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Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.

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Home Care In Cannon Falls, MN

Home Care Cannon Falls, MN

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Oxford Mill Ruins in Cannon Falls, MN gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Cannon Falls, MN is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

In-Home Care Cannon Falls, MN

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

Hear from Our Clients
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“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care comes in to help my”

I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care comes in to help my dad a shower at night. When the guy came out to interview, he was really good and helpful, but it was just hard to find someone to help with dad been a little bit bigger and heavier. They like the person that they had come out a couple of times. The caregiver is good.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care comes in to help my dad a shower at night. When the guy came out to interview, he was really good and helpful, but it was just hard to find someone to help with dad been a little bit bigger and heavier. They like the person that they had come out a couple of times. The caregiver is good.”

Gloria285054

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Cannon Falls, MN?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

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Senior Care Cannon Falls, MN

Types of Elderly Care in Cannon Falls, MN

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming
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Respite Care Cannon Falls, MN
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
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Caregivers Cannon Falls, MN
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Hannahs Bend Park in Cannon Falls, MN with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
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Home Care Cannon Falls, MN
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Mill Street Tavern or visit Cannon Falls Historical Society, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

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In-Home Care Cannon Falls, MN

Benefits of Home Care in Cannon Falls, MN

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Cannon Falls, MN, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

Elderly Care Cannon Falls, MN

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your MN's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
Senior Care Cannon Falls, MN

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Cannon Falls, MN understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.

Respite Care Cannon Falls, MN

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
Caregivers Cannon Falls, MN

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Cannon Rivers Senior Living
  • Cannon Country Senior Living
  • Cannon Falls Senior Citizens
  • Cannon Valley Senior Center
Home Care Cannon Falls, MN

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

In-Home Care Cannon Falls, MN

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Cannon Falls, MN 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

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Elderly Care Cannon Falls, MN

Latest News in Cannon Falls, MN

Some of the last two weeks' Goodhue County Sheriff reports

Below are some of the last two weeks’ Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office reports:Jan. 2Complainant contacted the Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office regarding a break in to her garage which happened in the last few days at residence in Dennison. Several items were taken including a generator, heater and propane tanks. The value of the missing items is unknown. There are no suspects or further information.Dec. 28Gennifer Rane Bowers, Lake City, 41, issued in Dennison, dr...

Below are some of the last two weeks’ Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office reports:

Jan. 2

Complainant contacted the Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office regarding a break in to her garage which happened in the last few days at residence in Dennison. Several items were taken including a generator, heater and propane tanks. The value of the missing items is unknown. There are no suspects or further information.

Dec. 28

Gennifer Rane Bowers, Lake City, 41, issued in Dennison, driving after revocation, display cancelled/stolen/revoked plates.

Isaiah Lawrence Miland, Rochester, 18, issued in Pine Island Township, speeding: 81 in 65.

Mia Sandoval-Cavades, Rochester, 18, issued in Pine Island Township, speeding: 83 in 65.

Ahmed Abdi Mohamed, Minneapolis, 25, issued in Pine Island, speeding: 78 in 65.

Sonthari Krouch Roelofs, Rochester, 45, issued in Pine Island Township, speeding: 84 in 65.

Samson Mesfin Tadesse, Rosemount, 47, issued in Pine Island Township, speeding: 82 in 65.

Jessi Lee Kealy, Hayfield, 27, issued in Pine Island Township, speeding: 81 in 65.

Dec. 29

Heath Robert Loy, Oronoco, 54, issued in Pine Island, snow removal parking violation.

Jessica Mae Fahrendholz, Pine Island, 50, issued in Pine Island, snow removal parking violation.

Samuel Paul Lemay, Cottage Grove, 26, issued in Pine Island, snow removal parking violation.

William Allen Ewald, Pine Island, 70, issued in Pine Island, snow removal parking violation.

Elliott Christian Volk, Rochester, 20, issued in Pine Island, snow removal parking violation.

Keandre Withers, Pine Island, 25, issued in Pine Island, snow removal parking violation.

Jorge Ornelas-Sanchez, Anoka, 58, issued in Pine Island, snow removal parking violation.

