MOORHEAD SCHOOLS HIRES DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
MOORHEAD – Moorhead Area Public Schools announces that Steve Moore has been hired as the Director of Operations and Emergency Management. Moore will lead the school district’s operations in the departments of property services, transportation and emergency management, maintaining a safe and secure environment for students, employees and visitors. This position is also responsible for the development and enforcement of safety and security policies, including access control procedures, accident and risk prevention efforts and district-wide emergency management.
“I believe the goal of Operations and Emergency Management is to provide a solid and safe foundation so the organization can focus on the education and wellbeing of each student,” said Moore.
Moore joins the district after serving as Public Works Director for the City of Moorhead for the last six years. He also has a 22 year career of active duty as a Civil Engineer with the United States Air Force. He holds a Chemical Engineering degree from Michigan State University and a Master’s degree in Computer Information Managmentment from Webster University.
“We are pleased to welcome Steve to the team and feel privileged to have a leader with his level of experience to manage the district’s operations in these crucial areas,” said Superintendent Dr. Brandon Lunak.
Winter League-sponsored contests and competitions may begin Jan. 14
BROOKLYN CENTER, MM – Winter sports contests and competitions under sponsorship of the Minnesota State High School League may resume beginning Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, after updated information within COVID-19 Youth and Adult Sports was announced Monday by the Minnesota Department of Health. Included in the announcement was the release of a new document COVID-19 Sports Practice Guidance for Youth and Adults.
This new guidance and information is an important step as the League continues forward with a winter season model approved by the Board of Directors. This flexible model will be adapted to include the start of practice on Jan. 4 and the start of competitions on Jan. 14. The League continues to work with member schools to provide leadership and support to ensure the safest possible return to sports and activities.
“These experiences are so important to students and they have been anxiously waiting to get these winter seasons started,” MSHSL Executive Director Erich Martens said. “By implementing these safety protocols recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and required by the Minnesota Department of Health, we have the best chance to provide safe seasons with reduced interruptions and also plan for full postseason experiences.”
The MDH updated youth sports document requires mask usage by all participants during practices and competitions with a few exceptions. Exceptions are made for those sports where wearing a mask may cause additional safety concerns and include gymnastics, cheerleading, wrestling and swimming and diving.
The League continues to work directly with the MDH and the Minnesota Department of Education in developing plans for our student-athletes to return safely to in-person participation.
“We are excited for the opportunity to start both practices and contests in this winter season,” Martens said. “The commitment to safety by our more than 500 member schools is critical to not only start our seasons, but to finish them as well.”
Holiday City Service Schedule
Moorhead City Offices will be closed New Year’s Day.
There will be no garbage pickup on Friday, January 1, (New Year’s Day).
Friday’s route (both garbage and recycling if this is your recycling week) will be picked up on Monday, January 4, 2021.
Pickup will start at 4:00 am on Monday, January 4, 2021. Please place your garbage out the night before to ensure pickup. Also, your garbage may be picked up later in the day due to the double route.
Additionally, the City of Moorhead, Garbage Transfer Station will be closed on Friday, January 1.
Christmas Tree Pickup:
• January 4-15, 2021
• Place trees 3-5 feet from your garbage cart
• Please do not place trees on snow banks
• Remove plastic bags, lights, wood and metal stands (trees will be chipped)
•Christmas Trees will not be picked up after January 15, 2021
Minnesota announces January 2021 COVID-19 community testing opportunities
Tuesday, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) began accepting January 2021 appointments at its community testing sites across the state. Each site offers safe, no-barrier COVID-19 testing at no cost to participants. Appointments are strongly encouraged, but not required.
“Testing is a key component of our strategy to protect Minnesotans from COVID-19,” said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm. “Through a robust, collaborative statewide testing program, we have made great progress in removing obstacles to testing. When combined with social distancing, masking, avoiding crowds and staying home when sick, testing can help us slow the spread of COVID-19 and bridge to the better days we know are coming.”
In order to help prevent further spread of the virus, the Minnesota Department of Health has set up over 20 semi-permanent community testing sites statewide. These sites allow Minnesotans to get tested near where they live so they can make informed decisions to protect their families and communities.
Each site offers saliva testing at no cost to participants. If a participant is unable to carry out a saliva test, every effort will be made to accommodate a suitable testing option. Participants will be asked for their health insurance information so the state can bill their insurance company on their behalf. If a person is uninsured or if insurance does not cover some or all of the cost, the state will cover the difference so testing remains open to all at no cost.
Testing is open to anyone who believes they need a COVID-19 test, with or without insurance. State guidance on who should get tested was recently updated and can be found on the Minnesota COVID-19 Response webpage, Who Should Get Tested?.
Those who arrive for a test should avoid eating, drinking, chewing, or smoking anything for at least 30 minutes before providing a sample. Once they arrive at the site, they will self-administer the test by salivating into a funnel attached to a small tube. Clinic staff will be available on-site to monitor the collection process.
Individuals seeking testing can register at COVID-19 Community Testing Sites. Tests will be processed in Minnesota, at the saliva lab in Oakdale run by Vault Health and Infinity Biologix (IBX). Results will be provided via email in approximately 48-72 hours.
Moorhead Testing Site:
Former Thomas Edison Elementary School, 1110 S 14th Street
Saliva
7 days a week
Weekdays: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Weekends: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
https://mncovidtestingappt.as.me/
Lend an Ear Program
MOORHEAD – Moorhead Senior Connections and Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota – Caregiver and Companion Services announces their new Lend an Ear program. This special service is provided to Moorhead and Clay County residents 60 and over, particularly those living alone, who would like to receive a friendly call on a weekly basis. Calls are made between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:00 pm, to those with a land line or cell phone.
If you or someone you know would like to receive a call through this service, please call 218.220.7517 to be put on the schedule.