Columbus
Northfield News
County drafts zoning changes to preserve farmland, steer development
INFO MEETINGS Two open houses are scheduled to discuss the proposed zoning ordinance changes and answer any questions: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday at Buckham West, 19 Division St. W in Faribault. 4:30-6:30 p.m. Monday at Forest Town Hall, 3625 Millersburg Blvd. bcd275e5-1c6c-4474-a2c4-52402c5cbf55 A number of proposed amendments to Rice County’s zoning ordinance are on the horizon. The drafted changes are meant to preserve agricultural land and steer development toward specific areas, as prioritized in the 2040 Rice County Comprehensive Plan. ...
Northfield council considers driver, pedestrian congestion at Greenvale
With concerns rising about safety during pickup and dropoff times at Greenvale Park Elementary, the Northfield City Council heard several potential options to reduce congestion and limit the potential for dangerous maneuvers along Lincoln Parkway and Dresden Avenue. Bolton and Menk Senior Traffic Engineer Bryan Nemeth visited the Northfield City Council to discuss some of the issues his team saw during traffic observation and heard about at an open house in June which attracted more than 50 attendees and 75 written comments. ...
Operation Joy hopes to make life better for all community members
Operation Joy, a tradition of giving for more than 50 years in Northfield, returns this holiday season on Wednesday, Dec. 6. Once again, the event will take place at FiftyNorth, 1651 Jefferson Parkway, from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. “This holiday season, I invite you to join together and make life less difficult for community members who could use our support,” said Lisa Percy, program coordinator for Community Action Center. ...
Northfield volleyball wraps undefeated Big 9 season, prepares for playoffs
The Northfield High School volleyball team put the final touches on a perfect season in the Big 9 Conference with a 25-8, 25-11, 25-11 win at Faribault High School on Tuesday, Oct. 17. The Raiders completed their 2023 conference ledger with an 11-0 record to claim the outright Big 9 Conference championship and finished their regular season with a 21-7 overall record. Of note, the seven losses were all against teams ranked among the top six in the state, including defeats against No. 1 ranked...
New sculpture installed near wind turbine at St. Olaf College
Not far from the wind turbine base on the western fringe of the St. Olaf College campus sits a much more artful and colorful metal structure titled “Horizon.” The sculpture by Mac Gimse, St. Olaf emeritus professor of art and a 1958 graduate, was permanently installed on the campus this fall. “The 24 foot sculpture gives me a thrill when I go there,” said Gimse. “Just to see the colors and shapes dancing in the sunlight is thrill enough for me. During this nice weather I’ve been meeting groups there, and it’s fun to watch them discover its many parts.”
Believet Canine Service Partners launches capital campaign
Believet Canine Service Partners is a nonprofit organization that trains and provides service dogs for war veterans. The companionship and support of these dogs can give hope to soldiers struggling to readjust to civilian life. Founder Sam Daly said, “If I’ve learned anything, it’s that the power of hope can change lives.” The possibility of providing more dogs to more veterans is about to step up with the launch of a capital campaign. ...
Northfield's 2045 comprehensive plan explored at open house
On Saturday, Oct. 28, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Greenvale Elementary, cafeteria, 500 Lincoln Parkway, your vision for the future of Northfield will be explored. Come and share your vision for the future of Northfield at the kick off meeting for Northfield 2045. Food will be served at noon and the meeting will begin at 1 p.m. The Northfield 2045 Comp Plan is a guidebook for the city looking 20 years into the future. In this meeting, there will be interactive stations where participants including kids will be able to share their vision on housing, parks, economic development, and transportation. For more information, go to: www.northfieldmn.gov
History of First UCC continued in new book
Covering 57 years of church history in 50 pages over 15 months was the goal set First UCC members Scott Richardson and Margit Carson Johnson who compiled the new book titled "The History of First United Church of Christ Northfield, 1965-2022." In the forward of the book editor Scott Richardson explains how the project was conceived in 2006 when First UCC was celebrating its sesquicentennial. "It was on my to-do list, along with fundraising campaigns and celebrations. However, life intervened. And it wasn’t until the...
Northfield football finishes regular season with dominant win
In the final regular season contest of the 2023 season, the Northfield High School football team rolled to a dominating 36-6 victory at Tartan High School on Wednesday, Oct. 18. The Raiders charged to a 15-0 lead in the first quarter and led 22-0 at the intermission before icing the decision with 14 points in the third quarter. Tartan managed to score its lone touchdown at 5:28 of the fourth quarter. ...
Target and Walmart host the Salvation Army's annual "Shop with a Cop" event
For two hours last Wednesday evening, the aisles at Target in Dundas were being closely patrolled by 12 young shoppers each accompanied by a Northfield police officer. In Faribault, 12 additional shopping pairs were scouring the offerings at Walmart. The shopping duos were paired up for the annual “Shop with a Cop” program co-sponsored by the Rice County Salvation Army, Rice County Sheriff’s Office, Northfield Police and Target. The annual event, which started in 2006, is coordinated through Community Action Center. ...
