Steele County

10/23/2026

Not EVERY teen is using commercial to***co; but EVERY teen is impacted by commercial to***co in some way.

Steele County saw a spike in commercial to***co use among youth after the introduction of e ci******es in 2016–17. In 2019, 21% of youth in Steele County used a commercial to***co product in the past 30 days, which was 3% higher than the statewide rate. Use decreased to about 14% in 2022 but remained 5% higher than the Minnesota rate. Rates declined another 2% in 2025; however, not all four public school districts participated in the 2025 Minnesota Student Survey, so we cannot determine whether the decrease reflects true change or reduced participation.

This means that 1 in 8 Steele County youth are using commercial to***co products. It also means the other 7 in 8 may still be exposed every day. Explore the images to see how commercial to***co impacts youth directly and indirectly.

Big to***co companies continue to find new ways to target youth, especially through flavors. In Steele County, 87.5% of youth who use commercial to***co report using flavored products. As products evolve, companies are introducing “smart” features such as games and Bluetooth to appeal to teens.

My Life, My Quit™ helps Minnesota teens ages 13–17 quit va**ng, smoking, or using other commercial to***co and ni****ne products. The program is free and confidential, offering text, phone, and online coaching, along with tips and tools.
Teens can text “Start My Quit” to 36072, visit mylifemyquit.com, or download the app.

Steele County’s YOLO group continues to support teens in quitting commercial to***co and educating them on why not to start in the first place.

It all starts with a conversation. Start the conversation with the youth in your life. Youth who feel supported by a trusted adult are less likely to use.

10/23/2026

Open House: CSAH 28 and Beaver Lake

For more information go to https://clients.whks.com/CSAH28/

10/22/2026

Trick or Treat at the Steele County Administration Building on Friday, October 30th from 3:00-4:30pm! Stop by each department in costume for treats! Kid Friendly FUN for ALL!

10/20/2026

10/19/2026

It’s not too late to stop by one of our drive thru flu and COVID vaccine clinics this week—there are 3 happening throughout Steele County!

Tuesday, Oct. 20 from 3:30–6:30 pm at Health Finders, 134 Southview St., Owatonna
Wednesday, Oct. 21 from 3:30–6:30 pm at South Country Health Alliance, 6380 W Frontage Rd., Medford
Thursday, Oct. 22 from 12:00–5:00 pm at Steele County Public Health, 635 Florence Ave., Owatonna

Please sign up for a time slot in advance on our website: https://steelecountymn.gov/departments/public_health/infectious_disease_prevention/covid_and_flu_vaccine_clinics.php

Questions? Contact us at (507) 444-7650 or [email protected]

10/15/2026

Be a handwashing hero! Today is Global Handwashing Day!

As we head into the cold season, remember to wash your hands often and extra well.

You should especially wash your hands during these times:

- Before, during, or after preparing food
- Before and after eating food
- Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
- Before and after treating a cut or would
- After using the bathroom
- After changing diapers
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
- After touching garbage

Follow the steps on the graphic to keep yourself and your loved ones healthy, free from germs and illnesses.

If soap and water is not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Another way to protect yourself and your loved ones this season is by getting your flu and COVID vaccines – Stop by one of Public Health’s upcoming community clinics to get yours: https://steelecountymn.gov/departments/public_health/infectious_disease_prevention/covid_and_flu_vaccine_clinics.php

10/13/2026

This month is Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Syndrome (SUIDS) Awareness Month

Sudden unexpected infant death is a sudden and unexpected death of a baby aged younger than 1 year. For these deaths, there is no obvious cause before investigation. Sudden unexpected infant deaths often happen during sleep or in the baby’s sleep area.

To prevent SUIDS, families should practice the ABCs of Safe Sleep:

A – Alone – Baby sleeps alone in their crib with no pillows, blankets, toys, bumpers, hats, or soft items. Room-sharing is recommended; bed-sharing is not.
B – Back – Always place baby on their back for every sleep until age 1.
C – Crib – Use a crib, bassinet, or pack n play with a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet. Avoid sleep on a couch or armchair or in a seating device, like a swing or car safety seat.

To learn more about the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations, visit: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/a-parents-guide-to-safe-sleep.aspx?hl=en-US

10/12/2026

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) in September due to the increase of reports in human exposure to rabid or possibly rabid animals.

Rabies can affect both wild and domestic animals, including bats, foxes, raccoons, skunks, and unvaccinated pets. Animals that appear unusually friendly, aggressive, confused, or active during daylight hours may be showing signs of illness. While the CDC issued a warning about increasing rabies exposures, it’s not clear if that means more animals have rabies. To protect yourself and your family:

• Avoid contact with unfamiliar pets, stray animals, and all wildlife—even if they appear injured or in need of help. Contact animal control for assistance if needed.
• If you have pets, keep them up to date on rabies vaccines and away from wildlife if possible.
• Never handle bats. If a bat enters your home or you discover one in a room where someone was sleeping, notify the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) immediately at 651-201-5414.
• If you or your pets have been in contact with any wildlife or sick-acting animals, particularly if you've been bitten or scratched, wash any wounds immediately with water and soap (or water alone) for 15 minutes and contact a health care provider and veterinarian about the exposure.

To hear from a survivor: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/rabies/rabid-goats-otters-beavers-and-bats-are-making-news-here-s-how-protect-yourself

To learn more about the Health Advisory Network: https://www.cdc.gov/han/php/notices/han00533.html

To learn more about rabies and how to protect you, your pets, and your family: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/rabies/index.html

10/09/2026

Tomorrow is World Mental Health Day – take this Saturday as a day for yourself. Do something that makes you happy. You matter.

10/08/2026

Steele County Fix-It-Clinic is happening this Saturday, downtown Owatonna! Join us at the Rose Street Center from 10am–2pm.
Walk‑ins welcome — bring one or two broken household items and our volunteers will help you repair them!