NEWS
--Another large event this year has been cancelled. The 58th Annual Swanville Midsummer Carnival scheduled for July has been cancelled this year. The Swanville Lions stated that after 57 consecutive years of bringing Central Minnesota the Grandaddy of all Carnivals, they were saddened to share that the 58th Annual Swanville Midsummer Carnival is cancelled. They have worked diligently to plan and organize over the past months but with the restrictions implemented by the government they were unable to move forward in their planing. The Swanville Lion's Club will still be having their "Big Cash Raffle" Sunday, July 12th at Lucky's Saloon in Swanville. If larger gatherings are allowed, they are hoping to have a late Summer Festival to allow the central Minnesota spirit to live strong. If so, there unfortunately won't be a Midway (rides or games). They want to thank everyone for the amazing support over the past 57 years and look forward to the 2021 Midsummer Carnival. Little Falls Radio were also informed yesterday during KLTF Party Line from Al Poser that the St. James Augustfest this year in Randall on Sunday, August 9th will be only a drive-thru style ice-cream social for the 50-cent ice cream cones and the large raffle will be done live-streamed from the church. All over events for the Augestfest in Randall are cancelled.
--The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce selected Kimberly Perry of Mid MN Federal Credit Union as their June Employee of the Month.
--Royalton Mayor Andrea Lauer spoke on KLTF Tuesday and stated that Royalton is “Open for Business” restaurants and bars have areas for outdoor dining including some fenced off areas. Hair salons/ barber shops are open for appointments following CDC guidelines. Royalton City Hall is open to visitors and walk ins at this time. Mayor Lauer stated that parks are open but the playgrounds are not sanitized so use caution. The splash pad will not be opened this year, but there is playground equipment there to use but again not sanitized. Lauer reminds the public to please continue to support local businesses in Royalton and throughout central Minnesota.
--Due to the recent fire at the Brainerd City Hall they remain closed at this time while repairs inside are being completed. The hope according to the city of Brainerd is to reopen soon.
--The Franciscan Sisters announced that the next American Red Cross Bloodmobile will be June 15th, 16th and 17th but it will be at First United Church, 1001 1st Street, Little Falls due to the Convent not allowing any visitors at this time. (The Convent announced last week that all events inside the Convent are cancelled and Masses not open to the public through August 31st). The blood drive will be held on June 15th from 1-7pm, June 16th at 12-6pm, and June 17th at 8:30am-2:30pm at the First United Church. Blood donations are needed. Anyone who is healthy is invited to respond to this great need for blood. Due to COVID-19, we ask that appointments be made for the safety of donors, staff and volunteers and ask to avoid walk-ins at the blood drive, go online at redcrossblood.org, by calling 1 (800) 733-2767 or calling Sister Julien Dirkes at (320) 632-0663 to sign up.
--Morrison County Public Works stated that Bellevue Township will have a clean up day Saturday from 8am-12pm at the Bellevue Town Hall for info call Patricia at 584-5120. Also Belle Prairie Township will hold a clean up day on Saturday from 8am-12pm at Belle Prairie Town Hall and for details there call Babe Brisk at 632-9415. For more information on cleanup days and Recycling information in Township and cities call Morrison County Solid Waste Office at 631-2862.
--Yesterday at 5:00pm was the deadline to file for political offices with primaries this summer. In Morrison County according to the Secretery of State's Website, Mike LeMieur is running unopposed for Morrison County Commissioner in District 1. In District 2 both Jeffrey Jelinski and Robert (Bobby) Kasper have filed for county commissioner and in District 3 Al Doty, Brian Lindquist and Randy Winscher have each filed. Running in Morrison County Soil and Water Supervisor in District 1 is William E. Faber, in District 2 Tom Brutscher and in District 5 David Hubner. In the State House, in District 9B Republican Ron Kresha will be challenged by DFL candidate Laura Wright and in the State Senate Distict 9 Republican Incumbent Paul Gazelka will be challenged in the primary by Republican Richard Dahl and on the DFL side A. John Peters in November. The US Senate seat currently held by Tina Smith saw five Republicans and five DFL candidates including incumbent Tina Smith file. For US 8th District House Seat three candidates filed including incumbent Pete Stauber, fellow Republican Harry Welty and DFL challenger Quinn Nystrom. The contested races will then have a Primary Election in Minnesota scheduled for August 11th. Because the deadline was at 5:00pm Tuesday, it could be a day before a finalized list is on the Secretery of State website.
--The Minnesota Department of Health reported the least amount of COVID-19 tests in nearly a month Tuesday during their daily report of COVID-19. Positive tests increased another 310 making 25,508 positive cases in Minnesota since the start but of those 20,381 are no longer in isolation and 248 are currently still in the ICU. Morrison County is up 1 from yesterday to 48, Todd 327, Stearns at 2,042 as most of the counties also smaller increases than in the past week.
--The Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association yesterday made the following statement: “Minnesota bars and restaurants are ready to be safely opened as soon as possible for indoor dining. We have preparedness plans, have significant experience working with strong safety regulations, and will protect our customers, staff, and vendors. Minnesota’s hospitality industry has met every request from the Governor’s office and the Department of Employment and Economic Development, offering guidance on safety measures and opening rules but still have not received a date for re-opening”. Governor Tim Walz on Tuesday signed an executive order allowing bars and restaurants to expand outdoor dining to Trunk Highway right-of-way space, where commercial activity is normally restricted. This action will help provide flexibility for businesses without existing outdoor dining space and help improve the public health by allowing more space for distancing in outdoor dining. Under the Stay Safe Order, bars and restaurants are allowed and encouraged to offer outdoor dining with safety precautions in place. Under Executive Order 20-63, bars and restaurants that serve food outside are required to protect the health and safety of Minnesotans, including maintaining social distancing and requiring masks for employees.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny skies, high 83, clear skies tonight, low 56.
THURSDAY= sunny skies, high 82 then PM thunderstorms develop.
THURS NIGHT= storms early, some strong, then clearing, low 54.
FRIDAY= sunny skies, high near 80, low around 50.
SPORTS
TWINS= listen to Game 7 of the 1991 World Series, considered one of the best games ever, tonight at 6pm on Q92 WYRQ.