Press Releases

The public is invited to attend a public meeting on Wednesday, December 14 (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.), to learn more about the County Road 44 and Highway 14 Intersection Project. 

Olmsted County, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, is planning improvements at County Road 44 and Highway 14. Project goals include increasing safety and mobility at the intersection as well as supporting regional growth and future economic development.

As holiday time is upon us, Olmsted County anticipates seeing an increase in colds, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), flu, and COVID-19 infections. In many cases, kids can be safely cared for at home. Parents should contact their primary care team if they have concerns and keep their child at home until symptoms improve. If a child tests positive for COVID-19, follow isolation guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The following project was originally scheduled for November 15, but due to weather it has been pushed back to November 21.  

The 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment, detailing Olmsted County’s health priorities, is available to the public. This year's CHNA is the fourth report since 2013 from a collaborative effort between Olmsted County Public Health Services, Mayo Clinic, and Olmsted Medical Center.

The 2022 CHNA also identified three priority issues that significantly impact health: mental health, drug use, and access to care.

Beginning the morning of Tuesday, November 15, 2022, Olmsted County will be removing trees on CSAH 25 (County Road 25 SW) and 120th Ave SW.

The Olmsted County Parks Division will close Chester Woods Regional Park for the management shotgun deer hunt season November 19, 2022 – November 27, 2022. The purpose of the hunt is to harvest a sufficient number of animals to keep the herd healthy and manageable. Forty are selected by lottery and each will be required to obtain at least one disease management harvest tag allowing the taking of additional antlerless deer. Chester Woods Park will re-open at 5:00 a.m. on Monday, November 28, 2022.

Olmsted County employees, residents, and the media are invited to attend a celebration on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, to honor four county commissioners retiring from service at the end of 2022. The event is being held at 1 p.m. on November 15 in the Board Room in the Olmsted County Government Center at 151 4th St. SE in Rochester.

The Olmsted County Parks Department will be hosting a DAV shotgun hunt at Chester Woods Park.

Roadway construction work as part of Stage 1 of the CSAH 4/CSAH 44 project will continue with a closure on November 4, 2022.  The closure will be on CSAH 44 (60th Ave NW) between 19th Street NW and CSAH 4 (Valleyhigh Road NW).

An official detour will be provided for this closure as shown on the map below. This section of roadway is anticipated to be closed for approximately one month.  Once this closure has been lifted, the roadway surface will be gravel throughout the winter.

Our 2023 Tree Sales Program is officially open for the public to purchase trees and shrubs. The public can make their purchase via the Tree Sales Website.

Olmsted County Public Works is announcing the following road maintenance project beginning Thursday, October 20, 2022, at 8:00 a.m. The work is scheduled to be complete at the end of the same day, weather permitting. 

Roadway construction work on CSAH 44 (60th Ave NW), as part of Stage 1 of the CSAH 4/CSAH 44 reconstruction project, is scheduled to begin on October 17, 2022.  Work will consist of drainage structure installation and grading from Gatehouse Dr. NW, south to CSAH 4 (Valleyhigh Road NW).  A roadway closure will be put in place and traffic will be detoured.

The roadway closure will remain in place for the winter season and an official detour will be provided for this closure as shown in the map below.

The City of Byron will be upgrading the utilities in the area of County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 5 (2nd Avenue NW) and 9th Street NW.

Canadian Pacific Railway will be performing maintenance work at the railroad crossing on CSAH 7 (Center Ave South) in Eyota beginning Wednesday, September 28, 2022.  CSAH 7 is estimated to be closed for one day while the work is being performed.  A detour will be provided as shown on the map below.

Roadway construction work for the new alignment of County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 4 began mid-September 2022 along CSAH 4, CSAH 44 and 34th St NW.  The project will be constructed in multiple stages, with Stage 1 being constructed in 2022.

The Rochester-Olmsted Council of Governments (ROCOG) has released an update to its Title VI/Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Plan for a 30-day public comment period. 

Olmsted County residents now have access to COVID-19 bivalent vaccine boosters. These updated vaccines are designed to give people broad protection against COVID-19. The bivalent boosters include components of the original virus strain and the Omicron variant.

Utility work on County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 5 (2nd Ave NW) requires a road closure near the railroad tracks on CSAH 5 starting Monday, September 19, 2022. 

Concrete resurfacing work is moving into the next phase with removal of the existing pavement on CSAH 1 at the TH 52/CSAH 1 interchange. This work will be completed by shifting traffic into the southbound lanes of CSAH 1.

The Olmsted County Parks Division will open Chester Woods Regional Park to a limited number of deer hunters during the shotgun season of November 19, 2022 – November 27, 2022. 

Olmsted County Public Works is announcing the following road maintenance project beginning Wednesday, August 31, 2022, at 8:00 a.m. The work is scheduled to be complete at the end of the same day, weather permitting. 

