NEWS
--The Minnesota National Guard will be conducting statewide flyovers in recognition of those on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic response. “As part of a nationwide Air Force initiative, the Minnesota Air National Guard will fly over communities throughout the state,” said Maj. Gen. Jon Jensen, the Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard. “These flyovers are our way of showing solidarity for those who have stepped forward to serve during this pandemic. This is a small way that we can salute those at the forefront of the COVID-19 response for their service and sacrifice.” The flights scheduled for tomorrow are part of a nationwide effort to recognize health care workers, emergency responders, food industry and other essential workers throughout the state that have done their part to keep the state functioning during the stay at home order. The aircraft flying these missions will be combinations of F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft from the 148th Fighter Wing out of Duluth, and C-130 Hercules aircraft from the 133rd Air Wing out of Fort Snelling in Saint Paul. The flight path for Wednesday will reach the following communities: Brainerd, Coon Rapids, Fridley, Little Falls, Minneapolis, Monticello, Hastings, Robbinsdale, Rochester, Saint Cloud, Saint Louis Park, Saint Paul, Stillwater, White Bear Lake, and Woodbury. Flyovers are set to fly near local medical facilities in each community. Other sites in the state will be flown over during future flyovers planned for later in the month. Flyovers will be at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd between 10:55am-11:10am St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls between 11-11:15am, The St. Cloud VA between 11:10-11:25am, St. Cloud Hospital also betweel 11:10-11:25am then the flyover will continue toward Monticello and the Metro Area.
--Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen is asking area boaters to operate their watercraft at slow no-wake speeds whenever possible on area lakes that have high-water levels. According to Larsen, high-water levels continue to be an issue on Shamineau Lake and Crookneck Lake in northwestern Morrison County. Boaters should be aware that causing excessive wakes can create significant erosion to shorelines and actual damage to docks and other structures along the shorelines. The Sheriff’s Office Water Patrol, along with local conservation officers will be asking boaters throughout the summer to operate at slow no-wake speeds anytime they are within 300 feet of a shoreline. The Sheriff’s Office will be posting No Wake Zone signs at public accesses. Larsen stated “We are asking boaters to use extra caution in adhering to this advisory until lake water levels return to normal. The Sheriff’s Office will be monitoring water levels throughout this spring and restrictions will be modified if needed.”
--Morrison County Public Works would like to remind farmers that planting crops within road right of way is illegal. State law prohibits plowing, tilling and/or planting in the right of way. We want to prevent any situation where crops block motorists’ vision, create erosion concerns or other safety issues. Seasonal road limit weight restrictions have ended on May 4, 2020 at 12.01am. Maintenance crews will continue crack sealing this week on CSAH 46 west of Pierz. Crews will work in one lane, and control traffic with flaggers. Crews will continue patching potholes as weather permits.
--More cancellations for May, the Annual Rock-n-Run at the Belle Prairie Athletic Complex is cancelled this year (was scheduled for Saturday May 16th), the Gem and Mineral event this weekend at Crow Wing County Fairgrounds is cancelled, Poppy Day canceled in Pierz.
--Minnesota Department of Health numbers for Monday so there have been 85,941 test completed, 7,234 positive tests, 4,212 no longer in isolation, 428 deaths of those 345 from long term care and assisted living facilities, 1,271 hospitalized since start, now 396 remain and of those 166 in ICU. Morrison County remains at 6 positive cases, Todd is now up to 15, Crow Wing at 21 with 1 death, Stearns up to 728 with two confirmed deaths, Benton at 35 with 1 death, Mille Lacs has 3 cases where 1 of those died from symptoms related to COVID-19. The Department of Health also placed on their website facilities with at least 1 positive case of COVID-19 from a resident or staff member that includes Diamond Willow in Little Falls, Lakewood Manor in Todd County, Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Benton County, Sterling Park HCC in Stearns County and Teen Challenge in Brainerd.
--St Otto's Care Center and other Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities in Little Falls and Morrison County want to remind visitors that with the nice weather, residents are enjoying the fresh air. However, the facilities are still unable to have families or visitors interacting with residents outside. There is too much risk of transmission and death as they continue to work at preventing COVID-19 from entering St. Otto's, Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, the Convent and others housing for the elderly. Please do your part to keep the residents and yourself safe at this time.
--Two teens were hurt in a crash in Browerville Sunday morning. The incident happened just before 5am on Highway 71 near 11th Street. The Minnesota State Patrol says a truck was going south on Highway 71 when it drifted to the left. Authorities say the truck entered the ditch, vaulted over an approach and rolled. The 16-year old driver of the truck, and his passenger, 17-year old Connor Throener of Swanville, were taken to HCMC with life-threatening injuries. The name of the driver has not been released. Neither wearing a seatbelt.
--Pierz Schools Superintendent George Weber spoke on KLTF Monday and said like other schools have Pierz will have graduation on the planned night May 22nd but where and how it will be handled is still to be decided on the Governor's decision of Stay at Home and social distancing guidelines, right now that is to expire at 11:59pm on May 17th. Weber wants to congratulate Pierz teachers Faye Sandy one the of the finalists for the Minnesota Teacher of the Year (she made the final 36 but the event scheduled May 4th was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions). The school also named Pat Tax as the High School Teacher of the Year for Pierz Healy High School. Distance Learning and food distribution will continue until May 29th (final day of scheduled school year), Weber said they have no plans now to continue child care or food distribution after that at the public school, Holy Trinity Catholic School in Pierz has a child care program. You can view the awards, scholarships and other programs on the Pierz School Facebook page. For information call the school, 468-6458.
DEATH NOTICES
--Dorothy (Pouliot) Schraut, age 95 of Pierz.
--Jean L. Samuelson, age 70 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= rain showers likely, high 55, rain ending tonight, low 38.
WEDNESDAY= sunny skies, breezy, high 61, clear night, low 32.
THURSDAY= sunny and cooler, high 55, low around 30 frost late.
SPORTS
NFL= longtime Dolphins Coach Don Shula died Monday at age 90.