Public Health Director Jessica Erickson requested Fillmore County Board approval for health safety purchases at the board’s January 25 meeting. Erickson explained, because the purchases each cost more than $5,000, she needed state approval for the purchases which she has secured. The board approved the purchase of a freezer ($7,909) and the installation of additional units to … [Read more...]
Spring Grove School COVID-19 vaccination or testing and mask policy tabled
Spring Grove School Board members met in the school’s Learning Resource Center on Thursday, January 13, 2022, from 7-7:40 p.m. Board members present included Chairman Aaron Solum, Stephanie Jaster, Rhan Flatin, and Aric Elton. Kelly Rohland attended virtually, and Jenny Stender was absent. Aaron Solum will serve another term as board chair and Stephanie Jaster was elected to … [Read more...]
COVID vaccine requirements and testing discussed by Houston County Commissioners
The Houston County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, December 28, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 10:16 a.m. Commissioners in attendance included Chairman Bob Burns, Dewey Severson, Eric Johnson, Teresa Walter, and Greg Myhre via Zoom. Chairman Burns called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. and led the commissioners and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting … [Read more...]
2021 impacted by COVID
The Fillmore County Truth in Taxation public hearing was held on the evening of December 14. The public was represented by six citizens. As often happens, this hearing is confused with the Board of Appeal and Equalization held in the spring for property owners who question their property valuation and taxes. People who attended the Truth in Taxation hearing that had questions … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton sees COVID numbers level off
The Mabel-Canton School Board met in regular session on November 16. All members except Mark Wiedemann were present. The board welcomed new Student Representative Emily Carolan, a senior student at the school. Superintendent Kuphal explained that student representatives are not voting members of the school board, but are welcomed to share their thoughts or suggestions on any … [Read more...]
Chatfield board revises COVID-19 plan
At the November 10 school board meeting, Josh Thompson, Matt McMahon, Tom Keefe, Jill Harstad, Katie Priebe and Lanny Isensee were present as well as principals Shane McBroom and Eric Nelson, Superintendent Ed Harris, and Trista O’Connor, business manager. During district patron time, Elizabeth Fuglestad asked the board to reconsider the guidelines for students who are … [Read more...]
Walz, vaccines and COVID-19
On May 6, 2021, Minnesota Governor Walz announced his plans to phase out of all restrictions by May 28. And, this included the elimination of the mask mandate by July 1 as soon as 70% of all Minnesotans 16 and older are vaccinated. Effective May 28, capacity restrictions on indoor events will be lifted for bars and restaurants. Gyms, pools and fitness centers will be … [Read more...]
COVID-19 vaccination program: patience is key
By Kathryn Helwig Frustrations surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine continue to rise, particularly about the COVID-19 vaccination program implemented by the Minnesota Department of Health over the past few weeks. According to the MDH website, Minnesota continues to receive around 60,000 doses of vaccine per week, approximately just 1% of the supply needed to vaccinate the state’s … [Read more...]
COVID-19 update as of January 21, 2021
Since worldwide tracking of COVID-19 began on January 23, 2020, there have been 96,563,635 total cases (up from 87,588,168 compared to two weeks ago) with 2,067,143 fatalities (up from 1,890,824 compared to two weeks ago) — 2.14% of total cases (down from 2.16% compared to two weeks ago). In the United States, there have been 24,433,486 total cases (up from 21,559,660 … [Read more...]
Governor Walz directs $67.3 million to businesses impacted by COVID-19 closures
[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today announced the Minnesota Department of Revenue has issued $67.3 million in COVID-19 Business Relief Payments to 3,891 eligible businesses in Minnesota. The relief payments were part of bipartisan legislation passed by lawmakers and signed into law by Governor Tim Walz in December to help restaurants, bars, gyms, and bowling centers … [Read more...]
USPS mail delivery challenged with COVID
The past couple months have been quite challenging for the United States Postal Service, which is apparent by the delays in mail delivery. On January 2, 2021, my wife and I received a piece of mail from our insurance company that was mailed on December 1, 2020. It took just a little over one month to arrive in our mailbox. This has become more common for many people … [Read more...]
COVID-19 update as of January 7, 2021
Since worldwide tracking of COVID-19 began on January 23, 2020, there have been 87,588,168 total cases (up from 82,282,392 compared to two weeks ago) with 1,890,824 fatalities (up from 1,796,769 compared to two weeks ago) — 2.16% of total cases (down from 2.00% compared to two weeks ago). In the United States, there have been 21,559,660 total cases (up from 19,745,674 compared … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Business Relief Grants now available
As COVID-19 situation improves, Governor Walz loosens restrictions
Governor urges Minnesotans to protect progress made over the past month [ST. PAUL, MN] – As the COVID-19 situation improves by nearly every metric across Minnesota, Governor Tim Walz today announced measures that loosen restrictions on important parts of daily life. The Governor also urged Minnesotans to protect the progress made over the past month. “The situation … [Read more...]
COVID-19 update as of December 24, 2020
Since worldwide tracking of COVID-19 began on January 23, 2020, there have been 82,282,392 total cases (up from 74,724,989 compared to two weeks ago) with 1,796,769 fatalities (up from 1,657,706 compared to two weeks ago) — 2.00% of total cases (down from 2.21% compared to a week ago). In the United States, there have been 19,745,674 total cases (up from 17,145,832 compared … [Read more...]