NEWS
--Little Falls Schools Superintendent is scheduled to give an update today on the recent developments with the schools, food programs, daycare and if there is any update on when schools will resume as we wait for more information from the governor and any more potential closures and the latest also on distant learning in the school district. Today at 8:30am on AM960 KLTF and fallsradio.com.
--The Pierz City Council held a virtual meeting utilizing “Zoom” on Monday night. This is how city meetings will be done until further notice in Pierz with the ongoing social distancing guidelines. The council approved donation requests of $1,500 to Pierz Oktoberfest, $1,500 to Pierz Freedom Fest, and $1,000 to Pierz Legion Ballpark. The city has suspended any utility penalties and any disconnections in March and April. With city offices in Pierz closed to walk in traffic, you can still pay bills through the mail, a dropbox in front of City Hall, pay online through the city of Pierz website or call to set up an auto pay option directly from your banking account. The plan for the old food shelf building is to use that space for surplus storage for the Pierz Fire Department. The new food shelf location in Pierz remodel is still under progress. The council accepted the resignation of paid on call firefighter Dale Brausen after 20 years of service. A conditional use permit hearring for Jason Meyer was scheduled for April 13th. This permit request is for his property to operate an auto sales lot. This lot was previously used as an auto sale lot but has since been vacant for some time and Meyer is looking to reopen the site.
--Governor Tim Walz led by example and announced he will self-quarantine and work remotely after learning he had contact with an individual who tested positive for COVID-19. He continued to take bold action to oversee the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic signing executives orders, extending Minnesota’s tax filing deadline to align with the federal government, and submitting a new supplemental budget to respond to the crisis. Other executive orders signed will protect renters and homeowners from evictions during this emergency, provide emergency assistance to small businesses hit hard by the pandemic, and help ensure that hospitals have the personal protective equipment and gear they need to care for fellow Minnesotans stricken by COVID-19. Governor Walz stated on Tuesday that we are seeing a bend in the curve of COVID-19 with the distancing and is likely to extend the closures for bars, restaurants and others and schools for another week but has yet to make it official waiting for the recent data in the coming days. The Governor and Lt. Governor announced a revised supplemental budget, allocating an additional $356 million toward the state’s COVID-19 response. The revised budget would support and protect Minnesotans during the COVID-19 pandemic. It would provide emergency grants to child care centers; support families struggling financially through the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP); support veterans and their families facing financial burdens; increase funding for food shelves; offer small business loans; and increase resources for Minnesotans struggling with homelessness. The budget would also create a COVID-19 Minnesota Fund that would give the state government the resources necessary to deploy resources and respond to the needs of Minnesotans in real time. The Minnesota Department of Health yesterday reported 262 tests positive for the virus in the state, but numbers outside the Metro stayed the same with only 1 in Benton and Cass, 5 in Stearns and none in Morrison.
--The Minnesota Department of Transportation stated that the second season in Minnesota- Road Construction will begin with very little delays including some projects next week. 2020 projects include Highway 210 in Brainerd, Business Highway 371 in Brainerd, Highway 10 in Elk River, the large Highway 23 project from St. Cloud to Foley and to Milaca, I-94 in Wright and Stearns County, Highway 27 in Osakis and next week road work is scheduled to begin in Wadena. For all the info on road projects check the the MN Dot website. Mn Dot is in contact with the governor and others in case dates need to be changed if new state rules abide with the COVID-19 virus but for now with the nicer weather road construction in set to get going.
--Crow Wing County Sheriff Office informed the public that a level 3 predatory offender, 32-year old Joshua Matthew McMillen will be moving into a residence in the 30000 block of State Highway 6 in Perry Lake Township in rural Crosby on Saturday. He has resided in Brainerd previously. McMillen engaged in sexual contact with a known teenage female. There will not be a public hearing held due to current guidelines regarding social distancing and attendance in groups. Sheriff Scott Goddard stated that all predatory offenders in Crow Wing County are closely monitored by his office for compliance. --Stearns County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the single vehicle crash on County Road 3 West, just north of County Road 17 in Holding Township around 9:20pm Monday night. 43 -year old Jeffrey Fuchs of Holdingford, was southbound on County Road 3 West in a tree service vehicle pulling a trailer. The vehicle partially entered the west ditch prior to Mr. Fuchs over-correcting the vehicle. He entered the east ditch and struck a utility pole. Jeffrey Fuchs was not injured.
--Stearns County Deputies responded to a motor vehicle crash with injuries near 34067 County Road 4, St. Wendel Township, around 9:50am Monday. This location is just a few miles west of St. Cloud. Deputies located a blue pickup in the south ditch. The driver 33-year old Derek Stevens of St. Cloud did not have any visible injuries but was transported to the St. Cloud Hospital for an evaluation. It is believed an unknown medical condition played a role in the incident.
--The Hands of Hope Hope Rocks Concert fundraiser that was scheduled for March 27th has not been rescheduled for August 21st. Steve Meyer said that tickets that were sold for the March concert are still good for the concert on August 21st from Hands of Hope.
--Father Ben of the Tri Parish stated on KLTF Tuesday that they were following Bishop Kettler's response to suspend public Mass at this time through April 13th but will have online masses through streaming services and facebook and also you can view TV Mass from the St. Cloud Disocese and other cable networks. Check your cable and TV listings for the times in your area for the Mass. There will be a Mass on AM960 KLTF this Sunday at 9am and at fallsradio.com.
DEATH NOTICES
--Florence M. Bellamy, age 91 of Little Falls formerly of Randall.
WEATHER
TODAY= rain/snow showers and fog, cooler temps dropping to 34.
TONIGHT= clearing skies, cooler night, low 22.
THURSDAY= sunny early, cloudy in afternoon, high 42, low 24.
FRIDAY= partly sunny, high 48- rain and snow showers at night.
SPORTS
NFL= Carolina Panthers released quarterback Cam Newton.