NEWS
--Little Falls Mayor Greg Zylka announced Monday the full proclomation for today in Little Falls. Mayor Zylka proclaims today, Tuesday, November 24th at Stronger Together in Little Falls. This day is to honor, recognize and remember those in the community who have lost their lives to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and for those fighting the virus at this time. Also to honor and thank all essential frontline workers (health care professionals, EMT's, hospital staff and others who work on the front lines fighting and helping those with the Coronavirus). Also for all the students and children affected by distance learning or COVID-19 and also all the local businesses also affected by recent restrictions that the state has in place at this time. Mayor Greg Zylka is asking all Little Falls residents and businesses show their unity by supporting each other, financially, with a telephone call or a letter and remember to shop locally. Local businesses today are putting a “purple heart” in their windows today and residents are encouraged to do the same and wear your purple today in support of the unity of the Little Falls Community. Be strong for yourself, your families, your community, mask up and social distance, Be Little Falls Strong and we can do this together. If you have questions on this announcement Mayor Greg Zylka said feel free to contact him at 232-9336 or City Hall at 616-5500. Mayor Zylka also stated that he will be in contact with 8th District Congressman Pete Stauber and work on more Federal CARES Funding for local businesses impacted by restrictions and closures from the recent announcement by Governor Walz to remain in place until 11:59pm on Friday, December 18th. Earlier this year a number of businesses worked with city, county and federal funding to help them out from the closures and retrictions from COVID-19 in 2020.
--Mary of Lourdes Schools announced Monday that effective Monday, November 30th they will be going to distance learning until at least January 8th, 2021. That is for both the elementary and middle-school.
--Tim Sumner wanted to personally thank all who donated for the Annual Community Thanksgiving Meal this week in Little Falls. Donations are over the top Sumner said even after the Up Front Program on Friday hundreds of dollars was still being called in that morning to Sumner and for the meal. Tim also stated Monday that right now they have enough volunteers for the meal preparations today and pickup the next few days. Tim said if you would want to help deliver meals on Thursday he could still use a few for that by calling him at 320-632-2540. Tim will be on the KLTF Community Program at 8:30am Tuesday to give out the latest information on the meal which is pick up or delivery only at the Falls Ballsroom this year due to restrictions and requested times were given for pick-up.
--The United States Postal Service is asking those who are shipping out packages this year to start even earlier than most years. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic this year the postal service is expected possible delays on Christmas packages to make sure emergency items are needed to help health-care workers, hospitals and others on the front line. The USPS says to guarantee delivery before Christmas best to get your packages shipped as soon as possible like even this week before Thanksgiving or by the end of next week.
--Triple A reported that gas prices are 50-cents lower than they were last year at this time, but less travel is expected due to COVID-19.
--The concert scheduled for today from St. Francis Center Music Center had to be postponed until a later day in 2021.
--Upsala Superintendent Vern Capelle announced Friday that the schools have made the decision to move their secondary students to their hybrid learning plan through the remainder of this semester. Upsala Schools also moved elementary students to distance learning for the next two weeks due to a few confirmed cases in multiple grade levels and a significant number of students and staff who will be quarantined as close contacts. Currently, there are 40 students and six staff members out of school due to close contact. The hope is for Elementary school students to be able to return in class on Monday, December 7th. All active COVID-19 cases are elementary age. They are waiting to hear on a few more test results for some students. Secondary students will be in the hybrid plan through the end of the semester on January 15th, 2021. Early release days for the remainder of the year have also been removed from the calendar. The exception to this will be last day of school, if the in-person learning model is being used at that time.
--Today there will be a Free Grocery Giveaway at Living Hope Church located at 17389 Haven Road in Little Falls. The event runs from 2-4pm in the church parking lot. The Farmers to Families program run by the USDA is providing grocery boxes that include fruits & vegetables, dairy items, and protein. No appointment is needed. If you have any questions, please call 320-632-4365. This will be a weekly event on Tuesdays from 2-4 through December 22nd. Additionally, if you are a high school student looking for some volunteer hours, you can help with contactless loading into trunks or backseats. Please call (320) 632-4365 if you would like to volunteer.
--On Monday Morrison County had 36 new cases of COVID-19 on the state website and 6,353 new cases statewide and 24 new deaths.
--The Randall Business Group announced a different look to the holidays this year in Randall. Now through December 15th shop Randall changes to win Randall Bucks which will be drawn on December 16th. Due to COVID-19 restrictions there will be no large event at the park. On Decemmber 3rd Santa Claus will be cruising through Randall from 2:30-4:30pm in a firetruck at schools, daycares and wave to the children. Santa will also have a Facebook live message for all to have Merry Christmas this year in Randall.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
--Brandon and Jami Lapos, of Little Falls, a boy born November 18th.
DEATH NOTICES
--John Donald Wachlarowicz, age 91 of Little Falls.
--Dolores Ann Popp, age 85 of Rice.
WEATHER
WINTER WEATHER ADIVSORY IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON.
TODAY= freezing drizzle, snow and rain early, then cloudy, high 36.
TONIGHT= drizzle early, then partly cloudy, low 24.
WEDNESDAY= partly sunny skies, high 35, low 25.
THANKSGIVING= sunny skies, high 41, clear night, low 26.
FRIDAY= sunny skies early, PM clouds, high 38, low near 20.
SPORTS
COL FB= The Gophers announced practices cancelled for the football team Tuesday after possible COVID-19 tests coming back positive. More information is expected later today on this, but if there a number of positive cases that could put the Gophers/Wisconsin in jeopardy for this Saturday. Right now game on at 1pm Saturday.