NEWS
--Although not finalized yet, it appears the Minnesota House of Representatives will be including a measure in their upcoming tax bill that will not allow jurisdictions to seek a local option sales tax in the upcoming election. The city of Little Falls was one that was pursuing a local option sales tax. These local option sales taxes can only be voted on during general elections. All signs are that will be delayed due to this measure currently included in the tax bill. Little Falls City Administrator Jon Rademacher stated, “We are paused at the moment, we would still be working on plans and developing plans during the next two years before we would go back and request legislation again.” If this indeed remains in the tax bill as all signs are pointing towards at the moment, the soonest the City of Little Falls could pursue a local option sales tax would be voted on by residents in the 2022 general election with a likely effective date in 2023.
--Due to the ongoing considerations related to the COVID-19 virus pandemic, Morrison County Public Works is advising that Residents of the Cities and Townships of the following City and Township Clean-Up Days that are postponed to date: the Cities of Bowlus, Buckman, Flensburg, Harding, Pierz, Randall and Sobieski; the Townships/ Township Groups are Darling, Elmdale and Pulaski Township Groups, Belle Prairie, Green Prairie, Little Falls and Ripley Townships. Morrison County Public Works is advising that Residents of the Cities and Townships of the County to closely monitor available information regarding the City and Township Clean-Up Day events for 2020. In previous years, most of these events occur within the April – June time frame. Currently however, most of these events have been postponed as a number of the primary services provided such as electronics, appliance and tire recycling have been suspended by some of the service providers. While a few of the City and Township events may move forward in the near future, any questions or concerns, please contact your City and Township officials for updated information. As a reminder, the Morrison County Solid Waste Management Facility will continue to accept these Special Waste items at the Landfill for a fee. For more information on Refuse and Recycling, please visit Morrison County’s web site or call the Morrison County Public Works Department at (320) 632-0121.
--A driver failed to stop at a stop sign and sustained minor injuries. At 7:13am on Sunday Stearns County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a one vehicle accident with injuries near the intersection of County Road 3 and County Road 17 in Holding Township. 71-year old Eddie Dillon of St. Cloud, was driving southbound on County Road 3 approaching County Road 17. Dillon failed to stop for the stop sign at the T-intersection and went into a field. Eddie Dillon was taken via ambulance to the St. Cloud Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
--Minnesota House Republicans have vowed to block Gov. Tim Walz’s proposal to borrow money for public construction projects unless the Democrat ends his COVID-19 emergency powers. House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt, a Republican from Crown, said Saturday it is “important that the Legislature be involved in the decision-making process” about how to address the coronavirus pandemic. “The Legislature is in session,” Daudt told reporters and siad “We believe we should be working with the governor on the response to COVID-19 and keeping Minnesota safe.” The Governor extended the Stay at Home until 11:59pm May 17th and Republicans feel that he is going to make small changes to the order late next week again instead of removing it completely to get Minnesotans back to work.
--The Little Falls Fire Department was called out yesterday morning at 3:55am to a small grass fire off Harness Road in Little Falls Township. Firefighters responded and with aid from the DNR extinguished the fire within 35 minutes. A reminder that with the dry and windy conditions, grass fires can spark quickly.
--Foley Fun Days is the latest city celebration to be canceled due to the coronavirus. The city posted a message on its Facebook page Wednesday morning that says, 'after careful consideration, the Foley City Council voted to not authorize the use of streets for Foley Fun Days this year, which ultimately has led to the cancellation of Foley Fun Days. Many events in Stearns and Benton County have been cancelled this year with more expected to have changes, moved or postponed as more information is released in the coming weeks.
--Kimball resident escapes house fire with minor injuries. On At 9:34am on Saturday Stearns County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a house fire at 31 Elm Street South in Kimball. A neighbor called 911 and said the only occupant was out of the home. The homeowner, 73-year old Judy Anderson of Kimball, received minor injuries and was treated at the scene. Anderson told officers she was using a cigarette lighter to burn a wood tick wrapped in a napkin and some nearby paper started on fire. Kimball Fire Department extinguished the fire. The home suffered extensive smoke and fire damage.
--On Saturday a dog ran into a lane of traffic causing a motorcycle to crash. At 9:36am, Stearns County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 38000 block of 75th Avenue in Brockway Township two miles south of St. Stephen for a motorcycle crash with injuries. A group of ten motorcycles were traveling northbound on 75th Avenue when a young golden retriever dog ran out into the roadway towards the motorcycles. 44-year old Clint Leuthardt and his passenger, 46-year old Carla Leuthardt both of St. Cloud were the third in position on the outside of the traffic lane. As the dog was in the lane of traffic, the motorcycles attempted to swerve to miss it. Mr. Leuthardt was unable to avoid the dog and struck it causing the motorcycle to tip and slide to a stop. After the dog was hit, it ran towards a residence where it later died. Both Leuthardts were taken to the St. Cloud Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. They were not wearing helmets.
--The St. Francis Convent in Little Falls announced Monday that they have extended their closures and cancellations through May 31st. Their no visitor policy remains in effect with no visitors to the convent at this time and all events through the month of May have been cancelled. This includes no in person music center lessons (some are being done online) and Health and Wellness Center is closed.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS
--James and Kari Reed of Little Falls, a baby girl born May 5th.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, high 56.
TONIGHT= clear skies, frosty night, low 26.
FRIDAY= sunny and windy, high 47, low around 25.
SATURDAY= rain/snow early, then partial sun, high 53, low 27.
SUNDAY= snow shower early, then cloudy, windy, high 50.
See the video of the Flyover yesterday from the F-16's to thank essential health care workers filmed from Little Falls Radio parking lot, on fallsradio.com home page and news page and the Little Falls Radio Facebook page.