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Morrison County Record
Pierz Park gets new additions thanks to Pierz Area Commercial Club donation
The Pierz City Council meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 12 was filled with exciting news for the local community: the Pierz Area Commercial Club has stepped up with a generous donation to enhance the beloved Pierz Park with a variety of new playground equipment and amenities. Representing the Commercial Club, Amber Cekalla presented the Council with detailed plans for the donation, which includes several fun and engaging elements that are sure to delight children of all ages. Among the items proposed were chute and ramp play...
Morrison County considers supporting Mississippi Headwaters Board funding increase
During the Tuesday, July 30 planning session of the Morrison County Board of Commissioners, Tim Terrill, the executive director of the Mississippi Headwaters Board, presented a request for the county to support an increase in the board’s state funding. The Mississippi Headwaters Board is a regulatory agency that oversees the first 400 miles of the Mississippi River, working with local planning and zoning authorities to protect the river and its surrounding areas. Terrill explained that the board is seeking to increase its biennial funding from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) from $248,000 to $350,000. ...
Cutting-edge robotic technology transforming orthopedic care at St. Gabriel's Hospital, Little Falls Orthopedics
In the ever-evolving landscape of modern medicine, St. Gabriel’s Hospital and Little Falls Orthopedics have emerged as trailblazers, embracing cutting-edge robotic technology to revolutionize orthopedic care. Through the implementation of the Stryker Mako robotic system, the two are pioneering minimally invasive joint replacement surgeries, offering patients a future of improved mobility, reduced recovery times and enhanced quality of life. At the forefront of this transformative endeavor are key members of the St. Gabriel’s Hospital and Little Falls Orthopedics teams, including Little Falls Orthopedic Clinic Administrator...
Flyers football team prepares for the 2024 season with strong arsenal
The Little Falls Flyers football players hit the field on the first day of practice for the 2024 season. The team started training in the acclimation period, with players practicing with helmets on, but no pads. The Flyers come back with many of its starting returners, losing very few of its starters from the 2023 season. Head Coach Joe Bartos said the program is welcoming back many returners and new younger players as well. ...
Flyers volleyball welcomes back Carmen Johnson
The Little Falls Flyers volleyball team hit the ground running on its first day of practice Monday, Aug 12. Not only will the team enter into a new season, but it’s also bringing back a familiar face to the coaching staff. Head Coach Carmen Johnson served as the Flyers volleyball head coach between 2010 and 2021 After the program went through two coaches in the last three seasons, she came out of retirement and returned for the 2024-25 season, evaluating new players and getting back...
Victory League Aug. 10-12
Below are summaries of Victory League games played during the second weekend of the Region 8C Tournament in Upsala between Aug. 10 and Aug. 12. The first round of the state tournament was on Saturday, Aug. 18 with some of the games played in Jordan. Billygoats lose to Foley in Region 8C Championship The Buckman Billygoats played in the Region 8C tournament championship game against Foley, Sunday, Aug. 11, losing...
Royals Cross Country runners prepare for 2024 season
The Royalton Royals cross country team started its first practice of the 2024 season bright and early Monday, Aug. 12. Runners from both boys and girls teams put the miles in, running across the bridge over Platte River, going further into the neighborhood and running back to the Royalton Middle/High School. Head Coach Michael Marschel ran with the athletes during the workout. With the kids pushing themselves and cheering each other on, Marschel said he’s been looking forward to the 2024 season. ...
Starting genealogy as a hobby
A presentation of “Your Genealogy Hobby from Start to Finish” will be held by genealogist and author David Gaboury, Thursday, Aug. 22, at Holy Family Church Hall, located at 18777 Riverwood Drive in Little Falls. The event will begin with a welcoming at 5:30 p.m. with the presentation starting at 6 p.m. Hosted by the Morrison County Genealogy Society, the event is free to attend and open to the public. Genealogy is the perfect hobby. While it’s boundless, each person can set achievable goals that...
Pierz moves preschool program to five days
Superintendent George Weber informed the Pierz School Board, Wednesday, July 31 that the District is moving forward with its plan to transform one of its 4-year-old preschool program classrooms into a full-time, five days per week model. “This plan will then allow those parents to access a fulltime preschool service and also then support their daycare needs for that child,” he said. Weber said the cost for an entire year...
Pierz School Board increases activity fees
At its Wednesday, July 31 meeting, the Pierz School Board approved raising the District’s activity fees. The change reflects a $10 increase for both grades 7-8 and 9-12. While the cost for grades 7-8 sports was raised from $70 to $80 for first and second sports activities, a third sport which was previously at $20 was increased to $30. The cost of sports activities for grades 9-12 were previously set at $40 for first and second sports activities, but was raised to $50 per sport. A third sport at these grade levels will be free. Other activities fees that were set include $80 for hockey and speech. Those who are not enrolled in a sport, but would like to use the fitness center can do so at a seasonal fee of $50. No increases were made to ticket prices or season passes.
