Local News Headlines – Friday, November 19

WINDOM AREA HEALTH HAS ANNOUNCED A TIMELINE FOR A PROJECT TO REMODEL THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT. WORK IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN LATE NOVEMBER.  TO ACCOMODATE THE PROJECT AND ALLOW FOR AN EARLIER COMPLETION DATE, WINDOM AREA HEALTH IS MOVING ALL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT SERVICES TO AN IN-PATIENT WING IN THE ORIGINAL SECTION OF THE HOSPITAL, STARTING IMMEDIATELY.  EMERGENCY PATIENTS SHOULD STILL USE THE REGULAR EMERGENCY ENTRANCE.  SOME CHANGES WILL ALSO BE MADE FOR AIR AND GROUND AMBULANCE SERVICE.  THOSE CREWS WILL ENTER AT A DIFFERENT LOCATION.  THE REMODELING PROJECT WILL TAKE FROM FOUR TO SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE.   

 

THIS IS WINTER HAZARD AWARENESS WEEK.  TODAY’S TOPIC COVERS WINTER DRIVING SAFETY.   DURING EXTREME WINTER WEATHER, ONLY TRAVEL IF ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.  CHECK THE 511mn.org WEBSITE FOR UP-TO-DATE HIGHWAY CONDITIONS.  ADJUST YOUR SPEED FOR ROAD CONDITIONS.  FOLLOW SNOWPLOWS AT A SAFE DISTANCE.  KEEP A WINTER SURVIVAL KIT IN YOUR VEHICLE INCLUDING A SHOVEL, BOOSTER CABLES, SAND OR KITTY LITTER, BLANKETS AND SNACKS.  KEEP A CELL PHONE IN THE CAR TO REPORT EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.  IF YOU BECOME STRANDED, STAY WITH THE VEHICLE; RUN THE ENGINE FOR HEAT ABOUT ONCE AN HOUR.   

 

THE MT LAKE SCHOOL BOARD MET THIS WEEK.   THE BOARD APPROVED RATES OF PAY FOR SUBSTITUTE CUSTODIANS AND PARA-PROFESSIONALS.  THE BOARD REVIEWED A SUMMARY REPORT FOR THE WORLD’S BEST WORK-FORCE PROGRAM AND THE ACHIEVEMENT AND INTEGRATION PROGRAM.  A LIST OF EXTRA-CURRICULAR ASSIGNMENTS WAS APPROVED.  THE BOARD APPROVED A NUMBER OF VOLUNTEER COACHES AND ACTIVITY ADVISORS.  OPENINGS WERE POSTED FOR A ONE-ACT PLAY DIRECTOR AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR.  THE BOARD APPROVED THE HIRING OF LAURIE HARDER AS A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER AND KAYLA VEGA AS A PARA-PROFESSIONAL.  

 

A REGULAR MEETING OF THE WINDOM CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD THIS WEEK.   THE COUNCIL HELD A PUBLIC HEARING ON 2021 MISCELLANEOUS SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS.  THIS INCLUDES UNPAID BILLS FOR CITY SERVICES.  THE COUNCIL VOTED TO ASSESS THE LISTED AMOUNTS AGAINST THE OWNERS’ PROPERTY TAXES.  A DONATION TO THE PUBLIC LIBRARY WAS ACCEPTED.  THE COUNCIL REVIEW AN EASEMENT AGREEMENT WITH UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD FOR THE 16TH STREET RAILROAD CROSSING.  A PERMIT IS REQUIRED FOR TRANSMISSION LINES TO CROSS OVER RAILROAD PROPERTY.  THE COUNCIL HELD THE SECOND READING AND ADOPTED AN ORDINANCE REVISION DEALING WITH SIDE-YARD SET-BACKS FOR PROPERTY IN A SHORELAND DISTRICT. 

 

A MEETING OF THE WESTBROOK-WALNUT GROVE SCHOOL BOARD WAS HELD THIS WEEK.  A PRESENTATION WAS GIVEN ON THE 2020 DISTRICT AUDIT REPORT.  THE REPORT WAS POSITIVE.  THERE WAS AN UPDATE ON PLANS FOR THE SENIOR CLASS TRIP TO WASHINGTON, D-C.  FURTHER DISCUSSION WAS HELD ON THE SITE OF THE OLD FOOTBALL FIELD IN WALNUT GROVE.  THE WALNUT GROVE E-D-A IS INTERESTED IN PURCHASING THE PROPERTY FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR A POSSIBLE HOUSING PROJECT.  THE BOARD APPROVED THE ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE WORLD’S BEST WORK-FORCE PROGRAM.  THE BOARD AGREED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE STATE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. 

 

THE SONS OF NORWAY STAVANGER LODGE WILL MEET AT 9:30 SATURDAY MORNING AT THE COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM ON 4TH AVENUE IN WINDOM. LODGE MEMBER LaVERN CHRISTIANSON WILL GIVE A PRESENTATION.  CHRISTIANSON ENJOYS WRITING AND HAS WRITTEN TWELVE SHORT STORIES AND SEVERAL POEMS.  HE WILL DISCUSS THE PROCESS HE USES IN WRITING A STORY AND WILL BE READING A SHORT STORY THAT HE WROTE ESPECIALLY FOR THIS MEETING.  LaVERN CHRISTIANSON IS A LONG-TIME MEMBER OF THE SONGS OF NORWAY; HE IS A FORMER TEACHER IN THE WINDOM SCHOOL DISTRICT.  LIGHT REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED.