Local News Headlines – Wednesday, September 8

THE FORMER SITE OF THE DEL MONTE VEGETABLE CANNING PLANT IN SLEEPY EYE HAS A NEW OWNER.  THE PLANT WAS CLOSED IN THE FALL OF 2019.  IT WAS RECENTLY PURCHASED BY A COMPANY THAT SELLS PET-FOOD PRODUCTS.  STEPHEN TRACHTENBERG OWNS SEVERAL BUSINESSES THAT SELL PRODUCTS UNDER VARIOUS LABELS.  HE REPORTEDLY PURCHASED THE SLEEPY EYE FACILITY FOR $2.6-MILLION.  TRACHTENBERG SAID HE PLANS TO MAKE THE SLEEPY EYE FACILITY THE HEADQUARTERS FOR HIS COMPANY’S OPERATIONS, USING THE SITE FOR PACKAGING, WAREHOUSING AND DISTRIBUTION SERVICES.  THE NEW COMPANY WILL HAVE JOBS FOR SEVERAL DOZEN EMPLOYEES.  THE DEL MONTE PLANT TYPICALLY HAD ROUGHLY 70 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES AND WOULD HIRE 200 TO 300 SEASONAL WORKERS DURING THE HARVEST SEASON. 

 

THE “HOT IRON DAYS” CELEBRATION RETURNS THIS YEAR IN LAMBERTON.   THE EVENT WAS NOT HELD LAST YEAR DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.   ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.  ON FRIDAY, THERE WILL BE A BARBEQUE MEAL SERVED AT THE AMBULANCE BUILDING, AND PEOPLE CAN MAKE THEIR OWN IRON MOLDS AT THE CITY PARK.  THERE WILL BE A FULL DAY OF ACTIVITIES ON SATURDAY, INCLUDING A CAR SHOW, A MEDALLION HUNT, A SAND VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT, BLACKSMITHING DEMONSTRATIONS, A CRAFT AND VENDOR FAIR, FARMERS’ MARKET AND FLEA MARKET.  THERE WILL BE FOOD AND LIVE MUSIC IN THE CITY PARK.  SATURDAY NIGHT, THERE WILL BE AN IRON POUR AT THE BLACKSMITH SHOP.   

 

A NEW SCHOOL YEAR HAS BEGUN, WITH HEALTH ISSUES BEING EMPHASIZED.    FOR FAMILIES, HEALTH INFORMATION SHOULD BE PROVIDED TO THE SCHOOL NURSE, INCLUDING DETAILS ON IMMUNIZATIONS, ANY MEDICATIONS BEING USED AND OTHER HEALTH ISSUES LIKE DIABETES.  IF A CHILD IS ILL, THEY NEED TO STAY HOME.  FOR PARENTS, HERE ARE A FEW TIPS TO FOLLOW:  IF CHILDREN HAVE A FEVER OF 100.5 DEGREES OR MORE, THEY SHOULD NOT RETURN TO SCHOOL UNTIL THEY HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A FEVER FOR AT LEAST 24 HOURS.  FOR CHILDREN EXPERIENCING VOMITING OR DIARRHEA, THEY SHOULD NOT RETURN TO SCHOOL UNTIL THEY GO AT LEAST 24 HOURS WITH NO ISSUES.  STUDENTS SHOULD STAY AT HOME FOR ANY SERIOUS SUSTAINED COUGHING, SHORTNESS OF BREATH OR DIFFICULTY BREATHING. 

 

TWO AREA CITIES HAVE RECEIVED FUNDING FOR PROJECTS THROUGH THE FEDERATED RURAL ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION.  FEDERATED R-E-A RECENTLY PROVIDED A LOAN OF $75-THOUSAND THROUGH ITS REVOLVING LOAN FUND TO THE CITY OF OKABENA.  OKABENA WILL USE THE MONEY TO PURCHASE A NEW PAY-LOADER UNIT FOR STREET AND MAINTENANCE WORK.  OKABENA IS ALSO PLANNING TO BUILD A NEW SHOP AND STORAGE BUILDING.  THE FOX LAKE CONSERVATION LEAGUE OF SHERBURN RECEIVED A LOAN OF $200-THOUSAND.  THE LEAGUE HAS PURCHASED 44 ACRES OF PROPERTY ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF FOX LAKE.  THE PROPERTY WILL BE DEVELOPED INTO A PUBLIC PARK.  THE PROJECT WILL REQUIRE ADDITIONAL FUNDRAISING.   

 

THE DES MOINES VALLEY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY WILL HOLD A BOARD MEETING AT 9:00 THURSDAY 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.