Press Releases

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.

Olmsted County Public Works is announcing the following road maintenance project beginning June 5, 2023.

Culvert replacement work on CSAH 3 between CSAH 14 and 85th Street NW will begin on Monday, June 5, 2023. CSAH 3 will be closed to through traffic from CSAH 14 to CSAH 12 as shown on the attached map. Residents will have access to their properties within the closure. No official detour will be posted. The project is expected to be complete on June 8, 2023, weather permitting.

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.

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.

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.

On May 2, 2023, the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners proclaimed May as Building Safety Month in Olmsted County. 

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.

Roadway construction work on CSAH 4 (Valleyhigh Road NW), as part of the CSAH 4/CSAH 44 project to begin on April 19, 2023.

The 2023 Olmsted SWCD Annual Tree Sale Pickup will take place on Friday, April 28, 2023 from Noon - 7:00 PM at Graham Park/Olmsted County Fairgrounds - Building 25 (Dairy)

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.

Roadway construction work on CSAH 44 (60th Ave NW), as part of the CSAH 4/CSAH 44 project, is scheduled to begin on April 12, 2023.  A closure of the intersection of 51st St NW / 60th Ave NW is required due to underground utilities being installed.

Olmsted County Public Works will be closing County Road 101 for gravel road maintenance training, beginning Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at 8:00 a.m.

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 (OCPHS) 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%.

Olmsted County is hosting an open house on March 29th, 2023, from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm at Aune Hall (Located at Graham Park – 1580 Aune Dr SE, Rochester MN) for the Olmsted County Road 146 Pavement Preservation and Restriping Project.

The public is invited to attend an informational meeting for the official mapping of the selected alternative for the TH 14 Corridor Analysis project.

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. GPS is a team of social workers that works to reduce barriers and connect individuals and families with housing, cash, food, and insurance assistance and provides help in applying for these benefits. 

Olmsted County Public Works is announcing the following road updates beginning this week.

The 2023 seasonal load restrictions for Olmsted County roads will go into effect on Friday, March 10, 2023. 

Each year, in October, The Olmsted County Soil and Water Conservation District sells trees and shrubs in bundles of 20 to 25 bare-root transplants. This is an inexpensive way to simply add color and beauty to your property. The trees are great for homestead windbreaks, living snow fences, and wildlife habitat.

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

Olmsted County is hosting an open house for the CSAH 5 and CSAH 25 Reconstruction Project on February 22, 2023, from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Byron Fire Department (707 Frontage Rd NW, Byron, MN 55920).

After two years of work, the WinLaC watershed plan is ready for review and comment by the public. The goal of the ten-year plan is to identify and prioritize the water quality issues the community cares about.

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.