NEWS
--During these stressful times, Morrison County is working to ensure all community members have access to healthy food. Morrison County, in partnership with the Morrison County Food Shelf, are offering free delivery of fresh produce to all Morrison County residents in need of food. There will not be an income guideline. The number of boxes given will be based on household size. Households with 4 people or less are limited to one box of produce and households with five people or more are limited to two boxes. There will be roughly 20,000 pounds of produce to distribute with each box weighing roughly 20 pounds. Morrison County cannot guarantee every household that registers will be able to receive a box. Even if you are unable to receive food on this date, your name will be kept for future distribution dates. Residents can call Morrison County Public Health (320) 632-6664 to register for a delivery. Quantities are limited, so please register early. Box(es) will be delivered to your doorstep sometime between 9:00am – 3:00pm on Friday, May 1st. No contact between resident and delivery driver will take place. The goal is to deliver healthy food to our rural community members, those homebound due to COVID-19, elderly, families with children and all other residents who do not have access or the ability to utilize community resources.
--As nicer weather starts to appear, road projects around the state will begin ramping up. The Minnesota Department of Transportation has more than 180 road and bridge projects scheduled around the state. Some projects will be proceeding ahead of schedule because of "reduced traffic volumes in Minnesota due to statewide efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic,”. Those projects will follow health and safety guidance set by state and federal health officials to prevent further spread of the novel coronavirus. Road projects include Interstate 94 from Maple Grove to Clearwater underway a number of projects in and around St. Cloud in Stearns and Benton counties. Road work on Benton County 78 and Morrison County Road 286 being constructed to widen the road and address safety and soil stability which is expected to take most of the spring. More details on Road Work in 2020 is on the MnDot website.
--A Sartell man was arrested after fleeing police Monday. Sartell Police were called to the 400 block of 2nd ½ Street following a hang up to a 911 call. Officers say the suspect, 28-year-old Devante King, grabbed the victims phone and hung up the call after she tried to report a domestic assault. He then fled the scene on foot before police arrived. Authorities say they searched the area and found King walking along the Mississippi River near the Sartell Bridge. When officers approached King he jumped into the river. Police say after a while King got out of the river. He was arrested and taken to the Stearns County Jail. He faces charges of interfering with a 911 call, fleeing police on foot and obstructing the legal process.
--Today is Earth Day started 50 years ago in 1970 in San Francisco in finding ways to save the planet earth. The Franciscan Sisters have posted a number of items you can do today (if you are unable to leave your home or in isolation like the sisters during the stay at home order) to brighten up your outside area and the earth. There Earth Day event that was planned today has been cancelled and private prayers will be recited by the sisters. Rick Dietz from the St. Francis Life Center will be on Community Focus at 8:35am to discuss Earth Day and what we can do today on AM960 KLTF.
--Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Deb Boelz was on KLTF Tuesday and said that the Chamber does not have funds to give small businesses but can be the connection point for businesses to work with Economic Development, Community Development, small business loans for those in need if they are closed at this time during the recent Stay at Home Orders. Their website has a restaurant and business guide to tell you what are open, have special hours, take out and delivery in the are to help shop and stay local during this time. She mentioned the Arts and Crafts Fair September 12th and 13th is going ahead as planned, but they have pushed back the date that they needed cash from the vendors because of cancellations of other shows and so large inventory of items but little cash has caused the Chamber to wait and asked for vendor fees a bit later this year. There will be a Zoom meeting on Thursday with 8th District Congressman Pete Stauber (a confirmed time was still be put together at this time so listen to Little Falls Radio for the time confirmation), who wants to hear real life stories from the community on the effects of COVID-19 and also the Stay at Home order by Governor Walz. If you need information from the Chamber of Commerce they can be reached at 632-5155 or through the website at littlefallsmnchamber.com.
--Morrison County 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. They want to prevent any situation where crops could block motorists’ vision, create erosion concerns or other safety issues. Maintenance crews will continue crack sealing this week on CSAH 52 south of Little Falls, and CSAH 46 west of Pierz. Crews will work in one lane, and control traffic with flaggers. Crews will also be out sweeping streets and intersections on various roads around the county. Maintenance workers will continue patching potholes and washing bridges as weather permits. Please use caution around work crews.
--Tuesday's numbers from the Minnesota Department of Health show there have been 2,567 total positive cases of COVID-19 statewide since this started with 1,254 patients no longer needing isolation. 160 deaths have been linked to COVID-19 including one in Mille Lacs County which so far has been the only fatal case in central Minnesota. 629 total cases requiring hospitalization including 237 hospitalized as of today with 117 in ICU. County totals show Morrison has the one confirmed case, Todd-3, Mille Lacs-1 (1 Death), Stearns-18, Benton-4, Sherburne-13, Crow Wing-20, Cass-4, Aitken-1 with Wadena and Kanabec among 9 counties without a confirmed case.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, high 64.
TONIGHT= partly cloudy, sprinkles after midnight, low 38.
THURSDAY= mostly cloudy, PM showers, high 57, low 34.
FRIDAY= isolated showers and T-storms, high 53, low near 30.
SPORTS
TWINS= another classic Twins broadcast as we relive the 1987 World Series, starts tonight 6pm on Q92 WYRQ.
BIR= Brainerd International Raceway announced they have postponed the first two weeks of racing and their Superbike racing the weekend of May 10th so far due to COVID-19 restrictions but hopes to reopen in mid-May after the Stay at Home orders are lifted by Governor Tim Walz in early May to start the racing season.