County News

It is important to recognize there are different types of vulnerable adult abuse, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, financial exploitation and scams, and neglect.

The temporary bleachers will provide seating for approximately 2,000 attendees during popular fair events such as bull riding and the demo derby.

Olmsted County Public Health Services will host its 65th annual rabies vaccination clinic on June 14, 2023. In partnership with local veterinarians, this event is an opportunity to help protect our pets, family, and community from the spread of rabies.

The Olmsted County Parks department is excited to offer outdoor aquatic activities for the community at Chester Woods Park for the summer. Amenities include a public beach, boating, and kayak rentals.

Starting this season, visitors to Chester Woods Park can rent kayaks through the Rent.Fun app.

Olmsted County offices will be closed on Monday, May 29, 2023, in observance of Memorial Day. Regular business hours resume Tuesday, May 30, 2023.

The Minnesota legislature approved $23 million in state capital investment dollars to help fund the following Olmsted County initiatives:

-$10 million toward construction of a materials recovery facility (MRF).

-$8 million toward an exhibition center at Graham Park.

-$5 million toward an interchange at the intersection of County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 44 and Trunk Highway (TH) 14.

Based on the April 26, 2023, Bleacher Certification Review by the Institute for Environmental Assessment & LS Engineers, Inc., the Graham Park grandstand, originally built in 1938, is not in compliance with the structural inspection requirements. 

Olmsted County is joining millions of Americans in recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month. This month provides a unique opportunity to spread awareness and act on mental health matters.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five U.S. adults experiences mental illness each year. Less than half of them receive treatment. Olmsted County is not immune to this issue.

Residents using Olmsted County Kiosks can now submit documents through the kiosk as part of the application process for State of Minnesota benefits (i.e., food and cash assistance and health care renewals) thanks to new scanning functionality.

Supervised visitation is designed to ensure children can have safe contact with a parent or other significant adults during times of family conflict or transition.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Friday, May 5, 2023, for the opening of the new nature center at Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo.

The new facility replaces a nature center built in 1981. It offers park visitors more room to enjoy exhibits and learn about southeastern Minnesota's geology, flora, and fauna. It is an interactive learning space designed to educate, enrich, and excite nature lovers of all ages.

After more than three years, Olmsted County is officially ending the COVID-19 public health emergency with the repeal of the declaration by the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.

Olmsted County Public Health Services will now focus on balancing prevention and living with COVID-19 in our community.

Olmsted County recognizes the important role we each have in a person’s well-being. During National Foster Care Month, we thank the foster parents, family members, volunteers, mentors, welfare professionals, and other members of the community who help adults, teenagers, and children in foster care find permanent homes and connections.

The county is among 15 organizations chosen from this region as a recipient of Workforce Development Inc.'s 2023 Best Places to Work award and one of five organizations named as a recipient in the Large Employer category.

The free expo is an opportunity for people who have a criminal record and have paid their debts to connect with several support services and opportunities. 

April is National County Government Month, and Olmsted County is excited to share a new animated video highlighting our work and some of the programs and services we provide to the community.

In 2023, four new commissioners began service on the board. In an effort to get to know all of our county commissioners better, a new video series was created to highlight more about the commissioners’ personal and professional lives.

For more than 30 years, the Victim Services team of Dodge, Fillmore, and Olmsted Counties has provided support to people impacted by sexual assault and other crimes.

The goals of the Olmsted County Racial Equity Initiative are to evaluate the 42 recommendations in the joint study of race and racism as a public health issue and prepare an organization-wide response.

April is National Volunteer Month and Olmsted County is excited to share a new video that highlights our amazing volunteers.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. This month and throughout the year, Olmsted County encourages all individuals and organizations to play a role in making our community a better place for children and families.

Olmsted County Public Health Services recognizes National Public Health Week, April 3-9, 2023, focusing on community and cultural connections.

This year's National Public Health Week theme is "Centering and celebrating culture in health."

