Rochester-area organizations are keeping the music alive with livestreams, special video greetings and more.
Written By:
Drue Fergison | ×
Rick Kvam, left, and Jon Coker rehearse Christmas Gregorian chants on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020, outside Kvam’s home in Rochester. (Traci Westcott / twestcott@postbulletin.com)
Music, especially classical music, has long been a vital part of Christmas traditions. There s something special about dressing up a little and attending a live holiday performance of a choral ensemble, symphony or orchestra.
This year, however, with the pandemic continuing to ravage communities, that s just not feasible.
But that doesn t mean the music has died. Quite the contrary.
Community dental clinic maintains access to care through pandemic
The Northern Dental Access Center is still operating at 65% capacity and thanks to a mix of funding resources, is going into 2021 on solid financial ground. 8:00 am, Dec. 16, 2020 ×
Northern Dental Access Center is located at 1405 Anne St. NW in Bemidji. (Pioneer file photo)
BEMIDJI The new year is closing in and while it wasn t always easy, the Northern Dental Access Center in Bemidji has maintained operations and will continue to do so in 2021.
The nonprofit community access dental clinic, opened nearly 12 years ago, faced challenges like all organizations did because of the coronavirus pandemic, going all the way back to when shutdowns first started. According to NDAC Executive Director Jeanne Edevold Larson, the first action taken during the pandemic was a temporary closure.
McConnell says leaders will work on COVID-19 relief bill until we get it done
Package reportedly could include another round of stimulus checks
Susan Walsh/AP
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., walks past reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
By: The Associated Press & Scripps National
Posted at 6:34 AM, Dec 16, 2020
and last updated 2020-12-16 11:51:42-05
WASHINGTON â A bipartisan quartet of congressional leaders is pushing hard for a long-delayed COVID-19 aid package.
A deal could come as early as Wednesday on legislation that would extend help to individuals and businesses and ship coronavirus vaccines to millions.
Sen. McConnell vows Congress will not leave town until COVID-19 relief is settled
Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
FILE - In this June 30, 2020, file photo, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., with Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., speaks to reporters following a GOP policy meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington. President Donald Trumpâs push to reopen schools is being complicated by a split within his ranks over how to do it. Some advisers are advocating for a massive federal expenditure to make campuses safe. This comes Congress is compiling the next COVID-19 relief bill. McConnell said July 13 schooling will be a priority in the coming package. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)
Laurel contractor admits to fraud in application for coronavirus relief money
Laurel contractor admits to coronavirus-relief fraud
By: MTN News
and last updated 2020-12-16 10:24:05-05
Matthew Jason Welch of Laurel admitted Tuesday in federal court to an illegal attempt to obtain $35,000 in coronavirus relief money aimed at helping struggling businesses during the pandemic, according to Acting U.S Attorney Leif Johnson.
Welch, 37 years old, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in U.S. District Court in Billings. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.
The indictment is the fraud case of the Payment Protection Program prosecuted in Montana. The program was created as part of the CARES Act to help businesses cover lost wages for workers and other losses related to the pandemic.