Emmanuel Oron Ojulu, Rochester, 22, issued in Pine Island Township, speeding: 80 in 65, no proof of insurance.

Dec. 31

Travis Michael Waltman, Farmington, 20, issued in Leon Township, speeding: 85 in 65.

Amy Lynn Henry, Zumbrota, 41, issued in Zumbrota, no proof of insurance.

Jan. 1

Abdiwaasa Mohamed Hussein, Faribault, 20, issued in Pine Island/Olmsted, speeding: 85 in 65.

Zabe David Flom, Goodhue, 19, issued in Belvidere Township, speeding: 64 in 55.

Jan. 2

Charles Wesley Kimes, Brighton (TN), 63, issued in Minneola Township, speeding: 84 in 65.

Michael Paul Gillis, Kenyon, 43, issued in Kenyon, snowmobile registration required.

Michael Anthony Kapp, Kenyon, 25, issued in Kenyon, expired registration.

Pedro Romero Jr., Kenyon, 19, issued in Warsaw Township, expired registration, no proof of insurance.

Araya Jean Crombie, Kenyon, 21, issued in Warsaw Township, expired registration.

Michael Scott Palbicki, Red Wing, 32, issued in Wacouta Township, theft.

Jan. 3

Danielle Elise Hoffman, Greenfield (WI), 25, issued in Cannon Falls, speeding: 79 in 65.

Sallie Mae Wilson, Austin, 43, issued in Pine Island, driving after revocation.

Sebastian James Baker, Kirkwood (MO), 22, issued in Wanamingo Township, speeding: 80 in 65.

Markees Latrell Dempsey, Red Wing, 26, issued in Red Wing Downtown, driving after revocation.

Abdirahman Mohamed Mahat, Rochester, 20, issued in Minneola Township, driving after suspension, no proof of insurance.

Joseph Robert Lee, Goodhue, 25, issued in Goodhue, driving after revocation, expired registration.

Vanessa Ashley Dewitt, Red Wing, 32, issued in Goodhue, motor vehicle title-fail to deliver certificate to transferee within 10 days, uninsured vehicle.

Khadija Moukrim, Rochester, 57, issued in Pine Island Township, vehicle registration/permit/plates required.

Jan. 4

Vanessa Ashley Dewitt, Red Wing, 32, issued in Goodhue, driving after revocation, uninsured vehicle, expired registration.

Cedric Earl Mckissick, Brooklyn Park, 39, issued in Minneola Township, driving after revocation.

Connor Edward Cluever, Rochester, 23, issued in Pine Island/Olmsted, instruction permit violations-persons 18 years or older-requirements.

Jan. 5

Jeffrey Jason Reed, Cannon Falls, 45, issued in Leon Township, speeding: 82 in 65.

Parker Jamison Berg, Goodhue, 25, issued in Leon Township, speeding: 65 in 55.

Jon Joseph Zweber, Elko, 65, issued in Wanamingo Township, wireless communications device-hold wireless communications device in one or both hands, operate unregistered vehicle/without plates on public streets/highways.

Maxwell Dewayne Hale, Mazeppa, 29, issued in Wanamingo, speeding: 72 in 60.

Jan. 6

Marco Antonio Ojeda Gomez, Northfield, 24, issued in Warsaw Township, speeding: 80 in 60.

Book-ins

Dec. 28

Cody Hunter Uecker, Cottage Grove, 33, RWPD, DWI, DWI test refusal, 2nd degree DWI, disorderly conduct.

Nicolas Ian Manzanares, Dover, 33, GCSO, DWI, duty to drive with due care, personal/parental recognizance.

Dec. 29

Elliot Thomas Field, Red Wing, 35, RWPD, Hold for Another Agency, fugitive from justice from other state.

Adam Charles Heldt, Red Wing, 46, RWPD, obstruct legal process, 4th degree assault of a peace officer.

Dec. 30

Ryan Jason Grembowski, Red Wing, 19, RWPD, DWI, cannabis open package-possess in motor vehicle/removed from packaging in which it was sold, DWI, personal/parental recognizance.

