NEWS
--Little Falls Community High School Principal Tim Bjorge informed Little Falls Radio on Tuesday that due to the schools out until at least May 4th with distance learning they have had to cancel the Day of Caring on May 6th this year. Planning would not have been able to be completed to get the Day of Caring established in the short period of time that the school would have had if they returned May 4th. Bjorge said they look forward to the Day of Caring in May 2021.
--Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's Stay At Home order is scheduled to expire at the end of this week, however, the governor is expected to extend the order at a briefing this afternoon. Walz says the extension may not look exactly like the current order we're under as he looks for ways to keep as many people working, without compromising our health. We are right now assessing sector by sector, line by line, as we look at an extension of the Stay At Home order and how can we make sure that we're not putting people at risk. And as for how long a Stay At Home extension goes, Walz says he's also trying to find the right balance there. I certainly don't want to set-up a false hope that this is going to be quicker, and I also don't want to set this too far out where people get frustrated and say how do you know a lot can change by May. Walz says he should have a decision on an extension in a day or two. Bars, restaurants and many other businesses have already been ordered to stay closed until Friday, May 1st and schools have to continue distance learning until Monday, May 4th. Walz says data continues to show that we're doing well with social distancing, except for in areas like parks and trails. He is encouraged that when it comes to infection rates, we're at 17 per 100,000 people, near the best in the nation. The latest numbers on Tuesday showed 1069 positive tests in Minnesota and 34 deaths of COVID-19. Still no positive cases in Morrison, Todd and Mille Lacs County. Crow Wing how has 9 cases, Cass has 2, Benton at 1 and Stearns still at 6.
--Royalton Mayor Andrea Lauer spoke on KLTF Tuesday and said that all city offices remain closed at this time to the public, their meetings are via conference call at this time, parks, shelters and playgrounds are closed to protect those at this time of COVID-19 and the Social Distancing guidelines. They have been working with the area businesses on ways to help them if they are closed or have only drive up type services until the restrictions are lifted. If you have questions for the city of Royalton, the offices are staffed at 584-5900.
--Steve Smith of CHI St. Gabriel's Hospital and Lisa Hanowski of CHI Health at Home spoke on KLTF Monday. They stated the hospital is doing tests for COVID-19 and as of Monday had no positive cases for Morrison County. Smith said the hospital has taken safety precautions like prohibiting visitors at this time, doing some doctor visits over the phone or email in considered a non-emergency, stopping all elective surgeries at this time and working with the community as they monitor the COVID-19 situation. They stated the hospital has received hundreds of masks to help with protecting staff, handmade cloth masks can be dropped off at the front lobby at this time or the facilities building behind the hospital across from Alvera Apartments. If you have questions for CHI contact Steve at 632-5441 and for Health at Home for Home Care and Hospice call 631-5575.
--More cancellations have been sent to Little Falls Radio, easter egg hunts that were scheduled this weekend by the Pierz Lions, Linden Hill, First Lutheran Church in Little Falls have all been cancelled. The American Legion Riders meeting in April has been cancelled.
--The Haven of Mercy Area Catholic Community of the Parishes in Little Falls, Randall, Flensburg and Sobieski announced that Masses for Holy Week will be live streamed at the littlefallscatholic.org website. Holy Thursday will be at 7pm from Our Lady of Lourdes, Good Friday at 1pm from St. Stanislaus in Sobieski, Holy Saturday vigil will be at 8:30pm from Holy Family Belle Prairie and Easter Sunday Mass at 9am from St. Mary's in Little Falls and 10:30am from Sacred Heart in Flensburg. Again due to the Bishop's decision to close the Catholic Churches and suspend all Masses until at least next Monday (this could be longer depending on the Governor's decision), the public is not allowed in the churches so the Masses are live streamed from the churches by the priests only for the coming days. You can hear the 9am Mass Sunday live on AM960 KLTF.
--OurTown 56345 and the City of Little Falls have collaborated to assemble and publish a comprehensive list of resources related to helping individuals and businesses navigate various issues generated by the COVID 19 pandemic. This “one-stop” link provides information ranging from where to go for unemployment insurance to sheltering in activities for families. The OurTown 56345 COVID-19 Resource List can be found at the city of Little Falls website, also the OurTown 56345 Facebook page and you can contact Jon Radermacher at the City of Little Falls at 616-5500 for information.
--Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has filled two judicial vacancies in Stearns County. Walz has appointed Laura Moehrle and Nathaniel Welte to the bench in Minnesota's Seventh Judicial District. Both judges will be seated in St. Cloud. Moehrle is a civil trial attorney, shareholder and Chief Financial Officer for Quinlivan & Hughes law firm. Welte is an Assistant County Attorney for the Becker County Attorney's Office. The open seats on the bench are a result of the retirements of Judge Frank Kundrat and Judge John Scherer.
--The Benton County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in solving a theft. Back on April 3rd at about 8am a 2014 Apollo AGB 125CC dirt bike was stolen from a residence in the 5000 block of Hwy 25 NE in St. George Township. The homeowner reported witnessing a red convertible with a black top pull out of their driveway at a high rate of speed shortly before discovering the bike missing. The dirt bike has an orange frame and orange handle bars with a black plastic seat and black fenders. When taken, the dirt bike had a flat rear tire, a loud exhaust, and was leaking gasoline. Anyone with information about this crime or the suspect(s) is asked to contact the Benton County Sheriff’s Office at (320) 968-7201 or Tri-County Crime Stoppers at (800) 255-1301, www.tricountycrimestoppers.org.
--Randall Mayor Danny L. Noss will join AM960 Community Focus today at 8:35am, Father Ben Thursday and Steve Jones on Friday.
WEATHER
TODAY= partly cloudy skies, windy afternoon, high 48.
TONIGHT= clear skies, low around 25.
THURSDAY= partly sunny, cold and windy, high near 40, low near 20.
FRIDAY= sunny skies, not as windy, high near 50.
SPORTS
TWINS= another classic Twins/All Star game can be heard tonight at 6pm with 2014 All Star Game from Target Field on Q92 WYRQ. Then on Sunday at noon it is the first regular season game to be played at Target Field at noon on Sunday on Q92 WYRQ. Classic Twins Games continue until a decision on the MLB season is made.