NEWS
--On Wednesday, Little Falls Community Schools released the first plan for the reopening of school in the fall. Three different learning scenarios are detailed in the plan: In-person learning, hybrid learning, and distance learning. The first phase details each of the learning methods: In Person Learning: This plan would provide the opportunity for all students to be in school every school day. The District would enact safe and healthy measures related to COVID-19 but would not be able to provide six feet of social distancing throughout all buildings all the time; space constraints would make that impossible. Hybrid Learning: In creating a Hybrid Learning plan, the District has been directed to limit the number of people in each defined space to 50% of maximum capacity. That means that the bulk of their classroom spaces in Little Falls would be limited to 12 to 14 students at a time. A Hybrid Learning plan must adhere to social distancing as mandated in June by the Minnesota Department of Education. These guidelines could change by the time school starts on September 8th, but at this point the school district developed a Hybrid Plan that uses the latest guidance and mandates given. Should COVID-19 infection rates change either negatively or positively, the District is well poised in a Hybrid Learning model to enact necessary changes based on current conditions. Distance Learning: This scenario will be implemented if local, regional, or statewide COVID-19 metrics worsen. The feedback from the Distance Learning experience in March - May was that the interaction and relationship-building between teachers and students was a highlight
of the Distance Learning. Superintendent Stephen Jones told Little Falls Radio, this past spring was more of an emergency learning situation and if the distance learning model is used in the fall the school district is more prepared and that should make everything run smoother. Many other topics will be addressed in updated versions of the districts plans. Updates are expected following the Minnesota Department of Education announcement the week of July 27th and a third version August 17th, three weeks from the start of school. Find the document online at www.lfalls.k12.mn.us/2020-2021-school-year.
--Minnesota Governor Tim Walz stated Tuesday that he is “seriously” considering to issue a statewide order requiring everyone to wear masks or face coverings in various public settings as a way to control the spread of the coronavirus, but has made no official announcement on when or if this will happen. If he does, Minnesota would join at least 23 other states with statewide mask mandates. The Governor also stated he is not issuing a mandatory quarantine for all travelers to and from the state at this time, this comes after New York announced that Minnesota is one of the states on their quarrantine list of coming nad going. He also stated that bars and restaurants both workers and customers must take the social distancing and health guidelines seriously so that we don't take a backwards turn of the dial on the reopening process. As the death numbers have dropped and ICU numbers are lowest since April, the governor said that health officials feel this is far from over from receiving higher numbers and that state must be prepared for that.
--The Latest COVID-19 numbers from the department of health Wednesday were 578 new positive cases and 8 new deaths. There were 7 new cases in Benton County, 3 in Crow Wing, 1 in Todd and there were 25 new cases in Stearns. No new cases in Morrison County which remained at 70 positive cases.
--Little Falls Township would like to provide an update regarding reopening of 123rd Street within Little Falls Township after repairs from the June 30th rainfall event. 123rd Street East from Hillton Road to 140th Avenue is now open. While the final repairs still need to be completed, this roadway is now open to public traffic.
--The City of Little Falls is reminding those that filing for city council seats and other local offices that do not have primary elections begins when City Hall opens on Tuesday July 28th at 8am. The Little Falls City Council meets again Monday at 7:30pm at city hall.
--The College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University are preparing for an unusual semester. Both schools are planning to offer a mixture of in-person and virtual classes throughout the entire academic year. They have also installed new technology that will allow both students and faculty to operate remotely for as long as necessary. Hemmesch said both campuses have moved to a block plan; instead of taking four classes at once, students will take one class at a time. Each class will last 3.5 weeks. Most CSB and SJU students live on campus, so Hemmesch says finding ways to limit their contact with one another is critical. The two campuses expect to welcome 120 international students from 15 countries this fall. Fall semester for the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University begins August 31st.
--Father Ben Kociemba from the Catholic Community of the parishes in Little Falls along with Randall, Sobieski and Flensburg stated on KLTF Tuesday that the Bishop has started to allow funeral services, graveside services, weddings at churches again with the social distancing guidelines in place, however receptions and funeral dinners are being prohibited at this time due to safety concerns. Masks are being encouraged for all to wear by all who those attend church, including that all priests wear them and Eucharistic Ministers when distributing Holy Communion. This is not a requirement at this time but highly encouraged for the safety of others. Father Ben said that right now Priests are not being allowed to hold masses in hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities due to the restrictions and can only enter those places to perform last rites or to do annoiting of the sick. Bishop Donald Kettler still has stated that he is not obligating all Catholics to attend Mass but hopes many will be returning to places of worship as churches are being allowed to go up to 50% compacity at this time with pews marked off to make that possible. Father Ben said they will continue at times to live stream and put Masses on facebook for those who cannot attend and AM960 KLTF will continue with the Catholic Mass Sunday mornings but will move to 10:30am this Sunday following Polka World Today.
--Ladies Night Out Pierz Style is one week from today.
DEATH NOTICES
--Adrian R. Sowada, age 84 of Little Falls
WEATHER
TODAY= isolated T-storm possible, warm and humid, high 85.
TONIGHT= isolated evening storm, then clearing, low 62.
FRIDAY= sunny and warm, high 88, strong storms likely late.
SATURDAY= early T-storm, then sunny and hot, high 90, low 70.
SUNDAY= storm early, then sunny and cooler, high near 80.
SPORTS
TWINS= another classic Twins Game today, Game 7 of the 1991 World Series after the noon news today on Q92 WYRQ.