NEWS
--According to Wednesday's data released from the Minnesota Department of Heath, there have been 2,721 positive cases of COVID-19 statewide with 49,344 tests completed. 1,317 cases are no longer in need of isolation and there have been 179 deaths linked to COVID-19. There were no new cases in Morrison, Todd, Cass, Crow Wing, Mille Lacs, Benton, Stearns, or Sherburne Counies since yesterday's data was released. The only death in those counties remain the only confirmed case in Mille Lacs county. Morrison remains at one confirmed case.
--The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office sandbox fill for this year has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Sheriff's Office is hoping to have the event later this year but it will not happen next month as originally planned. When the situation changes, the sheriff's office will update citizens via local media (like Little Falls Radio )and the Sheriff's Office Facebook page.
--The Morrison County Food Shelf wants to remind residents that it is open and willing to help those in need during this time. The food shelf is reminding those that you cannot enter the building on the west side of Little Falls. Either call ahead to tell the staff you are coming at 632-8304 or drive up and honk. The staff will then bring you out a prepackaged box of food for you to take home. There is no financial guidelines for the Morrison County food shelf as all are welcome to take a box food. If you wish to donate to the food shelf call 632-8304 and they will talk you through the process right now for donating. The food shelf hours are 10am-12pm Tuesday and Wednesday and 6-8pm on Thursday. The Food Shelf is helping with Morrison County on the fruit distribution, but Morrison County Public Health already informed Little Falls Radio that they have reached their maximum for signup for the May 1st distribution and can not take more calls to register at this time. Thanks for all who called.
--Minnesota's fishing opener is May 9th and the DNR District Supervisor for much of central Minnesota says even if the governor lifts the Stay at Home order, the social distancing guidelines will remain in place. Martin says conservation officers will still be out checking licenses and bag limits but will do so with masks and gloves. He says they may ask you to hold up your license to view from a six-foot distance or to move to the other end of your boat if they need to check your live well. Martin is encouraging everyone to be respectful and use best practices in trying to maintain a healthy and enjoyable fishing season.
--Saturday around 1:20pm Stearns County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 3000 block of 170th Street in Fairhaven Township for a dirt bike crash with injuries. This location is approximately 5 miles south of St. Augusta. 41-year-old Kody Schmidt of South Haven, was riding his dirt bike through a field on his property when he lost control. He fell on his knee causing an upper leg injury. Mr. Schmidt is an experienced biker and was wearing all the appropriate safety equipment. Schmidt was treated for minor injuries.
--Large ice jams have occurred again on Lake Mille Lacs from Onamia to Isle causing docks and shoreline to be damaged. The thawing of the lake causes the large jams which has impacted the same areas for many years in a row. Morrison County has had to deal with flooding around Lake Shamineau in the northwestern part of the county where homes were evacuated last week due to high water.
--The week long statewide homemade mask drive to encourage Minnesotans to create homemade masks for donation and highlight the importance of workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing. This Saturday, from 10:00am to 2:00pm Minnesotans can deliver homemade masks to their local fire department. Fire departments will then deliver the masks to local congregate living facilities for their employees and residents to wear. Drop off points will be available outside of the following fire departments from 10:00am-2:00pm Saturday: Bowlus Fire Department, Flensburg Fire Department, Little Falls Fire Department, Motley Fire Department, Pierz Fire Department, Randall Fire Department, Royalton Fire Department, Scandia Valley Fire Department, Swanville Fire Department and Upsala Fire Department. There will also be collecting for Camp Ripley Fire Department.
--Governor Walz, representatives of the state’s health care delivery systems, the Mayo Clinic, and the University of Minnesota (U of M) Wednesday announced a breakthrough for rapid, widespread testing of COVID-19 in Minnesota. Standing together at the State’s Emergency Operations Center, they launched a statewide testing strategy to test all symptomatic people, isolate confirmed cases, and expand public health surveillance tools. By building capacity to test as many as 20,000 Minnesotans per day, this increased testing and tracing will help improve control of this pandemic and support the safe re-opening of society. The partnership announced today will help to assure that every person in the State with symptoms of COVID-19 gets tested. Funded in part by $36 million from the COVID-19 Minnesota Fund, the partnership will establish capacity to deliver 20,000 molecular and 15,000 serology tests per day. The expanded testing will include intensive testing of: vulnerable populations, including Minnesotans living in congregate settings and those experiencing homelessness; staff that serve vulnerable populations and health care workers; communities of color and American Indian populations; and workforce for critical infrastructure.
--Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce President Deb Boelz confirmed that US 8th District Congressman Pete Staber, due to Congress being called back to Washington DC to help pass legislation to help in the prevention of COVID-19, will be doing a ZOOM call in (video conference) on Monday from 10:30am-11:30am. The conference is limited to 250 people. If you would like to participate of have questions you can contact Deb at 632-5155.
DEATH NOTICES
--Nancy Pietrowski, age 50 of Apple Valley formerly Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= increasing clouds, PM showers, high near 60.
TONIGHT= showers & t-storms into overnight, low 36.
FRIDAY= showers at times, possible thunder, high 55, low 32.
SATURDAY= passing shower, mostly sunny, high 61, low 38.
SUNDAY= sunny and mild, high 63, low around 40.
SPORTS
NFL= The NFL Draft starts tonight online only for all teams. Cincinnati has the #1 pick followed by Washington, Detroit and the New York Giants. The Vikings have two first round picks (due to the trade of Stefon Diggs to Buffalo) at #22 and #25 tonight. The Vikings have 12 picks overall in the 3 day draft for the NFL.