Cancellations/postponements concerning COVID-19, or coronavirus

-1910 Fresh Mexican kitchen Albert Lea location closed, Austin location carry-out only

-Albert Lea Schools closed

-Albert Lea Art Center will be closed to the public starting March 17 through March 31.

-The Albert Lea Family Y will no longer hold group fitness classes as of Tuesday, March 17th.  This includes, Swimnastics, SilverSneakers, Group Fitness and Water Classes. Childcare will also be closed.

-The Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce is postponing the Ag Luncheon planned for March 17.  No new date has been announced.

-Albert Lea American Legion Post #56 is closed indefinately

-Albert Lea City Arena and City Hall are both closed until April 15th

-Austin Bruins hockey and NAHL season, including playoffs have been cancelled

-Austin Public Library Closed March 18 through March 29

-Austin Schools closed from March 18th-27th

-Austin Utilities will be temporarily closing their office to the public effective March 18th

-Austin VFW is closed until further notice

–Brownsdale United Methodist Church: Community Noon Lunch for Thursday, March 19th has been cancelled

-Central Spring Schools are closed for 30 days

-Cerro Gordo Iowa State Extension is closed

-Charles City Congregate Meals/Sr. Center is closed until April 5th

-Charles City Schools will be extending spring break until March 23rd

-Charles City Arts Center’s Empty Bowls dinner scheduled for this Saturday, March 21, has been postponed.

-The Chickasaw County Sheriff’s Office will temporarily suspend some non-essential services effective immediately in order to create some social distancing in order to reduce the risk of the spread of Covid-19. The sheriff’s office will be suspending fingerprinting for employment purposes, jail visitation and weapon permits.

–City of Austin facilities will close to the public until March 27th.  This includes City Hall, Park and Recreation, Arenas, the Library,and the Fire Station.  City staff will continue to work in all facilities in a limited capacity to provide essential city services. You are encouraged to connect with City staff through the city website and by email. During business hours city staff will be answering telephone calls and information can be received via e–mail.

-Clear Lake Schools are closed for 30 days

-Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is postponing its Quarterly Chamber Coffee until April 17 at the Surf Lounge.

-The Cresco Fitness Center, Cresco Public Library, Cresco Theatre, and Cresco City Hall will be closed effective Tuesday, March 17th to the public for at least 14 days or until further notice. City Hall staff will be available for phone calls and the drop box on the north side of the building is available for payments to be dropped off.

–The Diocese of Winona-Rochester is suspending all public Sunday and weekday Masses through May 15th due to the COVID-19 outbreak.  

The Diocese reported that Perpetual Adoration will also be suspended. Meanwhile, priests will continue to offer daily a private Mass for the intentions of their parishioners, churches may remain open for private prayer, sacramental ministry will be available for the Sacrament of Penance, Anointing of the Sick, and Viaticum on an individual basis, and funeral Masses, baptisms, and weddings will continue, but only a small number of immediate family members are to attend.

-Diamond Jo Casino is closed

-The Dodge Center Community Center will be unavailable for use beginning Wednesday, March 18th through Friday, March 27th. The City will re-evaluate this closer to March 27 to determine if additional dates will be necessary.

-The 22nd Dodge County Business Expo on March 21 is cancelled.

-Dodge County is suspending drivers’ license and passport service until April.

-All Floyd County Conservation facilities are closed until May 1, 2020. This does not include the wildlife areas and parks which are still open to the public.

-Floyd County Fair is canceling its annual Spring Fling fundraiser that was scheduled for Friday, March 20.  There will still be a silent auction portion during the Floyd County fair week.

-Freeborn/Mower Cooperative Services’ business office will be temporarily closed starting Tuesday, March 17th

-Freeborn/Mower Cooperative Services’ annual meeting previously scheduled for Saturday, April 4th at Albert Lea High School has been postponed.  They will announce a rescheduled date when timing is appropriate.

-the Freeborn County Historical Museum will be closed to the public through March 31. All lectures and events through April will be rescheduled.

-Forest City Schools closed for 30 days

-Glenville Legion Post 264 is closed and will reopen Friday March 27th at 6pm.

-Grace Lutheran Church Austin, all activities cancelled until further notice

–Grand Meadow Lutheran Church in Grand Meadow; all activities cancelled until March 23rd.

-Hancock County Farm Bureau Ag Day Breakfast on March 17 is cancelled.

-Hancock County Health System has closed its Fitness Room to the public, Lifetime Fitness and members until further notice due to the potential threat of the Coronavirus or COVID-19. Those who have a current active membership will have their membership extended by the days we are closed.

–Harlem Globetrotters @ Mayo Civic Center: March 27 event postponned; Reschedule date TBD

-The Jay C. Hormel Nature Center will close the Interpretive Center, as well as cancel all events and rentals at the Ruby Rupner Auditorium and the Sola Fide Observatory from March 18 until March 29th.  The public is welcome to continue to enjoy the 10-miles of trails and over 500 acres of prairies, forest, and wetlands from 6 am – 10 pm.  Activities will be available for kids and families at the front door, and updates will be made as they become available.

-The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is canceling its in-person pesticide applicator testing sessions through the end of the month.  That includes classes on March 17 in Mason City and March 24 in Garner.

-The Iowa Democratic Party is postponing County Conventions to a future date to be determined.  District and State Convention planning will proceed as scheduled.

-The Iowa High School Music Association has decided, in the interest of the safety of everyone involved, to cancel the State Solo/ Ensemble Festival on March 28. It is a local judged recital will be scheduled, possibly on that same day, to allow everyone to receive adjudicator comments and ratings AND the possibility of one Best in Center award.

