NEWS
--On Saturday afternoon, The Little Falls Community Schools District was notified of two confirmed cases of COVID-19 affecting a member of Lincoln Elementary School with an exposure date of Tuesday, September 22, and a member of District Operations with an exposure date of Monday, September 28. The risk of exposure for other individuals present in Lincoln or in District offices during the exposure dates is no greater than the risk of contracting the virus in the general community. The Little Falls Community Middle School and Commmunity High School begin hybrid learning today.
--Department of Health numbers Friday show 1,104 new cases of the virus in Minnesota with 10 new deaths linked to COVID-19. On Saturday there were 1,434 new cases of COVID-19 with another 14 new deaths. On Sunday another 1,048 cases and 7 deaths linked to COVID-19. The number in Morrison County continue to rise largely with 10 new cases Friday, 12 on Saturday and 15 new cases on Sunday making 329 cases total since testing begin in Morrison County. This continues to express concern for area schools as many try to continue with in class learning, others have gone to hybrid.
--The Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force announced Friday that four pounds of methamphetamine and more than $15,000 in cash was recovered following a search warrant in Minneapolis on September 30th. The seizure was part of an ongoing investigation into a suspected methamphetamine trafficking organization operating throughout central Minnesota and the Twin Cities. The task force received information nearly six months ago that 49-year old Gerald Frank Ciesco from Minneapolis, was allegedly distributing large quantities of methamphetamine in and around central Minnesota. The task force partnered with the FBI’s Minneapolis Field Office and other task forces across Minnesota to learn more about Ciesco’s organization and better understand how Ciesco was acquiring the methamphetamine. Investigators working closely with the Stearns County Attorney’s Office believed that there was enough evidence to charge Ciesco and others with 1st degree conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. On September 30th investigators executed a search warrant at Ciesco’s home in Minneapolis. Ciesco’s home contained more methamphetamine, U.S. currency, and other evidence related to the distribution of the controlled substance. Subsequently, investigators served three additional search warrants in central Minnesota relating to this investigation and recovered additional controlled substances, money and evidence relating to the distribution of controlled substances. Following the execution of the search warrants, six subjects were arrested, allegedly connected to this drug trafficking organization. Those arrested are 49-year old Gerald Frank Ciesco from Minneapolis, 43-year old James Warren Garner from Rice, 65-year old Robert Allen Keltner from Coon Rapids, 38-year old Stacie Michelle Condos from St. Cloud, 45-year old Jeremy Ralph Robasse from St. Cloud and 34-year old Tyler Wayne Erb from St. Cloud. This is an ongoing investigation and the CMVOTF continues to actively look for additional potential suspects in the methamphetamine trafficking operation.
--This is National 4-H week. Throughout the week you can hear from area 4-H students on farm reports and commercials on what they do for the 4-H local organization. 4-H Coordinator Becky Moe is the guest at 8:30am on the community program today on KLTF.
--Little Falls City Council meets tonight at 7:30pm online still for most.
--Following the announcement that President Trump and the First Lady Melania Trump test positive for COVID-19 on Friday. Lawmakers such as Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, U.S. Congressman Tom Emmer, 8th District Congressman Pete Stauber and Representative Kurt Daudt have all been tested and Stauber and Daudt reported Friday they tested negative. Others have gone into the 14 day isolation period as precaution. They all met with President Trump on his visit to Minnesota last week. The President on Friday was taken to Walter Reed Hospital where doctors stated over the weekend he is doing better but being kept under watch. The President said he will remain isolated through this week but still plans on the doing his presidential duties from the hospital.
--Waite Park Police are investigating a jewelry store burglary from early Friday morning. Officers responded to an alarm at Wedding Day Diamonds at 44 Division Street at about 12:45am. Police say video surveillance shows an unknown suspect entering through a window that was broken open. The suspect's description is limited because they were wearing several layers of clothing and a face mask. Several jewelry items were taken in the break-in. Police say the suspect may have facial injuries because they fell face-first onto the pavement upon exiting through the broken window. Anyone with information on the burglary or the suspect are asked to call Waite Park Police.
--St. Cloud police are looking for two men who held up a gas station at gunpoint. Just befroe 10pm Thursday at the Speedway store in the 10 block of 14th Avenue Northeast. Two men entered the store and one of them pulled out a gun threatening the two staff members and demanding money. The other man stood by the door and appeared to be the lookout. The man with the gun walked behind the counter and took an undisclosed amount of money. No customers were inside the store at the time of the robbery. The man with the gun is described as a black man about 5'7" to 5'10" tall, about 160 pounds, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt with the hood up, a light blue surgical type mask, blue jeans and boots. The lookout was described as a man of unknown race wearing a black hooded jacket, black jeans, and white shoes. Anyone with any information is urged to contact the St. Cloud Police at 1-800-255-1301.
--Reminder there is pillow cleaning today at the parking lot of the Red Rooster in Genola from 7am-3pm being put on by the Pierz American Legion Auxiliary. Get your pillows cleaned and fluffed for winter.
--Little Falls Rifle and Pistol Club will be canceling their sight in days scheduled for October 24th - 25th and October 31st and November 1st.
DEATH NOTICES
--Jerome C. Weiss, age 93 of Harding.
--Marvin Schlicting, age 74 of Royalton.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and breezy, high near 70, clear night, low 45.
TUESDAY= sunny and windy, high near 70, partly cloudy, low 46.
WEDNESDAY= sunny and cooler, still breezy, high 61, low 35.
SPORTS
VIKINGS= Dalvin Cook had two touchdowns and the Vikings had a defensive stand at the end to beat Houston 31-23 Sunday. Now 1-3.
NFL= Patriots QB Cam Newton tested positive for COVID-19 which postponed the Patriots/Chiefs game to today. The Steelers/Titans was also postponed due to Titans testing positive, make up at later date.