NEWS
--Pierz Schools Superintendent George Weber gave a summary of events in Pierz that led to 5th graders going to distance learning. Pierz staff received information Friday evening about a student with a positive test. They began verifying information with MDH that evening and Saturday, including notification of contacts. Later Saturday another positive test result in the same classroom was a student. The list of close contacts grew to a point where it impacted other classes. By Sunday, they learned of three additional people in the grade who were reported to have symptoms and MDH notified the school to identify one complete class (section) of 5th grade as close contacts and supported a plan to at least keep that one grade home until there is time to verify no additional spread. The teachers and principal worked quickly to provide students with school work, materials, and Chromebooks for parents to pick up, and on Tuesday implemented a distance learning model. Day 1 of this new model for 5th grade will be designed to ensure their technology is ready, verify they can take part in the daily schedule, and do everything the school can to help students feel good about their school year moving forward and also to continue their enjoyment of working with their teachers and classmates, although in a different format for now. Teachers will be communicating daily and the school reached out to any families who want free meals to pick up at school. Pierz Schools are planning this as a short-term intervention and want that to be the message for their students and parents. Keep up with your schoolwork. Keep up with your class and stay in communication with your teacher. Pierz schools will continue to update you as soon as they have information to help them set dates when children can return. In this particular event, it seemed prudent to intervene quickly to slow the spread of COVID-19, and protect the health and safety of their students, staff, and their community. If someone in your household displays symptoms of COVID-19, or is tested for COVID-19, please keep all family members home and contact the school nurse for further directions.
--Minnesota's COVID-19 numbers Tuesday were 513 new cases reported with 10 new deaths linked to the virus. Morrison County reported 3 new cases on Tuesday, though the numbers total jumped to 213 total cases on COVID-19 since testing began.
--Pierz Healy High School announced their Homecoming top 10 for 2020-2021. Finalists for Queen is Ellie Fischer, Emily Sadlovsky, Courtney Strohmeier, Maddie Poster and Alissa Girtz. Finalists for King is Colby Hecimovich, Noah Cekalla, Ryan Stuckmayer, Michael Leidenfrost and Jonah Prokott. Coronation will be Monday, September 28th at 2:30pm. They will have the event on their facebook with hopes of a live stream set up by Monday. The event due to COVID-19 restrictions is not open to the public. There is no homecoming game scheduled at this time as the event was set up prior to Monday's vote to bring football and volleyball back in October.
--The surrounding communities of Camp Ripley should be aware that throughout the next week there will be training on Camp Ripley that the public may be able to hear during both the day and night. Additionally there may be the opportunity to see illumination flares above Camp Ripley while this training takes place. Camp Ripley thanks you for your support during this required training period which will help the men and women of our Armed Forces meet federal, state and community mission readiness goals.
--During the past week, Brainerd students in grades 9-12 encountered a proven and growing cluster of positive COVID-19 cases within their student body. In consultation with the Minnesota Department of Health, high school classes in grades 9-12 at Brainerd High School, Lincoln Education Center, and Brainerd Learning Center will be canceled for today. This will allow teachers to prepare for full-time distance learning. Tomorrow high school classes at BHS, LEC, and BLC will be “reset” into a distance learning model for two weeks. Teachers and students will follow the hybrid learning bell schedule. During the two week reset there will be no high school athletic practices or competitions. Students will return in the hybrid model with B-group students on Thursday, October 8, 2020.
--A number of people have expressed interest in buying Flyer masks, and Little Falls Community Schools announced Monday that they have those for sale for $5.00 per mask at the District Office (Door #1 at the High School) or by ordering ahead of time by using an attached form at the school's facebook page. Questions call 616-2200.
--One person was taken to the hospital after a two-vehicle crash in Benton County. The Minnesota State Patrol says the crash happened Monday just before 3pm at the intersection of Highway 23 and Highway 25 in Foley. An SUV driven by 44-year-old Stacie Stoltz of Foley was eastbound on 23 when it collided with a car, southbound on Hwy. 25, driven by 71-year-old Sandra Shoen of Milaca. Stoltz was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Shoen and a passenger, 51-year-old Bryan McWhite of Milaca, were hurt but were not taken to the hospital.
--As the number of COVID-19 cases continue to rise at the College of Saint Benedict and St. John's University campuses, school officials are taking new measures to limit the spread. On Friday, the schools announced several students in Saint Patrick Hall have tested positive to COVID-19. School officials say they have tested all students in Saint Patrick Hall and Saint Bonifcae Hall, and asking all students to limit activities to 10 students or fewer. A St. Ben's varsity athletics team is also being tested and placed into quarantine. Staff is also asking students who live off campus, not with their families, to not come to campus for the next two weeks (for either class or work) as some students are failing to abide by the masking and social distancing protocols. Academic classes will continue in the in-person/hybrid format as originally scheduled.
--St. Mary's Church announced this past weekend that they have decided to cancel the Christmas Bazaar and Boutique the weekend before Thanksgiving this year in Little Falls.
DEATH NOTICE
--Bette Gerling, age 94 of Little Falls.
WEATHER
TODAY= sunny and warm, high 81, storms late night, low 58.
THURSDAY= partly cloudy, cooler, high 68, clear night, low 54.
FRIDAY= sunny and warmer, high 77, storms late night, low 50.
SPORTS
TWINS= Twins win 5-4 in the bottom of the 10 to beat Detroit last night, game 2 of the series at 6pm tonight on Q92 WYRQ.
WNBA= Seattle beat Lynx last night 88-86 to take game 1 of series.
NFL= Vikings have lost linebacker Anthony Barr for entire season after he tore his pectoral muscle. Vikings host Titans on Sunday.