mille Lacs 5 and Morrison had 14 new cases of COVID-19 making total of 577 positive cases total.
--With the spike in COVID-19 numbers, area school superintendents put together a letter and a facebook message as a plea to area residents, asking for their help to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.The letter, written in collaboration by 23 area superintendents, said: “We are four weeks into the year and already schools in our seven-county region have had to adjust their learning models from either in-person to hybrid or hybrid to distance learning due to sharp increases in positive COVID-19 cases. This is disappointing for everyone involved. Across the state, there has been minimal transmission within schools. However, officials at MDH have said the COVID-19 virus is, for the most part, spreading outside of school – transmission is happening in community settings and at family and social gatherings. We want our kids in school as much as possible. You, the great people in our communities, have said you also want our kids in school. We know of only one way that gives us the best chance at safely keeping our kids in school, sports and activities.” The superintendents’ letter said. The public is asked to help keep cases low and kids in school by following the very clear guidelines offered by MDH: Avoid crowds, keep family and social gatherings outdoors, stay 6 feet from others, wear a mask, wash your hands and stay home when sick. Do it for your kids. Morrison County area superintendents who were among the 23 who collaborated on the message included Superintendents from Little Falls Stephen Jones; Pierz George Weber; Royalton John Phelps; Upsala Vern Capelle; Swanville Eugene Harthan and Pillager Michael Malmberg.
--Little Falls Community Schools announced Sunday of another case of positive COVID-19 for someone at the High School. The case had an exposure date of October 12th. It was reported that the individual had very little contact with any others in the school.
--Little Falls Police Department responded to three reports of theft in the past week. One was shoplifting report from a business where a person on a motorized scooter had taken a number of phone chargers, another was on 7th Street Northeast in Little Falls where property and a flag were stolen and a third case on 1st Street Southeast but no report if anything was taken in the incident. Police remind homeowners to lock out houses, garages, outbuilding when not at the residence, and lock up vehicles and don't display valuables when the vehicle is left unattended. If you see suspcious activity contact your local law enforcement.
--Little Falls City Council meets tonight 7:30 at City Hall.
--Flags at half staff today on the 19th of October as per Governor's order that the 19th of every month is a day to remember those you have died from COVID-19 in 2020.
--A Bloomington man was hurt in a crash in St. Cloud early Saturday morning. The incident happened just after 5am on Interstate 94. The Minnesota State Patrol says a van was going east on Interstate 94 when it went off the road to the south and rolled multiple times. The driver of the van, 20-year-old Jimmy Gochez, was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities say he was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash.
--One person was hurt in a crash on Interstate 94 Saturday morning. The incident happened around 8:30 a.m. in Freeport. The Minnesota State Patrol says an SUV was going east on Interstate 94 when it veered off the road and struck the cable barrier. The driver, 82-year-old Marvin Westrom of Elbow Lake, was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
--Holdingford High School announced its Homecoming candidates, queen candidates Kendra Gerads, Lydia Hoikka, Jaden Breth, Abby Lampert and Theresa Meier. Back row: king candidates Andrew Raden, Braden Bomgaars, Will Ethen, Dalton Brinkman and Tate Lange. Coronation was held on Sunday, October 18th.
--Living Hope Church, located at 17389 Haven Rd. in Little Falls, will once again be giving away FREE groceries on Wednesday, October 21st from 2-5pm. You DO NOT need an appointment. They are giving away pre-packaged boxes of perishable goods to anyone who comes to the church. Traffic will be directed through the parking lot where we will safely load the boxes into your vehicle.
–There will be a debate/forum between District 9 Senator Paul Gazelka and challenger A. John Peters on KLTF Up Front Tuesday at 9:05am Questions need to be emailed before the debate at upfront@fallsradio.com. No phone calls during the debate/forum.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Adam and Lacy Heglund of Little Falls, a girl born October 15th.
DEATH NOTICES
--Melvin H. Ehrenberg, age 79 of Royalton.
--Paul Waldvogel, age 88 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= cloudy skies, high 37, snow toward morning low 24.
TUESDAY= snow likely, heavy at times, high 35, 3-5 inches.
TUES NIGHT= cloudy with steady temps near 30.
WEDNESDAY= rain/snow mix at times, cloudy, high near 40.
SPORTS
NFL= Matt Ryan threw 4 touchdowns as the Atlanta Falcons beat the Vikings Sunday 40-23. Vikings are 1-5 into their bye week and travel to Green Bay on Sunday November 1. Tampa Bay beat Green Bay handing packers first lost 38-10 Sunday. Bears and Lions both won.
HS FB= Pierz won on Friday, Little Falls, Upsala Swanville and Foley lost Thursday, Royalton and Holdingford both lost on Friday night. More high school football action Friday night on Little Falls Radio.
SID= longtime Minneapolis journalist Sid Hartman has died. Hartman was a staple in Minneapolis and Minnesota sports for many decades working with the Minneapolis Lakers to his Sports Huddle show on Sunday mornings including many years on Q92 WYRQ. Sid was 100.