Local News Headlines – Thursday, September 9

THE DES MOINES VALLEY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY WILL HOLD A BOARD MEETING AT 9:00 THIS MORNING.  THERE WILL BE A REPORT FROM THE CHILD SUPPORT PROGRAM.  THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL DISCUSS THE HIRING OF A COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER AND A PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE.  THE BOARD WILL REVIEW A CONSULTING AGREEMENT WITH NATIONAL INSURANCE SERVICES.  THE BOARD WILL CONSIDER EXTENDING TEMPORARY LEAVE BENEFITS UNDER THE CORONA VIRUS RESPONSE ACT.  ACTION MAY BE TAKEN TO APPOINT A NEW COUNTY HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR.  A DISCUSSION WILL BE HELD ON MASK MANDATES.  THERE WILL BE A REPORT FROM THE SOUTHWEST MENTAL HEALTH CENTER.  THE BOARD MAY APPROVED 2022 HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS AND RATES FOR NON-UNION EMPLOYEES. 

 

THE WINDOM CITY COUNCIL MET THIS WEEK.   THE COUNCIL DISCUSSED A HOUSE IN THE 14-HUNDRED BLOCK OF 4TH AVENUE THAT WAS DAMAGED BY A FIRE IN FEBRUARY.  THE COUNCIL VOTED TO DECLARE THE HOUSE AS A HAZARDOUS BUILDING, AND A RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED, ORDERING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF THE HOUSE.  A FINANCIAL REPORT WAS PRESENTED ON THE FIREFIGHTERS RELIEF ASSOCIATION FUND.  THE COUNCIL VOTED TO APPROVE AN INCREASE IN BENEFITS FROM $2,800 TO $3,000 FOR EACH YEAR OF SERVICE.  A RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED IN SUPPORT OF THE ‘WELCOMING WEEK’ ACTIVITIES PLANNED IN WINDOM NEXT WEEK.  THE COUNCIL ADOPTED SOME AMENDMENTS TO A PROGRAM AIMED AT REDUCING WORKPLACE ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES. 

 

THE MT LAKE HERITAGE FAIR WILL BE HELD THIS SATURDAY.   THE 46TH ANNUAL EVENT WILL BE HELD AT THE HERITAGE VILLAGE ON THE SOUTHEAST SIDE OF MT LAKE JUST OFF HIGHWAY 60.  ACTIVITIES WILL TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAY FROM 10:00 TO 3:00.  ADMISSION IS FREE, BUT DONATIONS ARE ACCEPTED.  CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE THE CHILDREN’S PARADE AND A SPELLING BEE.  LIVE MUSIC WILL BE PERFORMED BY THE ‘WORTHINGTON BRASS.’  A VARIETY OF FOOD ITEMS WILL BE AVAILABLE INCLUDING MENNONITE AND OTHER ETHNIC FOODS.  THE BUILDINGS IN THE VILLAGE WILL BE OPEN WITH EXHIBITS AND DISPLAYS.  THE VILLAGE FEATURES AN AUTHENTIC 1884 MENNONITE HOMESTEAD, THE MINNESOTA TELEPHONE MUSEUM AND DISPLAYS OF ANTIQUE MACHINERY.   

 

HERE’S AN UPDATE ON COVID-19 VACCINATIONS IN SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA.  CHECKING THE STATE-WIDE TOTALS, AS OF MONDAY, 67% OF STATE RESIDENTS 12-AND-OLDER ARE FULLY VACCINATED.  THAT IS EQUAL TO 57% OF THE TOTAL STATE POPULATION.  LOCALLY, IN COTTONWOOD COUNTY, JUST UNDER 58% OF COUNTY RESIDENTS 12-AND-OLDER ARE FULLY VACCINATED.  THAT IS EQUAL TO JUST OVER 48% OF ALL COUNTY RESIDENTS.  AMONG LOCAL VACCINATION RATES, FOR RESIDENTS 12-AND-OLDER, THE RATE IS 59.6% IN NOBLES COUNTY, 57.7% IN WATONWAN COUNTY, 56.6% IN MURRAY COUNTY, 55.4% IN MARTIN COUNTY, 53.5% IN JACKSON COUNTY, AND 52.4% IN REDWOOD COUNTY.   

 

THE PRAIRIE ECOLOGY BUS CENTER IS HOSTING THE PRAIRIE WINDS KITE FLY THIS WEEKEND.  THIS IS THE 19TH ANNUAL KITE FLY.  IT WILL BE HELD AT THE JACKSON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT ON SATURDAY FROM 10:00 TO 4:00.  THIS IS A FREE FAMILY EVENT.  PROFESSIONAL KITE FLYERS FROM A FIVE-STATE AREA WILL BE DISPLAYING AND FLYING THEIR LARGE SHOW KITES.  FAMILIES AND CHILDREN ARE ENCOURAGED TO BRING THEIR OWN KITES AND HAVE FUN FLYING KITES.  A HOBBY SHOP WILL HAVE KITES FOR SALE AND THE ‘KITE DOCTOR’ WILL BE ON HAND TO HELP REPAIR ANY KITES THAT MAY BE DAMAGED.  CONCESSIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE DURING THE DAY AND THERE WILL BE MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT.  THE PRAIRIE WINDS KITE FLY IS SUPPORTED BY A NUMBER OF SPONSORS.