NEWS
--The community of Little Falls is gearing up for extensive construction work on Highway 27 beginning Monday, April 29th and ending in the fall. Little Falls Community Schools understands the importance of notifying the public of various phases of the project as they will undoubtedly have an impact on travel time to and from school. Phase One entails the closing of the Highway 27 bridge over the Mississippi River from April 29th-May 11th. This is the only time during the entire project that the river bridge will be closed. The Highway 27/Front Street intersection and Highway 27/Lindbergh Drive intersection will be closed. Traffic will be routed to the Highway 10 bridge to the north or to Royalton toward the south. Detour signs will be posted for the public to follow. Pedestrians will be able to cross the Highway 27 bridge spanning the Mississippi River using temporary walkways. Because of the detour around the bridge for almost two weeks from April 29th-May 11th, Little Falls Schools buses pick-up and drop-off will have some different times than the norm. Students and families should be prepared for pick-up and drop-off times that may differ from what has happened all year. Students from Lincoln Elementary will be dismissed at 2:50pm during this two-week period to allow for the additional travel time. As mentioned by Superintendent Stephen Jones last week Lindbergh Elementary and the Community Middle School will have later bus pickups in the afternoon and elementary students will wait in the gym until going out to get on the bus which is expected to be around 7-12 minutes later than usual. Contact the District office at (320) 632-2002 with any questions or concerns that you may have.
--A police chase that started in Sartell went through a Sauk Rapids yard before coming to an end, with the driver of the car still on the run. Sartell Deputy Police Chief Wayne Schreiner says it all began around 6:30pm Friday near County Road 1 and Highway 15 in Sartell. It ended in the 400 block of 10th Street South in Sauk Rapids. The officer conducted a routine license plate check and found the car's owner was wanted on a felony level 2nd degree burglary charge. The driver hid some property as he was running from police and drugs were recovered in the area. No one was hurt during the incident but there is a lot of damage to the backyard at the residence including their chain link fence. The car has been recovered by police, but the suspect has not been arrested. Sartell police have not released the name of the suspect they are looking for.
--The Pierz Schools Music Department is getting ready for the 2nd Jazz Night fundraiser on May 3rd. High School Band Director Joel Pohland said that instead of selling items like others do for fundraiser they opted to play to their strengths: music and so the Night of Jazz was born. A loftier goal of this fundraiser than last year is to provide ongoing funds to offer scholarships to students who can’t afford instrument rental fees, ensuring every student that wants to play in the band can. Bringing in clinicians and guest artists will also be funded to help the students grow, as well as covering costs to participate in All-State and Honors Band and Choir competitions. This year’s concert, held at the Pierz Ballroom Friday, May 3rd. There will be hors d’oeuvres, desserts and an open bar, along with raffles and a silent auction throughout the night. Pre-sale tickets are $20 for adults, $7 for students and available from high school band students or from the district office. Tickets at the door are $25 for adults and $10 for students. Doors open at 6:30 and the music begins at 7pm.
--The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting water rescue training at the public access on Pierz Fish Lake on today and Thursday. There will be a large police presence on both days during the daylight hours. They thank the public for understanding.
--63 schools in Minnesota, including Pierz and Holdingford will benefit from $2.3 million in planning assistance and infrastructure grants that support the Safe Routes to School program through Minnesota Department of Transportation. Planning assistance grants provide communities the resources to convene a team, understand key issues, prioritize strategies and identify solutions that fit the local need. MnDOT announced the available planning assistance and infrastructure grants in October 2018. The infrastructure solicitation received $6.7 million in funding requests and 12 projects were awarded state funding for construction projects totaling $2 million. Since 2005, MnDOT awarded more than $38 million in federal and state funds to communities to support Safe Routes to School. The majority of funding was awarded for infrastructure projects. The remainder was allocated for programs and planning that promote walkable and bikeable communities. Safe Routes to School 2019 Planning Assistance Awards included the City of Sauk Centre and Rockford Area Schools. Safe Routes to School 2019 Infrastructure Awards include the City of Pierz, City of Parkers Prairie and the City of Holdingford. More information about Safe Routes to School including Bike to School Day and a map of SRTS projects, available at www.mndot.gov/saferoutes.
--A grass fire in east St. Cloud early Monday required personnel and equipment from six fire departments to bring under control. The grass fire was reported at 12:44am Monday near Donovan Lake at Ninth Street Northeast and Eighth Street, according to the department. The fire burned about 42 acres and no structures were threatened. The fire was brought under control within an hour. The department said seven St. Cloud fire units responded and mutual aid from Waite Park, Sartell, Sauk Rapids, St. Augusta and Foley assisted at the scene. The Department of Natural Resources in Little Falls mobilized two units, but they were canceled shortly after mobilizing.
--The Friends of the Carnegie Library in Little Falls are holding their fundraiser book sale this Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the library in Little Falls. Members of the Friends of the Library will get the first show tonight, while Thursday at 10am, Friday at noon and Saturday at 10am is the public's chance to view the books and other items to purchase where most are 50-cents or 1 dollar and proceeds go to help events at the library by the friends group. All are welcome.
DEATH NOTICES
--Arthur “Art” Lindgren, age 88 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= partly sunny and mild, breezy, high 73.
TONIGHT= isolated showers after dark, low near 48.
THURSDAY= sunny skies, breezy, high 64, low around 42.
FRIDAY= sunny and cooler, high 54, rain late, low 36.
SPORTS
TWINS= Houston rallied with 6 runs in the final innings to beat the Twins last night 10-4 in Houston. The Twins wrap up series with Houston tonight with pregame at 6:30pm on Q92 WYRQ.