Recently, a notice was mailed to Olmsted County property owners regarding the 2023 assessed value and/or classification of their property. Southeast Minnesota, including Olmsted County, saw average residential value increases between 4% and 15%.

Road construction is set to begin Friday, March 31, 2023, on a portion of 4th Street Southeast between the Olmsted County Government Center and Annex building to repair a water pipe running under the road.

Olmsted County, in partnership with Family Service Rochester, is pleased to bring its Guiding Partners to Solutions (GPS) program to residents in need at various community locations beginning March 21, 2023. 

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for Olmsted County beginning the afternoon of Thursday, March 9 through the morning of Friday, March 10, 2023.

Olmsted County social workers are dedicated to providing essential services and resources for our residents.

Olmsted County is on the projected path of a major winter storm beginning the afternoon of Tuesday, February 21, 2023, through Thursday, February 23, 2023. Accumulating snow, strong winds, and difficult travel conditions are expected.

Olmsted County offices will be closed on Monday, February 20, 2023, in observance of Presidents' Day. Regular business hours resume Tuesday, February 21, 2023.

The Rochester YMCA, a leading nonprofit dedicated to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, and Olmsted County Parks are offering a day camp experience for youth entering kindergarten through grade 6 this summer.

The program aims to promote the growing of beneficial crops such as small grains, forages, other alternative crops, and grazing lands.

A new video is available that highlights Olmsted County’s commitment to assuring a safe and healthy community. Watch the video to learn more about various programs and services Olmsted County offers residents through its Health, Housing, and Human Services division, Sheriff’s Office, and County Attorney’s Office. 

MNbenefits is a mobile-friendly benefits site that is used to securely submit documents for public assistance programs in Family Support and Assistance. Program applicants, enrollees, and their Olmsted County workers will find the MNbenefits system to be a user-friendly option versus dropping off documents in person or emailing them. 

Congratulations to the Olmsted County Housing Stability Team on receiving the 2022 Community Service Award from the Zumbro Valley Medical Society.

The variant in current circulation is new, and Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS), Mayo Clinic, and Olmsted Medical Center continue to note the importance of vaccination as a tool against severe illness. They continue to provide bivalent booster shots to those who have not already received one.

Minnesota Winter Walk Day is February 1, 2023. Celebrated around the state, the idea is simple: go for a walk for at least 15 minutes, and don't let the cold scare you. Enjoy some sunshine and exercise in a winter wonderland.

The Zumbro Valley Medical Society (ZVMS) awards its Community Service Award 2022 to the Olmsted County Housing Stability Team for their service to community members experiencing houselessness.

The purpose of the 2022 Olmsted County Community Indicators report is to show high-level indicators of resident quality of life in Olmsted County, Minnesota. Data is focused on comparing Olmsted County’s measures to Minnesota and the nation.

Project Community Connect – an event designed to provide services and resources for people who are homeless or struggling to make ends meet – is returning on Friday, January 27, 2023.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at John Marshall High School at 1510 14th Street NW in Rochester, Minnesota.

Check out the latest news from Graham Park! New scoreboards and other arena additions, a Minnesota Wild Youth Hockey Spotlight Game, venue updates, and a review!

On January 1, 2023, a new Dodge & Olmsted (D&O) Community Corrections team became effective.

January is National Radon Action Month. Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS) is reminding residents to test their homes for this potentially dangerous gas.

Radon is an invisible and odorless gas that occurs naturally in rocks, soil, and water. Radon gas decays into fine particles that are radioactive. When inhaled, these fine particles can damage the lungs. Radon is recognized as the second leading cause of lung cancer.

The commissioners join incumbent commissioners Sheila Kiscaden, who represents District 6, Mark Thein, who represents District 7, and Gregg Wright, who represents District 3. Commissioner Wright will also serve as the board chair for 2023.

Read and watch Commissioner Gregory Wright's comments from the January 3, 2023, Board of Commissioners meeting.