NEWS
--According to the Minnesota Department of Health there have been 576 positive tests of COVID-19 statewide of the estimated 18,822 tests completed. There have been 10 deaths reported with 92 cases requiring hospitalization. 260 patients no longer need to be isolated and 56 are hospitalized Monday including 24 in ICU. There are still no positive tests in Morrison, Crow Wing, Todd and Mille Lacs counties. 5 in Stearns, 5 in Sherburne, 1 in Benton and 1 in Cass counties. To give you an idea locally, St. Gabriels Hospital in Little Falls has completed 22 tests with 0 positive cases. As of Monday morning, there were three tests with outstanding results. Testing is being done locally following the Minnesota Department of Health guidelines of Healthcare Workers, Congregate Living (Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities) and admitted patients. The Minnesota Department of Health at this time recommends all should assume that COVID-19 is in their community and should be taking the recommended precautions to prevent spread.
--Morrison County Administrator Deb Gruber stated Monday on Little Falls Radio that the Department of Vehicle Safety at the State is closed and that means on the county level they cannot process vehicle transactions like vehicle tabs that were dropped off or mailed in due to the state order. Gruber mentioned that it is still business as usual at some of the county offices (some others like the DMV are closed) and tax statements are being sent out also at this time so if you have questions you can contact the government center at 632-2941 and ask for which department and they will let you if staff is available. You can still mail, email or call in payments to county agencies or use the drop box by the government center.
--Schools began distance learning on Monday, Little Falls Community Schools are sending out a weekly newsletter with distance learning tips, wellness tips for kids, for parents for those in quarantine/isolation and information on videos and resources during this time period. If you have questions you can contact Little Falls Schools during contact hours from their website. Pierz Schools Superintendent George Weber spoke Monday on Little Falls Radio and said that Pierz is prepared for distance learning, last week they sent out nearly 600 meals on buses and also learning packets and Chromebooks material to students to begin at home yesterday. Weber also stated that staff is available for questions and concerns during the day at Pierz school to help with the distance learning as he stated this was a very trying time for all involved but he knows that the communities will pull together with families and friends to get through this with a bright solution. Again questions on distance learning in your area, contact your local school for information.
--It was a deadly weekend on Minnesota roadways. The State Patrol reported that 4 people died between Friday and Monday making it the deadliest weekend since the Thanksgiving weekend last year. A Minneapolis man died on Highway 25 Friday north of the Morrison/Crow Wing County line, a 53-year-old Tammerack man died Sunday morning in Aitkin County after he rolled his vehicle near McGregor, Raymond Nelson died at the scene. There were also fatal accidents reported in Dodge and Cook County this past weekend.
--Join local community leaders on AM960 KLTF at 8:35am, today Pierz Mayor Dave Fischer, Wednesday Little Falls Schools Superintendent Stephen Jones, Thursday expected to have Morrison County Commissioners and Friday Sheriff Shawn Larsen.
--At 6:35am Monday the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a one-vehicle accident on Highway 10 near Azure Road, approximately three miles northwest of Cushing in Cushing Township. According to the Sheriff’s Office, 56-year old Ray Thompson from Staples was traveling west on Highway 10. Thompson fell asleep behind the wheel and drove the vehicle off the road. The vehicle went into a shallow pond and became submerged in approximately three feet of water. Thompson was transported via ambulance to an area hospital with unknown injuries.
--Little Falls Radio have received more cancellations including more school and church functions, legion meeting and others. Also Bishop Donald Kettler announced Friday that all churches are to be locked up at this time during the Stay at Home order by Governor Tim Walz until April 10th. Parish offices are closed to the public but there are some staff members there at times to answer calls. Bishop Kettler stated that the orders does not stop live streaming of Masses, doing drive up or outside confessions for those not leaving their vehicles, he stated that it would not be wise for Churches to distribute palms this weekend for Palm Sunday, and Divine Mercy events on April 19th are being asked to be cancelled as they fall in the restrictions of public gatherings through May 1st at this time. For the latest cancellations go to fallsradio.com and click on home page.
--A crash slowed traffic around 8am Monday on Minnesota Highway 15 near Benton County Road 29, according to the Minnesota State Patrol and the Department of Transportatation travel information site. The State Patrol is investigating a one vehicle rollover at that location, the extent of injuries is unknown. The vehicle involved was a large pickup truck pulling a trailer. Traffic may be rerouted during investigation and cleanup. The accident was cleared by 9:30am.
NATIONAL NEWS
--President Donald Trump is extending federal guidelines recommending people stay home and away from one another for another 30 days as the coronavirus continues to spread across the country. President Trump made the announcement during a Rose Garden briefing. The guidelines, originally tagged as “15 days to slow the spread” had been set to expire Monday. Trump had said last week he hoped to have the country “re-opened” by Easter. But public health experts sounded the alarm, saying a rollback would speed transmission, making the situation worse. The federal guidelines recommend that older people and those with preexisting conditions stay home and away from other people, and also recommend that all Americans avoid social gatherings, work from home and steer clear of bars and restaurants.
DEATH NOTICES
--Rodney Boyd Sr. age 59 of Onamia.
--James A. Fiedler, age 64 of rural Little Falls formerly of Oklahoma.
WEATHER
TODAY= partly cloudy, high 58, rain after midnight, low 35.
WEDNESDAY= rain likely, some thunder, high 50, low 37.
THURSDAY= rain likely, high 50 early then falling, some snow late.
SPORTS
COVID= the sports world keeps waiting to see when they will play as many major league sports groups stating at least late spring.