COVID-19
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) confirmed Wednesday an Aitkin County resident has died from COVID-19 complications.This is the first Aitkin County resident to die from the disease. The resident was in their 80’s, no other details are available. A total of 29 cases have been confirme…
Today, Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, along with the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), announced Minnesota’s Safe Learning Plan for the 2020-21 School Year.
Governor Tim Walz today signed Executive Order 20-81, which requires Minnesotans to wear a face covering in indoor businesses and indoor public settings. Researchers have advocated for masking, calling it a simple and effective step to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. To date, 30 state…
Editor’s note: Taylor, the chief medical officer for Riverwood Healthcare Center, offered insights and perspective on COVID-19 last week – and why it is urgent for people to continue to follow precautions to prevent its spread.
Marcum House, one of several buildings at Long Lake Conservation Center, is currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Aitkin County Land Commissioner Rich Courtemanche presented to the county board last week options to reduce the operating budget for the rest of 2020 due to the pandemic.
As the COVID-19 pandemic moves into summer and many businesses work toward reopening, the impact felt by Aitkin County’s Long Lake Conservation Center continues to grow.
For a limited time, the American Red Cross is testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies, providing donors insight into whether they have been exposed to this coronavirus. At the same time, there continues to be an urgent need for blood donations as hospitals re…
The summer of cancellations continued last week, as the McGregor Area Chamber of Commerce announced it would cancel the festival tied to Wild Rice Days.
There have been many casualties due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Members of the Garrison Riverwood Clinic wear masks made for them.
If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community – or in this case, dedicated volunteers and organizers – to make the cloth masks being used due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The city of Aitkin was one of 20 signatories on a letter by Iron Range mayors sent May 15 to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, asking that Federal CARES Act dollars be distributed to this area.
Green Owl Gallery and Gifts in Aitkin officially reopened Tuesday after being shut due to the state’s “Stay at Home” order.
Minnesota restaurants and bars may reopen June 1 for outdoor dining with social distancing and other safeguards, while salons can resume cutting hair at partial capacity, Gov. Tim Walz said Wednesday, drawing sharp criticism from those who had hoped for faster steps to help struggling businesses.
Pete’s Retreat and Campground in Malmo had season campsites filled as of last week. The campsites, according to co-owner Alyssa Boser, are spaced 30 feet apart and socially distanced.
Gov. Tim Walz said May 13 he will let his stay-at-home order expire as scheduled May 18, though he’ll leave key restrictions in place to keep up Minnesota’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
As part of Operation America Resolve last week, both Aitkin’s Riverwood Healthcare and Crosby’s Cuyuna Regional Medical Center received a flyover of F-16 jets. The event, planned for numerous points across the state, drew staff out of the building at Riverwood to record the event.
Riverwood Healthcare Center continues to offer testing for COVID-19 at its Aitkin and McGregor locations, but with limited supplies, has established priorities for testing.
Minnesota’s American Legion Baseball season has been canceled over concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.
Due to the current circumstances, the Aitkin FFA chapter has decided to host the annual Aitkin FFA Awards ceremony via YouTube Premiere to celebrate the members and their accomplishments.
Minnesota banned large-scale high school graduation ceremonies on Friday to limit the spread of the coronavirus, and encouraged schools to hold online ceremonies instead.
The Minnesota National Guard along with the 934th Air Wing of the Air Force Reserve will be conducting additional statewide flyovers in recognition of those on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic response as part of Operation American Resolve.A flyover is scheduled for a time window betw…
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has confirmed a second positive case of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Aitkin County, according to the Aitkin County Health and Human Services department.
The Aitkin County Fair Board made the official announcement May 7 that the fair for 2020 is cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of several shelter-in-place violations around the state occured in Mille Lacs County. An Elk River woman was charged with violating an emergency powers order (shelter-in-place) and also charged with a third degree DWI and second degree test refusal for an incident occurring in Princeton …
Protecting customers is one of the latest waves of changes with COVID-19. Sue Gamble at Paulbeck’s County Market in Aitkin takes an item for return.
James Jones at Ukura’s Big Dollar in McGregor mans the meat counter with a mask firmly in place.
It’s been a world full of change for area stores since mid-March, especially when it comes to area grocers.
People may think that being at home would keep them safe from scams. Be aware of the COVID-19 related scams that target older adults. Unfortunately, scammers are using COVID-19 as a way to scare people into complying with their requests or demands.
Aitkin County’s Public Health staff has been working to establish a coordinated incident response team to address current and future needs in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the state continues to make progress in preparing for the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Tim Walz today extended the Stay Home Order in Minnesota until Monday, May 18.
Aitkin High School Principal Paul Karelis (center) waves to a bus driver while helping distribute distance learning packets Monday morning.
Gov. Tim Walz on April 26 ordered Minnesota schools to stay closed through the rest of the academic year amid the COVID-19 crisis.
With a 14-day menu Hannah Colby developed based on the federal MyPlate guidelines.
Aitkin Schools Superintendent Dan Stifter shows off the face shields the high school’s 3D printer can make as executive assistant Deb Chute poses with the check from Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative to replace the school’s 3D printer.
Katie Nelson of Riverwood (left) picks up face shields made by FLOE’s Shawn Hagen.
It’s the kind of timing only Murphy’s law loves.
The Minnesota Department of Health confirmed the first official death of a Crow Wing County resident from COVID-19.
Grand Casino Mille Lacs has been forced to lay off the majority of its workers due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mille Lacs County’s largest employer, Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures (Grand Casinos), has been forced to temporarily furlough the majority of its employees.
A day after announcing a statewide strategy for widespread testing, Governor Tim Walz outlined Thursday next steps for the COVID-19 response in Minnesota. The Governor extended distance learning through the end of the school year, announced a plan for up to 100,000 workers to safely return t…
Camp Sertoma and its 2020 summer camp programs are cancelled this summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic.