Preparing for All Emergency Situations
About Severe Weather Awareness Week April 4-8
Severe Weather Awareness Week is Time to Stock Up
If a Douglas County resident’s emergency plan does not contain enough water and food for three full days, that person is not prepared. Douglas County Emergency Management advises all residents to review and replenish during Severe Weather Awareness Week April 4 – 8.
“Severe weather is just one of many hazards that can impact Douglas County with little or no warning,” says Douglas County Emergency Management Director Julie Anderson. “Now is the time to fill containers with water for drinking and bathing and stock up on shelf stable food items. If people can afford it, purchasing a generator is also a recommended preparedness step.”
A well-stocked emergency kit includes:
- water (3 gallons per person, per day)
- flashlight
- shelf-stable food (dried or canned)
- whistle to alert authorities
- portable battery-operated radio
- first aid kit
- tools to shut off utilities
- cell phone charger
- small amounts of life-saving prescription medicine
Thursday, April 8, is tornado drill day. In partnership with the National Weather Service, Douglas County will sound the outdoor warning sirens at 1:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. This is the time to practice taking shelter. The best options are:
- Basement
- Interior room with no windows
- Lowest level of apartment building
When taking shelter inside, protection from falling or flying debris is important. People should take cover under a heavy table if possible, crouch low to the floor, cover themselves with thick padding or blankets and cover their head with their hands. If people are outside:
- Seek shelter in a sturdy building
- If no shelter is available, lie flat and face-down on low ground. Get as far away from trees and cars as possible.
People must not stay in a mobile home. When warnings are issued, they need to go to the provided storm shelter. If no shelter is available, they must move away from the mobile home and vehicles and lie flat protecting their head.
About Severe Weather Awareness Week April 4-8
Check the Douglas County website and social media, along with local media, each day to learn more about:
Monday – Alerts and Warnings
Tuesday – Severe Weather, Lightning and Hail
Wednesday – Floods
Thursday – Tornadoes
Friday – Extreme Heat
Easter Meal Food Boxes
Do you live in Douglas County and find it difficult to purchase a meal for Easter? The Douglas County Salvation Army wants to help. Sign up for an Easter Meal Box. Each meal will include meat, potatoes, bread, fruit, vegetable, and dessert for an Easter meal for you and your loved ones. When you call in you will need to answer some basic contact information questions. Please call our volunteers on the dates and times below to register. First come, first served and once the Easter Meal Boxes are gone, the program will be shut off.
***Pick up your Easter meal on Thursday, April 14th from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Outreach Food Shelf, 1205 Lake Street, Alexandria, MN. You must be pre-registered to receive this Easter Meal Box.
NUMBERS TO CALL FOR YOUR EASTER MEAL BOX:
(320)630-5256 (320) 241-1273 (320)304-4333
Minnesota Youth Institute offers leadership opportunities, $1,000 scholarships to high school students with a passion for global issuesDeadline to apply, submit research paper is April 11High school students across the state are invited to submit a paper and participate in the Minnesota Youth Institute (MNYI) on May 16, 2022, for an educational program hosted by the University of Minnesota’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) and the World Food Prize Foundation. At the event, students will engage with leaders in science, policy and industry to discuss the world’s most pressing challenges in hunger and poverty. In order to participate in the program, students research and write a paper on a global challenge affecting food security. They provide recommendations on how to solve the problem and better the lives of a typical family in another country. Students are then invited to attend a day-long event on campus and engage in hands-on science immersions. They present their solutions in roundtables, allowing them to reflect on their unique role in addressing challenges related to agriculture, policy, science, industry, and hunger relief efforts in the United States and abroad. Students, teachers, parents, and community members can learn more here. By participating, 9th to 12th grade students will: · Receive a $1,000 scholarship to University of Minnesota CFANS; · Present their ideas to statewide experts on May 16; · Access other opportunities, such as participating in research fellowships, exploring international internships, advancing to the Global Youth Institute, and more. The Minnesota Youth Institute is a program of the World Food Prize. The World Food Prize was created in 1986 by Nobel Peace Prize recipient Dr. Norman Borlaug, the University of Minnesota alum credited with saving more than one billion lives. It is the foremost international award recognizing individuals whose achievements have advanced human development by increasing the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world. For their participation, the students are recognized as Borlaug Scholars and are eligible for special scholarships, internships and other professional opportunities, including paid Wallace-Carver Fellowships at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A select few also will advance to the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute, a gathering of more than 1,000 world leaders working to advance food security, agriculture and human development. The Global Youth Institute was developed to challenge and inspire participating students and teachers to identify innovative strategies to alleviate hunger and to expose students to opportunities and careers in food, agriculture and natural resource disciplines. Of the students who complete the Global Youth Institute, about 92 percent go on to pursue college degrees in agriculture and science, and 77 percent choose careers in agriculture, STEM and other fields critical to the fight against hunger. The Institute also boasts an impressive two-thirds participation by young women. Dr. Borlaug often stated, “I am certain that these students will become the future agricultural, scientific and humanitarian leaders in the fight to end hunger.” High school educators and students interested in participating in the 2022 Minnesota Youth Institute can visit http://mnyi.cfans.umn.edu/ for more information. For answers to questions about MNYI or the research papers, please contact mnyi@umn.edu. About the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences The University of Minnesota’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) strives to inspire minds, nourish people, and sustainably enhance the natural environment. CFANS has a legacy of innovation, bringing discoveries to life through science and educating the next generation of leaders. Every day, students, faculty, and researchers use science to address the grand challenges of the world today and in the future. CFANS offers an unparalleled expanse of experiential learning opportunities for students and the community, with 12 academic departments, 10 research and outreach centers across the state, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the Bell Museum of Natural History, and dozens of interdisciplinary centers.
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Blood Donation Opportunities
Celebrate spring and help save lives by giving blood
Red Cross T-shirt for those who come to give April 1-18
It’s officially spring! As the weather warms up and the latest COVID-19 surge continues to slow, many people are looking forward to meeting up with family and friends. At the start of this new season, the American Red Cross encourages the community to play an important role in helping save lives by making blood donation part of their spring plans.
The Red Cross is grateful to the hundreds of thousands of individuals who have rolled up a sleeve to give in early 2022. It’s important to remember donated blood has a limited shelf life, so supplies must be constantly replenished. In the days and weeks ahead, it’s critically important to maintain a readily available blood supply. Donors can make an appointment by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
While getting back into the stands to watch the home team play this spring, donors can join a team of their own – Team Red Cross! As a thank-you, all who come to give April 1-18 will receive an exclusive Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.
Health insights for donors
The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus after vaccination or past exposure, regardless of whether they developed symptoms.
Plasma from routine blood, platelet and plasma donations that have high levels of COVID-19 antibodies may be used as convalescent plasma to meet potential future needs of COVID-19 patients with weakened immune systems.
The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose infection, referred to as a diagnostic test. To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, it is important that individuals who have been asked to quarantine or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 postpone donation until they are symptom free for 10 days and feeling well and healthy.
At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is screening all blood, platelet and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease. Blood transfusion is an essential treatment for those with sickle cell disease, and blood donations from individuals of the same race, ethnicity and blood type have a unique ability to help patients fighting sickle cell disease.
Donors can expect to receive antibody testing results and sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.
Blood drive safety
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows high standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.
Save time during donation
Donors can also save up to 15 minutes at the blood drive by completing a RapidPass®. With RapidPass®, donors complete the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of donation, from a mobile device or computer. To complete a RapidPass®, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification that are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also must meet certain height and weight requirements.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
Alexandria College earns $1.1 million in federal funding to develop Minnesota’s Global Military Learning Network
Alexandria Technical & Community College will lead the development of Minnesota’s Global Military Learning Network thanks to $1.1 million in federal funding. The announcement of federal funding for Alexandria College and five other projects at colleges of Minnesota State totaling $7.7 million was made on March 14 by Senator Tina Smith.
“This is an exciting opportunity for the college and our partners to innovate how we deliver education and award degrees to Minnesota military servicemembers and veterans,” said Alexandria College President Michael Seymour. “The funds support a pilot project that will serve as a proof of concept for all of Minnesota’s higher education sector. We are thankful to Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar for their support and leadership.”