Dec. 31

Aidyn Lee Morrow, Goodhue, 19, RWPD, 3rd degree DWI, DWI, driving after suspension, underage drinking and driving.

Garnys Layne Soto, Northfield, 37, GCSO, 3rd degree damage to property, disorderly conduct, personal/parental recognizance.

Ryan Joseph Hatch, St. Paul, 39, PITP, parole violation, threats of violence.

Steven Lance Larsin, Inver Grove Heights, 59, MN State Patrol, DWI, released.

Kally Jo Wojtkiewicz, 36, ZPD, bench warrant, failure to appear, released to other authorities.

Jan. 1

Nicole Elizabeth Oconnor, Goodhue, 39, RWPD, bench warrant, DWI, alcohol concentration 0.08 within 2 hours.

Tyler Allen Ness, Saint Paul, 35, MN State Patrol, 2nd degree DWI, DWI, open bottle law.

Jan. 2

Zachary Wade Howard, Zumbrota, 47, ZPD, DWI, alcohol concentration 0.08 within 2 hours.

Christopher Wayne Red Elk, Red Wing, 47, RWPD, hold for another agency, failure to appear, driving after cancellation-inimical to public safety, released to other authorities.

Jan. 3

Arianna Michelle Konkel, Red Wing, 40, RWPD, obstruct legal process, 4th degree intentional damage to property.

Elizabeth Gabrielle Hill, Red Wing, 31, RWPD, 3rd degree DWI, DWI, personal/parental recognizance.

Jan. 4

Alan John Carow, Cannon Falls, 29, GCSO, 2nd degree DWI, alcohol concentration 0.08 within 2 hours.

Christopher Wayne Mullen, Red Wing, 43, RWPD, DWI, alcohol concentration 0.08 within 2 hours, released.

Jan. 5

Casey Rae Huro, Maple Lake, 35, PITP, 5th degree drug possession.

Jan. 6

Mickenzie Lynn Nielson, Winona, 27, RWPD, 5th degree drug possession.

Clint Rusty Dahl, 35, RWPD, failure to appear (x2).

Nicole Renee Tellock, Zumbrota, 38, PITP, bench warrant, theft.

Amanda Kay Schrupp, Shakopee, 43, RWPD, 3rd degree DWI.

Jan. 7

James Edward Head, St. Paul, 58, GCSO, domestic abuse-violates 2 or more orders for protection within 10 years of previous conviction/adjudicated of delinquency, DWI.

Stone Austin Salome Chaney, Red Wing, 21, RWPD, driver fail to stop-injury or death, criminal vehicular operation, DWI.

Jan. 8

Ryan Luke Thomas, Eden Valley, 22, RWPD, hold for another agency, failure to appear, bail supplied.

Elvis Cadiz Correa, Menonomie (WI), 41, GCSO, hold for another agency, driving after revocation, bail supplied.

Tony Francis Kreig, Duluth, 61, RWPD, disorderly conduct.

Jan. 9

Tyler Brant Peterson, Pine Island, 48, GCSO, driving after cancellation-inimical to public safety, personal/parental recognizance.

Marbin Saul Ramirez Felipe, Red Wing, 30, RWPD, disorderly conduct, bail supplied.

Jason Richard Scheffler, Dodge Center, 51, GCSO, 5th degree drug possession, DWI.

Data centers become big news for Pine Island, Cannon Falls and opposition

PINE ISLAND, Minn. — Sometime in the spring, dirt should start moving on the north side of Cannon Falls.Now that the land use approvals and development agreement have been approved by the Cannon Falls City Council, said City Administrator Jon Radermacher, it’ll take about three years until a data center is online. The developer, Tract, will build berms, roads, water and electrical infrastructure, including a substation to service the data center.So far, the process has taken about two years in Cannon Falls.Th...

PINE ISLAND, Minn. — Sometime in the spring, dirt should start moving on the north side of Cannon Falls.

Now that the land use approvals and development agreement have been approved by the Cannon Falls City Council, said City Administrator Jon Radermacher, it’ll take about three years until a data center is online. The developer, Tract, will build berms, roads, water and electrical infrastructure, including a substation to service the data center.

