NEWS
--A reminder that the Camp Ripley Fire Department will be conducting controlled burns over the next few weeks. Residents of the Little Falls, Randall, Pillager, Baxter, Brainerd and Fort Ripley areas you may notice or smell smoke originating from Camp Ripley either in the past days or future days these are periodic controlled burns that will be conducted throughout the spring season to mitigate the risk of wildfires that may potentially be a danger during training. Also Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge announced they will be continuing prescribed burns as the weather permits including one yesterday and from this past weekend and will have more through April and possibly into May.
--Little Falls Community High School Principal Tim Bjorge stated yesterday on KLTF that they had 162 signed up for Day of Caring as of yesterday morning they usually max out at 175 for the numbers to take care of on May 5th from 9am-12pm. If you live in the Little Falls community or Randall or the villages of Flensburg and Sobieski and would like some outdoor work done on May 5th call Julie Mushel today at 632-2002 or get a registration form dropped off at the school they are available at several entities around Little Falls and at Little Falls Radio. Bjorge said there will be changes as many more walkers to the events this year as they cannot have as many on buses getting to the sites, only an informal kickoff no large event for the send off that day. With the shorter kickoff, teams will be getting out a bit earlier probably before the 9am start time which should me more work to get done before noon ending and return to school. Bjorge reminds homeowners you still must be home when they arrive but do to the safety protocols they ask that you stay in the home after they arrive and ring your door bell or knock to let you know they are there. If you come outside they do ask that distancing guidelines abide by the Department of Education. Also they cannot have any treats or beverages provided to them like in the past, the students will have their own water bottles for the event on May 5th and Bjorge thanks all for their understanding. Again questions on Day of Caring 632-2002.
--A family of six was displaced following a fire Saturday evening, according to the St. Cloud Fire Department. No one was injured in the house fire, but it caused an estimated $86,500 in damages. The fire took place around 9 p.m. Saturday off Ninth Avenue South in St. Cloud, according to the report. Firefighters suppressed a fire in an upstairs bedroom quickly, but there was smoke damage throughout the home. The cause of the fire was under investigation.
--Ryan Webber, conductor of the Heartland Symphony Orchestra announced that due to restrictions they had to put their spring concert for this year online and were not able to perform their concerts live in Little Falls and Brainerd. The spring concert was created with former conductors and members of the orchestra for a virtual look back to spring from prior concerts and virtual performances. To view the free concert go to the website heartlandsymphony.com website and click on the top link of Virtual New World music. Webber hopes by next season the orchestra can perform in person again.
--Zion Lutheran Church announced that they will be having a Polka Praise Service on Sunday at their location at 411 3rd Avenue NE in Little Falls with “Jerry and Joyce” at 9am all are invited to attend. They do remind those that masks will be required for the event inside. There is also a blood drive at the church on 15th, 11am-5pm.
--A Melrose man was killed in a rollover in South Dakota last week. The incident happened around 3:45pm Friday at the intersection of 467th Avenue and 166th Street, seven miles north of Goodwin, South Dakota. Authorities says 33-year-old Aaron Kroshus was driving a fertilizer truck when he lost control on a curve, left the road and rolled. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities say he was wearing his seatbelt. The crash remains under investigation by the South Dakota Highway Patrol.
--The Morrison County Website Tuesday reported 179 active cases of COVID-19 in Morrison County. Pierz was at 64 cases while Little Falls at 54 active cases both set of numbers are down from where they were a week ago. Royalton has seen a bit of a uptick in numbers at 31 active cases yesterday. The state numbers were up to 3,014 new cases on Tuesday with 4 new reported deaths. There were 20 new cases in Morrison County the report from the state yesterday.
--There will be a prescription take back event on Saturday, April 24th from 10am-2pm at Coborn's Marketplace in Little Falls. The Morrison County Sheriff's Office, Little Falls Police Department and the Stand Up for U coalition with the Little Falls Community High School are coordinating a take back event to help those drop off unused and unwanted prescription drugs free of charge at this event. They do asked that the drugs be in plastic bags or bottles for proper disposal. Also Little Falls Police and the Sheriff's Office have drop off boxes that their buildings if you need to drop off unwanted and unused medications during the week.
DEATH NOTICES
--Martha “Marty” Toenies, age 93 of Royalton.
WEATHER
TODAY= showers, isolated T-storms, high 48.
TONIGHT= showers, isolated T-storms, some heavy rain, low 41.
THURSDAY= showers, some heavy rain, breezy, high 47, low 42.
FRIDAY= showers early, clearing at night, high 48, low around 36.
SPORTS
TWINS= Byron Buxton homered to tie the game with the Tigers yesterday only to have the Tigers beat the Twins in 10 innings Tuesday 4-3 to even the series at a game a piece. The decisive game in the series will be today at 11:30am on Q92 WYRQ.
HS GBB= Albany and Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa advanced yesterday to state championship games on Friday in Class A and AA basketball.
TODAY IN HISTORY
IN 1891= Nebraska first state to put an 8 hour work day into law.
IN 1902= Texas Oil Company “Texaco” begins operations.
IN 1978= Minnesota's own Prince releases debut album “For You”, the record flopped, but Prince would rebound with Purple Rain in 84.
IN 2016= FOX announced the cancelation of American Idol.
Tomorrow is Ladies Night Out Pierz Style with FM94. Stop into the participating sponsors and get your brochure stamped then head to Red Rooster in Genola for drawings to begin at 7:30pm, top prize $500 Pierz Area Commerical Club bucks. Theme is “Best Mask” best mask wins a special prize from FM94. Rules, details and sponsor list at fallsradio.com and click on the community calendar link.