South Country Health Alliance provides coverage for Medical Assistance (Medicaid) and MinnesotaCare members in eight Minnesota counties: Brown, Dodge, Goodhue, Kanabec, Sibley, Steele, Wabasha and Waseca. Annual eligibility reviews for Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare members were suspended during the public health emergency for COVID-19. Earlier this year, Congress passed legislation requiring Minnesota and other states to return to the standard Medicaid eligibility renewal procedures. The process will affect over 1 million Minnesotans.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) began mailing out pre-renewal notices in April to let members know when their renewal packets will be coming in the mail. Eligibility renewal reviews will begin for some Medical Assistance enrollees in June 2023 and will continue monthly through June 2024. MinnesotaCare members can expect their eligibility renewal to begin in October 2023 for coverage effective January 1, 2024.
Many South Country members will need to go through an annual renewal review. Here are actions South Country members can take to ensure their renewal review is as smooth as possible.
1) Update your contact information by calling South Country Member Services at 866-567-7242 or TTY 711, or contacting the state or your county human/social services agency.

Find the full story in the June 8, 2023 addition of the Arlington Enterprise

Sibley County Foodshare is celebrating 40 years of service to the residents of Sibley County. Established in 1983, the food shelf has served the community consistently for all these years.  
Foodshare Director Lisa Eyrich is busy working with volunteers and board members to update and refresh the facility as well as expand services and food offerings.
Sibley County Foodshare recently received a grant to update interior and exterior signage. Designs have been approved and new signage is now in place.  
Eyrich is reaching out to announce “Celebrate - A community committed to neighbors serving neighbors.”  
She states that “Sibley County Foodshare is revamping our website, Facebook page, generating a fundraising drive and holding an open house. We are thrilled to be moving into our fifth decade with renewed energy and commitment. We are excited to announce to the public the date for open house.”  
The open house will be held at 111 Industrial Boulevard in Gaylord to share its new look and super shelf status from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 20. Residents are encouraged to stop by for refreshments and tours.
In 2022, Minnesota Foodshare supported 5.5 million visits to food shelves across Minnesota.  Sibley County Foodshare (SCFS) is a member of the Minnesota Foodshare network and works with Second Harvest for maximizing food dollars. As emergency pandemic funding ends, SCFS is seeing increased requests for support and more competition for grant money.  Currently, grants will only provide for about 25 percent of the budget for running the food shelf.  In order to maintain and expand services, the SCFS board is reaching out to appeal to the community for continued support. 

Find the full story in the June 8, 2023 addition of the Arlington Enterprise

By Kurt Menk
Editor

The Arlington City Council, during its regular meeting on Monday night, June 5, unanimously approved a motion to accept the low $169,990 bid from Nielsen Blacktopping, Inc., Kasota, for the 2023 Street Improvement Project.
City Council members Curtis Ling, Christina Litfin, Jeff Matz, Dave Meyer and John Thomes all voted in support of the motion.
The City Council made the move after a recommendation from Bolton & Menk representative Jason Femrite.
The low bid was approximately 15 percent below the engineer’s estimate of $198,840. The next lowest bid was approximately 16 percent over the low bid. Overall, there were five bids received.
Seat Coat
Project
The City Council unanimously approved a motion to accept the low $30,881 bid from Pearson Brothers, Inc., Hanover, for the 2023 Seal Coat Project.
The low bid was approximately 11 percent above the engineer’s estimate of $27,847. The next lowest bid was approximately two percent over the low bid. Overall, there were four bids received.

Find the full story in the June 8, 2023 addition of the Arlington Enterprise

By Kurt Menk
Editor

The Arlington City Council, during its regular meeting on Monday night, June 5, unanimously adopted a resolution to receive a feasibility report and call a public hearing for the proposed 2024 Street & Utility Improvement Project.
City Council members Curtis Ling, Christina Litfin, Jeff Matz, Dave Meyer and John Thomes all voted in support of the resolution.
The City Council made the move after a presentation from Bolton & Menk representative Jason Femrite.

Proposed
Project
The proposed project will include improvements:
• West Chandler Street between 411th Avenue to Highway 5
• West Brooks Street between Eighth Avenue to Highway 5
• West Alden Street between 7 1/2 Avenue Northwest to Highway 5
• Eighth Avenue Northwest between West Brooks Street and Sibley County Fairgrounds
• 7 1/2 Avenue Northwest between West Main Street and West Brooks Street
• Seventh Avenue Northwest between West Main Street and West Douglas Street
• Sixth Avenue Northwest between West Main Street and West Chandler Street
Sidewalks would be constructed on one side of each street. The location of these sidewalks will be identified in the final design.
The estimated assessment cost for a standard lot would be $14,600.
The total cost of the proposed project is estimated to be $7,801,282, according to Femrite.

Find the full story in the June 8, 2023 addition of the Arlington Enterprise

By Kurt Menk
Editor

Doloris (Schultz) Roufs celebrated her 100th birthday at the Good Samaritan Society - Arlington on Monday, Sept. 26.

Her late husband, Cletus Roufs, would have celebrated his 100th birthday just one day later.
Doloris and two other residents were recognized for their birthdays during a celebration at the Good Samaritan Society - Arlington earlier this month.

She also celebrated her birthday with family members at the A-Town Tavern in Arlington on Sunday, Sept. 25.
Doloris will also be the honored guest during a private family party in Fairview Park in Arlington on Saturday, Oct. 1.

Doloris was born to William and Martha (Dose) Schultz in Glencoe on Sept. 26, 1922. She is the oldest daughter and last surviving child of a family of 10 children.

Find the full story in the September 29, 2022 addition of the Arlington Enterprise

By Kurt Menk
Editor

Luke Ellanson, who was offered the job to fill the open police chief position, has withdrawn his application.
The full Arlington City Council was notified about the news by an e-mail on Thursday afternoon, Feb. 24.
The City Council, during its regular meeting on Tuesday night, Feb. 22, approved a motion to make a conditional offer of employment to Ellanson to fill the open police chief position.

Find the full story in the March 3, 2022 addition of the Arlington Enterprise

By Kurt Menk
Editor

Luke Ellanson, who was offered the job to fill the open police chief position, has withdrawn his application.
The full Arlington City Council was notified about the news by an e-mail on Thursday afternoon, Feb. 24.
The City Council, during its regular meeting on Tuesday night, Feb. 22, approved a motion to make a conditional offer of employment to Ellanson to fill the open police chief position.

Find the full story in the March 3, 2022 addition of the Arlington Enterprise

By Kurt Menk
Editor