Local News Headlines – Wednesday, November 25th

THE WINDOM CITY PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MET LAST WEEK.   FURTHER DISCUSSION WAS HELD ON THE ‘PIRATE SHIP’ AT ISLAND PARK.  THE RECREATION DIRECTOR REPORTED THAT THE STUDIO ICE RINK IS READY FOR USE.  A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT IS BUILDING NEW BENCHES FOR THE HOCKEY RINK AS PART OF HIS EAGLE ACHIEVEMENT PROJECT.  AN EMPLOYEE AT THE ARENA WILL BE GOING ON MEDICAL LEAVE AND ANOTHER PART-TIMER MAY NEED TO BE HIRED.  THE PARK SUPERINTENDENT REPORTED ON WINTER MAINTENANCE AT THE CITY PARKS.  NEW PICNIC TABLES HAVE BEEN DELIVERED.  THE ROOF IS BEING REPLACED ON THE BATHHOUSE AT COTTONWOOD LAKE.   

 

DONATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE COTTONWOOD COUNTY CHRISTMAS CHEER BOX PROGRAM.  THE PROGRAM IS SPONSORED BY THE WINDOM WOMEN OF TODAY AND THE MT LAKE POLICE DEPARTMENT.  DONATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED OF NEW UNWRAPPED TOYS, HATS, MITTENS, CLOTHING AND SMALL GIFTS, INCLUDING BOARD GAMES.  GIFTS ARE NEEDED FOR CHILDREN FROM INFANTS TO 18-YEARS-OLD.  DONATIONS MUST BE DROPPED OFF BY DECEMBER 8TH.  COLLECTION BOXES ARE BEING SET UP IN THE AREA.  FAMILIES THAT WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE NEED TO COMPLETE AN APPLICATION BY DECEMBER 1ST.  FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL COTTONWOOD COUNTY CHURCHES.   

 

THE WINDOM SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL REMAIN IN DISTANCE LEARNING THROUGH THE CHRISTMAS BREAK.  AT A WORK-SESSION ON MONDAY, THE BOARD APPROVED THE DISTRICT’S NEW DISTANCE LEARNING MODEL.  BASED ON THE HIGH NUMBER OF CASES OF COVID-19 IN COTTONWOOD COUNTY AND WITHIN THE WINDOM SCHOOL DISTRICT, SCHOOL OFFICIALS RECOMMENDED THAT DISTANCE LEARNING SHOULD BE EXTENDED THROUGH THE CHRISTMAS BREAK.  THE BOARD WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING ON DECEMBER 21ST TO HEAR AN UPDATE ON THE SITUATION.   WITHOUT A REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF CASES, IT’S POSSIBLE THAT DISTANCE LEARNING COULD CONTINUE INTO JANUARY.   

 

THE GOVERNING BOARD FOR WINDOM AREA HEALTH MET THIS WEEK.   THE OCTOBER FINANCIAL REPORT SHOWED A NET INCREASE FOR THE MONTH OF JUST UNDER $89-THOUSAND.  THROUGH SIX MONTHS OF THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, WINDOM AREA HEALTH IS NOW SHOWING A NET INCREASE OF JUST OVER $1.4-MILLION.   THAT INCLUDES SOME FEDERAL FUNDING PROVIDED AS STIMULUS PAYMENTS.  AS A RESULT OF THE GOVERNOR’S RECENT EXECUTIVE ORDER, THE HOSPITAL HAS MADE SOME CHANGES TO ITS POLICY ON VISITORS.   THE FITNESS CENTER IS ALSO CLOSED THROUGH DECEMBER 18TH.   PEOPLE WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT COVID-19 TESTING ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT THEIR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER.   

 

A THANKSGIVING MEAL IS BEING PROVIDED IN WINDOM.  THIS WILL BE A DRIVE-THROUGH MEAL WITH CONTACTLESS PICKUP.  SERVING WILL BEGIN AT 11:00 THURSDAY MORNING AND CONTINUE UNTIL 12:30 OR UNTIL ALL THE FOOD IS HANDED OUT.  THE PICKUP WILL TAKE PLACE AT ‘CARQUEST’ AUTO PARTS AT 186 – 8TH STREET IN WINDOM.  PLEASE WAIT IN YOUR VEHICLE.  SOMEONE WILL COME OUT TO TAKE YOUR ORDER AND DELIVER YOUR FOOD.  THE MEALS WILL INCLUDE TURKEY, DRESSING, MASHED POTATOES AND GRAVY, A VEGETABLE AND PIE.  A FREE-WILL DONATION OF $10 IS SUGGESTED.  ALL PROCEEDS WILL BE DONATED TO THE WINDOM FOOD SHELF.   

 

THE COTTONWOOD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MET LAST WEEK.  THE BOARD APPROVED A RESOLUTION, APPROVING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND MINN-DOT.  COTTONWOOD COUNTY WILL BE INSTALLING NEW ENHANCED STOP SIGNS WITH L-E-D LIGHTING AT THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 62 AND COUNTY HIGHWAY 5.  A FINAL PAYMENT WAS APPROVED FOR A ROAD STRIPING PROJECT.  THE BOARD APPROVED THE SALE OF $4.7-MILLION IN GENERAL OBLIGATION WATER REVENUE REFUNDING BONDS ON BEHALF OF THE RED ROCK RURAL WATER SYSTEM.  THERE WAS A DISCUSSION ON THE COUNTY’S EXISTING DEBT AND DEBT CAPACITY.