So far, the process has taken about two years in Cannon Falls.

The city of Pine Island is hoping to follow suit soon. That might take a bit longer.

Unlike in Cannon Falls, where some public opposition was voiced against the data center project but no lawsuits were filed, Pine Island is facing a lawsuit from the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA). That lawsuit will certainly drag out the process in Pine Island.

On Dec. 23, Goodhue County District Court heard a motion asking that all forward movement on Pine Island’s data center proposal be stopped immediately — no new plans from developer Ryan Companies, no approvals granted by the city of Pine Island. That motion had been filed Dec. 12, and had asked for immediate injunction against the project without a hearing.

That filing occurred four days before the Pine Island City Council was set to approve the preliminary plat and development plan for its Project Skyway, the technology park, meaning if approved without a hearing, would have blocked the city council from voting on the issue on Dec. 16.

Because an injunction was not immediately granted, the Pine Island City Council did approve — unanimously — both the preliminary plat and development agreement.

“If the court had (granted the restraining order), there would have been no conversation on this project tonight,” Pine Island Mayor David Friese said after that evening’s City Council meeting.

Pine Island’s legal challenges are not over. MCEA’s initial lawsuit, filed Oct. 16, 2025, has a Goodhue County District Court hearing set for Feb. 2, 2026. Plus, the decision from the Dec. 23 hearing is still in limbo.

Of greater importance is the Feb. 2 hearing and whatever decision precipitates from that from the court. The case being heard in February asks the court to reverse the city’s approval of the Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) — an environmental assessment that sets a framework for potential development at the site.

If that lawsuit succeeds, the city and Ryan Companies would then be required to undergo more stringent environmental review, up to a possible environmental impact statement.

While all this drags on in Pine Island, the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation continues its series of public forums titled “Data Center Basics 101.” The next forum will be held Wednesday, Jan. 14, at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center in Austin.

Pine Island City Administrator Elizabeth Howard said often people voice opposition to data centers without understanding what impacts a data center would have on the community. To that end, she and City Engineer Craig Britton traveled to two cities — West Des Moines, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska — where data centers exist.

Friese said Howard has sat down with anyone who wants to come and ask questions about data centers in general and Project Skyway specifically.

He hopes the process will be allowed to continue. After all, Project Skyway would bring hundreds of construction jobs to Pine Island through a 10-year build-out of the site on the north end of the city east of U.S. Highway 52. And it would bring dozens of permanent, high-paying jobs for the city.

Radermacher said he believes the data center in Cannon Falls will help the city with a broader tax base and bring families that help keep up the student population in the school district.

The issue in Southeast Minnesota doesn’t end at Pine Island and Cannon Falls. Harmony, in southern Fillmore County, is looking at what it might take to bring a data center to its city.

Is that the next town that will face the data center debate? We shall see as 2026 develops.

Cannon Falls and Randolph sports round up from the past two weeks

Below are the Cannon Falls Bomber and Randolph Rocket athletics round ups from the past two weeks:Monday, Dec. 22Randolph boys basketball welcomed Pine Island and lost to the Panthers 86-63.Tuesday, Dec. 23Cannon Falls boys basketball was at Red Wing and blew out the Wingers 85-59. The Bombers led 44-36 at halftime and then outscored Red Wing 41-23 in the second half. Four Cannon Falls players scored in double digits, led by Miles Rechtzigel with 18 points. Ryan Hjellming adde...

Below are the Cannon Falls Bomber and Randolph Rocket athletics round ups from the past two weeks:

Monday, Dec. 22

Randolph boys basketball welcomed Pine Island and lost to the Panthers 86-63.

Tuesday, Dec. 23

Cannon Falls boys basketball was at Red Wing and blew out the Wingers 85-59. The Bombers led 44-36 at halftime and then outscored Red Wing 41-23 in the second half. Four Cannon Falls players scored in double digits, led by Miles Rechtzigel with 18 points. Ryan Hjellming added 17 points while Brooks Rechtzigel and Tyler Meyers each had 15 points.

