Local News Headlines – Tuesday, November 17th

THE WINDOM SCHOOL DISTRICT IS MOVING ALL GRADES TO DISTANCE LEARNING.   THERE WILL BE NO SCHOOL TUESDAY FOR STUDENTS IN PRE-K THROUGH 5TH GRADE.  ELEMENTARY TEACHERS WILL USE THE DAY TO PLAN FOR THE TRANSITION TO DISTANCE LEARNING.   STUDENTS IN PRE-K THROUGH 5TH GRADE WILL BEGIN DISTANCE LEARNING ON WEDNESDAY.  DISTANCE LEARNING FOR ALL GRADE LEVELS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH AT LEAST FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4TH.  AS OF MONDAY, WINDOM HAD OVER 300 STUDENTS AND 36 STAFF MEMBERS ON QUARANTINE DUE TO COVID-19.   ALL AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING PRACTICES ARE SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.  MEAL SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED TO ALL STUDENTS.  FAMILIES WILL NEED TO CALL EACH DAY TO REQUEST A MEAL.   EMERGENCY DAY-CARE WILL BE PROVIDED TO THE STUDENTS OF ‘TIER ONE’ WORKERS.

THE COTTONWOOD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETS AT 9:00 THIS MORNING AT THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE IN WINDOM.  THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR WILL DISCUSS A PROPOSAL FROM MINN-DOT, INVOLVING THE INSTALLATION OF NEW L-E-D STOP SIGNS AT THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 62 AND COUNTY HIGHWAY 5.  THE BOARD WILL MEET WITH ITS FINANCIAL ADVISORS TO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED SALE OF A WATER REVENUE BOND ON BEHALF OF THE RED ROCK RURAL WATER SYSTEM.  THE BOARD WILL ALSO REVIEW THE COUNTY’S EXISTING DEBT AND DEBT CAPACITY.

A MEETING OF THE JACKSON COUNTY BOARD WILL BE HELD AT 9:00 THIS MORNING AT THE JACKSON COUNTY RESOURCE CENTER.  THE BOARD WILL CONSIDER A CONTRACT FOR A MILL AND OVERLAY PROJECT ON COUNTY HIGHWAY 24.  THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WILL DISCUSS THE PURCHASE OF NEW EQUIPMENT.  BOARD MEMBERS WILL MEET WITH AN ARCHITECT TO DISCUSS SPACE NEEDS AND PLANNING FOR THE BOARD ROOM AND THE COUNTY COORDINATOR’S OFFICE.  A DISCUSSION WILL BE HELD ON THE COUNTY’S ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE.  THE BOARD WILL ACCEPT A GRANT FOR THE SEPTIC SYSTEM PROGRAM.

THE MURRAY COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETS AT 8:30 THIS MORNING AT THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER IN SLAYTON.  A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED TO CONSIDER THE REDETERMINATION OF BENEFITS FOR JUDICIAL DITCH #17.  THE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE WILL DISCUSS THE PURCHASE OF NEW VEHICLES, AND A PROPOSAL TO PURCHASE NEW FIREARMS FOR ALL COUNTY DEPUTIES.  THE BOARD WILL REVIEW A PROPOSAL TO HIRE A LAW FIRM TO REPRESENT THE COUNTY ON LABOR ISSUES.  THE BOARD MAY SELECT A CONSULTANT TO WORK ON THE FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR THE LIME LAKE DAM.

THE WINDOM CITY COUNCIL MEETS AT 6:30 THIS EVENING AT THE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS.   A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD ON THE 2020 MISCELLANEOUS SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS.   A PUBLIC HEARING WILL ALSO BE HELD ON THE ASSESSMENTS FROM THE 2020 STREET PROJECT.  THE COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER THREE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION.  ONE APPLICATION INVOLVES A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A PLANNED HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN THE 300 BLOCK OF 19TH STREET.  ANOTHER APPLICATION INVOLVES A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR TEMPORARY MODULAR HOUSING ON PROPERTY LOCATED SOUTH OF THE INDUSTRIAL PARK.

THE HERON LAKE-OKABENA SCHOOL BOARD MEETS AT 7:00 TONIGHT IN THE LIBRARY AT THE HIGH SCHOOL IN OKABENA.     THE BOARD WILL CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A SUMMER AGRICULTURE PROGRAM.   THEY WILL DISCUSS THE PURCHASE OF NEW AIR-HANDLING UNITS.  BOYS BASKETBALL COACHES WILL BE APPROVED FOR THE WINTER SEASON.  THE BOARD WILL HEAR ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS.  THE ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR WILL DISCUSS PLANS FOR WINTER SPORTS.  THE PRINCIPAL’S REPORT WILL INCLUDE AN UPDATE ON DISTANCE LEARNING.  THE SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT WILL INCLUDE A REPORT ON THE USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS TO PURCHASE A VEHICLE.