NEWS
--At 2:46am Sunday the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a one-vehicle accident near the intersection of Highway 10 and Highway 210, in Motley. According to the Sheriff’s Office, a vehicle driven by 34-year old Dugan Dunbar of Pierz, was traveling south on Highway 10 coming into Motley. Dunbar drove through the center median hitting a sign, then crossed the northbound lane and came to rest in the ditch. Dunbar was transported to the Staples Hospital by Staples Ambulance with minor injuries. Alcohol is believed to be a factor. This case is still under investigation.
--Jeremy Hanfler filed for Little Falls City Council Ward 3 representing mostly western Little Falls. This seat is currently held by Frank Gosiak who has already filed for reelection.
--Steve Smith of CHI St. Gabriel's Health gave an update Monday that hospital patient services are going as usual doing what they would provide on a regular year. In regards to testing a majority of tests is sent to a commerical lab like others do throughout the state. They have the availability to do in house tests but only for very specific cases, also hospitals around the state said they have had some delays in the previous weeks due to increase demand of testing and supply shortages for reagent. Smith said turnaround time is 5-7 days for tests to be declared positive or negative so their testing for surgery patients to be 7 days out before their procedure. With regards to visitors the restrictions remain in place, one visitor per patient and that visitor is asked to be the only one for that patient for their duration in the hospital. One visitor with patient at the clinic when appropriate, masks are mandated for all who enter the clinic or hospital which is more restrictive then what the governor's mandate was before he issued it. Smith said if you have questions on policy or if you need to see a doctor call ahead they are still asking not to come straight to the hospital unless it an emergency without an appointment first, call and set that up at 632-5441.
--Minnesota Department of Health numbers of COVID-19 on Monday reported 625 new cases and 3 reported deaths linked to the virus. One new case in Morrison County now at 93 positive cases, Todd at 426, Stearns 2,906, Benton 320 (no new cases for 2 days), Crow Wing at 239, Cass at 73 and Mille Lacs at 71 cases as of Monday.
--The Minnesota Secretary of State stated that results from today's primary will not be as fast to get out as previous years due to the larger number of absentee ballots as many deciding not to leave their house to the voting polls due to COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines. Counties and Cities that vote at the polling places will have their ballots counted by late tonight however those mail in ballots have to be postmarked by today (August 11th) but the ballots might not be received to the polling site or government centers until August 13th as there was a two day extension for mail in ballots to be received. The Primary Polls are open from 7am to 8pm today, in Little Falls Ward 1 at Initiative Foundation, Ward 2 at City Hall, Ward 3 at Bethel Lutheran Church, contact your local city hall for further information.
--Congratulations to the $2,000 grand prize winner of the St. James Church in Randall raffle Sunday, it was Carolyn Freuchte. Thanks to all who bought raffle tickets making it a successful raffle in Randall.
--There will be no class reunion for the Little Falls Class of 1956 this year, rescheduled for third Saturday in September of 2021. Also the Class Reunion for the Little Falls Class of 1958 this year has also been cancelled and being rescheduled also for September of next year.
--On Saturday at 5:22pm deputies from the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office responded to a single vehicle crash with injuries near County Road 4 and Quail Road in St. Wendel Township. The driver of the vehicle, 21-year old Alexander Legatt of St Joseph said he was westbound on County Road 4 when his vehicle left the roadway, drove over a field approach, and struck a tree. Legatt said he possibly fell asleep. He was transported to the hospital for his injuries.
--On Saturday around 5:30pm Stearns County Park Patrol officers came across a medical emergency at Quarry 2 within Quarry Park located at 1802 County Road 137 in the city of Waite Park. Park officers observed a male, later identified as 19-year old Yabsera Bantayhu Mekonnen of Burnsville, attempting to swim at the quarry. He appeared to be fatigued and was having difficulty swimming and staying above the surface. Officers witnessed him go under the water several times before a bystander reached him and pulled him to the rocks on the edge of the quarry. Mekonnen appeared to go in and out of consciousness while officers assessed him and performed first aid. He was able to walk out of the quarry with the assistance of a deputy and treated at the scene. He refused to be taken to the hospital.
--Jackie Devine stated Monday that the Riverrat Races will be August 22nd starting at 8am at Belle Prairie Park north of Little Falls. Registration is at riverratraces.com and must be in by 6pm on Friday, August 21st they will not be taking registration the morning of the event. Packet pickup this year will be Friday 4-6pm at Maple Island Park in Little Falls so that your have your information for the race on Saturday to continue to do social distancing. Races will be in waves (family members will be together), Devine said that masks are recommended before the start and when receiving their bibs with numbers on that Saturday but not when the run itself is going on. For more information contact Jackie at 632-5796.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Dustin and Kesley Held of Pierz, a baby born born August 4th.
DEATH NOTICES
--Judy A. Herman, age 70 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and warmer, high 85.
TONIGHT= clear night, low around 58.
WEDNESDAY= partly sunny, chance of a T-storm, high 82, low 63.
THURSDAY= thunderstorms early and late day, high 82, low 60.
SPORTS
TWINS= Eddie Rosario hit a grand slam and Randy Dobnak got his third win of the year as the Twins beat the Brewers 4-2 last night. The Twins and Brewers continue series tonight in Milwaukee with pregame at 6:30pm on Q92 WYRQ.
REGION 8C= Buckman vs Avon Friday at 7:30pm for the Region Championship, Saturday at 1pm Ft. Ripley vs. Nisswa followed by Randall vs. Upsala in elimination games were the winners meet Saturday at 7pm for 3rd and 4th seed in the State Tournament scheduled to start next weekend in Springfield and Milroy. All the action live on AM960 KLTF and online at fallsradio.com.
BIG TEN= following a day of talks with the biggest conferences in College Football, a decision is likely to come today on Big 10 fall sports with many feeling that the season will be cancelled.