Monday, Dec. 29

Cannon Falls boys and girls wrestling competed in the Bi-State Classic in La Crosse (WI) on Monday, Dec. 29, and Tuesday, Dec. 30. For the boys, Garrett Williams took second at 106 pounds after going 5-1 with a first-round bye; Owen Parish was a champion at 113 after going 6-0 with a first-round bye; Adam Parish finished fifth at 132 with a record of 5-2; Caiden Walrod went 1-2 at 144; Tristan Zingler placed seventh at 215 with a 5-2 record and Rocco Casalenda went 2-2 at 285 with a first-round bye.

Alaina Williams led the Bomber girls by taking second at 100 after going 4-1 while Monette Otterness finished seventh with a 5-2 record at 145.

Rocket boys basketball had a rematch against Mayer Lutheran in Rochester as part of a holiday tournament and won 70-65.

Tuesday, Dec. 30

Rocket girls basketball hosted St. Charles and blew out the Saints 68-31. Allie Gillette scored 33 points to lead Randolph and had a double-double with 15 rebounds. Livia Tennessen added 18 points while Tenley Otte contributed six points.

Bomber boys basketball hosted the Triton Cobras and won 83-74. Miles Rechtzigel exploded for 33 points in the win while Hjellming had 14, Brooks Rechtzigel added 12, Abram Tennessen contributed 11 points and Meyers had eight.

Randolph boys basketball faced off against Waseca in day two of the Rochester Holiday Tournament and fell 81-61.

Friday, Jan. 2

Randolph girls basketball traveled to La Crescent-Hokah and lost to the Lancers 43-33. Gillette had 12 points and Blake Johnson added nine points.

Saturday, Jan. 3

Cannon Falls boys basketball played in the Breakdown Sports Southern MN Hoops Fest in Goodhue and blew out the Breck Mustangs 84-58. Miles Rechtzigel had 23 points to lead the Bombers while Brooks Rechtzigel had 22, Tyler Meyers added 15 points, Ryan Hjellming contributed 13 and Abram Tennessen had 11.

Rocket boys basketball also competed in the Hoops Fest in Goodhue and lost to Concordia Academy 82-60.

The Cannon Falls Bomber Dance Team competed in Lake City and varsity Jazz took third behind Zumbrota-Mazeppa and Lake City while varsity Kick finished fourth behind Plainview-Elgin-Millville, Zumbrota-Mazeppa and Lake City. Both JV Jazz and Kick took first.

Winter Sports Preview: Cannon Falls boys basketball boasts plenty of offensive talent

Cannon Falls head boys basketball coach Josh Davisson said his team this year should have no problem scoring. It’s what they’re able to do on the defensive end and how new contributors adjust to varsity basketball that will decide how far the Bombers will go.“I think we have talented guys who can score. The challenge is to get them to share, recognize who’s hot and who’s not, that sort of thing,” said Davisson. “I think one of the strengths early is that we have probably four guys legit on any...

Cannon Falls head boys basketball coach Josh Davisson said his team this year should have no problem scoring. It’s what they’re able to do on the defensive end and how new contributors adjust to varsity basketball that will decide how far the Bombers will go.

“I think we have talented guys who can score. The challenge is to get them to share, recognize who’s hot and who’s not, that sort of thing,” said Davisson. “I think one of the strengths early is that we have probably four guys legit on any night that can give you 20 points, the key’s going to be making it all work together.”

Cannon Falls returns three of its starters from last year’s team that made it all the way to the Section 1AA semifinals – seniors Ryan Hjellming and Abram Tennessen and junior Miles Rechtzigel. They also return significant contributors like sophomore Brooks Rechtzigel, junior Tyler Meyers and senior Grady Meyers. However, the loss of varsity mainstays Gavin Johnson and Jack Meyers to graduation has opened spots up for players who may not have a bunch of varsity experience. Davisson added that how those players adjust to the intensity of varsity basketball, especially in southeast Minnesota and the Hiawatha Valley League, will be a major factor in determining the Bombers’ success.