Olmsted County Public Health Services reported monkeypox virus infection in the county on August 22, 2022. The Minnesota Department of Health Public Health Laboratory completed initial testing.

Olmsted County Public Works is announcing the following road maintenance project beginning Monday, August 29, 2022, at 8:00 a.m. The work is scheduled to be complete at the end of the same day, weather permitting. 

Olmsted Medical Center, Mayo Clinic, Olmsted County Public Health, Dodge County Public Health, Goodhue County Public Health, and area private and public schools have once again teamed up to offer influenza vaccinations at local schools.

This month, Olmsted County reaffirms its commitment to promoting the well-being of children and child support services during Child Support Awareness Month.

As the Olmsted County fair begins, Olmsted County Public Health Services offers tips to keep people safe from animals that may be carrying diseases as well as from heat exhaustion.

Placement of campaign and other advertising signage on any county highway right of way is not allowed under state law, according to the Olmsted County Public Works Department. All state, county, city, and township roads and highways fall under the same state law.

The public is invited to attend a public meeting on June 30, 2022 (6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.), to learn more about the County Road (CR) 44 and Highway 14 Intersection Project. 

Bituminous reclamation and overlay work is scheduled to begin on CR 117 and CR 104 between County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 15 and CSAH 25.

Concrete resurfacing work is scheduled to begin along CSAH 1 from TH 52 to CR 101.  The project consists of removing the existing pavement, widening the shoulders, and paving a new concrete surface. 

Olmsted County is hosting an open house on June 22, 2022, from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Salem Township Hall at 8433 Salem Rd SW, Byron, MN 55920 for the CSAH 5 and CSAH 25 Reconstruction Project.

The GLUP is a long-range document, updated every five years to reflect changes in population, employment, land use projections, assumptions, and policy. This latest update of the GLUP looks out until at least 2045.

In partnership with local veterinarians, Olmsted County is hosting its 64th annual rabies vaccination clinic on June 22, 2022.

Veterinarians will provide rabies vaccinations for dogs, cats, and ferrets for only $20 each, cash only.

Many individuals eager to get outdoors and enjoy the warm weather will enjoy swimming, boating, and participating in other water-related activities. While these activities can be fun, it's important to remember that we share the water with others and are susceptible to recreational water illnesses.

The Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS) team is asking for help from the community to prioritize health issues in Olmsted County. 

Every three years, residents can participate in the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) prioritization survey to help OCPHS identify the county's health concerns.

Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS) is receiving a $388,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Infrastructure Fund to support data and epidemiology capabilities.

The funding will help OCPHS better serve the region in planning, data analysis, and epidemiology.

Mark Krupski, director of Olmsted County's Property Records and Licensing (PRL) department, is retiring after 32 years of service.

After 10 years as a self-employed realtor, Krupski came to the county as an appraiser. He then advanced to the assistant director role in PRL before becoming director, a position he has held for the past 16 years.

Due to inclement weather, bridge approach panel work is now scheduled to begin on County Road (CR) 104 on May 31, 2022. Work will consist of removal and replacement of the north and south concrete approach panels.  This work is in preparation of a bituminous preservation project along this route scheduled to begin towards the later part of June. A separate press release will be posted once the timing of that work is confirmed.

Bituminous paving work is scheduled to begin along CR 157 on May 20, 2022, weather permitting.

Reconstruction of CR (County Road) 101 between CSAH (County State Aid Highway) 20 (St. Bridget Rd SE) and CSAH 1 (Simpson Rd SE) continues with closure of the intersection at St. Bridget RD SE and 48th St SE for pavement and underground utility replacement.

Several additional projects will be funded by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) following the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners' approval on May 17, 2022.

The commissioners allotted $4.8 million to projects focused on mitigating COVID-19 impacts on vulnerable populations, public works, and county operations. Specifically, it will fund:

Culvert work is scheduled to begin on May 16, 2022, along CSAH 12 and CSAH 14, as shown on the map below. Work will consist of installing cured-in-place pipe liners in separated and delaminated concrete culverts.  Lane and shoulder closures will be necessary to complete this work.  Please reduce your speed and proceed with caution through these work zones.

Subsurface, Inc. is the prime contractor for the $120,000 project. Construction is anticipated to be completed by May 20, 2022.

Motorists should expect delays and seek alternative routes.

Canadian Pacific Railway will be performing maintenance work at the railroad crossing on County Road 146 (3rd Ave SE) beginning Tuesday, May 17, 2022. County Road 146 is estimated to be closed through May 18 while the work is being performed. A detour will be provided as shown on the map below.

Motorists should expect delays and seek alternative routes.  

