NEWS
--The Little Falls Fire Department Monday around 7:30am was dispatched to 411 3rd Street NE on a report of smoke coming from the downstairs apartment. The Fire Department arrived and found the wall was smoldering near the front door. Firefighters were able to remove some siding and extinguish the smoldering boards. There was minimal damage to the building. The cause of the fire was a carelessly discarded cigarette. Because of that, a safety message from Little Falls Fire Chief Craig Seelen. Careless smoking is the leading cause of fatal fires in MN year after year. Luckily we have not had any fatalities locally, but we have had several house fires caused by smoking materials in the past year. It is important for smokers to know the steps they can take to keep themselves and their families safe from fire. 1) Smoke outside. Many things in your home can catch on fire if they touch something hot like a cigarette or ashes. It is always safer to smoke outside. 2) Put cigarettes out all the way. Do this every time. Don’t walk away from lit cigarettes and other smoking materials. Put water on the ashes and butts to make sure they are really out before you put them in the trash. 3) Be alert. Do not smoke after taking medicine that makes you tired. You may not be able to prevent or escape from a fire if you are sleepy or have taken medicine that makes you tired. 4) Never smoke around medical oxygen. Medical oxygen can explode if a flame or spark is near. Even if the oxygen is turned off, it can still catch on fire. 5) Never smoke in bed. Mattresses and bedding can catch on fire easily. Do not smoke in bed because you might fall asleep with a lit cigarette. 6) Put your cigarette out in an ashtray or bucket with sand. Use ashtrays with a wide base so they won’t tip over and start a fire.
--Morrison County website keeps showing the numbers going down and keeping opportunities of outdoor events and other this year looking better. 138 active cases Monday, no change in Little Falls over the weekend at 64, Pierz is now down to 25 and Royalton 23 cases, no others over 10 cases.
--Police say students at a middle school in Plymouth are safe after officers responded to a report of gunshots Monday morning. Authorities say one person is in custody, but Plymouth Middle School remained locked down. Police rushed to the school after they were called at about 8:45am. The Robbinsdale School District directed families wishing to pick up students to nearby Armstrong High School. But, students had not been released by mid-morning. The district urged parents not to call the school. Plymouth is the Spanish Immersion school for sixth- through eighth-grade students.
--A reminder that the Trunk or Treat style Job Fair is 1-4pm this Thursday at Career Force parking lot on 13th Avenue Northeast (the old Crestliner parking lot). A number of businesses and organizations will be on hand to show what they have to offer, bring your resume, there will food (including mini-donuts for young and old alike) and chances to win prizes. Any questions call Sam at 232-2000.
--This Week on Community Focus on AM960 KLTF today at 8:30 will be Little Falls City Administrator Jon Radermacher, tomorrow at 8:30 will be Randall Mayor and DAV Chapter representative Dan Noss, Thursday will be students from Little Falls Community High School on their upcoming play “The Theory of Relativity” and then Friday hear from members from the Little Falls Boy Scouts on their recent follow sale and Father Jose from Lastrup and their raffle this Sunday. Hear the program at 8:30am weekdays on KLTF and at fallsradio.com.
--Minnesota will retain all eight of its congressional seats based on the most recent census data, the U.S. Census Bureau said in a press conference Monday afternoon. The news comes after many state officials feared the state could lose one of its seats due to slower population growth. Preliminary Census Bureau numbers predicted back in December that Minnesota would fall short of keeping its eighth seat by 25,554 people. It would have been the first time the state had lost a seat since the 1960s.
--A message from Morrison County Public Works that spring road restrictions were removed on Monday, April 26th. As weather permits, crews will be doing culvert repair on CSAH 26 west of Royalton and on CSAH 34 south of Little Falls. Maintenance crews will continue crack sealing this week on County Road 213 in Little Falls and on County Road 282 north of Little Falls. Flaggers will be controlling traffic as one lane will be closed. Crews will be blading gravel roads in various parts of the county. Please use caution around work crews and flashing lights. Public Works employees continue to practice social distancing guidelines in their travels and on the various job sites to preserve and maintain Morrison County infrastructure.
--Two people were hurt in a crash involving a police squad car in Waite Park on Sunday. The Waite Park Police Department says around 5:45 p.m. an officer was stopped at the intersection of 2nd Avenue South and 2nd Street South when they noticed an SUV that had been stopped for some time go through on a red light. Authorities say a semi-truck with a green light was headed through the intersection along 2nd Street South and collided with the passenger side of the SUV. Police say the vehicle spun around and came to a stop when it hit the front of the police squad car. The of the first vehicle, 60-year-old Lynn McClelland of St. Cloud, and her six-year-old passenger suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene. McClelland was cited for a semaphore violation. The driver of the semi, 66-year-old John Snyder of Milaca, and the Waite Park officer were not hurt.
--The Darling Cemetery Annual Spring Clean-Up Day is scheduled for Saturday, May 15th starting at 9am. The cemetery address is 10815 190th Street Little Falls MN. Questions call Sandy at 237-3543.
DEATH NOTICES
--Sandra M. Pierskalla, age 65 of St. Cloud formerly Avon.
--Valerie (Drews) Bleeker, age 79 of St. Cloud formerly of Little Falls.
--H. “Ross” Kutil, age 86 of Onamia.
WEATHER
TODAY= cloudy skies, possible isolated showers, high 53.
TONIGHT= cloudy skies, isolated early shower, low 37.
WEDNESDAY= AM clouds, then sunny, high near 60, low 41.
THURSDAY= sunny skies and windy, high 55, low around 36.
SPORTS
TWINS= Another blown game for the Twins as the Indians tie the game late and win it in the 10th inning 5-3. The Twins (7-14) and Indians play game 2 today at 4:30pm on Q92 WYRQ.
HS SB= Pierz at St. Cloud Cathedral today 5pm on 94ROCKS.
NFL= The NFL Draft begins Thursday night with the Vikings scheduled to pick at #14. Also newly acquired Viking cornerback Patrick Petersen announced he is taking advantage of the relaxed jersey number and will wear #7 for the upcoming season.