The first Le Sueur County COVID-19 case was identified on March 22. Since that time, over the 
course of the last week, Le Sueur County Public Health has been notified by the Minnesota 
Department of Health (MDH) of an additional 10 cases of lab confirmed COVID-19. MDH does 
not release specific case information to protect the identity and privacy of the individuals. 
Aggregate data regarding the Le Sueur County cases that can be shared at this time include:
none of the cases were hospitalized, all are recovering at home and following isolation guidance 

Effective immediately, we have been directed by our DNR Regional office to implement Burning Permit Restrictions in our counties.  Restrictions mean that (in an electronic burning permit county) the only burning permits that can be activated and legally burned are variance permits. A variance is a burning permit issued for over 1 acre of grass and special permits issued for large piles such as for a road construction activity or similar projects. Variances are issued by a forester and not fire wardens or purchased online.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services division (DPS-DVS) is closing all exam stations statewide beginning Friday at the close of business to follow Governor Tim Walz’s executive order for Minnesotans to stay home and slow the spread of COVID-19. Offices will stay closed through April 10, when the executive order is set to expire. 

Rice County Public Health was notified today, Tuesday, March 24 by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) of a second lab confirmed case of COVID-19 in Rice County.
Limited information indicates the confirmed case is in their 30’s with transmission linked to travel within the United States. This person was not hospitalized and is in isolation at home.
Rice County Public Health continues to work with MDH and local health care partners to address the needs of those who are ill in our community.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) notified Le Sueur County Public Health that Le Sueur County has an additional four cases of lab confirmed COVID-19, in addition to the case reported on March 22. MDH reports that the additional cases had contact with a known positive case and are recovering at home.

Frank Bily, 82, of Montgomery, died on Friday, March 20, 2020, at Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center in New Prague.
In cooperation with the guidelines set forth by the CDC and the Minnesota Department of Health during the current health crisis, services are pending.
Frank was born on July 11, 1937, in Kilkenny to Frank Joseph and Margaret Louise (Staddler) Bily, Sr. Frank was united in marriage to Fern Bjork on October 5, 1958 in Lansing, MN. He was a farmer who also worked at Hruby Implement, auto dealerships, Winco, and as a maintenance foreman at United Steel.

Freda Joyce Wacker, age 78, of New Prague, died on Monday, February 24, 2020 Mayo Systems in Rochester.
Private family services will be held in West Virginia at a later date.
Freda was born on June 7, 1941 in Hollygrove, West Virginia to Frank and Viola (Hill) Swartz. Freda was united in marriage to Ronald Wacker January 11, 1964.
Freda enjoyed gardening, flowers, babysitting, cooking/ baking, traveling, and dog sitting.

Alvin Tuma, 89, of Montgomery, died on Saturday, March 21, 2020 at Mayo Clinic Health System Mankato.
In cooperation with the guidelines set forth by the CDC and the Minnesota Department of Health during the current health crisis, there will be a private family Interment on Saturday, March 28 at 11:30 a.m. at Bohemian National Cemetery in Montgomery. Memorials are preferred to St. John Lutheran Church Bell Tower Renovation/Repair Fund.

Barbara Ellen Miller, age 81 of rural Belle Plaine died peacefully at home on March 21, 2020 surrounded by her loving, devoted husband Val and family after a courageous battle with cancer.  Barbara was born September 20, 1938 to Lester and Helen (Dryer) Scholl in Salem, South Dakota and grew up near St. Peter, MN. She married the love her life, Val Miller on September 20, 1953 and for 66 wonderful years they were an inseparable team.  It was rare to see one without the other.

The Tri-City United Softball team will have new leadership this spring with a new head coach and assistant coach, who come to the program with champion experience.
Varsity Head Coach Mady Bunnell and Assistant Coach Allie Arneson began leading the Titans when the season started with captain’s practice on February 24.
Bunnell (also known as Coach Bunnz) grew up in Lakeville and graduated from Lakeville North High School. She went on to play college ball at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls as a three-year letter winning catcher.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) notified Le Sueur County Public Health of a lab confirmed case of COVID-19 in Le Sueur County. The individual is in their 40s and is recovering at home.
According to MDH, the individual was not hospitalized and no work exposures were identified.

Starting Monday, March 23 Northfield Hospital + Clinics will temporarily close its Lakeville Clinic/Urgent Care and Lonsdale Clinic. Clinics in Farmington, Northfield and Faribault will remain open for patients who need to be seen for health issues other than COVID-19 (coronavirus).
Patients who need care for chronic conditions or acute situations such as stitches or broken bones will be seen.
Patients are encouraged to CALL FIRST to discuss their symptoms. A triage nurse will help determine the best location if a patient needs to be seen.

In an emergency meeting on Friday, the City Council unanimously declared that a local emergency is in effect due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The declaration invokes the city’s Emergency Operations/Management Plan and Pandemic Response Plans, allowing it to provide emergency assistance without complying with time-consuming procedures and formalities that are generally required under normal operational times.

Blandin Foundation announced Wednesday, March 11, it selected Le Sueur County for an intensive, twoyear partnership to advance local broadband initiatives.
Le Sueur County joins Chisago Lakes, Otter Tail County, Red Lake Nation, and White Earth Nation in their successful bids to become Blandin Broadband Communities (BBC).

Are you wondering about the safety of our printed newspapers during this COVID-19 crisis?
According to information from the World Health Organization (WHO), a highly credible source of factual information, the likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low, and the risk of catching the virus that causes COVID-19 from a package that has been moved, traveled and exposed to different conditions and temperatures is also low.

By order of Rice County Sheriff Troy Dunn, effective March 19, 2020 at 7:30 am, access to the Rice County Courthouse will be restricted.  The courthouse is not being closed.