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Northfield News
Memoir writing workshop a tribute to volunteer writing coach Orlo Otteson
When Joan Ennis worked as a reference librarian at the Northfield Public Library, a patron, Orlo Otteson, who was a writer and editor, often talked about volunteering at the middle school. Otteson worked with teacher Earl Weinman, helping students write books about Northfield. Ennis said Otteson really enjoyed working with the students and talked about them often. “He also told me that he was working on a book about memoir...
Northfield council moves forward on street and bikeway project contested by neighborhood
Despite objections from a series of frustrated citizens and threats of legal action, the Northfield City Council has bid out its 2023 street reconstruction projects and rejected a petition seeking to put the controversial package up for a vote. Ims Contracting, of Dodge Center, has been awarded the project, which includes mill and overlay work on six streets and pavement reclamation work on nine streets, plus new trails, sidewalks and bikeways adjacent to six streets, and pedestrian crossing improvements at four locations. ...
Perfect weather conditions for NHS stadium graduation
A slight breeze that bounced graduation balloon bouquets was the only slight imperfection during Sunday afternoon’s Northfield High School Commencement at Memorial Field. A spectacular blue sky and 71-degree temperatures invited families to add another layer to their graduation ceremony attire. Families sat in the bleachers and spread out on blankets and in folding chairs on the field to watch 285 Raider seniors start the next chapter of their lives. ...
Pulitzer Prize winning journalist delivers Carleton commencement address
Last weekend, national political reporter Jonathan Capehart returned to Carleton College 34 years after he graduated to deliver the 149th annual commencement address. In an emotionally charged and personally moving speech titled “So, where was I…” Capehart ‘89, told the Class of 2023 to try to remember to listen more than they talk. He said this strategy had helped him in his newsgathering career. The Political Science major got a laugh when he said his four years at Carleton gave him a solid start in...
A year in, Windy Willow bridges rural-urban disconnect
You can see eight different fireworks displays — from Faribault to Lakeville — on the Fourth of July from the porch of Windy Willow Farm Adventure, an agritainment business just southeast of Northfield that’s hosting a fireworks viewing party. Windy Willow Owner Colleen Almen said “agritainment is the word that gets thrown around a lot to describe” her business. The word refers to fun activities with a focus on agriculture, like pumpkin patches and corn mazes. ...
Nerstrand clerk, 2 councilors resign
The city of Nerstrand is in need of two new city councilors and a city clerk. Three resignations in the town of about 300 residents occurred last month. The League of Minnesota Cities is providing the city assistance until the positions are filled. Councilors Jennifer Schwab and Carrie Turi confirm they have left the council. ...
Rice County sales tax increase inches closer
Rice County voters may soon decide whether property owners will get help paying back the loan for the Public Safety Center being constructed in northeast Faribault. While property taxes are currently the default funding source for the future sheriff’s office, a new sales tax could be on the table following recent legislative authorization. A voter referendum is the next step. When the Rice County Board of Commissioners was first discussing...
Wrestling event to raise funds, awareness for rare disorder
Natalie McCausland, 15, has been wrestling a rare genetic condition almost all her life. Natalie was 9 months old when a medical researcher in Northfield diagnosed her with Rett syndrome, a progressive regressive neurodevelopmental disorder that mainly affects girls. One in 10,000 females are born with Rett syndrome each year in the United States. The disorder affects “nearly every aspect of life,” according to the International Rett Syndrome Foundation. Symptoms...
Local law enforcement, business leaders talk marijuana legalization
Last week, Gov. Tim Walz signed legislation making Minnesota the 23rd state to legalize recreational marijuana. A product of months of intense debate, all of the effects of the complex 320-page law will likely take years to be felt. While retail sales aren’t likely to begin until 2025, Minnesotans will have the opportunity to grow their own marijuana starting Aug. 1. As of that date, home growers will be able to grow up to eight plants, so long as no more than four are flowering...
Kenyon woman killed after pickup crashes with tractor, catches fire
A Kenyon woman died after she collided with a tractor and her pickup caught fire late Tuesday night near Dennison. First responders were called at 11:13 p.m. to State Highway 56 north of 390th Street in Warsaw Township in Goodhue County, according to news releases from the State Patrol and the Nerstrand Fire Department. Christa Lynn Webster, 49, was in a pickup southbound on the highway and collided with the...