Growing Up Healthy receives state award for its work in Rice County
Staff from Growing Up Healthy, a program of Healthy Community Initiative, received the 2023 Commissioner’s Circle of Excellence Award from Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Jodi Harpstead on Tuesday, Oct. 17, at a ceremony in Northfield. This was the result of a shared Early Childhood Hub grant from DHS that supported the early childhood navigator work of Growing Up Healthy in Northfield and Faribault and of Austin Aspires in Austin. The three communities worked collaboratively to improve early education and childcare access for...
Northfield boys soccer makes state with win over rival
In a showdown between two teams hitting their stride in the Section 1AA tournament, the Northfield High School boys soccer team (9-7) took advantage of two second half goals to gain a 2-0 victory over Faribault (4-8-1) in the championship game of the 2023 MSHSL Section 1AA tournament that was played on the pitch at Kasson-Mantorville High School on Tuesday, Oct. 17. The victory punches Northfield’s ticket to the quarterfinal round of the upcoming MSHSHL Class AA tournament, which will begin on Oct. 24 against...
Authentic Indian cuisine returns to Division Street
Once again, there’s a slight hint of curry in the air on Division Street. This time, those authentic Indian spiced aromas are coming from the space once occupied by Tandem Bagels at 317 Division St. S in Northfield. Those delicious smells in the downtown previously came from the now closed Chapati, located inside the old Archer House. Fortunately for Northfield, the same family that created the distinctive menu at the...
Federal grant to enhance Rice County Treatment Court
Back when Rice County Attorney Brian Mortenson started as a prosecutor in Florida, he thought treatment court “was just voodoo.” He’s no longer a skeptic. Rice County Treatment Court (RCTC) will likely have its services expanded for the next four years, thanks to a nearly $800,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. During a Tuesday morning Rice County Board of Commissioners work session, Community Corrections Manager Angela Brewer said,...
Northfield volleyball clinches another Big 9 title
The No. 3 ranked Northfield High School volleyball team (20-7, 10-0 Big 9) clinched at least a share of the 2023 conference championship, thanks to a pair of league victories over the past week. On Tuesday Oct. 10, the Raiders opened their busy week with a 3-0 sweep at Owatonna and continued with a 3-0 win at home against Winona on Thursday, Oct. 12. Over the weekend, Northfield ventured to Lakeville to participate in the highly competitive Todd L. Bachman Invitational, which was hosted by...
Parking options in Northfield's downtown discussed at City Council
With some business owners, residents and visitors still expressing frustration over a lack of parking available in downtown Northfield at peak times, the city is looking at working with an outside consultant to develop a customizable managed parking solution. Interstate Parking CEO Tony Janowiec met with the Northfield City Council at the Oct. 10 work session to discuss the comprehensive approach his company could offer to address the longstanding shortage of parking downtown — without building large new lots or ramps. ...
Northfield boys soccer on fire heading into section championship
After starting the season with a 1-6 record, the Northfield High School boys soccer team (8-7-1) has been on a mission, as it has gained a stellar 7-1-1 record in its last nine outings. The Raiders’ recent string of success has carried over into the postseason as Northfield opened MSHSL Section 1AA tournament play with a pair of wins over Winona and Byron last week. “A convergence of factors have...
Susan Rundell Singer inaugurated as St. Olaf's College's 12th president
Skoglund Center Auditorium was filled with all the pomp and circumstance befitting a graduation Wednesday afternoon for the occasion of inaugurating Susan Rundell Singer as St. Olaf College’s 12th president and first woman to hold the top office. The 45-minute program began with processional music performed by the St. Olaf Band conducted by Henry Dorn, followed by College Pasator Matthew Marohl welcoming, introducing and recognizing those on the official dias. ...
Writers of a feather pen, flock together again
On the afternoon of Oct. 7, Poets at the Depot, Northfield’s contribution to the Cracked Walnut Literary Festival, filled the Northfield Depot with around 45 poetry lovers. Supported by a State Arts Board Grant through the Friends of Downtown Northfield and by the Northfield Public Library, the event exemplified the theme “Meet Me by the River.” Organizers extended their thanks to headliners Mary Moore Easter, Stan Kusunoki, Larry Gavin, and Diane LeBlanc for their stunning, at times funny, and at times heart-wrenching, poems. Open mic kickoff poets Florence Chard Dacey, Leslie Schultz, Susan Jaret McKinstry, and Dougie Padilla, as well as all others, also joined in reading.
Northfield News
2K+
Posts
989K+
Views
Northfield News has been serving Rice County, MN since 1876 and publishes Wednesdays and online at www.NorthfieldNews.com
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.