NEWS
--Little Falls Schools Superintendent Stephen Jones on Tuesday on Facebook stated it was a successful first week at the school district and it was great to see kids back in classrooms. Jones said that there has been a disturbing trend and an uptick of the numbers of COVID-19 in the past days and with that comes concern and alarm to continue inperson learning at the schools. Jones said right now things will remain as they are but if the numbers keep rising than changes will have to be made. He is asking parents, students, staff and community members to please follow COVID-19 regulations and mandates, face coverings, hand sanitizing and social distancing guidelines. If your students has symptoms illness please do not let them go to school. Jones said they will be sending out additional via sky alert to families with information on the recent numbers and please do your best to abide by the regulations that are provided in the information. Jones will give the latest update on the school's situation on Friday at 8:30am on AM960 KLTF.
--In Tuesday's report from the Minnesota Department of Health on COVID-19 tracking there was 432 new cases statewide and 5 new deaths linked to the virus. There were three new cases in Morrison County residents for a cumulative total of 177 cases with one death linked to the virus in Morrison County. There were 58 cases of COVID 19 in Morrison County residents in the past 14 days of data. Some of these numbers are inflated by for instance college students who are not living in Morrison County but claim Morrison County as their permanent address. Locally the department of Health is working with school districts to give them better estimates for current cases of people actually living in the area to determine what learning model (distance, in person or hybrid) should be used.
--In a letter to the presidential campaigns of Donald J. Trump and Joe Biden, Governor Tim Walz asked that their upcoming campaign events comply with Minnesota’s COVID-19 Safety Guidelines. Both campaigns have visits to Minnesota scheduled this week. The Governor stated, we ask that those events comply with our state’s COVID-19 safety guidelines. Over 1,900 Minnesotans have died from the virus, including more than 200 in the past month. Please demonstrate that you value Minnesota by protecting the health of our communities. Join us in our efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, keep our businesses open, and get back to the activities we love. In order to comply with the relevant guidelines, the events generally must not exceed 25 percent capacity, not to exceed 250 people. The organizers may be able to increase total attendance if they choose a venue with multiple event spaces with separate capacity limits, as long as each separate space is limited to the lesser of 250 people or 25 percent capacity. Attendees must maintain social distancing of at least six feet at all times and face coverings are required indoors and strongly encouraged outdoors. President Trump is in Bemidji Friday and Joe Biden is expected to be in Minnesota also on Friday.
--The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office was asking for the public’s assistance in locating a 2001 Polaris Scrambler 500, red in color, wrapped in black/blue and white camo. The Sheriff's Office reported late yesterday that the ATV has been found. They thank all who contacted them in finding the vehicle that was taken near Bowlus.
--The final of the Cruise the County Car Shows will be tonight in Sobieski from 5-8pm, all are invited to come and see the classic cars.
--Search and like the pictures of Little Falls Radio on Facebook.
--The Fire Departments and First Responder groups of Morrison County will be conducting a search and rescue exercise on Saturday September 26, 2020. The drill will be conducted in and northeast of the City of Upsala. Exercises will be happening from 8am through mid-afternoon. Emergency responders will be responding to search and rescue scenarios in remote wooded areas of the rural Upsala community. Medical and rescue helicopters will also be part of this exercise. Medical and rescue helicopters will be in the air in and around the city from approximately 10am to 1pm. Search and rescue duties are among a multitude of emergency services delivered by these organizations. A rescue helicopter from the Mobile Aviation Rescue Team (MART) will also be included in the exercise. Emergency crews will be working adjacent to public roadways that day. For the safety of the exercise responders, and the general public, the Upsala First Response Team asks for heightened awareness of an increase in emergency vehicle traffic, both on the roadways and in the air during the midday hours of Saturday, September 26th. Emergency vehicles will not be traveling with emergency lights or sirens, but will have them flashing while working alongside roadways.
--The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office reports that on September 5th their office received a report of a 2006 Sterling dump truck taken from Cable Road, approximately one mile east of Swanville. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the dump truck was taken from Swanville Redi Mix on September 5th between the hours of 3-7:00am. The dump truck was located nearby in the ditch off Cannon Road. The suspect(s) did extensive damage to the dump truck. This theft case is under investigation and the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office encourages residents to contact their office at (320) 632-9233 with any information. Swanville Redi Mix is offering a $500 reward for any information that leads to an arrest and conviction.
--A St. Cloud man charged with raping a 12-year-old girl has pleaded guilty. 20-year old Benjamin Shatraw has pleaded guilty to one count of 1st degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim under 16-years old and a significant relationship. According to the criminal complaint filed in Stearns County District Court, the girl told authorities that Shatraw had sex with her over 100 times between February 2019 and July 2019. He will be sentenced December 7th.
WEATHER
TODAY= fog early, then mostly sunny, cooler, high 64.
TONIGHT= clear skies, frost possible toward morning, low 33.
THURSDAY= frost early, then sunny and cool, high 58, low 37.
FRIDAY= partly sunny, high 61, low around 40.
SPORTS
TWINS= White Sox win again Tuesday night beating the Twins by the score of 6-2 in Chicago. Twins and White Sox continue series tonight with a 6:30pm pregame on Q92 WYRQ. They wrap up the series tomorrow afteroon with a 12:30pm pregame on Q92 WYRQ.
BIG 10= The Big 10 remains in limbo if they will play this year, a decision was expected last night but never got finalized for a vote. The framework for still an possible 8 game season for teams in the conference to play football starting October 17th through December 19th with a championship game for the Big 10 title at the end of the season is still being looked over, the conference voted to install it but the Universities have doubts on safety features to play the season.
WNBA= Phoenix vs. Minnesota in Round 2 of playoffs Thurs at 6pm.