Details

Created: 07 December 2020

Hits: 5087

Business fills vacancy left by New Richland Drug

NICE WORK — Jennie Johnson admires one of the hand turkeys painted during a Saturday crafts day at New Richland’s Craft Mall, located in the building formerly occupied by New Richland Drug. (Star Eagle photo by Eli Lutgens)

 

By ELI LUTGENS
Editor

New Richland residents walking down Broadway may have noticed that the vacant building left by New Richland Drug has recently been occupied. The new renters are calling themselves the New Richland Craft Mall. 

The idea started a month ago when the owner of the building came into contact with Sara Jo Vulcan and Jennie Johnson. 

“We started talking and one thing led to another,” said Vulcan. “The owner of the building said someone local should open a business and well, we’re local.” 

Vulcan went on to say, “All of the area craft fairs from October through December have been cancelled. Our family counts on the money I make from working that to pay for Christmas. Without the craft fairs, like a lot of folks, my family and I are stuck wondering how we're going to get through.” 

Sara’s partner in this venture, Johnson, was pushed by Vulcan to pursue this together. “Sara told me we needed to do this,” said Johnson. “She told me, ‘You’ve run a store before and I’ve done crafts. We are perfect for this.’” 

Details

Created: 07 December 2020

Hits: 1581

NRHEG City Council

 

By JESSICA LUTGENS
Staff Writer

The New Richland City Council held its second meeting of the month Nov. 23 at 6:30 p.m. All members were present, along with Sarah McKay, new city clerk/administrator, and Gail Schmidt. The agenda and consent agenda items were approved before Schmidt addressed the council for the public hearing portion of the meeting.

Mayor-elect Schmidt, had a few questions for the council regarding the retaining wall issue that was discussed at last month’s meeting, the official council meeting minutes online that haven’t been updated since July, and the city’s use of CARES Act money. There was some discussion about the retaining wall, about which no action has been taken in the past because no official complaints have been filed.

Schmidt noted that the EDA received CARES Act funds in Waseca and Janesville and asked why something similar wasn't done in New Richland, to which Mayor Mike Shurson replied that no requests were made.

"The period of approval for funds ran from March to November of 2020," said new city clerk Sarah McKay. "The funds went to police jackets, PPE for city hall, technology for remote meetings, and to maintain police and ambulance personnel."

Next on the agenda was Resolution 20-16, approving depository, on which action was tabled until the next meeting due to a missing document. 

Brad Field presented the PeopleService report, which stated that there was a small leak of chlorine gas in a fitting that has since been repaired. A complaint was received about a sewer backup at a city residence, and after checking manholes it was determined that it was a homeowner problem. The issue has been fixed. The council approved the report.

With Ryan Nissen absent, the council reviewed and approved the maintenance report before moving on to the care center report, which was presented by Chuck Ness. 

The care center saw low census numbers again in October, and due to ongoing COVID-related expenses the financials have been slightly skewed. With one resident testing positive for COVID in September, the center paid an extra $10/hour for staff working in the same area as the patient, and all staff received an extra $3/hour for ten days. The additional expenses because of COVID will be covered, and funds have already been received for COVID expenses.

The center’s new Director of Nursing has been urging the staff to get the census up, according to Ness, and as of Nov. 23 the census for the month of November was at 84%. Currently, the center is having issues with the 14-day quarantine that is required for all new residents and the lack of private rooms at the facility. 

The new assisted living project was discussed, and it was noted that the old building on the property where the new facility will be constructed has been demolished. It is hoped that groundbreaking for the new building will begin next spring. 

“We’re working on finances to make sure the assisted living project is affordable,” said Ness, who also explained how the project will improve the center’s census numbers. “If we can get people into the new rooms [in the assisted living project], I think we can hit a census of 50.”

Though the situation with COVID doesn’t appear to be improving significantly any time soon, the center is still taking steps to keep morale up. For Halloween, staff dressed up in costumes and the residents voted on the best one, with the winner receiving chamber bucks.

“The residents loved it,” said Ness.

Financials and the check registry for October were approved, along with the care center report. The meeting adjourned at 7:17 p.m.

 

Details

Created: 07 December 2020

Hits: 1744

Ellendale City Council

 

By JESSICA LUTGENS
Staff Writer

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, the Ellendale City Council held its second meeting of the month on Tuesday, Nov. 24. All members were present for the remote meeting, with council member Duane Goebel attending via phone call. The agenda and consent agenda items were approved.

A request was made by a local citizen who plans to purchase a lot that used to hold an old fertilizer plant by the railroad tracks in town in order to construct a shed/heated shop on the property. 

“I think it’s a good use of that property,” said assistant city clerk Steve Engel. “It would be nice to see it used.”

With no objection from the council, it was agreed that the citizen could go ahead with construction plans and obtaining quotes for the new building.

