Adult Community Center takes precautionary measures

The city of Marshall continues to actively address the COVID-19 virus in Minnesota with the assistance of the Minnesota Department of Health and local health officials. We will continue to monitor any changes, along with continually prioritizing a safe and healthy environment at the Adult Community Center (ACC), for both members and staff. As a result of recent guidance, the following protocols will be effective immediately:

• The ACC will remain open during normal hours of operation (9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Monday through Friday) (Members may continue to access the ACC and provided services of their own choosing)

• Senior Dining and Meals on Wheels will continue with no interruption as of March 13.

• All facility usage or rentals after 4 p.m. and on weekends is suspended until further notice.

• The following events will be cancelled or rescheduled at a later date:

Today’s St. Patrick’s Day Meal (cancelled)

March 23 — Chat with Fire Chief (to be rescheduled at a later date)

March 24 — GOLD College kickoff and ALL classes have been canceled

• All meetings, events and/or activities with 10 or more individuals, gathering in one meeting area will be suspended until further notice.

Prairie Home Hospice & Community Care announces precautionary measures:

• Prairie Home Hospice & Community Care has taken steps to implement an Emergency Management Plan across all of its operations, including Lockwood and McLaughlin Hospice Houses in Marshall, and Fieldcrest Assisted Living in Cottonwood.

According to Pat Mellenthin, CEO, “we are taking the steps we need to take to help ensure the safety and well-being of those we serve. Last week we began restricting visits at all of our facilities to immediate family members. This week, we are taking additional precautions, as outlined below. It is our hope that when the threat of coronavirus passes, we will all be able to look back and say we over prepared and were overly cautious, but everyone came through it unharmed. We don’t want to look back and have to say we were not prepared or cautious enough.”

The following outlines measures that are being implemented effective March 16 until further notice:

• The Prairie Home Hospice & Community Care office in Marshall is closed. However, staff will be available during business hours Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. to take calls. You can reach them at 507-337-0080.

• On-call nurses will be available 24/7, as always. They can be reached by calling 507-337-0080.

• All facilities, including Lockwood and McLaughlin Hospice Houses and Fieldcrest Assisted Living, will be on lockdown beginning at 7 p.m. today. Doors will remain locked 24/7 and access will be restricted to a designated family member or representative or a designated alternate.

• All residents, family designees and personnel will be monitored as they enter the buildings. Those who have a temperature, show signs of a respiratory illness or have knowingly been exposed to the coronavirus will be denied access to the building until it has been determined that they no longer pose a threat.

• Designated visitors may be issued masks to use while visiting.

• Infection control efforts in each of the facilities will be enhanced.

• Hand sanitizer will be available at each entrance and throughout the buildings.

• All door handles, railings, and other surfaces will be sanitized during each shift (3 shifts per day).

• Like many health care providers, while we have a supply of masks, we are having a difficult time securing additional masks that may be needed in the event this emergency is prolonged. If you have masks that you would be willing to donate, please contact us.

Walmart reduces hours

Walmart Stores announces new hours of 6 a.m.-11 p.m. According to corporate headquarters, the measure allows employees to clean and stock products.

GOP delays convention

The Lyon County Republicans have postponed its county convention to 9 a.m. April 18 at the Americinn. It was originally scheduled for Saturday.

WW pauses meetings

Marshall area WW local group meeting Mondays at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is paused until April 6 because of coronavirus concerns. Watch for future announcements as they develop.

Dinner postponed at St. Mary’s in Tracy

St. Mary’s Tracy Parish roast beef and pork dinner has been postponed. It had been scheduled from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, March 29, in the parish hall.

Knights of Columbus cancels fish fries

Knights of Columbus Fish Fry for March 20 in Cottonwood at St. Mary’s Church has been canceled.

Knights of Columbus is also canceling the March 27 fish fry at Carlin Hall at Holy Redeemer Church.

El Rancho postpones traveling trivia

El Rancho Mexican Restaurant has postponed its traveling trivia originally scheduled for Thursday.

