Update on business hours due to COVID-19
April 3, 2020
There are many changes to business hours just in the last week due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Activities (school, businesses, religious, or social) have been cancelled or postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak hitting the nation. As of March 31, there are 108 infected in the state (Aurora 1, Beadle 20, Bon Homme 1, Brookings 1, Brown 3, Charles Mix 1, Clark 1, Clay 3, Codington 5, Davison 2, Duel 1, Fall River 1, Faulk 1, Hamlin 1, Hughes 1, Hutchinson 2, Kingsbury 1, Lawrence 6, Lincoln 5, Lyman 1, Marshall 1, McCook 2, Meade 1, Minnehaha 31, and Pennington 5, Roberts 1, Todd 1, Turner 1, Union 1, Yankton 6), with 44 in full recovery and 12 hospitalized 12. 0 tests are pending, 3,609 negative, and one death. Faulk County now has one testing positive for the virus, however in full recovery. We again contacted the school, county and city offices, along with many businesses to get an update on hours, or closures.
SCHEDULES
The Faulkton School has cancelled classes through May 1 with discussions on when and if school will start again. Students and teachers are utilizing on-line classes, so the students are able to perform their studies. Enrolled students are participating in both breakfast and lunch, which are free to them. The school is reimbursed per meal served at the rate at which they are reimbursed normally for a free meal. It is asked that students please call ahead to order. As of Monday, a parent or guardian is able to pick up the meals for your kids, the kids do not need to come to school. If you are already on the list, you will continue to get the meals unless you contact Mary at the school by 10 a.m. each day, by email, or cell 377-4030. NOTE: There will be an instructional material pick-up for pre-school through grade 6 on Thursday and Friday of this week, April 2-3 from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at the school. Please park on the south side of the new gym and enter through the southwest doors. Entrance will be limited to one family at a time. Once a person has exited the next person will be allowed in to the gym. Materials will be placed on tables by grade level. If you have more than one student in the elementary school you will need to go to more than one table. You may want to bring a bag to put items in.
The Faulk County Courthouse is staffed however the area beyond the front entryway is closed to the public at this time. You are encouraged to do non-essential business without entering the building. Most business can be done over the phone or by mail. There is also a drop box in the front lobby for the public to drop off documents as well as a phone to contact the office in which you wish to do business if other methods do not meet your needs. A second drop-box located on the west side of the Courthouse has been added for your convenience. Services postponed are driver's license exams; and license plate renewals are extended for one month (F, G, J); along with other state programs as they are closed.
The Faulk County Library is closed until further notice. However, books are available from “overdrive” to be uploaded to your devices. Go to: south dakota.overdrive.com, then check Faulk County, put in your library card number, then pick a book. The Health office is operating from Redfield but you can still call the Faulk County number and it will automatically be transferred to the Spink County office.
Faulk County Extension office: Contact Katie Hansen as she will man the office, however the office is closed.
The Faulk County Highway Dept. staff is operating as normal. Their office however is closed to the public. You will need to call the office, or Konni Giesen for deliveries, etc.
Faulk County Sheriff’s Office/Jail is screening employees for illness at the report of their shifts, screening inmates and incoming inmates. They are also taking extra sanitizing procedures, and restricting public access at the front door. The inmate work release program has been suspended; also suspended are civil fingerprinting (as in for employment); and the state suspended background checks. No inmate visitation is allowed unless it is electronic. During court days attendance in court is limited to defendants, attorneys, limited witnesses, and in cases with juveniles, parents are also allowed.
Faulkton’s city office is closed and they ask you to call them or use the drop box located outside on the front of city hall to minimize the spread of Covid-19. Finance officer Emily Bauer is now working from home. Call city hall 598-6515, Emily Bauer 201- 5493, or Jerod Raethz 216-6969. The city’s email is: faulktoncity@venturecomm.net.
Faulkton Area Medical Center is screening all patients, visitors, and employees daily as they enter FAMC. FAMC is also requesting at this time that patients call ahead before arriving unannounced at the facility, whether it is for a clinic appointment, ER or after-hours clinic if you are sick. By calling ahead it allows the staff at FAMC to screen your call and determine the most appropriate level of care for you and your family. When patients are calling for appointments the staff is continuing to screen patients and determine the most appropriate level of care for patients. We are working to keep those who are healthy separated from those who are sick. When you call and are sick you may be instructed to enter the facility using a different entrance.
Faulkton Senior Living Center There are no visitors allowed at the present.
The Meadows Assisted Living Center There are no visitors allowed at the present.
Transit Bus is running only for medical, employment or nutrition (essential services).
Businesses Faulkton Drug: their normal business hours are still in effect Monday thru Friday 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Curbside delivery is available for anyone, especially if you are ill, running a fever or coughing, and they will deliver curbside to you so you do not need to come into the store. Their phone number is 598-4187.
Bauer’s Super Value: have their normal hours, Monday thru Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. They are doing a lot of extra cleaning as in wiping down all door handles, on coolers, and their shopping carts along with other areas. They are able to deliver in town to those who are unable to get out and about and will also deliver your groceries curbside. The phone number is 598-6633.
Dacotah Bank: access to the inside will only be available by appointment (598-6211). They are taking this precaution to limit and control the environment to any in-person interactions. This is to restrict transactions typically performed in the lobby or “teller lines”. Services will be performed exclusively via drive-up, online banking or their mobile app. Burger Shack: hours are 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 8 p.m. You can get your meal to go or delivery is available, and the drive thru is open. Call 598- 4204.
