Brooten city hall closes to the public

The city of Brooten has closed city hall to the public for the foreseeable future. This went into effect as of Friday, March 20. The public can contact city hall and visit with the clerk at 320-346-2524. Payments can be made in the drop slot at city hall, and they can also be mailed to P.O. Box 81, Brooten MN, 56316. Local citizens can make appointments at city hall by calling ahead and speaking with City Clerk Jeanne Kinne.

The state of Minnesota has 115 cases of COVID-19 as of mid-day today, Friday, March 20 from almost 4,000 tests so far. The ages of patients with COVID-19 range from 17 to 94. Two of the 115 patients are in Intensive Care Units.

This virus is very likely more wide spread than the numbers bear, so the public is asked to continue to practice normal "flu outbreak" type activities like repeated washing of hands, covering your mouth for coughing/sneezing with an addition of judicious social-distancing in face-to-face activities (six feet distance is best). The phone number the public can use with COVID-19 related questions for the Minnesota Department of Health, with hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., is 651-201-3920.

The local COVID-19 hotline for local residents who feel they have COVID-19 symptoms and need more information is posted at this Bonanza Valley Voice website article is (short link) https://bit.ly/3dexBRP.

In other news, in Elrosa...

Here's information from Harry's Frozen Foods in Elrosa..."The frozen food section may be cleared out at your local grocery store, but ours is fully stocked! We're still operating as normal, but due to the Minnesota bar closures you may notice getting our handmade pizzas is a bit more difficult these days."

"Please check with your nearest grocer, meat market or c store if they are able to provide their services, but if not know that we are also available by contacting us direct and picking up right at our faculty. Our drivers may be able to meet you out on the road as well."

"Stay safe everyone and we really appreciate your business during this trying time."

Their phone number is 320-697-5638, with hours of operation of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

In Stearns County news...

On Thursday, March 19, Stearns County Board of Commissioners enacted the county's Emergency Operation plan and have closed public access to the administration center, west cervice center and the Melrose office. Members of the public can come to the Law Enforcement Center to submit permit-to-carry applications, but those hours are restricted to Tuesdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Thursdays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The county strongly encourages permit-to-purchase applications to be mailed to their administrative office at P.O. Box 217 in St. Cloud (Zip Code 56302)...additional questions should be phoned in to the Gun Permits department at 320-259-3810.

And two more business announcements for Brooten

Bohmer Insurance Agency and Integrity Home Investments in Brooten are closing their offices to the public for the time being. The doors are locked to the public, but staff will be available via phone or email.

Bohmer Agency contact information: 320-346-2214 and bohmeragency@tds.net.

Integrity Home Investments…contact Amber Bohmer at 320-267-1775 and Amberbohmer@hotmail.com or Richard Krasky 320-334-4170 and Rkrasky3@gmail.com.