“It’s a positive for the community,” said council member Steph Kibler. “We need more business like that coming in and utilizing those vacant lots.”

Kibler also received pictures, from Josh Moen, head of the maintenance department, of electrical work at the park in town that isn’t up to code. Mayor Russ Goette said he would get in contact with Moen and make sure the issue is resolved.

The fire department report consisted of a building update. Council member Jackie Froman, who will stay and help throughout the project, is working on getting quotes for the next meeting. 

“I will stay involved in the future as a community member and keep the council informed,” said Froman, who explained that the next step before construction can begin is submitting a USDA loan application.

Engel presented the clerk’s report, which consisted mainly of discussion regarding increased connection fees that the city is supposed to be charging to each household to make up for fees raised by the DNR last year. The total increase per household per year amounts to $9.72, but because the deadline has passed, more research is required before action can be taken on the matter.

A blood drive is planned to take place at the community building in Ellendale this January to make up for the blood drive that was scheduled for last spring and had to be cancelled. The council agreed to go ahead with the blood drive in January.

Next, the council discussed community center updates and dates for a codification meeting, both of which are on hold due to Covid restrictions. No updates regarding the sale of a property at 204 5th Ave. or an ordinance violation at 601 School St. were available, and a brief discussion about a quote received for a ramp to make the clerk’s office ADA-compliant was had. A liability coverage waiver for tort limits was approved by the council before the discussion moved to a land acquisition offer from the state.

There is a small corner of Highway 30 near where the water tower sits in Ellendale that is owned by the city, due to the location of Highway 30 having been changed years ago. An offer was received from the State to purchase the small patch of property at a cost of $650. After some research, it was discovered that the property could be worth more than twice that, and it was recommended that the council present a counteroffer of $2,500. The council approved the counteroffer, which includes a request for a quit claim deed rather than a warranty deed.

Two resolutions were approved: Resolution 2020-39 entering into an MNDOT utility agreement for 2021, and Resolution 2020-40 certifying unpaid charges.

Before adjourning, Mayor Goette expressed gratitude for the people of Ellendale during this holiday season.

“Since it’s the Thanksgiving season, I want to personally thank all the unsung heroes of Ellendale and the volunteers who give their time,” said Goette. “There are a lot of people in town that have done their fair share and then some—I want to acknowledge them this season.”

If anyone is interested in giving back or helping other families and individuals in need as Christmas draws closer, council member Kibler suggested reaching out to Brooke at the elementary school to see if families need Christmas items or other donatable items. Council member Scott Groth added that gift card purchases are also a great way to support local businesses. The meeting adjourned at 8:29 p.m.

 

Details

Created: 07 December 2020

Hits: 1540

NRHEG School Board

 

By REED WALLER
Staff Writer

The NRHEG Board of Education met Monday, Nov. 23 to consider moving the elementary school to distance learning, and for how long; and also consider extending the secondary school’s distance learning period. Present were nurse Donna Olson and elementary principal Doug Anderson.

DALE CARLSON: As of 1 p.m. today (Nov. 23), there are eight known cases of isolation or positive cases in the school district, six of them in the secondary school, and 54 quarantines, nine in the secondary school and 45 in the elementary school. Counties over the last two weeks, Freeborn 84, Steele about 90, and Waseca 58. Projected: Freeborn +124-128, Steele +145, Waseca +105.”

Five possible motions were presented for consideration, with the object of moving the school back to hybrid slowly and giving consideration to small groups. 

1. Move the elementary school to distance learning effective Tuesday Dec. 1. Monday, November 30 would be a staff preparation day. Non-class day for elementary only. This would extend to Friday, December 11 with a return to hybrid learning on Monday, December 14.

2. Distance learning to extend to January 15.

3. Distance learning to extend to December 23, with a return day of January 4

4. Just one week, through Friday, Dec. 4.

5. Maintain hybrid learning; may be changed by administration or board at later time.

Travis Routh asked Anderson how the district is doing with staff.

DOUG ANDERSON: Each day we’re shuttling people around from one assignment to another; I’ve been able to be in the classrooms most every day.

RICK SCHULTZ: In the event that we do move to a distance learing model, would there still be some students participating in person?

DOUG ANDERSON: We’re looking into bringing in a large majority of our special education students for a half day or more, to work with a paraprofessional.

DALE CARLSON: Districts are not required to, but we feel it’s necessary for the school to survive.

NEIL SCHLAAK: I think the elementary students do much better in the classroom, and they’re better with the protocol than the secondary students, and I think there may be a big mess when they do come back into the classroom. 

RICK SCHULTZ I’ve had the opportunity to observe and they are all doing a great job with the masks and protocol, from the students to the teachers and staff, even the janitors.