Dot T’s: Dave Huss: has closed until further notice.
Lazy Way Cafe: check their facebook for information and updates.
J & J Bar: open this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 5:30 to 8 p.m. for pizza, snacks and beer to go only.
Short Stop Bar: has closed until further notice.
Mueller Therapeutic Massage - Lisa Mueller: has closed.
Quilter’s Corner: has closed until further notice.
Cloosiv App for cafe drinks from 10 a.m. to noon Monday thru Saturday. NO walk-ins. Message them on facebook for all your fabric needs.
Scissors - Kayla Hanson: has closed.
Styles by Stacy - Stacy Machtemes: has closed.
Shear Perfection - Char Melius: closed to outside customers.
Court Street Classics - Morgan Gallagher: has closed.
Clip & Curl - Mary Schilder: has closed.
Faulk County Land & Title and Real Estate: are now closed to the public, however, you can call for an appointment at 598- 6522 or email faulktitle@venturecomm.net.
The Auto Shop: has their regular hours, however their door is closed to walk-ins. You can call to arrange for an appointment 598- 4319. BerMac and BerMac 2: have their normal hours. They are ramping up cleaning and sanitizing daily and no in-house eating or drinking.
Homan Hardware: is open to the public but is asking customers to take precautions. They are sanitizing the checkout area after each person and door handles as often as possible. If you are ill or are not comfortable entering the store, they are offering the following: curbside pickup, free delivery within five miles of town (anything further – please call to discuss), or leaving items outside for you to pickup. Please phone in orders in advance for these extra services 598-3007.
Sonny’s Auto & Parts: have closed their door to walk-in customers. Please call for your parts and repair needs for curb-side pick up or delivery if possible 598-4302 or 381-5361.
Northern Plains: access is limited at all locations. Please phone or email whenever possible and call for more information or go to our website at chsnorth ernplains.com. There is also a drop box available on site.
Agtegra: open regular hours, however requesting customers not come into the business, and please call instead to get more information. Call 598-6500.
Faulkton Grain & Feed: open regular business hours. Call ahead for your order and we will deliver curbside. Call 598-6601.
Faulk County Record: your local newspaper will have their normal business hours, however our door will be locked to refrain from person to person contact. You can send your news, ads, etc., to the email address at info@faulkcountyrecord.com; and if you need office products or printing just call and we will deliver your office products curbside in front of the office, call 598-6525. The shop also has a drop off box located just outside the door.
Please, do not be afraid to call us as we are here for your newspaper, printing, office produces, and copy paper, etc. Other businesses we contacted around town are having their regular hours until further notice, and are increasing their cleaning and sanitizing, and some are adjusting to no walk-in customers. Just to be sure however, it would not hurt to give them a call first.
Church Services Catholic: Father Christopher Hughes. Remember: You may access the parish bulletin on-line at: parishesonline.com. Once at the site search for: St. Thomas the Apostle, Faulkton, SD. Masses across South Dakota have been canceled for the foreseeable future. The announcement covers Sunday and daily Masses and all gatherings for social and educational purposes in Catholic facilities. It will remain in effect until further notice. The cancellations may extend beyond Holy Week and Easter, though that decision has not yet been made as yet. Catholics are encouraged to watch or listen to Masses broadcast on TV. A weekly Mass from Sioux Falls is streamed live on YouTube at 4 p.m. on Saturday and broadcast on KELO TV at 10 a.m. on Sundays. Lutheran: Pastor LeShea Avery.
Our Savior Lutheran council, under the guidance of Governor Noem and SD ELCA Bishop Constanze Hagmaier, have decided to close the church building until further notice. That does not mean we are closing the church for we are all church together. It does mean that we will be changing the way we worship and learn. Hopefully, you have had a chance to use the March 18 Lent Facebook video to worship, already. Sunday, April 5, we will hold a Facebook Live worship service during our regular worship time of 9:30 a.m. Please join us on the Our Savior Lutheran Facebook page. Also, on Wednesday, April 1, at 5 p.m., there will be a ZOOM class for all confirmation students. Invitation with directions will be text to all students and their parents so they may participate by computer. We will continue working on ways to connect and provide spiritual guidance. Please check Facebook regularly for more information. Feel free to call Pastor LeShea Avery at 598-4390 or email: leshea.avery@gmail.com
Methodist: Pastor Tom Sumers. There are no services or activities at the United Church of Faulkton, however audio Lenten services are recorded and on the church’s facebook page. Go to United Methodist Church of Faulkton and go to @FaulktonUMC. The church is steaming on Facebook at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. You may also go to their YouTube channel (united churchoffaulkton).
Cancellations/Postponements
The NECOG meeting on April 2nd has been cancelled. The Yelduz Shrine Circus scheduled for April has been cancelled. Many funerals are on hold until further notice or have limited seating.
State Health officials remind ALL South Dakotans to:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Refrain from touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects.
- Individuals at higher risk for severe COVID-19 illness, such as older adults and people who have chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease, should take actions to reduce your risk of exposure.
- Create a family plan to prepare for COVID-19 and develop a stay at home kit with food, water, medication, and other necessary items.
If you develop symptoms:
- Call your health care provider immediately.
- Individuals who are concerned they have COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider via phone before going to a clinic or hospital to prevent spread in healthcare facilities.
- Avoid contact with other people.
- Follow the directions of your provider and public health officials.
Courtesy of Faulk County Record