As military leaders recognize the importance of higher education in improving operational readiness and warfighting capability, more service members are being encouraged to attend college while serving. The Minnesota Global Military Learning Network will help service members leverage their education while serving to streamline degree completion while enlisted, and veterans to quickly complete an area of study and enter the workforce. The core goals are to:
- Reduce the time and cost required to earn a degree by awarding credit for military learning and occupational experiences
- Increase the number of military graduates available to meet workforce needs
- Eliminate the cost of remedial coursework
- Streamline military admissions processes, making it easy for service members to locate completion degree options
- Develop a secure military-friendly enrollment portal
“We expect the Global Military Learning Network project to increase enrollment, diversify our student body, and contribute to the nation’s workforce,” Seymour said.
Alexandria Technical and Community College, along with its Distance Minnesota partners (Bemidji State University, Northwest Technical College, and Northland Technical and Community College) will jointly provide leadership in development of a military transfer curriculum portal that will provide complete analysis of Military Occupational Codes to degree completion programs.
“There are few degree programs in the state that fully award credit for prior military learning,” said Tamara Arnott, Ph.D., Dean of Educational Services at Alexandria College. “In combination with leveraging existing Minnesota State resources and infrastructure, this project will provide up to 45 credits for specified technical programs by aligning/articulating military training and experience with career-oriented civilian degree programs.”
The tangibles from a Minnesota Global Military Learning Network will benefit the state and the nation. Project deliverables include up to five degree programs, the development of a military admissions website, short and/or accelerated prep courses, a credit for prior learning matrix, transcript clearinghouse and other universal utilities and streamlined enrollment processes.
About Alexandria College
Alexandria Technical & Community College is the number one ranked community college in Minnesota by Wallet Hub, Niche and University HQ in 2021. In addition to high-quality technical and academic programs, Alexandria College offers a unique blend of academics, student life, Legends Athletics, and area lakes and outdoors to its more than 3,500 students. The college has a long-standing tradition of excellence with a 98% related job placement rate and being among the highest graduation and retention rates in the Minnesota State system.
The college is a Military Friendly Silver Award school and offers services for veterans, active service members and their families from admissions through graduation. Alexandria College also works closely in partnership with the military, including a partnership with the U.S. Naval Community College and their Nuclear Engineering Technology associate degree program.
Belgrade Library Updates Hours and upcoming events:
Great River Regional Library is pleased to partner with the City of Belgrade and the Myrtle Mabee Library Board in providing reading, literacy and information resources to the community. Due to a recent evaluation of the open hours in the Belgrade Myrtle Mabee Public Library, adjustments will be effective January 3, 2022. We are confident that this adjustment best aligns with the needs and schedules of the library users.
Here is an overview of the current schedule and the new schedule at the Belgrade Myrtle Mabee Public Library.
New Schedule
Monday 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., 2 – 6 p.m.
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 2 – 7 p.m.
Thursday Closed
Friday 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., 2 – 6 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Come visit your local library and celebrate the New Year in community!
Great River Regional Library (GRRL) provides library services at 32 public libraries and one to-go system in Benton, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd and Wright Counties. GRRL2GO is a locker system that allows you to pick up items at the Sartell Community Center. GRRL supplies the residents of Central Minnesota with nearly 1 million books, CDs and DVDs, 250 public computers, and information services.
Upcoming scheduled events:
R.E.A.D Book Club
Each month, readers select a title then meet as a group to dive deeper into understanding the characters, themes, what they learned, liked (or didn’t like) and feelings about the book. Join the group for a lively discussion! Contact the library for the book selection. For adults.
Mondays, March 21 and April 18 4:00 p.m.
Author Visit: Frank Weber
Frank Weber will speak on the writing of True Crime, forensic work, and his latest book. “Burning Bridges” examines the life and demise of a psychopath in central Minnesota. Frank will even demonstrate a lie detector test – you can volunteer a friend! For adults. A Legacy event.
Monday, March 21 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Take & Make Kit: Tissue Paper Trees
Build, explore, create, and grow at home! Each month, a Take & Make kit for kids will be offered for pickup at the library. Please note: kits may contain choking hazards for children under three years old. While supplies last.
Kits are available beginning April 1
Origami Moon & Stars Wall Hanging Kit
The Lyrid Meteor Shower will appear this year on April 16 – 25. Get in a stargazing mood and learn a bit of origami (paper folding) art by creating your own moon and stars to decorate your space. A picture tutorial is included, as well as the link to a tutorial video. For teens and adults. While supplies last.
