Minnesota Newspaper Association has big-name speakers

The Minnesota Newspaper Convention in Brooklyn Park did not disappoint on its final day at the Minneapolis Marriot Northwest hotel. At the Friday lunch session, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar were on hand to give in-person speeches at the hotel's Northland banquet hall. Among many topics, Governor Walz spoke about the dangers that rise when local news sources are closed or merge with larger companies. Senator Klobuchar gave many insights on legislation being developed in Washington, D.C. about how to support local news sources.

There's more to come that I'll get to in the February 6 issue of the Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper.

Stearns County announcement

Property Tax Penalty Waived to December 1

The Stearns County Board of Commissioners voted to waive late penalties for second half property taxes for property owners financially impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Instead of an October 15 deadline, penalties will be waived for payments received by December 1, 2020. This forgiveness will only apply to property owners who have paid their first half 2020 property taxes and would not apply to properties which are escrowed.

Auditor-Treasurer Randy Schreifels encourages residents and business owners to pay property taxes on time if able, as these funds are used and depended on by local schools, cities and townships.

At this time, property tax payments are being processed online at StearnsCountyMN.gov, by mail, or through drop boxes located at the entrances of the Administration Building in downtown St. Cloud or at the Stearns County Service Center in Waite Park.

If any further questions, please call the Treasurer’s Office at 320-656-3870.

Hennepin and Ramsey counties, 10 COVID deaths

For the reporting period released on Thursday, July 2, the counties of Hennepin and Ramsey of Minnesota reported 10 deaths to the COVID-19 virus.

Three other deaths (one each) were reported from Dakota, Sherburne and Steele counties.

The state of Minnesota added an even 500 cases to the total case count on a testing volume of 13,505 tests from public and private labs. That makes a positive case testing rate of 3.7 percent.

Stearns County added 25 cases of COVID to the total, which is now 2,312. Yesterday, for July 1, Stearns County added 17 cases.  On Tuesday, June 30, Stearns County added 36 new COVID cases.

In terms of the 500 new COVID cases...for added context, here's the breakdown for the counties reporting double-digit cases today, with new case count and overall population:
Washington - 23 cases    (pop. 262,440)
Stearns - 25      (pop. 161,075)
Scott - 13       (pop. 149,013)
Ramsey - 54      (pop. 550,321)
Olmsted - 18       (pop. 158,293)
Hennepin - 161    (pop. 1,266,000)
Dakota - 31        (pop. 429,021)
Carver - 13        (pop. 105,089)
Blue Earth - 21     (pop. 67,653)
Anoka - 30        (pop. 356,921)

Sub-total =  3.5058 million of the state’s 5.64 million people (62 percent of the state’s population)

TOTAL CASES in these counties = 389 of 500 (78%) 

• Area counties adding no new COVID cases were Pope, Douglas and Todd counties. Kandiyohi County added one COVID case. Grant County added two new COVID cases. Swift County added one new COVID cases. 

MEANWHILE, it becomes clear we are losing sight of what is happening behind the scenes, which is not surprising. Here's a headline that just popped up: "Health Partners is eliminating at least 200 jobs as it closes clinics."

Hello! Earth to anyone with a brain! We are using the wrong approach if we are harming medical systems due to a lack of people utilizing the services of health care providers.