NEWS
A WINTER STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10PM TONIGHT, SNOW EXPECTED TO FALL AT 1 INCH PER HOUR THIS MORNING. 4-8 INCHES POSSIBLE BY TONIGHT AND COULD BE SOME WINTRY MIX AT TIMES. THE MORRISON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS PLEASE DRIVE WITH CAUTION, USE HEADLIGHTS AND SLOWN DOWN FOR THE WINTRY CONDITIONS WHICH WILL MAKE FOR DIFFICULT DRIVING. USE 511 or 511mn.org FOR ROAD CONDITIONS.
--Morrison County website reports Wednesday 647 total cases of COVID-19 in Morrison County, 237 active cases, 31 total hospitalized, Little Falls 124 cases in the past 14 days, Bowlus 22, Pierz 21, Hillman, Motley and Royalton zip codes all reported 13 cases yesterday, Randall at 9 and Swanville at 8 reported cases.The Department of Health website Wednesday reported 1,082 new cases of COVID-19 but 35 new deaths linked to the virus which included 2 new deaths in Morrison County, four in Stearns, 2 in Todd and 1 in Mille Lacs County. Morrison County reported 14 new cases of the virus Wednesday with the now 8 confirmed deaths.
--Slippery roads led to a number of accidents Wednesday morning around Morrison County including a Little Falls school bus that was involved in a minor traffic accident at the railroad tracks in Little Falls, the school reported that no one was injured.
--Three people were hurt, one seriously, in a crash near Motley. The Minnesota State Patrol says it happened just after 1:30pm Tuesday on Highway 64 in Cass County. Two vehicles were southbound when they struck a pickup going north. Twenty-year-old Arne Kvaal of St. Cloud was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Forty-nine-year-old David Erickson of Sartell was taken to Lakewood Health System with non-life-threatening injuries. Sixty-three-year-old Reid Mcfarlane of Monticello was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
--The Swanville School is constantly monitoring data to determine if we need to switch learning models. The county case rate for both Morrison and Todd Counties has really increased, and some schools are now switching their learning model. This is not the only data to consider, however. We also need to consider local data, such as the number of cases in the community, and more importantly, the number of cases in the building. While we have had some students and staff quarantined because of close contact, we have had no confirmed cases in the building. We get updates from both counties daily, and have weekly meetings with other Morrison County Superintendents and Morrison County Public Health. As of 10/20/21, MorrisonCounty Public Health told us that we do not need to switch models. This can change if situations change.
--As Little Falls Community Schools transition to Distance Learning on Monday, October 26, the school announced that the need for families to have reliable internet service so they have purchased a number of Verizon hotspots to help our families with connectivity issues. Please complete this form if you are requesting a hotspot to support student learning. This is limited to one hotspot per family. Also it was reported that all district teachers will be utilizing Google Classroom to provide consistency for our learners and their families. There is information on how to sign up or receive these items on the Little Falls Community Schools Facebook page. The school says if you have questions about the transition call Stephen Jones at 632-2001.
--Morrison County Public Health announced they will be doing free COVID-19 testing next week. This is open to everyone, symptoms or no symptoms, free of charge and no insurance needed. This will be done Tuesday October 27th, Wednesday October 28th and Thursday October 29th from 12pm-6pm at Bethel Lutheran Church in Little Falls. They do ask that you sign up for an appointment to help keep the waiting time short as they can only have a certain number inside at one time due to spacing guidelines and the weather calls for cold temperatures. Register at www.primarybio.com/r/littlefalls or by calling a toll free number at 1-855-612-0677 for any assistance.
--Kids Korner will be available weekdays from 6:00am-5:30pm beginning on Monday at Lindbergh Elementary School, door 12. A completed registration form must be submitted to Kids Korner or Community Services before attending Kids Korner. Presently, childcare is prioritized for eligible children of tier I workers. As space becomes available, families on the waiting list will be contacted to confirm childcare. Contact Kids Korner or Community Services for information. Call Leslie McCoy at 616-3269 or LaJoy Scepurek 632-7901.
--A nearly $2 billion bonding bill has been passed by state legislators, and Foley has received nearly half of the funds needed to connect with St. Cloud’s wastewater treatment system. Foley is currently out of wastewater capacity, and it's kept the city from expanding residentially and commercially, Brunn said. The project, estimated to cost over $22 million, received $8 million in bonding money. The project’s price tag includes a connection fee to St. Cloud’s wastewater system and an 11 mile-long force main.
--Royalton High School will hold coronation Sunday at 6pm at the high school. Only the candidates and parents of many attend in person. All others can view the coronation on livestream from the Royalton Schools Facebook page.
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
--For the first time since the program aired in 1966 It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown will not air on network or cable television. The Apple+ app has bought the rights to all Peanuts specials and they can be view on the Apple+ app or on Apple TV digital.
DEATH NOTICES
--Deborah Vanhavermaet, age 61 of Burtrum
--Leon L. Flicker, age 89 of Pierz.
--Arnold Henry Duevel, age 102 of Culdrum Township.
WEATHER
WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4AM-10PM.
TODAY= snow, heavy at times 4-8 inches, high 32.
TONIGHT= snow, some wintry mix early evening, low 26.
FRIDAY= partly sunny, windy, high near 30, low near 10.
SATURDAY= mostly cloudy, PM snow showers, high 33, low 24.
SUNDAY= snow likely 3-5 inches, high 32, low around 18.
SPORTS
HS FB= St. Cloud Cathedral at Little Falls Friday 7pm Q92 WYRQ.
HS FB= Little Falls Radio was informed Wednesday that the Pierz at Sauk Centre game Friday is now at 5pm on FM94 KFML.
WS= Tampa Bay tied the World Series last night 6-4 win over the Dodgers to tie the series at 1. Game 3 is Friday night.
NFL= Philadelphia vs. New York Giants tonight 7pm AM960 KLTF.