Kits are available beginning April 11
Blackout Poet-tree
We’re celebrating National Poetry Month! Bring out your inner poet by grabbing a book page or two (or three!) and creating a poem by blacking out words on the page, leaving only the words to your poem. Bring you poem to the checkout desk and we will add it to our community Poet-tree! For all ages. April 1 – 30. During library open hours.
Blackout Poet-tree (Facebook)
We’re celebrating National Poetry Month! Every Monday in March, a book page will be posted on the library Facebook page. Create a poem by using any image-editing tool to black out words on the page, leaving only the words to your poem. Share the image of your poem with us via Facebook messages, and we will add it to our community Poet-tree album! For all ages.
Sauk Centre Library Update Hours and upcoming events:
Great River Regional Library is pleased to partner with the City of Sauk Centre in providing reading, literacy and information resources to the community. Due to a recent evaluation of the open hours in the Sauk Centre Sinclair Lewis Public Library, adjustments will be effective January 3, 2022. We are confident that this adjustment best aligns with the needs and schedules of the library users.
Here is an overview of the current schedule and the new schedule at the Sauk Centre Sinclair Lewis Public Library.
New Schedule
Monday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday 12 – 7 p.m.
Wednesday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Thursday 1 – 7 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Come visit your local library and celebrate the New Year in community!
Upcoming Events:
1,000 Books before Kindergarten
This reading program will increase awareness of the importance of early literacy and to encourage parents to embrace their roles as their child’s first teacher. Plus, there will be prizes. Sign up any time! No limit; register at the library.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Sinclair Lewis Library. Ongoing
Take and Make Crafts
Explore arts & crafts from around the world, books, movies, and your own imagination! Crafts will change weekly. Available each week while supplies last. Ongoing. During library service hours.
Dr. Seuss Scavenger Hunt
Go on an adventure in our children’s area and find all the hidden Dr. Seuss characters for a treat. Hiding places change weekly. For all ages. March – During open library hours
Bunny’s Book Club
Bunny is in the library reading quietly. Tell us what book she is reading (without moving her) for a treat! For all ages.
April – During open library hours
Puzzle It Out!
Figure out the answer to these fun puzzles each week and win a sweet prize! A different set of puzzle questions each week. Sponsored by the Friends of the Upsala Library.
March and April. During open library hours
Tech Time
Trouble understanding your laptop, iPad, Kindle or other electronic device? Would you like to download books from the library website or use eBooks but aren’t sure how to? Tech help will be on the second Tuesday of the month from 3 to 4 p.m. or other dates/times by pre-arrangement. Registration is required.
Tuesday, April 12 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Brick Builders
Do you like building with bricks? We have the bricks and challenges to get you started. All you need to bring is your imagination. For ages 5 to 12. Limit 12. Sponsored by the Friends of the Upsala Library. Separate registration is required for each date.
Tuesdays, March 29 & April 26 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Shakespearean Insult Generator
Celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday by creating your very own Shakespearean insults from our interactive display board. For all ages.
April – During open library hours
Connect at Your Library!
Libraries are places where communities connect. Celebrate National Library week all month with a chance to win prizes just by visiting your local library. More information at the library. Sponsored by Friends of the Sinclair Lewis Library of Sauk Centre.
April – During open library hours
Earth Day Online Storytime
Join Miss Jennifer for a special online Earth Day storytime. We will read a story, make a craft, sing a song and dance/move, and learn about the letter “E” for earth. Our storytimes teach listening comprehension, letter recognition, and vocabulary. Enjoy time with your child while building a foundation for reading success! Sign up online and pick up your storytime kit from the library. Zoom information provided in the packet. For ages 3 to 8 and their families. Registration required.
Thursday, April 21 6:00 to 6:45 p.m.
Great River Regional Library (GRRL) provides library services at 32 public libraries and one to-go system in Benton, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd and Wright Counties. GRRL2GO is a locker system that allows you to pick up items at the Sartell Community Center. GRRL supplies the residents of Central Minnesota with nearly 1 million books, CDs and DVDs, 250 public computers, and information services.
