NEWS
--Three drivers were hurt, including one seriously, in an early-morning crash Wednesday on Highway 10 near Royalton. The Minnesota State Patrol says it happened at about 2:00am on Westbound Highway 10 two miles south of Royalton. A vehicle driven by 28-year-old Michael Braswell of Staples stalled on the right shoulder partially in the traffic lane. A vehicle driven by 58-year old Marcus Karels of Royalton struck the first vehicle. A third vehicle then struck Karels' vehicle which was being driven by 63-year old Robert Dubbin of Royalton. Karels was taken to North Memorial with life-threatening injuries. Braswell and Dubbin were both taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
--The latest numbers of the Minnesota Department of Health Wednesday show 1,254 new cases of COVID-19, and reported that there were 29 new deaths linked to the virus, include 1 in Morrison County between the ages of 50-54. Two in Stearns, 1 in Crow Wing and also in Mille Lacs. Morrison County had 19 new cases today in testing, reporting 467 total cases and 4 confirmed deaths. The Morrison County website yesterday reported 154 active cases from the past 14 days, 79 of those were Little Falls Zip Code, Royalton was at 15, Pierz and Motley 11 and Bowlus at 10.
--One person was hurt in a two-vehicle crash in Clear Lake. The Minnesota State Patrol says it happened at about 8:30pm Tuesday on Highway 24 at River Road Southeast. A car driven by 29-year-old Brian Stoltz of Sauk Rapids was stopped at the light when his vehicle was rear-ended. The driver of the second vehicle was 25-year-old Samuel Waln of Wadena. A passenger in Stoltz's car, 35-year-old Carlos Bordes of Eden Prairie received non-life-threatening injuries.
–A St. Cloud woman was injured around 4:55am Wednesday on Interstate 94 and County Road 136 in St. Cloud. 40-year old Brittney Ann Ursell of St. Cloud was traveling east when she drifted off the roadway and struck the median barrier causing the vehicle to roll over. Ursell was treated for non-life threatening injuries after being taken to St. Cloud Hospital from the accident.
--The Pine Grove Zoo will be holding a pumpkin smash bash on Saturday from 10am-12pm where animals will be given pumpkins to do what they please with and visitors can watch on. The Zoo had to cancel the annual Zoo fest this year do to COVID-19 restrictions so the leftover pumpkins will be put to use on Saturday. The event is open to all with your general admission to the Zoo on Saturday, the event again is 10-12 while the Zoo is open Saturday from 9am-4pm.
--Rollie's Rednecks and Longnecks bar in Sauk Rapids has been forced to temporarily close its doors. It was reported that health inspectors noticed members of the staff not wearing their masks over their noses and mouths. The state requires the bar stay closed for 72 hours. Rollie's owner is calling the closure “government outreach”.
--The American Red Cross needs additional units of blood. Anyone who is well can come to donate at First United Church, Monday October 26th from 8:30am to 2:30pm, Tuesday, October 27th 1-7pm; and Wednesday, October 28, 12-6pm. If you pre-scheduled your appointment while at the August blood drive and are now unable to keep it, please call to cancel, so someone else can fill that time slot. Due to social distancing guidelines, the American Red Cross cannot accept walk-ins and asks that everyone schedule an appointment so no one will be turned away. To schedule an appointment online visit www.redcrossblood.org or call Sister Julien Dirkes at (320) 632-0663.
--Little Falls School Superintendent Stephen Jones gave an update on KLTF Wednesday and said so far things have been as smooth as they can be with the start of volleyball, football and seasons ending for other fall sports. Jones stated that the county case rate is still being followed very closely as the numbers rise it puts more pressure on the school district. He also stated that there was no cases originating in the school faciltiies and as of Wednesday that is still the case according to Jones. Jones wanted to thank all those who called last week to help being a substitute or para with the district, they can do a few more if you can call the school for information. Jones says for now hybrid continues next week at Community Middle and High School and all elementary studnets Pre-K through 5th grade are going all 5 days for now. Also Pierz Schools Superintendent George Weber on KLTF yesterday said they are doing everything we can to help students adapt with the hybrid learning, while the younger students go all 5 days, he said it is going as well as expected with the changes happening and more that still could happen in the days ahead. Weber said that the students will have a play in November and they will be able to some people attend by guidelines and will also stream it like on their website/facebook page. Both Jones and Weber want to thank the communities, parents, staff and students for doing their part to keep it going at the school districts and doing what is needed if in isolation, distance learning, hybrid or in class this year making it a different 2020.
--The Morrison County Sheriff's Office stated via facebook that they will be having their Fallen Officer Dedication Ceremony today but due to COVID-19 restrictions only family members of the fallen officers will be on site. Others can see the ceremony via Facebook live through the Sheriff's Office Facebook page at 10am today.
--A veteran in Brainerd was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal on Wednesday. US Army Retired Two-Star General Gerald Lang presented the medal to 101-year-old Walter Bernard Straka enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard in 1936 at the age of 16 and was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1941. During World War Two, Straka served with the 194th tank battalion and is the last remaining Minnesotan to survive the Bataan Death March in the Philippines. He was then held as a Japanese prisoner of war for three and a half years before being liberated in 1945. After returning to Brainerd, Straka married and raised seven children.
--Kinship of Morrison County this week is having an online style auction of items that would have been at their soup and chili cookoff that was canceled this week. Go to kinshipofmc.org for details.
DEATH NOTICES
--Jerome “Flat Top” Otremba, age 89 of Little Falls.
--Sister Mary Therese Lenz, age 94 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and breezy, high 46.
TONIGHT= light snow showers after midnight, low 28.
FRIDAY= partly cloudy, breezy, high near 40, low 27.
SATURDAY= snow showers changing to sleet and rain before 10am, then cloudy and breezy, high 45, clearing late, low 23.
SUNDAY= cloudy, rain/snow showers, high 37, low near 20.
SPORTS
HS FB= Little Falls at Annandale tonight 7pm on Q92 WYRQ