Loaves and Fishes will continue to serve

“For nearly 40 years, Loaves & Fishes has gone where the hunger is. Today, we are the largest free restaurant in Minnesota and the COVID-19 outbreak will not stop our mission to provide fresh, healthy meals to Minnesotans in need,” said Cathy Maes, executive director of Loaves and Fishes. Loaves & Fishes staff are closely monitoring how this threat will affect our community and are adjusting to this changing environment as needed so that we can continue to provide nutritious food to those who need it.

“We have invested heavily in to-go containers and will continue to provide high-level and healthy meals to anyone in need,” Maes said adding Loaves and Fishes will work with caterers for meals as well as an event company with trucks and logistics.

For daily updates or more information call 612-377-9810 or visit thewebsite, loavesandfishesmn.org.

Ivanhoe Public library remains open

Ivanhoe Public library says it is business as usual at the library and the city office. However, it is taking steps to limit the spread of this disease, and to help you feel safe using our facilities. Therefore it is asking everyone to please step into the bathroom when entering our building, and to wash your hands with soap and water.

Rotary cancels March meetings

Rotary International is recommending proactive measures to help slow the spread of the virus and includes the cancelling of club events and meetings. Noon Rotary has decided to cancel its club meetings for Tuesday and March 24.

Church services canceled in March

• Danebod Lutheran Church in Tyler will have no church services in March. Sermons will play via video on their Facebook page.

• Grace First Parish is cancelling all services through April 1.

• True Light Christian School Promise Banquet has been cancelled.

Minnesota State extends spring break further

The Minnesota State system office has extended spring break for students through March 29, with instruction resuming on March 30. This is a very fluid situation, and we know you’ve got questions. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2xJhY4r. As updates are received, they will be posted on the page.

No Special Olympics practices, competitions

Special Olympics MN Special Olympics canceling practices and competitions until further notice.

Milroy Lions pancake breakfast postponed

Milroy Lions pancake breakfast, originally scheduled for March 29, has been postponed.

American Legion Erwin March in Slayton announces cancellations

The American Legion in Slayton will cancel the breakfast scheduled for March 29, with everything going on with the current situations we are experiencing. We will reevaluate for the breakfast scheduled for April 26.

We have also decided to cancel the monthly meetings we had scheduled as well for this month. The Legion Riders meeting for Thursday is canceled. The SAL and Legion meetings for March 30 are canceled.

Tracy Kiwanis meetings suspended

Tracy Kiwanis meetings are suspended until a future date. This will also mean that we will postpone our Dad’s Belgian Waffle feed that was scheduled for April 5.

Bremer Bank closes lobbies

In an effort to mitigate the community spread of COVID-19, Bremer Bank announced Monday it would close all lobbies and keep the drive-thrus open throughout its three-state footprint of Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. Bremer’s ATMs and night deposit boxes will also stay open. The closures will begin Wednesday and will continue until further notice.

Bremer will continue to post updated information on its bremer.com/covid19 page.

Jim’s Market in Canby

• Jim’s Market in Canby will bring groceries to car or deliver to homes by calling 507-223-5505. At present the store is extremely limited on toilet paper, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes.

Runchey, Louwagie & Wellman to limit in-person visits

Runchey, Louwagie & Wellman is undertaking efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19 to our employees, clients, and the public at large. Accordingly, Runchey, Louwagie & Wellman will be restricting in-office visits or consults with current clients and potential clients for the immediate future. When possible, the visit or consultation will be scheduled to take place over the phone.

Marshall Area YMCA cancels classes, programs

The Y is suspending operations at 5 p.m. today. All programs and classes have already been suspended with the exception of the critical after-school childcare program which is operating today. On Wednesday, March 18, the Y will utilize the facilities to care for the youth in the communities we serve. This “Emergency School’s Out Camp” will be available from 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.. Registration is open immediately. There are capacity limits for this program.

Finally, to support your health and well-being goals, the Y is offering Y360, an exciting new YMCA on-demand fitness program for adults and kids to do at home, and Les Mills On-Demand Workouts. You and your family can exercise together and have some fitness fun! These classes can be accessed today at https://marshallareaymca.org/news/update-hub. The workouts will remain open and available as long as the coronavirus situation continues to cause disruption.