NEWS
--Little Falls Mayor Greg Zylka was elected to serve as president of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities at the Coalition’s annual membership meeting. As president, Zylka will help direct efforts to inform state legislators on issues unique to Greater Minnesota, such as Local Government Aid, economic development, transportation and environmental policy. Zylka was elected by fellow city officials from across the state to represent rural communities at State Capitol.
--Little Falls Schools Superintendent Stephen Jones announced Wednesday that they are intending to open schools September 8th for all students in the school district in school learning with the hope of the COVID-19 numbers staying low, again if a parent/student feels they want to do hybrid/distance learning they are welcome to do that contact the school 616-2200 for information. Jones said the revised plan for the return to school this fall is being delayed a bit with recent findings from state officials and should be out early next week.
--Pierz Schools Superintendent George Weber stated Wednesday that he feels their school district is blessed that as long as the number of COVID-19 stay down in Morrison County that students (all of them) should return to school on September 8th in Pierz. Weber said that masks are mandated and students in school like faculty will have to wear a mask (not in all areas, outside, Phy-ed classes, lunchrooms, band and choir rooms), Weber is sending out a plea for help to get the students to schools, busing will be a major hurdle (1 child per seat is a goal on the bus), so the more students that can be dropped off and picked up from school the better this can be done safely. Weber said the sports information Tuesday is another big change and the school is working on putting items together with football and volleyball moved to the spring, Weber said they need more clarification from the state on what can be done (since they say no spectators in school for events; what enables an event) because of all sports meetings, open houses, kindergarten open house day and others to see if they can be done. For information call 468-6458.
--There were no new positive cases of COVID-19 in Morrison County on Wednesday's report it remains at 82. The number of people hospitalized and in the ICU with COVID-19 have gone down according to the latest report. There were 305 people hospitalized with the virus, which is 23 less than the previous day. The number of people in the ICU is at 152, which is down seven from the day before. There were 629 new cases of COVID-19 reported throughout the state and 9 new reported deaths linked to the virus.
--Authorities in Benton County are investigating a crash that sent three people to the hospital. The incident happen around 7:30pm Tuesday on 115th Street Northeast in Alberta Township, near Gilman. 21-year-old Thomas Fountain, of Royalton, was heading west on 115th Street when he rear ended an ATV. The crash sent Fountain's vehicle into the ditch, while throwing 61-year-old Mitchell Czech and 21-year-old Kalley Czech, both of Gilman from the ATV. Deputies arrived on scene and say Fountain was showing signs of being drunk, and found evidence to believe alcohol played a factor in the crash. All three were taken to St. Cloud Hospital. Fountain and Kalley Czech suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries, while Mitchell Czech suffered life-threatening injuries. A warrant was used for a blood draw to determine Fountain's blood alcohol level.
--The Pierz City Council meets Monday night at 7pm at City Hall. The City is seeking a member to the park board, contact City Hall for info.
MORE NEWS
--Tuesday is the state primary election, Morrison County and local election officials are taking steps to ensure voter and election judge safety in all of our polling places. Election officials at the state, county and local levels have been working together to provide a safe environment for both voters and election judges. While holding an election in midst of the COVID-19 pandemic voters will see some differences when they go to the polls. All polling places will have hand sanitizer stations. Voters are encouraged to sanitize when they come into the polling place as well as when they are finished voting. Masks will be required to be worn in the polling place by both voters and election judges. Voters who arrive at the polling place without a mask will be offered one free of charge at the door, or offered an opportunity to do a curbside voting process if they wish. As voters enter the polling place, they will be provided a pen they will use during their time in the polling place. Voters will use that pen at each of the required station to sign the roster and mark their ballot, then drop their pen in the provided box after completing their voting. The pens will then be sanitized before being used again. Voters are asked to adhere to social distancing guidelines while in the polling place and election judges will provide additional guidance as needed. Voters may also want to double check their polling location before heading out to vote as some polling locations have changed for this year due to COVID-19 related concerns. To check your polling location, visit https://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us/ to find your polling place location.
Polls are open from 7 am to 8 pm.
--A group of voters sued Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and other officials on Tuesday to try to block a requirement that voters wear face masks at polling place to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. Members of the Minnesota Voters Alliance, backed by Republican lawmakers, argue that Walz's mask mandate conflicts with a 1963 state law making it a misdemeanor for someone to conceal their identity with a mask. The group is seeking a federal court order to block the rule for people who vote in-person in next Tuesday's primary.
--A busy Thursday night of events for this summer due to recent restrictions, there a pig roast “Raise the Roof” fundraiser tonight at 6pm at Linden Hill in Little Falls, a Rock Roll and Stroll car show is tonight 5-8pm on Highway in Pierz, the first of three performances of Godspell starts tonight gates open at 5:30pm at the Long Prairie Drive In Theater, details can be found at fallsradio.com.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Chris Hammerbeck and Amber Volbert of Little Falls, a boy Aug 4th.
DEATH NOTICES
--Elizabeth “Betty” (Otremba) DeVriendt, age 76 of Royalton.
--Gerald Perleberg, age 89 of Buckman.
WEATHER
TODAY= partly sunny skies, high 77.
TONIGHT= a thunderstorm after midnight, low 63.
FRIDAY= cloudy skies, storms likely late night, high 81, low 68.
SATURDAY= storms early, then partial sun, high 84, low 66.
SUNDAY= storms likely early and late day, high 86, low 58.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins win 5-2 over Pirates last night thanks to a 4 run 9th inning, Twins wrap up with Pirates today at noon on Q92 WYRQ.