NEWS
--At 2:08pm on Monday the Little Falls Fire Department was dispatched to the area south of Linden Hill on a report of a grass fire. Approximately 30 firefighters responded and were assisted at the scene by the Little Falls Police Department and DNR Forestry. The fire was contained to a field adjacent to the river. Morrison County currently has burning restrictions in place. Only variance permits are being issued. That applies to fires where a permit would normally be needed such as for a brush pile. In the City of Little Falls, the only fires allowed are recreational fires. They need to be contained within some type of fire pit and cannot be more than 3 feet by 3 feet in size. The only thing permitted to be burned in a recreational fire is dry firewood. It is illegal to burn brush, leaves and grass as they create large amounts of smoke. In certain circumstances, the fire chief may issue a burning permit for larger fires if the conditions are safe.
--Little Falls Schools Superintendent Stephen Jones stated that the first days of distance learning have started with a few hiccups but overall a good start for these unforseen times. Criteria is being sent out by buses and will again next week to students. Some criteria are sent by internet but they are working to send out hard copies to all in the near future. Teachers and staff are still available at certain times to take questions from students and parents, but not all times as the schools are stressing to help the community with making masks and other items to keep the community in the Little Falls Community Schools. If you have questions on distance learning, food distribution which will continue through May and likely longer if need be through the summer months, child care, transportation and other criteria please give him a call at (320) 632-2001. There is also lots of information on the LF Schools website.
--Morrison County Maintenance crews will be crack sealing roads this week. This will include CSAH 52 and 17 in Little Falls, and County Road 276 south of Harding. Crews will work in one lane, and flaggers will control traffic. Please use caution around these work zones. Crews will also be out patching potholes again this week, which will include CSAH 1, north of Randall and along CSAH 26 west of Royalton. Crews will also continue sweeping intersections this week.
--Morrison Soil and Water's Shannon Wettstein wanted to remind the community that their staff is mostly working at home these days but are still monitoring soil and water issues. They will still have their tree sale at the end of April or early May when the trees become available. If you need to contact their office, call 631-3551.
--Local health officials want to warn the public against using non-pharmaceutical drugs such as chloroquine products and other aquarium chemicals to self-treat for COVID-19. Using products like chloroquine phosphate, without a prescription and supervision of a health care provider, can cause serious health consequences, including death. Pharmaceutical chloroquine phosphate and hydroxychloroquine sulfate are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat specific medical conditions, such as malaria, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis. Currently, these medications are being studied and evaluated as treatment for COVID-19. Recommendations for the public: Take medications only as prescribed and directed by health care providers. Do not ingest aquarium use products or any other chemicals that contain chloroquine phosphate. These chemicals are not intended for human consumption and can lead to serious health consequences.
--According to the Minnesota Department of Health there have been 689 positive tests of Coronavirus in Minnesota with an estimated 21,191 tests completed. There have been 17 deaths and 342 patients who no longer need to be isolated. Total cases requiring hospitalization was 122 including 54 hospitalized as of Wednesday including 27 in ICU. The Department of health included likely exposure chart of Minnesotans where they were believed to contract Coronavirus. 30% community transmission in Minnesota; 21% known exposure to a case; 20% travel to another state (with no known exposure), 15% International travel, 9% unknown/missing, and 3% cruise ship. There have been no positive tests of coronavisus in Morrison, Todd, Mille Lacs, Wadena, Aitken, and Kanabec Counties. 1 Case in each Benton, Crow Wing, Cass Counties; 5 in Stearns and 8 in Sherburne Counties. Only 32 of Minnesota's 87 counties don't have confirmed cases of Coronavirus. 55 Counties have cases.
--Social Security reminds the public that Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit payments will continue to be paid on time during the COVID-19 pandemic. The agency also reminds everyone to be aware of scammers who try to take advantage of the pandemic to trick people into providing personal information or payment via retail gift cards, wire transfers, internet currency, or by mailing cash, to maintain Social Security benefit payments or receive economic impact payments from the Department of the Treasury. The Department of the Treasury will soon provide information about economic impact payments under the recently enacted law, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act. Treasury, not Social Security, will be making direct payments to eligible people. Please do not call Social Security about these payments as the agency does not have information to share.
--Morrison County Public Works announced that the Morrison County Household Hazardous Waste Facility will not be opened as originally scheduled for the 2020 season. The facility will remained closed until further noitce to assist in the prevention of COVID-19 spreading. Any questions can be directed to Public Works at 632-0121.
--The Little Falls City Council will hold their regular meeting at 7:30pm on Monday night. One or more members may be via phone or video conferencing as Little Falls City Hall remains closed.
--Today on Community Focus of COVID 19- members of the Morrison County Commissioners on AM960 KLTF, tomorrow it is Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen and Monday it will be members of Morrison County Public Health. The program is heard weekdays at 8:35am on AM960 KLTF and fallsradio.com.
DEATH NOTICES
--Jared D. Hoheisel, age 25 of Brainerd.
--Arlyn M. Wuellner, age 85 of Little Falls formerly of Pierz.
WEATHER
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY STARTS TONIGHT AT 11pm.
TODAY= rain showers likely, high 56.
TONIGHT= rain changes to sleet and freezing rain overnight, low 26.
FRIDAY= snow, sleet and gusty winds, high 32, clearing late, low 14.
SATURDAY= sunny skies, high 45, low around 25.
SUNDAY= sunny skies, breezy, high 54, low around 32.
SPORTS
TEN= Wimbledon has been cancelled in England this year.