Pierz School Board Briefs
Below are summaries of actions from the Wednesday, July 31, 2024 meeting of the Pierz School Board. Personnel The Pierz School Board accepted the resignations of Duane Saehr, custodian; Alisyn Dovenberg, social studies teacher; and Bridget Trutwin, paraprofessional. The Board also approved lane changes for Hailey Sahlstrom, Marcus Artner, Jackie Tautges, Torin Mann and Jodi Marshik, as well as the work agreement between the District and Rick Grammond. ...
Increased biosecurity measures recommended for dairy farmers
This is first article of a three-part series about H5N1 influenza biosecurity for dairy producers from the University of Minnesota Extension’s The Moos Room podcast. During the first episode, veterinarian and Extension educator Dr. Joe Armstrong spoke about about biosecurity measures dairy producers can take in an effort to prevent the H5N1 influenza from impacting lactating cows and other animals. “There are a lot of biosecurity materials out there, but...
Brodeen named CLC athletic director
Central Lakes College is pleased to announce the appointment of Coach Krystal Brodeen as its athletic director. Brodeen served in an interim athletic director role in the spring of 2023 and assistant athletic director this past year. She is also the Women’s Head Basketball coach at the college. Brodeen said being selected as athletic director is an honor. “I’m very grateful for the opportunity to step into this role in our department and represent our extraordinary student-athletes, coaches, and CLC community,” she said.
Victory League Aug. 2-4
Below are summaries of Victory League games played during the first weekend of the Region 8C Tournament in Pierz (Aug 2-4), compiled by Sports Editor Nick Tabatt. The second weekend of the tournament was held in Upsala between Aug. 10 and Aug. 12. Billygoats punch ticket to state tournament The Buckman Billygoats secured its spot in the State tournament after upsetting the Pierz Brewers 11-1 in eight innings Sunday, Aug....
Morrison County grapples with complexities of regulating cannabis industry
In a lengthy and detailed discussion during the Tuesday, Aug. 6 Morrison County Board of Commissioners planning session, officials wrestled with the multifaceted challenges of regulating the cannabis industry in the county following the legalization of recreational marijuana in Minnesota. The commissioners are considering implementing a moratorium on cannabis businesses in the county until Jan. 1, 2025, in order to allow time for a thorough study and development of appropriate regulations. The proposed moratorium would apply to the unincorporated areas of the county, as cities...
Little Falls splash pad project takes shape with $750,000 budget
Adding a splash pad to Little Falls has been a goal of the City since around 2000. If all goes according to plan, it will finally open 25 years later, in summer 2025. During its Monday, Aug. 5 special work session, the Little Falls City Council received a comprehensive update on the City’s upcoming splash pad project, including details on the site design, construction plans and overall budget. The presentation provided Council members with a detailed look at the project’s scope and the City’s efforts...
Morrison County District Court felony dispositions
The following people charged with a felony in Morrison County District Court have recently been sentenced: Darryl James Basswood, 38, Ponsford (offense: 3/15/24) — Fifth-degree possession of a controlled substance, fined $756.11 and sentenced to three days in jail and supervised probation for five years.Nathaniel Donald Brimson, 39, Little Falls (offense: 6/23/23) — Violating restraining order within 10 years of the first of two or more convictions, fined $135 and sentenced to 28 months in a correctional facility.Justin Lee Hunt, 33, Cass Lake (offense: 12/1/23) — Fifth-degree possession of a controlled substance, fined $185 and sentenced to 112 days in jail and supervised probation for five years.Darrin Vern Gorka, 36, St. Cloud (offense: 2/3/24) — Fifth-degree possession of a controlled substance, fined $185 and sentenced to 61 days in jail and 5 years probation.
Morrison County honors veterans with expanded services, outreach
During the Tuesday, July 30 planning session of the Morrison County Board of Commissioners, Veterans Service Officer Kristina VonBerge provided a comprehensive update on the county's efforts to support its veteran population. VonBerge highlighted the significant growth in the number of veterans, widows, spouses and beneficiaries served by the county's Veterans Service Office, which now accounts for 14% of the total county population. “We help all veterans in various ways,” VonBerge said. ...
Little Falls City Council approves $50,000 change order for Southwest Regional pond project due to calculation error
At the Monday, Aug. 5 Little Falls City Council meeting, the Council approved a $50,700 change order for the Southwest Regional pond project. The previous cost of the project was $116,793.20, with the new total cost being $167,493.20. On May 13, the City awarded the project to Kimman Diggers. During construction, an error was discovered in the calculation of the earthwork. The computer program used to calculate the earthwork did not consider the amount of material removed from the bottom of the pond. This was...
Little Falls Alliance Church serving the youth through soccer
On a warm and sunny afternoon, the Little Falls Alliance Church had its annual youth soccer camp at the Belle Prairie Athletic Complex Tuesday, Aug. 6. The camp is run by Youth Pastor Chris Backhaus and students from the church’s youth group, ministering to kids between the ages of eight and 11. The camp involved teaching kids soccer skills and taking a break while listening to a short Bible message from Logan Gold. Afterwards, the kids broke up into smaller groups with their coaches talk...
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Morrison County Record is the official publication for all school districts, city governments and county government in Morrison County. Published Sundays by APG of East Central Minnesota since 1968. 24/7 local coverage found online at www.mcrecord.com
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