I hope everyone is enjoying the nice Fall weather we have been blessed with. I also wish everyone headed out for deer season, a safe and enjoyable hunt.  As I have reported in past columns, there are some pending changes with legal firearm usage for deer hunting. To clear up any confusion that may be out there, rifle usage is still prohibited. The change in State law will make it legal to use rifles starting next year, with the 2026 deer season.

However, State law did grant Counties the ability to pass an ordinance and prohibit the use of rifles. The Board of Commissioners have held discussions about this matter, but no decision has been made regarding adopting a restrictive ordinance. The Board will need to decide by May 2026 whether they wish to pass an ordinance and remain shotgun only for deer hunting. If the County takes no action, rifle usage will be allowed for deer hunting starting with the 2026 deer season. A future Board work session has been scheduled for February 2026.

As of the writing of this column, the Federal Government continues to be shutdown. Our county operations have not been significantly impacted by this shutdown, nor do we expect any major impacts. However, starting on November 1 and rolling through the month, over 600 Le Sueur County households will face the impact of not receiving food benefits through the SNAP and WIC programs. We anticipate this to create an unsustainable demand on our local food shelves. To put this in perspective, around $180,000 per month is paid to local families for food assistance. The best way for all of us to help is by making a cash donation to our local food shelves, which are in the Cities of Cleveland, Elysian, Le Center, Le Sueur, Montgomery, New Prague and St. Peter.    

As I have shared over the last several months, the County has been working to execute on a $1 million federal grant for broadband fiber internet expansion. In recent actions, the Board awarded the bid for an underground fiber contractor to install 14 miles of fiber in the Hwy 99 and 13 corridors, that will provide 57 locations access to high-speed fiber. Construction is scheduled for Spring 2026. The County will be partnering with BevComm to provide service once the fiber is installed.

Finally, I would mention the Board adopted a Proclamation to recognize Operation Greenlight from November 4-11. Operation Greenlight recognizes the men and women who have served our Country in the Armed Forces and to highlight the stresses that these men and women have in transitioning out of military service. During the week of November 4, the Government Center will be lit in green to recognize Operation Greenlight. We encourage others in Le Sueur County to also display green lights in their place of business or residence.