Two Harbors, Minnesota » Lake County News

4 Day School Week – NOT?!

admin — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 02:31:30 +0000

The State has rejected the proposal to move to a 4-day school week. There were some holes in the application that school administration is working to fill. The State has said they will fast-track a review of the updated application. If approved in time, the 4-day week could still happen, but I think each day that passes makes it more likely that we will see a 5-day week when school resumes in September. Thoughts anyone?

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Levy No / 4 day week coming

admin — Thu, 20 May 2010 02:31:59 +0000

The complete failure of the school levy proposal has resulted in an immediate decision by the School Board to institute a 4-day school week beginning in the Fall.

“It makes a pretty strong statement,” Superintendent Phil Minkkinen said. “We are going to look for ways to economize.” source

This has been a very contentious issue and the voters have spoken. Now we all have to live with the results. Best wishes and thanks to the School Board for your efforts.

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School Levy Vote

admin — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 23:22:07 +0000

There have been several Letters to the Editor on the upcoming school levy vote printed in the Lake County News Chronicle over the last several weeks. The school board has made efforts to get information out to voters as well. The official information from the school district can be found here.

There is more discussion about this on the Two Harbors Forum bulletin board.

When your ballot comes, please vote.

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Lake County is Unhealthy?

admin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 02:38:55 +0000

A study released today says Lake County, with a population of about 10,600, is the unhealthiest county in Minnesota. Link to full article in Duluth News Tribune

I appreciate that Paul Bergman picked up on the fact that Lake County ranks 16th in Health Factors. Dennis Henkel made some good observations about the data as well.

This study, like many, is good for a few headlines, but on closer inspection there is much to cause a person to reconsider the rather sensational headlines they generate.

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FirstSolutions Plans Local Layoffs

admin — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 02:43:13 +0000

FirstSolutions announced several months ago that FirstPlan of Minnesota would cease operations at the end of 2009. The company’s headquarters in Canal Park began reducing staff a year or more ago and the trend continues there. FirstSolutions sold their Two Harbors clinic (SuperiorHealth Center) to Lake View Memorial Hospital in July of 2008.

FirstSolutions has been advertising the availability of their skilled labor force in an effort to retain, and possibly grow their claims processing operation located on 17th Avenue in Two Harbors. It appears their efforts have so far been unsuccessful. Most, if not all staff working at that location have received layoff notices with an effective date of April 30, 2010. FirstSolutions had already trimmed several positions in claims processing over the last several months.

At it’s high point, the FirstSolutions claims processing center in Two Harbors employed somewhere between 75 – 85 people. These were decent jobs with decent pay and good benefits. These were jobs that helped support families and our local economy.

FirstSolutions continues to operate their SuperiorHealth Pharmacies in Two Harbors & Silver Bay,their home health agency, SuperiorHealth Community Care in Two Harbors and clinics in Duluth and Proctor.

The once large and proud presence of FirstSolutions/FirstPlan in Two Harbors will fade even more with the closure of their local claims processing operation. We wish the best to all of the affected employees and we continue to hope that FirstSolutions will be able to attract work as they continue to seek opportunities to retain employees.

Notes: From the FirstSolutions website, “FirstSolutions is a nationally recognized leader in providing health management services. Originating in 1944 in Two Harbors, the organization was created by people with a vision for offering personalized health-related services.” That site is labeled as being under construction. The First Plan of Minnesota website is still up and there is no indication that the company is wrapping up operations.

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Two Harbors H1N1 News

admin — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 00:35:31 +0000

H1N1 vaccine is now available for everyone.

After all the hoopla, near panic and frustration around the country, H1N1 vaccine is finally available in sufficient quantity.