-Kenny’s Oak Grill open 9 AM to 8 PM, carryout only, cash not accepted

-Lake Mills Schools are closed for 30 days

-LIFE Mower County will have no activities through March 29th

-Lime Creek Nature Center will be closed to visitors until further notice. The Nature Center exhibit renovation open house scheduled for March 21st has also been cancelled. The Lime Creek Conservation Area trails will remain open. At this time they are only open to foot traffic, no bicycles or horses.

-Lyle Schools are closed until March 27th

-Mason City City Hall is closed to the public.

-Mall Cinema 7 Theatre in Albert Lea will be closed March 17 through March 27.

-Mason City Arena reported that the Arena Rock Spectacular concert on April 4, has been postponed.  No new date has been announced.

-Mason City Schools will be extending spring break

-Mason City Public Library is closed beginning on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 through Saturday, March 28, 2020. The library will not be accepting material returns during the closure and due dates for materials will be extended beyond the closure. In addition, all library programs and meeting room reservations will be cancelled for the duration of the closure.

-Mason City Chamber of Commerce is postponing the 38th Ag Breakfast. The event, originally scheduled at 7AM on Thursday, March 19 at The Music Man Square, will be moved to a later date, yet to be determined.

-Mason City Senior Activitiy Center has canceled all activities until further notice.

– Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party’s Executive Committee has approved the postponement of all conventions scheduled through May 1.  The Minnesota DFL is working on scheduling virtual conventions starting in April.

-Mitchell County Courthouse is closed indefinately.

-Mitchell County Regional Health Center is postponing all events and Auxiliary Fundraisers. This will include the Nutman Sale, Collective Goods Sale, Scrub Show, Designer Bag BINGO

-Mower County has declared a state of peacetime emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic event effective March 18th and is adding additional service delivery modifications to protect staff and the public.  The new temporary service modifications will be in effect from now until 8:00 a.m. on April 6th. During this time, the county will continue delivering many of their services through alternate means and will be working to design new ways of delivering services that currently depend on face-to-face contact

-Mower County Historical Society is open; Annual Meeting & Volunteer Appreciation Event ; March 19 is cancelled

-New Hampton Schools are closed for 30 days

-NIACC will have no face-to-face classes March 16th-20th

-The NIACC Performing Arts and Leadership Series is postponing all events taking place at the North Iowa Community Auditorium through April 1. If you have purchased tickets, please await further communication regarding any postponed events.

-NIACC is cancelling StartSmart on March 18, Tech Brew on March 24, North Iowa Job and Career Fair on April 2,  Pathways to Success on April 10, Blood Drive on April 17, and IT Summit on April 20.

-North Iowa Christian School is closed starting Monday

-The North Iowa Book Bash on April 4 has been postponed until October 17.

-North Iowa Humane Society is closed

-NRHEG Schools closed March 16th-27th

-Osage Schools closed starting Mondy for 30 days

-The Republican Party of Minnesota’s executive board is postponing Republican Party of Minnesota BPOU (local party unit) and Congressional District conventions through April 15, 2020.

-Riceville Food Pantry will be open on Friday, March 20th. Only two clients at a time will be allowed in the building and you will be asked to wash your hands upon entry. There will be numbers at the door.

-Riverland Community College– All Campuses, Spring break is extended through 3/27. Classes resume 4/30; Check email/website for details.

-Riverland Community College has decided to cancel the 2020 MN State Fire/EMS/Rescue School-Rochester on April 4 and 5 due to the recent development of the COVID-19 virus.  Mark your calendar for the 2021 Fire School in Rochester on April 10 & 11, 2021.

-The City of Rochester and the Mayo Civic Center have cancelled all events at the Mayo Civic Center through April 30, 2020.

–Rochester Catholic Schools are closed March 16-27; Distance learning March 18-26

-Rochester Public Schools will be closed starting Wednesday March, 18

-Rose Creek Fire Department’s  Annual Spring Steak Fry on March 28 is now cancelled.

-Ruby’s Pantry of Austin ARE PLANNING TO HAVE A DISTRIBUTION DAY ON APRIL 16TH, it will be a drive-thru distribution at the Mower County Fairgrounds at 5 p.m., but the time is subject to change.  There will be no registration required, and they will still collect a $20 cash donation for each bundle requested.  

-Southland Schools will be closed from March 17th-27th

-Special Olympics Iowa is suspending all training and activities through the end of March.

-The Spring Valley Public Library will be closed beginning on Wednesday, March 18.

–St. Ansgar Community Schools are closed for 30 days

-Sterling Pharmacies, including those in Austin, Rushford, Cresco, Harmony and Osage will be closing their stores to the general public starting Thursday, March 19th until further notice.  The pharmacies will be operating and able to fill prescriptions but patients will have to pick up their orders at the curb or get them through home delivery or free mail delivery.

-The Surf Ballroom is closed until March 31st

-The West Concord Public Library will be closed starting on Wednesday, March 18. This will remain in effect until at least March 27th at which time it will be reevaluated.

-The Westcott Athletic Complex in Austin will be closed starting Wednesday, March 18th, the closure includes the Packerdome and the walking path

-The Women’s Connection meeting in Austin scheduled for April 13th has been cancelled

-Worth County Conservation Board is cancelling all county programs until further notice. The office will remain locked at all times.

-All Worth County 4-H events will be cancelled/postponed through April 5th.

-YMCA of Austin will close at 5pm March 17 and remain closed through March 27, at which time they will reassess and make further decisions, if necessary.

–Zion Lutheran Church – Dexter: Closed Until Further Notice