NEWS
--Little Falls Schools Superintedent Stephen Jones on Tuesday sent out a letter via social media to parents and community members. He provided a brief update about the first twelve days of In-Person Learning at Little Falls Community Schools and how the increasing number of positive COVID test results in Morrison County might impact our school district over the next number of weeks. The first dozen days of school have been so incredibly wonderful. It’s evident that the children want to be in school…and their willingness to understand the necessity to operate with some different rules and expectations because of COVID has been evident and appreciated. They have made the start to the school year very rewarding. Unfortunately, we are seeing a significant spike in COVID numbers in Morrison County in the month of September. We need to keep those numbers as low as possible so we are not forced to transition to either a Hybrid or Distance Learning Plan from our current In-Person Learning Plan. Please know that a transition to another learning plan has not been decided upon at this point in time. But obviously there is concern that we might have to do so if the county numbers continue to be at the level they are now OR we begin to see specific cases (students or staff) within our school buildings. The next 5-10 days are vitally important…and we really need to see a downward trend in cases in our county. If the decision must be made in the future to transition to a Hybrid Learning plan, the initial transition would be at the Middle School and High School for our students in grades 6-12. At this time, there is no data that would support moving to Hybrid for students in Preschool and Elementary. As of now, if Hybrid were put into effect at the Middle School and High School, students from Early Childhood through 5th grade would continue with In-Person Learning. For families that are already choosing Hybrid or Distance Learning, any transition to another learning plan will not likely impact your children. Prevention in and out of schools continues to be of monumental importance in the battle against COVID. Wearing face coverings, practicing social distancing, and minimizing social gatherings will provide Little Falls Community Schools the best chance to maintain In-Person Learning. Questions can be directed to Superintendent Stephen Jones at sjones@lfalls.k12.mn.us or by phone at (320) 632-2001.
--The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash involving a bicyclist Wednesday on Minnesota Highway 23 in east St. Cloud. The crash occurred about 5:36am along the northbound lane of Minnesota Highway 23 at 10th Street Northeast. The bicyclist identified as 50-year-old Dhanjal Singh died at the scene. The State Patrol is looking a traffic cameras of the scene to see if they can identify who struck and killed Singh as the vehicle left the scene after the accident happened. Anyone with information on the crash is asked to contact the St. Cloud Police Department.
--Zebra mussels have been found in a Sherburne County lake near Elk River. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says it's the first time the invasive species has been discovered in the county. Two other invasive species were also found in Lake Orono in addition to the zebra mussels. The DNR says Eurasian watermilfoil and rusty crayfish were also discovered. The Elk River has had reports of zebra mussels as the lake was drawn down earlier this month.
--Little Falls City Administrator Jon Radermacher will give an update on city issues this morning at 8:30am on AM960 KLTF.
--The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidelines for celebrating Halloween, stating going door to door to trick-or-treat and handing the candy is high risk for spreading COVID-19 and should be prohibited this year. But leaving an individual bag of candy for kids to grab is only a moderate risk but again trying not to have any interaction. Visiting a haunted house indoors is also considered high risk, partly because people are often screamin and can spread COVID-19. Indoor costume parties also made the high-risk list and asked not to take place. Outdoor costume parties with a small group is moderate risk. Low-risk activities including pumpkin carving at home, doing a virtual costume contest and putting Halloween decorations around your house. When it comes to masks, the CDC said the Halloween version should not be a replacement cloth mask, unless the Halloween mask has multiple layers over the mouth. The Minnesota Department of Health is looking over the CDC guidelines and is planning to send out their recommendations for Halloween is the coming days. The CDC is also asking already for plans on Thanksgiving that large parades and gatherings over non family members in large events should not take place this year.
--The latest numbers from Minnesota Department of Health Wednesday are 690 new cases of COVID-19 and 6 newly reported deaths. Morrison County had 3 new cases reported making 216 cases and 1 death since testing began.
--An Albany man was hurt in a farm accident. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office was called to a farm in Oak Township south of Freeport at about 12:30pm on Saturday. Fifty-eight-year-old Ronald Waldorf had been pinned between a pickup and a loaded silage wagon. By the time rescue crews arrived Waldorf was no longer pinned but had significant injuries to his leg. He was taken to Melrose Hospital and then airlifted to St. Cloud Hospital.
DEATH NOTICE
--Judy Ann Brummer-Tovsland, age 78 of Saucier MS formerly Hillman
--Marie Ellen (Dickinson) Stangl, age 94 of Pierz.
WEATHER
TODAY= showers & storms early, then partly sunny, high 71.
TONIGHT= fog likely, partly cloudy, low 55.
FRIDAY= sunny skies, high 77, clear night, low near 50.
SATURDAY= sunny early, PM showers high 72, low around 50.
SUNDAY= windy, cloudy, scattered showers, high 63, low 44.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins survive a 9th inning scare to hold on to beat the Tigers last night 7-6 even after a 3 run homer by Cabrera in the 9th. The White Sox lost so the Twins are in first place in the AL Central by a half game. They have today off and host Cincinnati Friday.
HS VB= The High School Volleyball schedule for the Granite Ridge Conference has been released the first matches will be on Thursday, October 8th and entail Mora at Albany, Zimmerman at Cathedral, Pierz at Foley and Little Falls at Milaca. Those 8 teams will play each other throughout the season ending on November 24th.
WWE= one half the Road Warriors that grew up in Minneapolis, Road Warrior Animal Joe Laurinaitis died earlier this week. The Road Warriors Animal and Hawk were major stars in many pro wrestling companies in the 1980s and 1990s and Joe's sons have been stars for the National Football League. Joe was 60 years old.