Carleton College fifth president featured in new book
Philosopher president and champion of liberal learning is how local biographer and history writer Bruce William Colwell is promoting his latest book about John William Nason. Nason, who graduated summa cum laude from Carleton College in 1926, became its fifth president in 1962. He served in that position until 1970. Colwell himself graduated from Lawrence University and has a Ph.D. in administration and policy studies form Northwestern University, and he...
County Board considers policy changes to allow more public comment
Residents of Rice County looking to get more involved in the county government processes may be in for some good news in the coming weeks. During a Tuesday morning work session, the Rice County Board of Commissioners discussed some prospective changes to its policy regarding public comment and meeting times. “What we have is not working well,” said Commissioner Gerry Hoisington, who was elected in November and campaigned on making...
Northfield's Mahal qualifies for state in girls track and field
The Northfield High School girls track and field team will be represented at the upcoming 2023 MSHSL Class AAA state meet by ninth grader Amber Mahal, who captured first place with a personal best 5-02 in the high jump at the Section 1AAA meet on June 1 and June 3 in Lakeville. The Raiders finished the Section 1AAA meet in seventh place with a team score of 62, while host school Lakeville South won the team title with 199 points. Farmington (148), Lakeville North (132)...
Northfield boys track and field sends one relay, three individuals to state
The Northfield High School boys track team turned in a top five finish at the 2023 MSHSL Section 1AAA meet that was held at Lakeville South High School on Thursday, June 1 and Saturday, June 3. The Raiders finished with 85 team points, while Owatonna placed first at the eight team meet with 176.5 points. Rochester Mayo (162), Lakeville South (130) and Lakeville North (127) completed the top four spots in the team standings, while Rochester Century placed sixth at 84.5 followed by Farmington (75)...
Beloved church organist retires after 50 years of Sunday services
For over a half century, Theo Wee has placed her hands on the organ keyboard practically every Sunday during worship services at First United Church of Christ Northfield. But, now it is time to retire. On Sunday, June 11, her steadfast tenure as the church’s organist turns the final page. Wee’s favorite hymns will be sung including “Mighty Fortress is Our God,” “Earth and All Stars,” “When in Our Music God is Glorified and “Sing Praise to God.” Following the worship service, root beer floats...
Northfield council discusses disregarded petition filed against bikeway project
Nearly two months after Northfield’s City Council voted to approve its 2023 street reconstruction plan, a group of determined residents still have not given up their effort to stop the protected bike lanes about to come to their neighborhood. Concerns surrounding the proposed on-street bike lanes along Lincoln Street S. and Heritage Drive have been a fixture of council meetings since the beginning of the year, with numerous neighborhood residents assailing the proposed project as unsafe. ...
Garlie makes state for Northfield girls golf
Emerson Garlie will be making a return trip to the MSHSL Class AAA girls golf state tournament in 2023. A junior on the Northfield High School girls golf team, Garlie qualified for the state tournament by capturing first place at the 2023 Section 1AAA tournament on May 30 and June 1 at the Cannon Golf Club in Cannon Falls, Minn. Garlie won medalist honors at the meet with a two-round...
Northfield baseball reaches section championship, needs 2 wins
Northfield punched its ticket to the championship game of the Section 1AAA tournament by charting an 8-4 victory over Winona on Saturday, June 3 in Red Wing. Faced with elimination from the section tournament after a 3-1 loss earlier in the day to Byron, Northfield battled back from an early 4-2 deficit against the Winhawks to gain a rematch against Byron in the championship round on Wednesday, June 7 in Red Wing. ...
WWII medic honored with Hometown Hero banner
Along with name pavers at Veterans Memorial Park in Northfield and at the Rice County Courthouse in Faribault, two daughters of a World War II soldier have now included a Hometown Hero banner as an additional tribute to their late father. Arthur “Art” Amundson’s banner is now hanging from a street pole in Faribault. The black and white photo on the banner depicts Private Amundson holding hands with young sons, Harold and Thomas. ...
Sunday morning shots fired at 700 block of Highway 3 North
On Sunday June 4, at 4:26 a.m., the Northfield Police Department received a 911 call reporting shots fired in the 700 block of Highway 3 North. The caller reported that a male suspect entered their residence with a shotgun and had fired the weapon. Northfield Police Officers, along with members from other jurisdictions, arrived on scene a short time later. The building was cleared by law enforcement and the apparent suspect was not located in the area. Investigators interviewed the victim and gathered additional evidence, along with witness statements. No one was injured during this incident. This continues to be an active investigation. There is no further information to be given at this time, according to Northfield Police Chief Mark Elliott.
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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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