THE MURRAY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY IS HOLDING ANOTHER LUNCHBOX LECTURE. THE PROGRAM WILL BE HELD AT NOON TODAY IN THE 4-H BUILDING ON THE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS IN SLAYTON. THE FEATURED SPEAKER WILL BE LOCAL AUTHOR AND HISTORIAN ROMANE DOLD. DOLD WILL DISCUSS HIS MOST RECENT BOOK, “NOW AND THEN, AGAIN-A HISTORY OF CURRIE, MINNESOTA.” THIS IS DOLD’S 2ND BOOK ON THE HISTORY OF THE CURRIE AREA, WITH AN UPDATE COVERING THE LAST 10 YEARS. THE BOOK INCLUDES INFORMATION ON THE HISTORY OF CURRIE INCLUDING DETAILS ON CHURCHES, BUSINESSES AND THE DAILY LIVES OF LOCAL RESIDENTS.
THIS IS WINTER HAZARD AWARENESS WEEK. TODAY’S TOPIC COVERS INDOOR WINTER SAFETY. CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING MAY HAPPEN AT ANY TIME OF THE YEAR, BUT THE RISK IS GREATER DURING THE WINTER WHEN DOORS AND WINDOWS STAY CLOSED AND FIREPLACES OR GAS HEATERS AND BEING USED. ALL HOMES ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS. YOU SHOULD HAVE YOUR HOUSE TESTED FOR RADON – A GAS THAT CAN ACCUMULATE IN BASEMENTS. IF HIGH LEVELS ARE DETECTED, STEPS CAN BE TAKEN TO MITIGATE THE PROBLEM. OTHER INDOOR AIR QUALITY ISSUES MAY INCLUDE MOLD. HEATING SYSTEMS SHOULD BE CHECKED BY A PROFESSIONAL TO ENSURE SAFE OPERATION.
THE WINDOM CITY COUNCIL MET THIS WEEK. THE COUNCIL REVIEWED BIDS FOR THE DEMOLITION OF THE CEMSTONE CONCRETE PLANT ON COTTONWOOD LAKE DRIVE. FIVE BIDS WERE RECEIVED. THE OVERALL LOW BID WAS SUBMITTED BY VOSS PLUMBING AND HEATING OF PAYNESVILLE AT JUST OVER $400-THOUSAND. THE COUNCIL VOTED TO ACCEPT THE BID. DURING THE CONSENT AGENDA, THE COUNCIL VOTED TO RENEW A NUMBER OF ANNUAL LICENSES INCLUDING CIGARETTE LICENSES, LICENSES TO OPERATE GAMES OF SKILL, A THEATRE LICENSE, AND LIQUOR LICENSES INCLUDING ON-SALE BEER AND WINE LICENSES AND STRONG BEER AUTHORIZATIONS. SEVERAL CHARITABLE GAMBLING PERMITS WERE APPROVED.
THE MT LAKE CITY COUNCIL HELD A REGULAR MEETING THIS WEEK. THE COUNCIL REVIEWED THE PROPOSED 2022 CITY BUDGET AND PROPERTY TAX LEVY. A PUBLIC BUDGET AND TAX HEARING WILL BE HELD DURING THE DECEMBER 7TH REGULAR MEETING. THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION ON POSSIBLE BUDGET REDUCTIONS. THE CITY RECEIVED AN INSURANCE SETTLEMENT FOR REPAIRS TO THE CITY PARK BAND SHELL, SO THAT PROJECT CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE BUDGET. THE COUNCIL REVIEWED A LIST OF MEMBERS FOR VARIOUS BOARDS AND COMMITTEES WHOSE MEMBERSHIP WILL EXPIRE AT THE END OF THE YEAR. THOSE MEMBERS WILL BE CONTACTED TO SEE IF THEY WISH TO BE RE-APPOINTED FOR ANOTHER TERM.
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.
