2024 Presidential Nominating Primary Election

The 2024 Presidential Nominating Primary (PNP) Election is just a few weeks away. Owatonna’s ten polling sites will be open from 7 am to 8 pm. on Election Day, Tuesday, March 5.

Ward/Precinct	Location	Address
Ward 1-Precinct 1	Trinity Lutheran Church	609 Lincoln Avenue
Ward 1-Precinct 2	Associated Church	800 Havana Road
Ward 2-Precinct 1	Owatonna Public Library	105 N Elm Avenue
Ward 2-Precinct 2	Bethel Church	1611 Hemlock Avenue
Ward 3-Precinct 1	City Council Chambers	540 West Hills Circle
Ward 3-Precinct 2	Emmanuel Lutheran Church	750 Jeffrey Street
Ward 4-Precinct 1	Sacred Heart Parish Center	810 S Cedar Avenue
Ward 4-Precinct 2	Steele County Historical Center	1700 Austin Road
Ward 5-Precinct 1	Grace Baptist Church	265 26th Street NE
Ward 5-Precinct 2	Our Savior's Lutheran Church	1909 St Paul Road

Two of these sites are new and were approved by the City Council under Resolution 112-23 last November. Precinct 3 – Ward 1 was previously in the Owatonna Arts Center. Precinct 4 – Ward 2 was previously at the Steele County History Center. Notification postcards were mailed to all households with a current registered voter in these precincts about their changed polling site.

Early/absentee voting is now available at the Steele County Auditor’s Office until the day prior to the election. Voters can pre-register or register at their polling place when they vote. Any voter registered in Minnesota is eligible to vote in the PNP Election. Voters must turn 18 before March 5 to vote in this primary.

City Meetings This Week

The public is invited to attend the following City meetings this week. Agendas, meeting minutes and City Council packets are available in the Agenda Center on the City’s website: https://owatonna.gov/agendacenter.

February 15: Library Board Meeting at 4 p.m. in the Gainey Room at the Owatonna Public Library, 105 North Elm Avenue.

February 20: City Council Study Session at 5:30 p.m. in the Charles S. Crandall Center, 540 West Hills Circle for discussion on housing concerns and an update on 2023 financial results. The City Council Meeting will follow beginning at 7 p.m.

February 21: Economic Development Authority Meeting at 4 p.m. in the Charles S. Crandall Center, 540 West Hills Circle.

City Council to Consider 2024 Capital Improvement Plan

The City of Owatonna’s 2024 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) lists infrastructure projects being prioritized for completion this year. City staff have prepared the plan and will request City Council approval on February 20.

The plan includes significant projects such as mechanical/electrical updates at Merrill Hall, clubhouse improvements at Brooktree, mobile radios for public safety and annual street and utility projects.

Funding for these projects will be provided, in part, by $1.1 million in revenue from a State of Minnesota public safety grant and $133,000 in housing funds allocated through the state’s 2023 legislative bills. The budget for the 2024 CIP was approved in December when the 2024 operating budget was approved. Later this year, the City will issue bonds to help fund these projects.

To view the CIP or this year’s budget presentations, visit www.owatonna.gov/Finance.

Stock photo of family creating fire escape plan

Every Second Counts in a Home Fire

Make and Practice an Escape Plan

The ability to get out of a home during a fire depends on advance warning from smoke alarms and advance planning. Fire can spread rapidly through a house, leaving as little as one or two minutes to escape safely once the smoke alarm sounds.

Owatonna Fire recommends following these seven steps to making and practicing a home fire escape plan:

Draw a map of the house. Include all doors and windows.
Find two ways out of every room.
Make sure doors and windows are not blocked.
Choose an outside meeting place in front of the house.
Push the test button to sound the smoke alarm.
Practice the drill with everyone in the home.
Get outside to the pre-planned meeting place.

For more information, visit: www.usfa.fema.gov or www.nfpa.org.

Register NOW for Spring Recreation Programs

Upcoming programs offered through the Owatonna Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department include something for everyone! Check out the Spring/Summer Activity Guide mailed recently or online at Owatonna.gov.

Registration begins February 20. The Parks, Recreation & Facilities office will be open extended hours on February 20, 21 from 7 am until 6 pm and February 22, 23 from 7 am until 4:30 pm.

There are new and redesigned options such as Little Anglers Camp, Dino Camp, kayaking, trips and more! Family archery and geocaching programs provide fun opportunities to get out and try something together as a family! Programs are available for everyone to get out and enjoy the great spring weather.

Register on the Owatonna Parks, Recreation and Facilities website at www.owatonna.gov/283/Parks-Recreation, by phone at 507-444-4321 or in person 500 Dunnell Drive. Scholarships are available. Volunteer coaches are always needed for youth sports programs.

Winter Book Bingo

Winter Book Bingo is a reading program for adults (ages 18+). Pick up a Book Bingo card at the Owatonna Public Library or print one at owatonna.gov.library. Read up to five books between February 1 and March 31, 2024. Earn an entry for each book read to enter the grand prize drawing. For an extra challenge, make a bingo (diagonal, horizontal, or vertical) on the card for five bonus entries (maximum 10 entries possible).

Check the Library News section at owatonna.gov/library for details on this and all other library events and services. Contact the library at 507-444-2460 for additional information.

Reserve Officers Recognized

Owatonna’s reserve officers were recognized February 11 for their volunteer work as follows:

Michael Leyva—nine years of service
Steven Wrede—five years of service
Dietrich Piepho—three years of service
Alex Stenzel & Don McCann—one year of service
Dakota DuChene—first year of service

Police Department staff attend many community functions year-round. Assistance from Reserve Officers allows the department to have a presence at such events to enhance safety for all who attend. “Thank you for your dedication, for donating your time to the community and for representing OPD so well,” said Captain Josh Sorensen.

What do Reserve Officers do and how can one volunteer?

The Owatonna Police Department offers citizens a unique way to give back to the community by volunteering as a Police Reserve Officer. These dedicated officers generously donate their time to help make the community a safer place. The Police Reserve Unit serves an important role in enhancing community safety by working alongside sworn police officers on various calls for service and participating in numerous community events. Reserve officers may also be called to assist during natural disasters or other emergencies that require additional personnel. “We welcome Reserve Officer applicants of all adult ages and backgrounds who have an interest in law enforcement and a desire to serve their community,” said Captain Josh Sorensen.

Reserve officers must be at least 18 years of age, reside in Steele County, possess a valid Minnesota driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record and have no criminal convictions. For additional information or to request an application, please contact Sergeant Val Satre at 507-774-7219 or Pam Roberts at 507-774-7200.

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