NEIL SCHLAAK: I don’t want to go against the Dept of Health, but they are just all doing so well. I think it would be just great if we could just stay where we’re at until Christmas, unless there’s a bad outbreak or a staffing issue.

JOANN MALONEY: I appreciate all those comments and I think they’re valid, but I also don’t know how we are going to keep them out of distance learning when the numbers are so high in the district and all the counties, and the state, and the hospitals are full. And I’m also concerned about going counter to the recommendations of the state and the health department. They are very concerned about us keeping our buildings open.

KAREN FLATNESS: I understand that, but has anyone been looking at the recommendations of the CDC during all this? They are saying that the safest place for our kids to be during this is in the school. When they’re distance learning they’re still getting out, and if they’re in school we can monitor them from 8 to 3:30 every day. They need supervision. We have school age kids who have both parents working. Are the kids getting what they’re supposed to get out of it? Do they understand what’s going on? We have to teach our kids the best way to handle it.

RICK SCHULTZ: The e-mail that we’ve gotten from the County Health Department, there was a fair amount of direction provided. Up to this point we’ve been watching other districts and trying to make decisions, but there was a pretty direct statement from our regional support team that addressed “K-12.” Are we out on an island here, or are we conforming with other districts?

DALE CARLSON: We are trying to balance what we all believe. And I can’t find a single person who doesn’t believe that our kids are best off when they’re in the school in person in the classroom with their teachers. But it’s not just what’s happening in the school, it’s what’s happening in the community. And just in the last week things have changed and some districts are changing.

DONNA OLSON: There are over 20-some families that have a mom and dad and two or three kids, the whole family are positive. This is so overwhelming sometimes, the number of cases that I’ve seen. I’ve seen a dozen students just today who had to go in quarantine.

TRAVIS ROUTH: But the numbers, where are they coming from? Isn’t it true that the school district is doing well compared to the counties?

DONNA OLSON: We don’t know. Everyone is so busy, there are many of what they call “lost” cases, cases we don’t have time or information to follow up on. They can’t catch up. People won’t answer their phones; they won’t give out information.

TRAVIS ROUTH: Looking at the first motion, for two weeks. Is there any indication that things are going to get better in that time, or is it just going to get worse?

RICK SCHULTZ: It doesn’t show any sign of slowing down; it’s probably going to get still worse. I’ve been taking a position of not trying to look too far ahead and just dealing with the immediate future. It might start to come down as fast as it’s gone up. Two weeks might be optimistic in that statement.

DALE CARLSON: The two weeks, you just make decisions as you go along, for the next two weeks, and if things are such that we have to go for another two weeks, or not, we’ll do that, and keep on that way. This motion basically just gives the board time to decide again in another two weeks. Except for activities, back when that was a thing*. It hasn’t been an easy conversation for us to have. Waseca is going to re-evaluate in the middle of December.

*(Carlson is referring to Gov. Walz’s “Dial Back Minnesota,” banning all activities between Nov. 20 and Dec. 18.)

NEIL SCHLAAK: It just looks like the numbers are going to keep getting higher. I’m not advocating playing with fire or anything, but are we best just to keep running until we deal with the problem?

DALE CARLSON: The problem is our staff and our faculty — as we’ve said, they’ve been incredible, but there is a lot of stress and worry involved, and we have to be concerned about not just the holiday, but the two holidays together. What’s going to happen to our staff when they start getting it and needing hospitalization? It’s a tough, tough choice, to balance a concern for public health with the learning that goes on within our school.

RICK SCHULTZ: I feel a very serious concern from our school nurse and our county officials, and to me this concern needs to be respected. These are concerns that are deeper than the concerns of school board members.

DONNA OLSON: When people get together – they’re not supposed to, but we know they’re going to – by the time they get back to school before Christmas break, we’ll have more outbreaks. So what they recommend is two two-week cycles. Why two weeks? Because people don’t show symptoms for 14 days. And we want to make sure to get all of them before the next wave happens.

KAREN FLATNESS: I’ve spoken to some teachers from another district, and they want those elementary kids in front of them. They know how crucial these years are for the beginning learner.

RICK SCHULTZ: I think Travis is right, that we aren’t feeling the pressure from the Ellendale community, it’s a different situation and is under better control.  

KAREN FLATNESS: We are losing in the secondary, especially the slow learners.

RICK SCHULTZ: I struggle with bringing the secondary back in the peak of the numbers.

TRAVIS ROUTH: I see upper grade classes with 4-5 kids in a class, I don’t see how much more distance you can have.

DOUG ANDERSON: In the last week there has been a significant heightened anxiety among the staff, not just in the primary, but the upper elementary.

The board passed motion No. 5, to continue hybrid learning in the elementary school until further notice, and continue distance learning in the Secondary school through Wednesday, Dec. 23 and tentatively move back to hybrid all grades Jan. 4.

Activities will resume on Dec 21.