DELANO, MN — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced Sunday morning that all schools throughout the state will be closed from Wednesday, March 18, through Friday, March 27, due to COVID-19.

“My top priority as governor is the safety of Minnesotans,” Walz said in a statement. “As a former teacher, and father of two teenage kids, I’m especially focused on the safety of our children. I am ordering the temporary closure of schools so educators can make plans to provide a safe learning environment for all Minnesota students during this pandemic. Closing schools is never an easy decision, but we need to make sure we have plans in place to educate and feed our kids regardless of what’s to come.”

During this time, school districts are expected to prepared distance learning plans for all students, which Delano Public Schools officials will provide more detailed information about in the near future.

The local district had already planned to extend spring break through Monday to make preparations for moving forward. Following Walz’s order, local schools will also be closed Tuesday.

The current plan is for schools to reopen Monday, March 30, if circumstances allow.

More information about the district’s response to COVID-19 will appear in the March 20 edition of the Delano Herald Journal.

WRIGHT COUNTY, MN – Spring load restrictions in the central frost zone, which includes Wright County, will begin at 12:01 a.m. Monday, March 9.

Overweight permits for more than 80,000 pound gross vehicle weight will continue and new permits will be issued if all axle and group weights are legal (axle weight limits).

Full-summer overweight permits can be issued, during the spring load restriction period, for travel on the interstate system only.

Middle-range overweight permits become available within each frost zone when spring load restrictions are lifted. Full-summer overweight permits become available two to three weeks after spring load restrictions are lifted.

Ending dates for spring load restrictions are variable and based on how weather is affecting roadway strength.

MONTROSE, MN – The City of Montrose is seeking applicants for city council following the resignation of Councilman Ben Kuehl, which was submitted Dec. 30, and accepted by the council Monday.

“I hope the citizens of Montrose are able to continue to move in a positive direction,” Kuehl’s resignation letter stated in part. “This time has been a great experience but, like all great things, they come to an end. I look forward to seeing many of you throughout our community.”

Mayor Michelle Otto noted that Kuehl resigned due to moving out of Montrose. Kuehl had served on the council for five years. His term was due to expire Dec. 31, 2020, so the seat will be on the ballot in November.

Now, the focus shifts to filling the vacancy.

“Couldn’t we just appoint someone?” Councilman Lloyd Johnson asked.

“We could,” Otto said. “We don’t know who all is interested. We need to look at all members interested.”

Councilman Kirby Moynagh said the council should not appoint someone without the full council present, as Councilman Tom Marszalek was absent.

Interested individuals may find an application on the city website (www.montrose-mn.com) or at Montrose City Hall, 311 Buffalo Ave. S.

Applications are due by 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23.

Interviews will take place during a special city council meeting beginning at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27. Applicants will be contacted Friday, Jan. 24, in order to schedule interview times.

Anyone with questions should contact City Clerk/Treasurer Deb Boelter at dboelter@montrose-mn.com or 763-575-7422.

For more coverage of this meeting, see Friday’s edition of the Delano Herald Journal.

This Wright County Sheriff’s Office squad car was struck while stopped on the shoulder of Highway 12 Sunday evening.

WRIGHT COUNTY, MN – No one was injured when a vehicle struck a Wright County deputy’s squad car on Highway 12 Sunday evening.

According to a social media post from the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, the squad car was struck at about 10:50 p.m. while the deputy was dealing with a traffic stop.

Both the squad car and the vehicle that collided with it received considerable damage.

“This serves as a good reminder for all of us to be mindful and aware of emergency vehicles on the side of the road, as well as other vehicles that may be pulled to the side of the road,” the post reads. “Slow down and, if possible on a multilane road, move over. Thank you and drive safely.”

DELANO, MN – Ian Christopher Scheie, 26, of Montrose was injured in a motorcycle crash at about 6:30 p.m. Saturday, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.

Scheie was southbound on 5th St. So. in Delano on a 2014 Harley Davidson motorcycle. When turning left to go eastbound on Hwy. 12, he lost control and crashed, according to the State Patrol. He was transported to North Memorial Hospital with life threatening injuries, according to the State Patrol.

Scheie was not wearing a helmet. Alcohol was a factor in the crash, according to the State Patrol.

Other agencies responding to the scene included the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, Ridgeview Ambulance, North Air Care, and the Delano Fire Department.

WINSTED, MN – Winsted, MN – Winstock just announced their all-star lineup for 2020 and welcomes Luke Combs and Darius Rucker! The 2019 CMA Male Vocalist of the Year nominee Luke Combs has become one of the fastest rising acts in country music. The multi-platinum, No. 1 Country singersongwriter, Combs stormed onto the music landscape as one of Country’s brightest stars with the release of his critically-acclaimed, double Platinum, No. 1 debut album, This One’s For You. Since its release, the album has spent a total of 27 non-consecutive weeks at #1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart, including 16 weeks in 2018—the most of any album in a calendar year. The first five singles—3x platinum “Hurricane,” 3x platinum “When It Rains It Pours,” platinum “One Number Away,” platinum “She Got The Best of Me” and 2x platinum “Beautiful Crazy”—have all reached #1, making Combs the first artist ever to score five consecutive career-opening #1’s on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. His new album What You See Is What You Get is due out November 8th and features Top 10 hit “Even Though I’m Leaving.” Darius Rucker first attained multi-Platinum status in the music industry as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of GRAMMY award-winning Hootie & the Blowfish. Since re-introducing himself to the world as a country artist, he has released four consecutive albums to top the Billboard Country albums chart and earned a whole new legion of fans. In 2014, Rucker won his third career GRAMMY award for Best Solo Country Performance for his 4x Platinum selling cover of Old Crow Medicine Show’s “Wagon Wheel,” off his album, True Believers. Also joining the 2020 Winstock lineup is multi Grammy, CMT, CMA and ACM award winning country duo Big & Rich with Cowboy Troy, one of the most successful and flamboyant duos in country music history. 2018 ACM Best New Vocal Group Runaway June rounds out an outstanding Friday of country music. Platinum-selling singer-songwriter Brett Eldredge will be joining Combs on Saturday along with youngest living member of the Grand Ole Opry Chris Janson. Legendary country band Shenandoah and Phil Vassar, who is celebrating 20 years of charttopping hits, will be appearing on the T-Mobile Stage. The Winstock “West Stage” will play host to Drew Baldridge and Drew Parker. More artists will be added to the festival lineup. About Winstock: THE ULTIMATE SUMMER GET-TOGETHER! Winstock will take place at the Winstock Festival grounds in Winsted, MN on June 12-13, 2020. Celebrating their 27th year, Winstock is one of the premier country music festivals. Winsted is located 45 miles west of the Twin Cities. A volunteer driven festival, 100% of net proceeds go towards youth education at the Holy Trinity School. Winstock Reserved Seats, General Admission tickets and Camping are on-sale now by calling 320-485-4287 or online at www.winstockfestival.com. FRIDAY, JUNE 12TH SATURDAY,JUNE 13TH