NEWS
--Governor Tim Walz is ordering flags at state and federal buildings in Minnesota to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Tuesday and on the 19th of every month through 2020 “to remember, mourn, and honor lives lost due to COVID-19.” As the governor encouraged individuals, businesses, and other organizations to join in, other state and federal restrictions are starting to be eased leading into June.
--American Flags will again be Flying in Little Falls. The City Crew will place Flags throughout the City this week. The Flags will remain up until Patriot Day, September 11th and weather permitting back up for Veterans Day, November 11th. This years flag theme is "Stay Safe and God Bless America". The City Flag project began in 2006 and is sponsored by the Sons of the American Legion, Squadron # 46. The Regular meeting of the Sons of The American Legion for June 17th has been cancelled by Commander Jason Kliber. Current officers will retain thier positions for next year.
--Nearly 700 soldiers from the Minnesota National Guard’s Mankato based 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry will deploy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in the Horn of Africa. COVID-19 provided some challenges in final preparations for deployment. The unit conducted final Soldier Readiness Processing in April utilizing social distancing measures like wearing masks and staggering soldiers testing. They will report to Camp Ripley the first week of June, train and depart for Fort Bliss, Texas at the end of the month. Soldiers in the battalion come from nearly 200 communities around Minnesota including Little Falls, Pierz, Bowlus, Brainerd, St. Cloud, Waite Park and more. Soldiers age in range from 18 to 52. For 76 soldiers this will be their second deployment, and for 52 soldiers it will be their third or fourth. More than 120 soldiers have at least one dependent family member. In lieu of deployment ceremonies at all unit Armories due to social distancing requirements, the battalion will have a private departure ceremony at Camp Ripley on June 19th.
--Royalton High School Superintendent Jon Phelps stated on KLTF Monday that Royalton will have graduation scheduled for 5pm Friday in a drive up fashion like other schools. At 5pm, the student will drive up with family in one vehicle around the football field to receive diploma. All speakers that would have been live at the event for students and faculty will be pre-recorded and done virtually by the school's website and fed to the audio speakers at the football field. Following the graduation ceremony the students and families will take part in a line of cars style parade down through Royalton where others can gather (social distancing guidelines in place) from their homes and wave as the students honk for the Class of 2020. Because there is a threat of thunderstorms Friday, Jon Phelps said thay do have a tentative back up plan of Thursday and will keep us informed.
--Morrison County Public Health announced two more cases of COVID-19 in the county Monday, making the current positive cases in Morrison at 27 as of late yesterday morning.
--The Little Falls American Legion Post #46 and VFW Post #1112 announced they will be holding a private Memorial Day Service on Monday at 10am at Veterans Memorial Park to remember those who gave their lives so we could be free. The service will not be open to the public because of social distancing. Graveside flags will be put out by the American Legion and VFW at assigned cemeterys. There will be a video of the Memorial Day Program by late afternoon on Monday on the American Legion 46 website.
--The Pierz city mayor Dave Fischer has signed a proclamation declaring this Friday, May 22nd as Pierz Pioneer Class of 2020 Day. In the proclamation letter Fischer noted, the Pierz Senior Class of 2020 exhibited incredible strength, resiliency, patience, and sacrifice during this unprecedented time of COVID-19. The senior class along with the administration staff and parents displayed great Pioneer Pride.
--A fire broke out on the roof of Brainerd City Hall Monday afternoon, according to Brainerd city officials. Firefighters responded just before 12:30pm and contained the fire within 10 minutes. The cause of the fire was construction-related. There were 10 employees in the building at the time, who all got out safely. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the city employees have been working from home.
--With public gatherings on hold, ten dairy princesses from across Minnesota have been named finalists for the 67th Princess Kay of the Milky Way after participating in virtual judging sessions last weekend. To compete to be a finalist for Princess Kay of the Milky Way, each princess submitted an application, participated in a personal interview, prepared and delivered a speech, and participated in a mock media interview, all of which took place virtually using the online Zoom platform. After these events, 10 finalists were selected to compete for the title of Minnesota’s 67th Princess Kay of the Milky Way, who will be crowned in August. The finalists include: 18-year old Katherine Maus of Freeport from Stearns Country; 17-year old Maggie Molitor of Rockville from Stearns County; 20-year old Emily Benrud of Goodhue County; 19-year old Brenna Connelly of Olmsted County; 19-year old Mackenzie Craig of Douglas County; 19-year old Emma Friauf of McLeod County; 20-year old Taylor Jerde of Dakota County; 20-year old Maggie Meyer of Meeker County; 20-year old Valerie Sauder of Dodge County; and 20-year old Rebeckah Schroeder of Houston County. Princess Kay candidates are judged on their general knowledge of the dairy industry, communication skills and enthusiasm for promoting dairy. Princess Kay is still scheduled to be crowned the night before the Minnesota State Fair but as more information about how the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact future events, an announcement regarding coronation may change prior to the event.
--Morrison County Public Works will be installing entrance culvert on CSAH 6 south of Sobieski. Crews will also be putting black dirt behind the curb on CSAH 52 south of Little Falls, and slope work on CSAH 21 east of Upsala. One lane will be closed with flaggers directing traffic. Maintenance Crews will also continue crack sealing on CSAH 46 east of Little Falls. Crews will be patching potholes on CSAH 76, 1, and County Road 204 north of Little Falls. Please use caution around work crews and flashing lights.
--Listen to Graduation 2020 live this Friday night from Pierz Healy High School at 7pm and then Sunday afternoon from Little Falls Community High School at 2pm. Both will be heard live on radio station AM960 KLTF and streamed at fallsradio.com.
WEATHER
TODAY= partly cloudy skies, high 72.
TONIGHT= increasing clouds, isolated shower overnight, low 50.
WEDNESDAY= sprinkles early, the clearing, warmer, high 78, low 55.
THURSDAY= sunny skies, breezy, high 75, storms overnight, low 58.
SPORTS
TWINS= catch Game 3 of the 1991 World Series with Twins and Braves Wednesday night at 6pm on Q92 WYRQ.