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PROFILES: Thacker puts wit, words and good will to work
“It isn’t a good day if you haven’t made something,” asserts Bob Thacker. “And I’ve always loved making things — making messes, making art, making mistakes — and learning from them.” That playful attitude is part of what energizes Thacker, a Northfield resident since 2015, and encapsulates his zestful approach to life. A self-professed “creative” who retired in 2011 following a 41-year career in advertising and marketing, Thacker’s stock in...
Norwegian prime minister visits St. Olaf College
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre visited St. Olaf College Monday to deliver a speech focused on the ties between Norway and the United States, their joint commitment to security in Europe, and the consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He told students that he believes negotiations, not war, will ultimately end combat. Gahr Støre’s visit to campus was part of a brief trip to Minnesota that included a stop...
St. Olaf graduate, author headlines annual meeting of library friends
The last time Gretchen Anthony was in Northfield was last spring to interview her pal and fellow Minnesota writer J. Ryan Stradal about his latest book. Their talk at Content Bookstore drew a standing room only crowd. Her high praise for Stadal’s book “Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club” was matched by his effusive compliments of her work. Author J. Ryan Stradal called her latest novel, “The Book Haters’ Book Club,“ the “feel-good book of the year.” ...
Northfield football picks up another win
The Northfield High School football team gained its second consecutive victory with a convincing 31-14 win at Rochester John Marshall on Saturday, Sept. 16. The Raiders dominated the contest for much of the first half, which allowed Northfield to set the game’s tempo early in the contest as Kam Kaiser opened the scoring with a 31-yard touchdown run on a pitch play that gave the Raiders a 7-0 lead at 9:00 of the first quarter. ...
Merger with Morris-based company to create Three Links Health Services
In order to make ends meets, many smaller care centers, like Three Links in Northfield, are moving toward consolidation. This trend in the industry is one of the reasons behind the merger between Northfield's Three Links and St. Francis Health Services based in Morris. The merger, joining the services provided by both entities, officially happens Nov. 1. The name for the facility will change to Three Links Health Services. ...
Another installment of CASTastrophe comes to Guild Theater
No reason to travel to the Orpheum, Ordway or Guthrie Theaters when Northfield’s own Guild Theater is delivering another installment of its popular Broadway revue series. “CASTastrophe 4: The Movie Musical Edition” belts out four performances on the Guild Theater stage Sept. 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 23 and 24 at 2 p.m. For tickets, go to the Guild’s website. This edition features hit songs from 20...
Council uncertain about potential double digit levy increase
As residents cope with rising inflation, Northfield’s City Council appeared uneasy with enacting the kind of double digit levy increase proposed by city staff to keep up with inflation and catch up on capital expenditures and make major investments in city parks and infrastructure. The council held its last budget workshop before next week’s expected votes to approve next year’s utility rates, expected to increase significantly, in order to help pay for the new water treatment plant, and to set a preliminary levy for the...
Council considers options for Ames Mill Dam replacement
Discussed at Tuesday night’s meeting were two major infrastructure improvements to College Street, Water Street, Jefferson Parkway and the Mill Towns Trail, as well as a proposal to replace the historic Ames Mill Dam. All projects are still in the relatively early stages of discussion, especially the Ames Mill Dam replacement proposal, for which four potential options were given to the council. They include keeping the dam, replacing it with a short rock rapids or long rock rapids, or partially removing the dam and installing...
Lawsuit against city of Northfield dismissed with prejudice
A lawsuit against the city of Northfield was dismissed with prejudice in a court filing Sept. 12 at the request of the plaintiffs. Plaintiffs Todd Zehnder, Linda Zehnder, Joseph Grundhoefer and Jodi Grundhoefer, represented by attorney David Ludescher, requested voluntary dismissal of each of their claims against the defendants, which included the city of Northfield, the city clerk and six named councilors. Two others withdrew as plaintiffs Sept. 1, 10...
County's opioid settlement to help fund harm-reduction team
Public-health experts and community leaders around Rice County are making the MOST out of the opioid settlement. Over the next 18 years, the county is getting about $1 million from a multi-state lawsuit settlement with various pharmaceutical distributors and manufacturers that were found partly liable for causing or exacerbating the opioid epidemic. During Tuesday’s Rice County Board of Commissioners meeting, the county is scheduled to establish a special fund and...
Archer House redevelopment receives improved feedback from HPC, nears final design
After significant design changes, a proposed development on the site of the former Archer House, newly named The Archer, appears to have won over members of the previously skeptical Northfield Heritage Preservation Commission, keeping the project on pace to begin this fall. Removing an unpopular fifth story and providing public access and public bathrooms along the Riverwalk area along with a small “Archer House museum” were among the proposed modifications met with a generally positive reception at Wednesday night’s HPC meeting. ...
Northfield council debates spending for parks, ice arena amid potential levy increases
While acknowledging frustration over increased levies from residents squeezed by rising inflation, the Northfield City Council appeared committed at its latest budget work session to catching up on expenses seen as overdue — especially in the area of city parks. The latest budget work session included one last look at proposed utility rates increases in advance of a Sept. 19 vote expected to approve significant hikes to water and stormwater rates and much more modest increases for garbage and wastewater. ...
Northfield girls soccer nets first goals of the season
The Northfield High School girls soccer team (0-5-2) matched up against three Rochester schools over the past week, as the Raiders played in games against Rochester Mayo, Rochester Century and Rochester Lourdes. Northfield began the week Tuesday, Sept. 5 with a 2-2 draw against Rochester Mayo at Memorial Field. The game marked the first goals of the season for the Raiders. Mayo opened the game with 21:44 left in the...
Northfield girls cross country takes historic 1st at Faribault Invitational
The state ranked Northfield High School girls cross country team turned in another top notch performance Thursday, Sept. 7 with a first-place finish at the 57th annual Faribault Cross Country Invitational that was held at Alexander Park in Faribault. The Raiders led the 12-team field with a score of 49, while Owatonna placed second at 96. The race’s top five was completed by Mankato West (122), Faribault (133) and Lakeville North (148). ...
Heroes honored at graveside memorial service
Before the carnival rides, beard contest, bingo games and reenactments begin the annual Defeat of Jesse James Days festival, a somber memorial service kicks off the official start to the September historical commemoration. Each year, the 1876 deaths of local heroes Joseph Lee Heywood and Nicholaus Gustafson are solemnly remembered in a half-hour graveside service at Northfield Cemetery. Galen Malecha, the Defeat of Jesse James Days chairman, welcomed the crowd...
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Northfield News has been serving Rice County, MN since 1876 and publishes Wednesdays and online at www.NorthfieldNews.com
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