Steele County Emergency Management

05/28/2026

Minnesota DNR's new electronic licensing system launches June 9! 📆

The DNR is rolling out a modern licensing system replacement that is built for today's customers and technology. Phase one of the launch in June will include the hunting and fishing modules. 🤳

The new system offers more flexibility than ever — three ways to buy a license (mobile app, online, or in-person from a license agent) and three ways to carry it (paper, PDF, or stored in the app). 📱

As part of this transition, hunting and fishing licenses will be temporarily unavailable for purchase between June 2 - 8 as we switch over to the new system. During that time, people may fish without a license in Minnesota. All regulations for the season and bag limits will remain in effect. On June 9, fishing licenses will again be required and you will be able to purchase them through the new system. 🎣

Turkey hunters need to register their harvest before end of day (11:59 pm) June 1. They will be unable to register their harvest during the transition/cutover period. 🦃

For now, nothing changes for those needing to register or title recreational vehicles and watercraft. That module of the new system will launch at a later date. 🚤

Learn more: mndnr.gov/els

05/25/2026

05/15/2026

Friday and Saturday will be warm and sunny but active weather is expected to start next week. Multiple rounds of thunderstorms are expected Sunday and Monday with some possibly being severe. Exact timing of storms is uncertain but the afternoon/evening would be the preferred time frame due to greatest daytime heating.

05/13/2026

We're Hiring a Fire Chief!

The City of Owatonna is seeking a collaborative and forward-thinking leader to serve as our next Fire Chief. We’re looking for someone with strong leadership, integrity, communication skills, and a commitment to public safety and community partnership!

Click the links below to learn more and apply!

Job Profile: https://www.owatonna.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12222/Fire-Chief-Job-Profile

To Apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/owatonnamn/jobs/5317209/fire-chief-director?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

05/12/2026

All Past and Present Steele County Volunteers are invited to a picnic in the park to celebrate reaching 25,000 hours of service since 2003! Thank you for all that you have done and all you continue to do to help our community!
Food will be provided plus music, pictures, and seeing faces you may not have seen in a while and meeting new people!
Please RSVP by June 2nd
If you have any questions or want to let us know if you can make it or not- please email [email protected]
Hope you to see you there!

Please note- if we end up having a large rsvp, we may change locations, so please follow emails/social media for updates! Thank you

05/08/2026

05/01/2026

Calling all 3rd graders (going into 4th) in Steele County! This is fun way to learn safety basics!

3rd grade parents - You have been patiently waiting and we thank you.

‼️Registration opens today‼️

We will be visiting schools this next weeks and sending flyers and parent letters home. So look for those.

You can register at: www.steelecountysafetycamp.com

Again, thank you for your patience and we can’t wait for another amazing Safety Camp!

04/17/2026

Day 5: Extreme Heat

It's important to find shade and stay hydrated during extreme heat. Extreme heat is a period of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees for at least two to three days. In extreme heat your body works extra hard to maintain a normal temperature, which can lead to death. Extreme heat is responsible for the highest number of annual deaths among all weather-related hazards.

Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device. Fans create air flow and a false sense of comfort, but do not reduce body temperature or prevent heat-related illnesses.
Identify places in your community where you can go to get cool such as libraries and shopping malls or contact your local health department to find cooling options in your area.
Cover windows with drapes or shades.
Weather-strip doors and windows.
Use window reflectors specifically designed to reflect heat back outside.
Add insulation to keep the heat out.
Use a powered attic ventilator or attic fan to regulate the attic temperature by removing hot air.
Install window air conditioners and insulate around them.

To find the Heat Index temperature, look at the heat Index chart below. As an example, if the air temperature is 96°F and the relative humidity is 65%, the heat index--how hot it feels--is 121°F. The National Weather Service will initiate alert procedures when the Heat Index is expected to exceed 105°-110°F (depending on local climate) for at least 2 consecutive days.

For more information go to: https://www.ready.gov/heat