NEWS
--A Swanville woman was taken to the hospital after she was struck by a vehicle. The incident happened around 3:45am Wednesday on 70th Street, about three miles north of Upsala. The Morrison County Sheriff's Office says 30-year-old Cody Stumpf, of Little Falls, was heading west on 70th Street when he came upon a women, 26-year-old Kelsie Olson, walking in the middle of the road. Stumpf's vehicle struck Olson, throwing her into the ditch. She was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with unknown injuries.
--The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating a deadly head-on crash on Interstate 94. Sergeant Jesse Grabow says a semi was going east on Interstate 94 about two miles west of Sauk Centre when a Chevy Silverado pick-up was traveling west in the eastbound lanes. The vehicles hit head-on. The pick-up driver, 78-year-old Bryan Withers of Osakis, was killed in the crash. He was not wearing a seatbelt. The semi driver, a 22-year-old man from Toronto, Canada, and his passenger were not hurt. The crash occurred about 3am Wednesday.
--Morrison County Public Health announced Wednesday that the food delivery program through the food shelves is for those who are NOT able to come to the food shelf to receive their food. The residents will receive food from the food shelf and they remind those that this is not a large food distribution. This program allows residents who meet food shelf income guidelines, are transportation dependent, 60 years and older, homebound due to a disability, or quarantined due to COVID-19 to receive a monthly food delivery from their local food shelf, one box per household. This is not a one time sign-up, you must call your local food shelf each month to receive the food delivery. This will be a contactless delivery – boxes of food will be set on your doorstep, front porch, etc. Delivery date will be told to you at the time of sign-up. This food delivery program is grant funded – ongoing availability based on funds. To sign up if you meet the above criteria for Little Falls and surrounding area residents: call Morrison County Food Shelf (320) 632-8304 on today from 3-4pm and in Pierz and surrounding area residents: call Pierz Food Shelf (320) 468-7134 today from 3-4pm and NO voicemails please.
--In a statement yesterday from the Governor's office, a member of Governor Walz’s staff tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday morning after being tested on Tuesday. While Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan, and Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm were not within six feet of the staff member for more than 15 minutes, they were in the same room as the staff member for the duration of a press conference on Monday. The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Commissioner will quarantine through March 25, which is 10 days since the time of exposure per CDC guidance. The Governor will postpone the State of the State address until he has completed quarantine. Governor Walz has not yet been vaccinated. Lieutenant Governor Flanagan has only received one of two required Moderna doses. Commissioner Malcolm has received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine but is still within the 14 day waiting period. The Governor hopes this serves as an important reminder for Minnesotans that, while we are close to the end of the pandemic, we must continue to take COVID-19 seriously. Wear a mask, social distance, get tested, and sign up to get vaccinated.”
--Morrison County numbers Wednesday showed 134 cases, 62 of those in Pierz zip code, Little Falls 25, Hillman 19, Royalton at 10. There were 10 new cases in Morrison County on the state report.
--Royalton Schools Superintendent Jon Phelps stated on KLTF that the school district is better than normal these days with students in class and showing their teachers and staff they are happy to be back in class. Phelps congratulated the wrestling and girls basketball teams on their acccomplishments recently and said that March is a busy time with preschool and kindergarten registration going on, the spring play and the one act play are preparing for in person crowds later this spring. Phelps said right now the prom is on and so is graduation which is the Friday before Memorial Day weekend. He hopes to be able to have the ceremony inside the high school with an audience (he understands less than usual on whichever guidelines they have to follow from department of education) if they are unable to do that than an outdoor style graduation will have to be planned. Phelps thanks all you have continued to support Royalton Schools with helping keep the students safe and in classrooms.
--Benton County will not be sending sheriff's deputies down to Minneapolis to help with security during the Derek Chauvin murder trial. County commissioners cited a lack of support from citizens and concerns over the Minneapolis City Council's efforts to defund the police as reasons not to enter into a mutual aid agreement. In the case of a state emergency, Sheriff Heck has the authority and discretion to send deputies to help with public safety if need be.
--A defamation lawsuit filed by Rollie's Rednecks and Longnecks against UniteCloud won't be going forward. Rollie's attorney Jeff O'Brien confirms that the parties have resolved the matter and signed confidentiality agreements. Rollie's filed a defamation and tortious suit in June 2020 claiming UniteCloud and Executive Director Natalie Ringsmuth wanted to drive the bar and restaurant out of business by ruining its reputation and standing in the community. The suit alleged several anonymous testimonials on the group's Facebook page claiming acts of racism and homophobic behavior. According to the suit, Rollie's said the claims are untruthful and were an attempt to defame, harass and interfere with the bar's business. Records show Rollie's sent a cease and desist letter to UniteCloud and Ringsmuth but no action was taken. The suit claimed damages in excess of $50,000 and sought an injunctive order prohibiting further comments or actions to defame or interfere with Rollie's business relations.
--Due to the COVID-19 restrictions in schools and churches the Share Sunday event this year will not be an in person talent show. Raffle to be drawn live on KLTF Polka World Today after 9am March 28th.
DEATH NOTICES
--Sylvester Prokott, age 84 of Royalton.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, calm winds, high 48.
TONIGHT= clear skies, refreezing likely, low 25.
FRIDAY= sunny, turning breezing, high 52, low near 30.
SATURDAY= sunny and windy, high 58, low around 40.
SUNDAY= cloudy with rain at times, high 60, low near 37.
SPORTS
HS BBB= Little Falls at Sauk Rapids/Rice tonight 7pm on Q92.
HS GBB= Little Falls at Sartell tonight 7pm on FM94 KFML.
PLAYOFFS= Pierz boys basketball win last night and at Moose Lake Friday, Pillager boys eliminated, Swanville and Browerville girls teams win last night, Upsala and Onamia were eliminated in girls playoffs.