Lake County Public Health has clinics scheduled as follows:

Two Harbors:

Monday, January 4th from 10:00am through 2:00pm, Human Services building
Wednesday, January 6th from 3:00pm to 6:00pm, Human Services building
Monday, January 25th from 2:00pm to 6:00pm, Human Services building

Silver Bay:

Monday, January 11th from 10:00am to 2:00pm, Edison Blvd Service Center
Wednesday, January 13th from 3:00pm to 7:00pm, Edison Blvd Service Center

Isabella:

Tuesday, January 19th from 2:00pm to 6:00pm, Community Center

H1 N1 vaccinations are free and available to all residents on a first-come, first-served basis.

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H1N1 Vaccinations

admin — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:57:24 +0000

Lake County Public Health Nurses have been busy in the schools vaccinating students. Lake View Clinic (with support from Public Health) held two H1N1 vaccination clinics for the public, but still with a limited vaccine target group.

The response on the two Clinic dates was somewhat underwhelming, but thank you to those who stayed home so we had enough vaccine available for the higher priority target groups.

As the days go by, vaccine supply will increase and groups will be expanded even further. Please watch for public announcements for additional H1N1 vaccination clinics. Lake County Public Health will be scheduling these as supply improves.

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H1N1 Vaccination Clinic 11/24 – Expanded Groups

admin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:48:19 +0000

There will be a public H1N1 vaccination clinic on Tuesday, November 24th at Lake View Clinic in Two Harbors. H1N1 vaccine is free of charge. Hours are 11:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.

H1N1 vaccine will be administered to the expanded priority group listed below. Vaccinations will be on a 1st come, 1st served basis.

Age 6 months through 24 years, whether or not you have a medical condition
Age 25 years through 64 years, if you have a chronic medical condition that would put you at risk for complications (see list below)
Pregnant
Working as a health care provider or as emergency medical services personnel
People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age

Chronic medical conditions that put you at risk for complications of flu (H1N1 or seasonal)

People who have these conditions should be vaccinated for both seasonal and H1N1 flu:
Asthma or lung disease
Heart disease (but not high blood pressure)
Kidney or liver disease
Metabolic disease, like diabetes
Anemia and other blood disorders
Muscle or nerve disorders, such as seizure disorders or cerebral palsy, that can lead to breathing or swallowing problems
Weakened immune system due to HIV/AIDS or other diseases, long-term treatment with drugs such as steroids, cancer treatment with x-rays or drugs
Anyone 6 months through 18 years of age on long-term aspirin treatment (they could develop Reye Syndrome if they got the flu)

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Vaccine Clinic

admin — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:15:12 +0000

There will be a public H1N1 vaccination clinic on Tuesday, November 17th at Lake View Clinic in Two Harbors. H1N1 vaccine is free of charge. Hours are 11:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. H1N1 vaccine will be administered to people in the high risk groups listed below. Vaccinations will be on a 1st come, 1st served basis. Supply is limited.

As more vaccine becomes available, the risk groups

will be expanded to include a broader segment of the population.

High Risk Group:

Pregnant women
Children 6 months thru 4 years of age
Children and adolescents age 5-18 who have underlying health conditions that increase the possibility of more significant problems with flu
Health care and Emergency Services workers who have direct patient contact or contact with infectious materials
People who live with, or provide care for children under 6 months old

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H1N1 Update

admin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:44:59 +0000

H1N1 continues to be a hot topic. Vaccine supplies are increasing around the country. The CDC and Minnesota Department of Health continue to focus the available vaccine supply on the highest risk subset of the general risk groups.

Click the picture for a link to a Minnesota Department of Health web page with advice on what to do if you get sick.

This subset is (in no particular order):

Pregnant women
Children 6 months thru 4 years of age
Children and adolescents age 5-18 who have underlying health conditions that increase the possibility of more significant problems with flu
Health care and Emergency Services workers who have direct patient contact or contact with infectious materials
People who live with, or provide care for children under 6 months old

Without knowing when adequate vaccine will be available, advance scheduling is difficult. The high priority group (see above) will be expanded as supplies increase. Lake County Public Health, Lake View Clinic and Lake View Hospital are all watching the vaccine situation closely.

This story and information provided by Brad Alm, RN – Director of Lake View Clinic in Two Harbors.

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