NEWS
--One person was killed Tuesday morning after leaving their vehicle following a crash. A 33-year old man from Sartell was driving westbound on Highway 10 in Watab Township in Benton County when he crashed into some trees on the right side of the road. The man from Sartell crossed Highway 10 on foot and was struck in the left lane of the eastbound lanes by a vehicle driven by 35-year old Jessica Clairmont of Little Falls. A vehicle driven by 22-year old Brittney Tiemann of Royalton which was following Clairmont's vehicle then rear ended her van. The 33-year old from Sartell died as a result of the incident. The name of the deceased is being withheld until later this morning. According to the State Patrol report the other drivers and passenger were not injured.
--A woman died after an ATV she was riding in fell through the ice on Kabekona Lake in north Cass County near Walker. 60-year-old Rose Peterson, of Brooklyn Park, died Saturday night after she and two family members traveling in an ATV fell through thin ice on the lake. Peterson's son pulled all three out of the water after the ATV plunged into about 18 feet of water. Peterson was unresponsive when her son performed CPR on the ice. She was transported to a Bemidji hospital and later airlifted to Fargo where she was pronounced dead.
--Around 6:15pm on Sunday the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office received a call of an ATV and fish house that had broken through the ice on Platte Lake in the southeast part of Crow Wing County. 2 individuals were able to get out of the water and to shore. However, their ATV and fish house are still in the water. Sheriff Goddard reminds people that ice thickness varies from lake to lake and can change overnight and asks people to be vigilant on checking the thickness of the ice as they venture out onto the lakes. Platte Lake also covers some of Morrison County and Sheriff Shawn Larsen stated please be safe and never travel on a lake without first checking the conditions. The open water was spotted between the public access and the big island on the Crow Wing County side of the lake. Please spread the words to stop others from the same fate.
--Stearns County was called out for an ATV going through the ice on Sunday (the 2nd day in a row for a vehcile through the ice on a Stearns County lake). Sunday around 2pm, 61-year old Michael Tiemann of Grey Eagle was riding his 2000 Artic Cat 600 snowmobile, south, along the east side of Little Birch Lake in Melrose Township. He was with his son and daughter-in-law who were on their own sled. Tiemann was riding approximately 20 feet from shore when his sled broke through the ice and became partially submerged. He stayed on the machine while his son returned to his house to retrieve a strap to pull it out. As he was returning with the strap, Tiemann was able to get off the snowmobile safely with the assistance of his daughter-in-law. Once he was off, the snowmobile broke completely through the ice and sank to the bottom in approximately six feet of water. Tiemann was not injured during this incident and was wearing a helmet. Again a reminder that lake ice in never 100% safe.
--Less COVID-19 cases in Morrison County continue, 87 active cases Tuesday. Little Falls zip code 32, Pierz 17, Royalton 9 cases. Area nursing homes this week and assisted living facilities are getting the vaccine for their employees and the residents. The Minnesota Department of Health reported 988 cases on Tuesday's report with 36 new deaths which included 1 in Morrison County of a person in their 60's. Morrison County had 4 total cases of COVID-19 on the report.
--Face coverings will be required for most youth sports when winter activities are allowed to resume in the state of Minnesota in January. Under an executive order issued by Gov. Tim Walz, practices can resume for high school and organized youth sports starting January 4th while games and scrimmages can resume starting January 14th. The guidance states that "face coverings must be worn by all persons at all times, including practices and, when allowed, games" with certain exceptions, based on recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics. The exceptions for the face covering guidance include wrestling (where masks could become a choking or visual hazard), certain gymnastics and cheerleading routines (where face coverings could get caught on objects), and swimming and diving. Athletes must wear face coverings at all other times. The guidance also states that athletes should maintain six feet of physical distancing when they're on the bench or sidelines and not actively playing. Practices will be limited to "pods" with a maximum of 25 participants. Spectators are not allowed at practices, except when a parent or guardian is necessary due to age, disability or medical condition. Once games resume on the 14th, spectators will be limited based on the size of the venue. Concessions and entertainment are not allowed. The MDH guidance also discourages carpooling or the use of locker room and shower facilities. Outdoor practices are recommended whenever possible. Governor Tim Walz is expected early next week to outline more in his recent Stay Safe campaign which will effect the youth sports and also local businesses.
--The Morrison County Commissioner meet via the TEAMS site on Thursday morning at 9:00am to finish the year with a number of end of the year items and reports from county agencies including Public Health, Department of Motor Vehicles, Community Corrections, Public Works and the Auditor/Treasurer reports are on the agenda.
--The first Red Cross Bloodmobile of 2021 will take place at First United Church, 1000 1st Street SE, Little Falls on Monday, January 4th from 1-7pm, Tuesday, January 5th, from 12-6pm and Wednesday January 6th from 8:30am-2:30pm. Monday is pretty full up, some openings Tuesday and Wednesday by going online for an appointment at www.redcrossblood.org or by calling Sister Julien Dirkes at 320-632-0663. Because of social distancing guidelines, walk-ins will not be accepted for the blood drive next week.
DEATH NOTICES
--Theodore “Ted” Waytashek, age 82 passed away in Brainerd.
WEATHER
TODAY= morning flurries, then partly sunny, windy, high 22.
TONIGHT= clearing skies, colder, low near 0, wind chills near -15.
THURSDAY= sunny skies, high 23, partly cloudy night, low 8.
NEW YEARS DAY= sunny skies, high 25, low around 10 above.
SATURDAY= partly cloudy, windy, high 21, low near 5 above.
SUNDAY= cloudy skies, high near 30, low around 20.
SPORTS
NBA= LA Clippers beat Timberwolves last night 124-101.
COL BB= Gophers vs. Wisconsin Thursday at 3pm on KLTF.
NFL= A wild weekend in the NFL with a number of teams trying to secure a playoff spot or keep the one they have. The Vikings and Detroit have no playoff meaning but higher draft pick in 2021 and some pride on the line Sunday when they meet at noon.