WE NEED EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS TO KEEP OUR AMBULANCE GOING!
This is the article regarding our service that was published in the Winona Post.
Volunteers from the Altura Ambulance Service and Rollingstone First Responders were recognized on Monday for helping save the life of Terry Schultz, a rural Altura resident, when he suffered a heart attack earlier this spring. The Southeast Minnesota Emergency Medical Services (SE EMS) organization presented the crew members with commendations, but the most heartfelt thanks came from Schultz and his family.
When EMS crews from Altura and Rollingstone arrived at the Schultzes’ property, things were not looking good. Terry was unconscious, his heart had stopped, and he was turning blue, first responders said. His wife Karen Schultz was distraught, but a Winona County dispatcher calmly talked her through how to give CPR. The EMS volunteers were quick to credit her actions as much as their own for saving Terry’s life. “I really need to find that dispatcher because without her, I couldn’t have done everything I did,” Karen said.
Together, the Rollingstone First Responders and Altura Ambulance team used a defibrillator and LUCAS chest compression device and were able to stabilize Terry before the Winona Area Ambulance Service transported him to Winona Health, where he was later flown to Gundersen Medical Center in La Crosse, Wis., Altura Ambulance Director Jessica Romine said. Before long, he was back home with his family — all thanks to quick action in those critical first moments.
Pointing to Terry and his family, SE EMS Executive Director Alex Catevenis said, “That man is living and standing here because of you … This is exactly why we do what we do.” While EMTs are often to quick to say, “I’m just doing my job,” it’s important to recognize the impact that work has on an entire community and an entire family for generations, Catevenis said.
“Everybody knows [Terry.] He’s been in Altura for his whole life,” Romine said. “So it kind of hits home when it’s somebody you know.” Especially seeing Terry back in the community afterward, underlined it for Romine: “That’s why we do what we do.”
Volunteer services like Altura and Rollingstone are critical to providing fast response times in rural communities, which can make all the difference during a heart attack. “I’m so grateful they came so soon,” Terry said. “I would just like to say how incredibly thankful I am for all of you,” Karen told the volunteers.
PLEASE CONTACT THE AMBULANCE AT 507-796-5461 TO INQUIRE HOW YOU CAN BECOME AN EMT TODAY!
DONATION
Thank you to the Altura Development Corporation for their 2026 donation of $2308.09 for the flowers on Main Street and Memorial Park picnic table and previous year’s donations for the flowers on Main Street!
GRASS CLIPPING
Reminder to not blow grass clippings on the street when mowing your lawn. This could plug up the storm sewer causing water back up to your home.
TREES AND SCHRUBS AND SIDEWALKS
Please trim all trees and shrubs that are over the sidewalks. Please remove the grass from the cracks in the sidewalks. Our sidewalks get used a lot. Let’s make sure there is no obstruction for the walkers! Thank you in advance for your prompt attention!
STORMS
With the storms we have had lately, methods to notify the public depends on the emergency but can be by cable television broadcast, local radio stations, NOAA Weather Radios, or RAVE Alert System. There is great information at the Winona County Emergency Management website.
ELECTION
The Primary Election will be Tuesday, August 11 and the General Election will be November 3. Polls will be open at City Hall from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The filing for office for the City Election will be July 14 until July 28 at 5 p.m. Please contact the City Clerk. Election positions are Mayor – 2 year term and 2 Council Positions – 4 year terms.
THANK YOU
Thank you to everyone who completed the Comprehensive Plan Surveys. This is very helpful for the Planning Commission to update the Comprehensive Plan and the vision of the future of Altura.
VOLUNTEERS
There are always opportunities to volunteer in the area. Please consider joining the City Ambulance or Fire Crew, Lion’s Club, and local churches. The City may also have other opportunities from time to time, let us know if you are available. Together great things happen.
PETS
With the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, don’t forget to clean up after your pet! Your dogs must be leashed at all time, in your control, and stay in your own yard. Please remember, there is limit of how many pets you can have per household. If you have questions, please contact the City Clerk.
REMINDER – ORDINANCES – The ordinances are available on the city website. A few reminders:
- The City Code does not allow unlicensed vehicles on your property.
- Pet Licenses are required.
- Accessory Building require a zoning permit.
- Building Permits are required.
- No parking of bus, tractor, trailer, box truck, semi-tractor, semi-trailer, recreational vehicle (excluding ATV, UTV, and snowmobiles), boats, watercraft, motorhome, dump truck, commercial or industrial vehicle of any type on any street, alleyway, or roadway in any area in the City, except when such vehicle is engaged in loading, unloading, or rendering a service in the area involved. No unhitched trailers shall be allowed on any street, alleyway, or roadway.
WATER/SEWER PAYMENTS
Payments are due by July 31. That means the payment MUST be dropped off at City Hall by 5 p.m. or deposited at Peoples State Bank by 4 p.m. on July 31. If payments aren’t received by then there will be a $40 late fee applied. For your convenience, you can pay your bill online 24/7 on our website at cityofaltura.org or automatically debit your checking/savings account. If you need a Direct Bill Form is available online at cityofaltura.org. Want to go paperless? Receive your invoice and newsletter directly to your email. Please provide your email address to cityclerk@cityofaltura.org.
BUILDING PERMITS
Apply online at wse.engineering/cms. Scroll to the map at the bottom of the page, click on Altura and it will pull the application. Most applications will be a maintenance item (reroof, reside, water heater). For help please contact me or Construction Management Services at 507-282-8206. This automated process will be timely, efficient, and you are able to pay online.
Water/Sewer Rates
Water
0 – 5000 gal $35.00
5001-50000 gal $2.25/1000 gallons
50001 – 50000 gal $2.00/1000 gallons Over 500001 Gal $1.50/1000 gallons
Sewer
2.65 times the water rate
DATES
- ALTURA CITY COUNCIL MEETING CHANGE OF DATES JULY 7 AND AUGUST 4 at 6:30 p.m.
- ALTURA PLANNING COMMISSION Meeting 1st Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m.
- ALTURA FARMERS MARKET Mondays 4 – 7 p.m.
- ALTURA YOUTH SPORTS GAMES Schedules posted on the City Website: Cityofaltura.org
- WINONA COUNTY FAIR July 8-12
- HOMETOWN FEST September 19
- FIREMAN’S BREAKFAST September 20
- AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE Our Saviors Moravian Church September 30 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
City of Altura is an equal opportunity provider.