Cannon Falls is off to a good start to the season with a pair of wins over Byron (81-68) on the road and at home over Rochester Lourdes (71-66). They then lost at Goodhue (91-75) on Friday. Both wins showed Davisson one of the major things he wanted to see to start.

“The biggest thing and the question mark for me coming in, was how these guys handle adversity when it happens?” he explained. “In both games, Byron and now Rochester (Lourdes), we had times where we got down and not played our best, and it could have been a moment where they kind of folded, but both games they dug their heels in and fought and fought.”

In the win over Rochester Lourdes, the Bombers were well-balanced on the score sheet. Hjellming led the team with 21 points while Miles Rechtzigel added 18 and Brooks Rechtzigel 16.

Davisson also highlighted the leaps two of his players have made from the end of last year to the start of this season.

“Abram Tennessen has probably been our most solid, our most consistent guy. He’s by far our best defender consistently throughout a game and he’s doing a great job of controlling the offense and controlling our team,” he said. “You need to have a guy like that who can pull stuff together when it’s going crazy.”

Then there’s sophomore Brooks Rechtzigel, who showed flashes last year but has grown both in height and in confidence the last nine months.

“He’s a bona fide varsity player, he’s put in a ton of time and work,” Davisson said about Brooks. “He’s playing very confident, you saw how he played today and he’s one of the guys who’s taken a huge leap from last year.”

Davisson said that the goal this year, like with any year, is to play down in Rochester at the Mayo Civic Center. He added that if the Bombers continue to improve and stay healthy, they can compete with any team in Section 1AA, which is one of the toughest sections in the state.

The Bombers go to Stewartville on Tuesday, Dec. 16, before hosting Pine Island on Thursday, Dec. 18, and Plainview-Elgin-Millville on Saturday, Dec. 20. A new wrinkle to Cannon Falls’ schedule this season is that they will play in Breakdown Sports’ Southern MN Hoops Fest against 2025 state tournament team Breck in Goodhue on Jan. 3.

Season Schedule

Senator Steve Drazkowski will not seek re-election in 2026

Senator Steve Drazkowski (R–Mazeppa) announced on Dec. 9 that he will not seek re-election to the Minnesota Senate. The 2026 session will mark the end of his nearly two-decade legislative career in the Minnesota House of Representatives and Senate. Senator Drazkowski represents Senate District 20 which includes Wabasha and Goodhue Counties and parts of Olmsted, Winona and Dakota Counties. He served in the Minnesota House from 2007 to 2023“Serving the people of southeastern Minnesota in the House of Representatives and Sena...

Senator Steve Drazkowski (R–Mazeppa) announced on Dec. 9 that he will not seek re-election to the Minnesota Senate. The 2026 session will mark the end of his nearly two-decade legislative career in the Minnesota House of Representatives and Senate. Senator Drazkowski represents Senate District 20 which includes Wabasha and Goodhue Counties and parts of Olmsted, Winona and Dakota Counties. He served in the Minnesota House from 2007 to 2023

“Serving the people of southeastern Minnesota in the House of Representatives and Senate has been a great honor,” said Drazkowski. "I have fought to secure our constitutional freedoms, promote fiscal responsibility, improve economic opportunity for families and small businesses, strengthen Minnesota’s agricultural and rural economies, and advance policies that increase transparency and accountability in state government. Rooting out waste, fraud and abuse in government has been a central issue for me. It is gratifying to end my service when awareness of Minnesota’s fraud problem is high and leaders are focused on finding solutions to stop it.”

“I am thankful for the trust placed in me by my constituents, for the collaboration of many colleagues and staff over the years and for the opportunity to help better our state,” he concluded.

First elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in a special election in 2007, Drazkowski was re-elected eight times before winning election to the Minnesota Senate for District 20 in 2022. He served on many key committees dealing with taxes, transportation, agriculture, education, natural resources, and state and local government operations, including the subcommittee overseeing state workers' labor contracts. He has a 100% record defending life and the right to keep and bear arms and has been recognized for leadership in budget discipline and public accountability.

Senator Drazkowski’s current term will end in January 2027 and he will continue to serve his constituents through the remainder of the 2025–2026 biennium.

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