Local Interest

Due to the current surge in positive COVID-19 cases in our communities, CentraCare is once again implementing a no visitor policy at all its facilities. The restrictions will go into effect Wednesday, September 30. Exceptions to the policy will be allowed for patients/visitors experiencing specific situations including: End of life Critically ill Parent/legal guardian … [Read more...] about Increased Visitor Restrictions For All CentraCare and Carris Health Sites

Local and state officials work to control infestations St. Paul, MN: An invasive vine not seen in the United States in six decades has been discovered in Stearns County. Sherry Kutter, a University of Minnesota Extension Master Naturalist, first spotted the vine along the Lake Wobegon Trail in Holdingford. Officials have identified it as rough potato (Metaplexis japonica), a … [Read more...] about Invasive Vine Spotted in Stearns County

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is doing a voluntary, in‐person survey to understand the effect COVID‐19 is having on Minnesota communities. The survey is called a modified Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response, or CASPER survey. A team of MDH workers will be visiting neighborhoods and knocking on doors within the Long Prairie and Staples … [Read more...] about COVID‐19 Public Health Survey Conducted in Long Prairie & Staples Sept 24‐26

Man injured in farm accident. On September 19 at approximately 12:32 pm, the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office received the call of a farm accident that occurred in a field near County Road 30/County Road 174 in Oak Township. A male party had been pinned between a pickup truck and a loaded silage wagon and was reported to have injuries to his lower extremities. When officers … [Read more...] about Farm Accident in Oak Township

Grandma, Grandpa, I’m in jail and need help. I’m not a grandparent, but I can imagine how receiving a phone call like that would trigger many emotions. That is what the scammers are going for; to get your emotions to override clear thinking. Over the past week we have taken three fraud calls that all used the grandparent approach. In two of the calls money was sent by the … [Read more...] about Grandparent Scam