Olmsted County Public Works is announcing the following road construction work beginning May 12, 2022.  Traffic signal installation work on CSAH 36 (Marion Road SE) requires lane closures and shifting traffic on Thursday, May 12, 2022, to Friday, May 13, 2022, weather permitting.  Traffic will be shifted and reduced to a single lane in each direction on CSAH 36 from approximately Park Lane SE to approximately 20th Street SE for the new Longfellow Elementary access location.  Egan Company is the contractor completing the traffic signal work.

Thousands of residents in Southeast Minnesota rely on private wells for drinking water. As a private well user, you are responsible for testing your water and maintaining your well system.

Olmsted County Public Works is announcing the following road maintenance project beginning Thursday, May 12, 2022, at 8:00 a.m. The work is scheduled to be complete at the end of the same day, weather permitting. 

Culvert replacement will take place on CR 108 SW, approximately 1,700 feet east of CR 115.  County Road 108 SW will be closed to through traffic from CR 115 SW (70th Ave SW) to 60th Ave SW, as shown on the attached map.  Residents will have access to their properties within the closure.  No official detour will be posted.

Bituminous overlay work is scheduled to begin along the following sections of roadway:

• CSAH 2 between TH 42 and CSAH 10
• CSAH 2 between CSAH 10 and CSAH 39 (in Winona County)

Work will be completed one lane at a time, with traffic being controlled using flagging operations.

Rochester Sand and Gravel is the prime contractor for the $1,900,000 project.  Construction is anticipated to be complete by June 6, 2022.

Motorists should expect delays and seek alternative routes.  

The 2022 Seasonal Load Restrictions will begin to be removed on Olmsted County roads on Monday, May 2nd, 2022.  Please be advised that spring load restrictions remain in effect on a road if it is still posted.

Any questions on the load restrictions can be answered by calling Olmsted County Public Works at 328-7060. 

Reminder: Motorists are reminded to always drive with caution, and never enter a road blocked with barriers or cones.  Please reduce your speed and proceed with caution through these work zones.

A media event on April 29, 2022 highlighted House America and current housing efforts in the region. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, along with staff from the Office of U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and U.S. Senator Tina Smith joined the city and county for today’s event. It was held at Olmsted County’s newest transitional housing facility, located at 105 Broadway Avenue North in Rochester.

Olmsted County is now considered to have a “high” COVID-19 community level under parameters set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

New COVID-19 related hospital admissions have increased in Olmsted County to 10.3 per 100,000 residents over the past seven days. The CDC also looks at new cases and percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients.

“While we are concerned about the increase of COVID-19 in Olmsted County, we know we have the tools to reduce the impact of COVID-19 in our community,” Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS) Director Denise Daniels said.

Effective immediately, Olmsted County passport services will be temporarily suspended. The Property Records and Licensing (PRL) team that provides these services is experiencing a staffing shortage due to illness.

As we expect temperatures to begin increasing over the next few weeks, Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS) offers advice to help families avoid potentially severe insect-related diseases associated with warmer months.

The Olmsted County Parks Department is planning several prescribed burns at Chester Woods, Oxbow, and Root River Parks. Prescribed burns are a useful land management tool in the restoration and maintenance of parks and other natural areas. The use of controlled fire as a land management tool has many benefits, some of which are:

As part of the routine maintenance of concrete pavement, there are multiple isolated locations throughout Olmsted County that have been identified to be replaced. Doyle Conner is the prime contractor for the $558,000 project, which includes removal and replacement of these concrete pavement and curb and gutter locations.

The repairs will be completed under traffic with lane closures and/or shifts needed to accommodate the repair areas.

Construction is anticipated to be complete by the end of July, weather permitting.

ROCHESTER, Minn. – Hoffman Construction is the prime contractor for the $9,800,000 project, which is moving into the final stage of concrete surfacing and bituminous shouldering. Additional aggregate placement and fine grading will be starting the week of April 25, 2022 with concrete surfacing anticipated to begin the week of May 9, 2022, weather dependant.

Each year, the critical work of public health is recognized during National Public Health Week, sponsored by the American Public Health Association (APHA). National Public Health Week provides opportunities for residents across the country to learn more about the many contributions made by public health professionals nationally and here in Olmsted County.

ROCHESTER, Minn. – Mathiowetz Construction is the prime contractor for the $7,200,000 project, which includes grading, concrete surfacing, and realignment of CR 101. Construction is anticipated to be complete by October 7, 2022.

The CR 101 project will be completed in three phases. 

Phase 1: CR 101 will be closed from the intersection of St. Bridget Rd SE and 45th ST SE to CSAH 1 with both intersections open to traffic. During this phase, a cul du sac will be constructed on 45th ST SE and CR 101 will be realigned to connect to 48th ST SE. 

Mary Blair-Hoeft will become Olmsted County’s next director of Property Records and Licensing effective April 25, 2022. Blair-Hoeft will have the opportunity to train under current Olmsted County PRL Director Mark Krupski until his retirement on May 31, 2022.

On Tuesday, March 15, 2022, the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners approved an updated Olmsted County Pa