Senior College offers virtual education for adults; season begins March 15
Alexandria, MN
From the safety of your home, we can still join in learning about our world. Senior College faculty are ready to offer their lectures via Zoom.
College-level scholars from around Minnesota are preparing for provocative lectures on a variety of topics – from history and political science to economics, geography and biology.
The Spring 2022 Season begins Tuesday, March 15 and continues Tuesdays and Thursdays through April 28. All lectures will be held live via ZOOM on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:15-4:45pm. In the event in person sessions are possible, a hybrid of on-campus and live stream will be offered.
Once registered, a link provides access to join the program. With a single click, you are joining the group. You can safely connect from ANY device with internet access that has audio – computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.
Admission for the lecture series is by season membership only. A single registration fee of $110 covers all 14 lectures. Registration is required. For more information or to register, please call 320-762-4510 or 888-234-1313, or visit alextech.edu/SeniorCollege.
About Senior College:
Senior College of West Central Minnesota offers a lecture series each Fall and Spring and a short course in Winter. Established in the Fall of 2006, the first season was offered in the Spring of 2007. Faculty from Minnesota’s colleges and universities give lectures on a variety of topics – from history, political science and economics, science and literature, to philosophy, art and current affairs. Designed for adults 50+, adults of all ages are welcome. Senior College aims to “bring the liberal arts to life” offering informative and challenging college level learning that is simulating and social without the pressures of tests, grades or degrees.
Property Tax Statements and Valuation Notices to be Mailed in Late March
Douglas County property values are strong. “The continued demand for homes in the area and cost of building supplies have significantly affected market values,” said Douglas County Assessor Stacy Honkomp. “Almost every city and township saw an increase in 2022 values and increases of 15 to 25 percent were common.”
Douglas County recorded 591 home sales this past year, which is a 5.35 percent increase from last year. Demand was especially intense for lakefront parcels. There were 169 lake sales with an average sale price of $477,723. The value of agricultural land also increased, averaging approximately $100 per acre. There were 43 agricultural land sales in Douglas County from October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021.
Douglas County will mail approximately 30,000 Property Tax Statements and Valuation Notices around March 25. The tax statement and valuation notice for each parcel will arrive together in one envelope again this year. The Property Tax Statement itemizes the property owner’s share of the taxes payable in 2022 and is calculated using the 2021 assessed value and classification. The Valuation Notice advises the property owner of the Assessor’s classification and estimated market value for the 2022 assessment for taxes payable in 2023. “The Assessor’s Office wants to ensure that everyone understands how the process works,” said Honkomp. “Be sure to look at both statements and understand that value is just part of the equation.”
The assessor uses land and building schedules to value property consistently throughout the county and be relatively close to the sales prices. With different motivations for buyers and sellers however, it is virtually impossible to value properties at their sales price. Douglas County uses a computerized mass appraisal system that considers the sales and the property characteristics unique to each parcel to arrive at a market value. Sales of real estate are the primary guide to the county’s mass appraisal system.
The assessed value of your property does not directly affect your property tax bill. It is used to calculate your share of the local property tax levy for the year. The levy is the total property tax revenue needed to fund the budgets set by the county, city or township, and school district. Increasing or decreasing your property’s market value does not change the overall amount of the property tax collected.
The Minnesota Department of Revenue (DOR) assigns a regional representative to each county who monitors every sale and compares the sales prices with the assessed values. If the assessed values are not within 10 percent of the median (middle sale when ranked in order) sales prices in a jurisdiction, the DOR can order an adjustment to the entire jurisdiction.
If a property owners want to appeal their classification or value on the 2022 Valuation Notice (for taxes payable in 2023), they must follow the appeal process. These meetings will be held from April 12 through April 22, and appointments are required. The Valuation Notice will include the specific date, time and location for their city or township meeting where classification and value issues will be heard. Property owners in the city of Alexandria should call 320-763-6678 to make an appointment. All other property owners in the county should contact the Assessor’s Office at 320-762-3884 or email assessors.office@co.douglas.mn.us. An appeal cannot be made to the County Board of Appeal unless an appeal was first heard by the city or township Local Board of Appeal.
