Local News Headlines – Thursday, August 26th

THE JEFFERS CITY COUNCIL MET EARLIER THIS MONTH.    THERE WAS AN UPDATE ON A DANGEROUS DOG INCIDENT.  THE OWNERS OF THE DOG HAVE REPORTEDLY MET ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE CITY ORDINANCE.  THE FAMILY HAS AGREED TO PUT IN A FENCE AND KEEP THE DOG MUZZLED.  THE COUNCIL VOTED TO PROVIDE ANOTHER CHANCE IF A DOG TRAINER AGREES WITH THE PLAN.  IN OTHER BUSINESS, THE COUNCIL APPROVED THE PURCHASE OF A NEW FOUR-WHEELER FOR THE JEFFERS FIRE DEPARTMENT.  AN OLDER UNIT WILL BE TRADED IN.  THE REGULAR BILLS WERE APPROVED FOR PAYMENT. 

 

THE HERON LAKE-OKABENA SCHOOL BOARD MET LAST WEEK.   THE BOARD VOTED TO OFFER INCENTIVES TO STUDENTS WHO FILL OUT THE APPLICATION FOR EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS.  STUDENTS IN ACTIVITIES WILL RECEIVE A $10 REDUCTION IN THEIR FEES.  ELEMENTARY STUDENTS WHO FILL OUT THE APPLICATION WILL RECEIVE A FREE FAMILY ATHLETIC PASS FOR ONE EVENT.  APPROVAL WAS GIVEN FOR THE BOOSTER CLUB TO HOLD A FUND-RAISING EVENT AT THE FIRST FOOTBALL GAME OF THE SEASON.  THE BOARD APPROVED AN E-LEARNING PLAN FOR THE DISTRICT.  E-LEARNING WILL BE USED IF THERE ARE TOO MANY SNOW DAYS THIS WINTER.  THE BOARD VOTED TO RENEW MEMBERSHIP IN THE MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE.  UPDATES WERE APPROVED TO THE DISTRICT WELLNESS POLICY. 

 

THE GOVERNING BOARD FOR WINDOM AREA HEALTH MET THIS WEEK.   THE REPORT OF PATIENT ACTIVITY FOR JULY SHOWED THAT MOST AREAS HAD ACTIVITY THAT WAS ABOVE BUDGETED LEVELS.  THE JULY FINANCIAL REPORT SHOWED A NET INCREASE FOR THE MONTH OF JUST OVER $296-THOUSAND.  OUT-PATIENT ACTIVITY ACCOUNTED FOR 84% OF TOTAL REVENUE.  THROUGH THE FIRST 3 MONTHS OF THE FISCAL YEAR, WINDOM AREA HEALTH IS NOW SHOWING A NET INCREASE OF JUST OVER $394-THOUSAND.  THE BOARD REVIEWED PLANS FOR THE REMODELING OF THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.  THE BUDGET WAS ADJUSTED TO ROUGHLY $1.5-MILLION FOR THE PROJECT.  WORK WILL BEGIN WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AIR HANDLING SYSTEM.  THE MAIN REMODELING PROJECT WILL TAKE ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE.   

 

THE WINDOM SCHOOL BOARD MET EARLIER THIS WEEK.   A DISCUSSION WAS HELD ON PROVIDING BUSSING SERVICE FOR PRE-SCHOOL STUDENTS.  THE COMMUNITY TRANSIT SERVICE DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH DRIVERS TO PROVIDE THE SERVICE THIS YEAR.  THE WINDOM SCHOOL BOARD VOTED TO PROVIDE BUSSING FOR 3- AND 4-YEAR-OLDS FOR PRE-SCHOOL AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $55-THOUSAND.  TO HELP COVER THE COST, THERE WILL BE A TRANSPORTATION FEE OF $20 FOR 3-YEAR-OLDS AND $30 A YEAR FOR 4-YEAR-OLDS.  STUDENTS WHO QUALIFY FOR FREE OR REDUCED-PRICE LUNCHES WILL NOT HAVE TO PAY THE FEE.  THERE WILL BE THREE SECTIONS OF PRE-SCHOOL FOR 3-YEAR-OLDS AND 4 SECTIONS FOR 4-YEAR-OLDS.  IN OTHER BUSINESS, THE DISTRICT IS WORKING ON AN AGREEMENT FOR MINNESOTA WEST TECHNICAL COLLEGE TO USE THE C-T-E FACILITIES FOR A WELDING CLASS. 

 

THE JACKSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HELD A REGULAR MEETING LAST WEEK.   THE 2020 COUNTY AUDIT REPORT WAS PRESENTED.  DURING THE PAST YEAR, THE GENERAL FUND BALANCE INCREASED BY JUST OVER $755-THOUSAND.  LONG-TERM DEBT WAS REDUCED THROUGH THE RE-FINANCING OF AN OLDER BOND ISSUE.  THE BOARD APPROVED A BUSINESS LOAN OF $100-THOUSAND FROM THE REVOLVING LOAN FUND.  THE BOARD APPROVED AN UPGRADE IN COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND CLOUD STORAGE SERVICES.  THE BOARD VOTED TO RESCIND ITS APPROVAL OF AN OFF-SALE LIQUOR LICENSE.  IT WAS DETERMINED THE ESTABLISHMENT IS LESS THAN A MILE FROM THE WINDOM CITY LIMITS, SO THE COUNTY DOES NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ISSUE A LICENSE UNDER STATE LAW.