NEWS
--The Morrison County Government Center announced as of Tuesday morning they have closed the Department of Motor Vehicles office to the public indefinately due to the COVID 19 concerns. During this time they are working on ways to have proper distancing and create an outsourcing of information to the residents. County Administrator Deb Gruber stated that they asking all non-essential visitors not to come to the center though the remaining offices are open at this time. Best to call ahead at 632-2941.
--Tuesday Morrison County Public Health announced the activation of the Department Operation Center (DOC) in response to the current COVID-19 outbreak. At this time, the DOC is operating in a monitoring phase in the hours of 8:00am to 4:30pm. Currently, there are 54 confirmed cases in the state of Minnesota. The closest confirmed cases are located in Stearns and Benton Counties. Morrison County Public Health is working closely with Emergency Management to monitor the situation. Morrison County Public Health is encouraging the public to practice social distancing, stay home when you are sick, cover your cough, and wash your hands well. Please continue to utilize MDH and CDC as valid resources for information. If you have general questions about COVID-19 please utilize the MDH hotline 651-201-3920.
--Students and staff at Foley Public Schools may have been exposed to COVID-19. According to a message sent Monday from Superintendent Paul Neubauer, a person who has tested positive for the virus was in the district last Thursday and Friday. The district learned of the diagnosis Tuesday as schools were to be open until 12:15pm. Neubauer says the person did have contact with students and staff. Because there is no way to know the level of exposure to individuals, school leadership has canceled all activities and closed school buildings until further notice. Additionally, all childcare and food services are suspended. Neubauer says the district is staying in touch with the Minnesota Department of Health.
--Authorities released the names of the two men who were shot and killed Sunday, March 8th, following a 911 call of an intruder at a residence in Backus. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating the incident as it involved an officer involved shooting. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office Tuesday identified the victim as 72-year old Maynard Anderson of Backus. The apparent shooter was 57-year old Keith Haux of Backus. Both Anderson and Haux died of multiple gunshot wounds. Two deputies are on standard administrative leave as the investigation continues. Their names will be released later.
--Stearns County authorities say a traffic stop led to the arrest of two people after drugs were found inside. Authorities say deputies pulled the vehicle over on I-94 early Friday morning. After making contact with the driver, a police dog was called in to search the vehicle. During the search deputies say they found 14 grams of meth, 3 grams of shrooms, 4 controlled substance pills and half a gram of THC wax. Along with the drugs there was also a scale, and roughly $3,300 recovered from the driver. Both the driver and passenger were arrested and booked into jail and the cash was seized.
--Oasis Central Minnesota announced that the Share a Meal program has been suspended until further notice no Share a Meal tomorrow.
--The Mall of America announced they have closed for the remainder of the month after the Governor's proclomation to close resturants and other entities where people meet. MOA closed to April 1st.
--More cancellations of events: St. Cloud Diocese has cancelled Masses through April 13th meaning no masses in the Diocese for Holy Week in churches, some churches will have online services and masses during this time and the TV Mass will continue with only the priest presiding. Bishop Kettler also has asked for baptisms, wedding and funeral masses be suspended (there are exception if one was already planned), they ask that only graveside servies be held until after the April 13th deadline. Wild Game Feed in Upsala March 28th cancelled, Legacy Chorale has cancelled all spring concerts, Heartland Symphony cancelled their spring concert, St. Francis Convent said their music center and health and wellness are closed for the remainder of the month, Little Falls Senior Center is closed for the rest of March and the ADA announced that the Dairy Princess Coronation has been postponed and even the crowning will be at a later date. Linden Hill announced they are cancelling the egg hunt this year and closed to the public. Get details on all the events sent to Little Falls Radio at fallsradio.com or on the news page on website.
--The Little Falls Fire Department was called twice in the previous days. On Saturday at 4:32am they were called to the Holiday Gas Station on 1st Avenue Northeast to smoke in the building, it was found to be a discarded cigareette butt that had fallen between the sidewalk and outer wall of the building. Firefightets ventilated the building and no injuries. Then on Monday around 4:56pm they were called to the 600 Lindbergh Drive Northwest Apartment #6 to smoke in the residence, again firefighters found a garbage can in the bathroom smoldering and it was removed from the apartment and extinguished. No damage to the residence and again no injuries.
--The Minnesota National Guard's Joint Operations Center continues to monitor the COVID-19 response in Minnesota. At this time, the Guard said they do not have any Guardsmen activated. We encourage our Soldiers and Airmen to visit https://minnesotanationalguard.ng.mil/mnng-covid-19/ and to stay in contact with their chain of command for updated information.
DEATH NOTICE
--Curtis Sam, age 55 of Onamia.
WEATHER
TODAY= drizzle, some freezing early, fog and rain, high 41.
TONIGHT= rain, some freezing rain overnight, low 32.
THURSDAY= rain early, changing to snow afternoon, high 37 early dropping late, possible 1-2 inches of snow by late night, low 10.
FRIDAY= becoming sunny, very windy, high 22 low around 0.
SPORTS
NFL= many deals made, former Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater is going to Carolina, former Vikings QB Case Keenum to Cleveland. Drew Brees resigns with New Orleans. Phillip Rivers going to the Colts, and many sources saying that Tom Brady going to Tampa Bay after Brady sent out tweets yesterday saying he is done with Patriots.
PPD= French Open in Tennis postponed until September. All PGA Tournaments are postponed, Major League Baseball announcing they now may not start the season until after May 15th, Kentucky Derby has been postponed until September. NBA announcing they may not restart until mid June and NHL may only have playoffs and that may not take place until later this summer. WWE's Wrestlemania moved from Tampa to an empty arena in Orlando on April 5th only on PPV.