Note that these meetings cannot take any action on the taxes currently due. For those facing financial hardship, please go to the state of Minnesota’s website www.revenue.state.mn.us and type in M1PR in the search box. It will connect you to a form that compares your income with your property taxes due (on homestead property) and you may be eligible for a partial refund of your property tax. Consult an accountant for further information. If you own and live in your home and are not getting homestead classification, contact the Assessor’s Office. All new homesteads will require an application.
First half property tax payments are due May 15, with the exception of first half mobile home tax payments which come due later this summer.
“Douglas County will once again offer a number of convenient ways to pay property taxes,” said Auditor/Treasurer Vicki Doehling. “Residents wanting to pay in person need to remember our office has moved from the courthouse to the new Administration Building at 821 Cedar Street. There is a drop box in the parking lot in addition to one on the west side of the building for everyone’s convenience.”
Douglas County to Offer Childcare Grants
Funds designed to reduce shortage of available care
The Douglas County Board of Commissioners recently approved a request for $50,000.00 to assist existing and new childcare providers. The funds will be taken from the grant the county received through the American Rescue Plan Act.
“Douglas County families need more childcare options,” said Laurie Bonds, Community Human Services Director. “The shortage has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 public health emergency and we are hopeful these funds will reduce the shortage of available care.”
Newly licensed providers in Douglas County are eligible for a grant up to $2,500.00. The money will be used to cover some of the expenses associated with licensure including costs for first aid supplies, computer and printer, background studies, health and safety items, other equipment, and modifications needed to a house or yard.
Existing childcare providers may also apply for a grant up to $2,500.00 to expand the childcare services they are currently offering. That can include changing their license type to take in more children, expand hours of service to cover more work shifts, and adding a co-licensor or staff.
The application is available on the Douglas County website at https://www.co.douglas.mn.us/day-care-licensing. Look on the right-hand side of the page for the Family Childcare Provider Grant Request.
Anyone interested in learning more about the details of the grant program should contact Laurie Bonds at laurieb@co.douglas.mn.us or 320-762-3815.
All expenditures will be reviewed by a team at Douglas County to ensure they are appropriate under this grant. The grant program will be available until funds are depleted.
Douglas County License Bureau Offers New Service
Driver’s License Written Exam
The Douglas County License Bureau is expanding the opportunity to take the written Minnesota Driver’s License Exam. Staff will provide what’s called proctoring for those needing to take the exam necessary to ultimately get a Minnesota Driver’s License.
“We are able to offer this important service 5 days a week, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.,” said License Bureau Director Susan Crotteau. “People needing their drivers permit and moving here from other states need to first pass a written test to obtain a license. They can now take that exam with one of our staff members monitoring.”
People who are interested in more details about this new opportunity should call 320-762-3897 and press Option #2. Staff members will ensure the prospective test taker is eligible and explain the exact process. There is a $10.00 fee. No appointment is needed.
The Douglas County License Bureau is located at 821 Cedar Street. The only entrance is from the new, large parking lot located at the Administration Building which houses the License Bureau. There is no access from Douglas Street.
Douglas County Services Location Changes
Auditor/Treasurer and License Bureau Move
Alexandria, MN — Douglas County residents will be visiting a new location for certain services effective September 15, 2021. The Douglas County Administration building, located at 822 Douglas Street, is now open.
“We are pleased with the successful renovation of a well-known building in our community,” said Douglas County Board Chairman Jerry Rapp. “This location offers ample parking, a license bureau on the main level, and an easy-to-access area for paying taxes and conducting other county business.”
Parking is available on the west side of the building which is accessed off of Cedar Street.
The following services are now located in the Administration Building:
- Auditor Treasurer
- License Bureau
- Coordinator’s Office
- Finance
All phone numbers and emails to the relocated offices will remain the same. A tax payment drop box will be located at the entrance on the west side. A conveniently located drive-thru drop box is also available in the parking lot. Those able to conduct county business without a face-to-face interaction never have to leave their vehicles. This drop box is ideal for:
- Tab renewals
- Property tax payments
The University of Minnesota Extension Office also recently relocated. It is now open in the northwest wing on the second level of the Douglas County Courthouse at 305 8th Avenue W. U of M Extension houses 4-H, Horticulture and Master Gardeners. Staff phone numbers and emails remain the same.