Local News Headlines – Friday, October 15

THE COTTONWOOD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MET LAST WEEK.  THE BOARD APPROVED A CONTRACT FOR HEALTH & SAFETY INSPECTIONS AND LICENSING FOR BARS, RESTAURANTS, MOTELS AND HOTELS.  THERE WAS A PRESENTATION ON THE HIGHWAY 60 CORRIDOR STUDY IN WINDOM.  THE TIMETABLE FOR THE PROJECT HAS BEEN REVISED.  A FINAL PAYMENT WAS APPROVED FOR A BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT IN CARSON TOWNSHIP.  THE BOARD HEARD A PRESENTATION FROM A COMPANY THAT IS WORKING ON A PROJECT TO CAPTURE CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS AND TRANSPORT THEM THROUGH A PIPELINE TO NORTH DAKOTA.  A PORTION OF THE PIPELINE WOULD RUN THROUGH COTTONWOOD COUNTY.   
 
THE WINDOM CITY PLANNING COMMISSION MET THIS WEEK.   A PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD ON A ZONING APPLICATION FROM CEMSTONE.  THE COMPANY IS SEEKING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO OPERATE A CONCRETE PLANT AT THE NORTH WINDOM INDUSTRIAL PARK.  THE COMMISSION VOTED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE WINDOM CITY COUNCIL APPROVE THE APPLICATION.  A DISCUSSION WAS HELD ON THE CITY’S SIDE-YARD SET-BACK REQUIREMENT FOR SHORELAND PROPERTY.  THE WINDOM E-D-A HAS REQUESTED THAT THE CITY AMEND ITS SET-BACK REQUIREMENT FOR A PROPOSED HOUSING PROJECT ON SOUTH COTTONWOOD LAKE.  A MOTION TO AMEND THE SHORELAND ORDINANCE ENDED IN A 2-2 TIE VOTE.  THE MATTER COULD STILL BE BROUGHT TO THE WINDOM CITY COUNCIL WITHOUT A FORMAL RECOMMENDATION. 
 
THE PHEASANT HUNTING SEASON OPENS THIS WEEKEND IN MINNESOTA.   THE SEASON OPENS THIS SATURDAY AND CONTINUES THROUGH JANUARY 2ND.  SHOOTING HOURS ARE FROM 9:00AM UNTIL SUNSET DAILY.  FROM OCTOBER 16TH THROUGH NOVEMBER 30TH, THE DAILY LIMIT IS TWO ROOSTERS WITH A POSSESSION LIMIT OF 6.  FROM DECEMBER 1ST THROUGH JANUARY 2ND, THE DAILY LIMIT IS THREE ROOSTERS WITH A POSSESSION LIMIT OF 9 ROOSTERS.  ACCORDING TO THE D-RN-R PHEASANT FORECAST, THIS SHOULD BE A GOOD HUNTING SEASON.  LAST WINTER WAS FAIRLY MILD AND PHEASANT NUMBERS APPEAR TO BE GOOD.  PROSPECTS ARE RATED AS “GOOD” IN MURRAY, ROCK AND BROWN COUNTY, ALONG WITH THE WESTERN PART OF COTTONWOOD COUNTY.    
 
THE WINDOM SCHOOL BOARD MET EARLIER THIS WEEK.   THE BOARD CONSIDERED A REQUEST TO OPEN A CHAPTER OF THE INTERNATIONAL ROBOTICS HONOR SOCIETY, AND TO RECOGNIZE HONOR GRADUATES WHO ARE PART OF THE ROBOTICS PROGRAM.  AMONG ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS, THE ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL REPORTED THAT GRANDPARENTS’ DAY WILL BE HELD OCTOBER 25TH.  THE ELEMENTARY P-T-0 WILL HOLD A “TRUNK OR TREAT” ON OCTOBER 29TH.  THE SUPERINTENDENT HAD AN UPDATE ON COVID-19 CASES.  THERE HAVE BEEN 22 POSITIVE TESTS AMONG STUDENTS THIS YEAR WITH 2 CASES AMONG STAFF MEMBERS.  THERE WAS AN UPDATE ON THE USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS, INCLUDING MONEY GOING TO UPGRADE HEATING AND VENTILATION SYSTEMS. 
                                                                   
THE JACKSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MET LAST WEEK.  THE BOARD APPROVED 2022 RATES FOR HEALTH COVERAGE PROVIDED TO RETIRED EMPLOYEES.  THE BOARD CALLED FOR QUOTES FOR A PROJECT TO RENUMERATE SECTION CORNERS IN FOUR TOWNSHIPS.  A FINAL PAYMENT WAS APPROVED FOR THE 2021 SEAL-COATING PROJECT.  THE BOARD APPROVED TWO APPLICATIONS FOR SEPTIC SYSTEM LOANS.  THE BOARD DISCUSSED THE SALE OF BONDS FOR IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS ON FOUR JUDICIAL DITCH SYSTEMS.  SOME OF THE BOND PROCEEDS WILL BE USED TO REIMBURSE THE COUNTY FOR EXPENSES ALREADY INCURRED ON THE PROJECT.  THE JACKSON COUNTY BOARD ALSO HELD A MEETING OF THE COUNTY DRAINAGE AUTHORITY.