FAIRMONT — Given the ever-changing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, area organizations continue to make changes to protect the health and safety of the community. The updates include:

Sentinel

The Sentinel is implementing temporary changes to operations effective 8 a.m. today. The changes will be in place through the end of March, or until further notice.

Home delivery of the Sentinel will continue as normal.

The Sentinel office will be closed to the public. However, daily operations will continue, with staff available to provide services and answer questions by phone at (507) 235-3303 and email. News questions or news items can be emailed to news@fairmontsentinel.com. Circulation and advertising questions can be sent to gandersen@fairmontsentinel.com. Or people may visit www.fairmontsentinel.com and click on “Contact us” for a listing of department email addresses.

There is a mail slot on the front of the building to drop off circulation payments.

City of Fairmont

The city reports that because of an increased demand and subsequent shortages of toilet paper as a result of COVID-19, it is aware of the increased use and flushing of non-flushable materials, such as baby wipes, napkins and paper towels. Citizens are encouraged to pay attention to what they are flushing, and not flush anything other than toilet paper. Flushing anything other than toilet paper can create expensive problems for homeowners and the city’s wastewater facilities.

A revised press release from the city also notes that it has implemented temporary changes to city operations. The changes will be in place through the end of March, or until further notice. They are as follows:

o All city facilities, except the Fairmont Liquor Store, will be closed to the public. However, city operations will continue with staff available to provide services and answer questions by phone (507) 238-9461 and email (citygov@fairmont.org). The liquor store will operate during its regular hours of operation.

o All services requiring in-person visits or public counter assistance will be handled by phone (507) 238-9461, email (citygov@fairmont.org) and in certain circumstances in-person (appointment only).

o City Council meetings scheduled in March will take place as planned. As an alternative to attending in person, members of the public may view a live stream of meetings by visiting the city’s website at www.fairmont.org. All city boards and commissions will not meet until further notice, unless there is an immediate need.

Fairmont Area

Chamber of Commerce

As of today, the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce will close its doors to the public. Appointments can be made by phone at (507) 235-5547 or email the following to:

Ned Koppen: president@fairmontchamber.org

Kandi Menne: info@fairmontchamber.org

Miranda Larsen: finance@fairmontchamber.org

Faribault County

A press release from the Faribault County Sheriff’s Office notes that the Faribault County commissioners have passed a resolution declaring Faribault County to be in a state of peacetime emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic.

The resolution will allow Faribault County to request needed resources from the state and federal level in order to mitigate and recover from the COVID-19 emergency.

In addition, the resolution allows Faribault County offices to alter their normal business practices to focus on essential services and protect the health and well being of employees and the public.

Others

o The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has postponed all DNR deer meetings due to COVID-19 precautions. The Sentinel had previously published a listing of open house DNR deer meetings within the area, but all deer meetings have been postponed because of social distancing guidelines surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Minnesotans may still contact their area DNR area wildlife office if they would like to discuss Minnesota’s wild deer herd.

o Discovery Place Preschool at Fairmont Elementary School had planned an open house 2020-21 school year roundup registration on March 24 at the elementary school. The event has been cancelled. Online registration will be available 5:30 p.m. March 24.