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Northfield News
Taxes going up, mostly for Public Safety Center
Rice County’s property tax levy is increasing 8.9%, after the 2023 budget was unanimously approved by the Board of Commissioners on Tuesday morning. The approved levy of $33.8 million was marginally less than the preliminary set in September, due to an increase in police aid that the county hadn’t foreseen at the time, according to County Administrator Sara Folsted. That means property owners can expect their county tax bills to be about the same as was on the notices they have received in the mail. ...
River Flow Yoga opens downtown, overlooking Cannon River
One day earlier this fall, when Shawnee Langworthy was walking her dog down Division Street, she spied a “For Rent” sign in a storefront window just north of Content Books. She said she couldn’t believe it; she was looking at the ideal space for her own yoga studio. “I immediately called and texted the number,” Langworthy said. “And to get the ball rolling, I immediately contacted all the amazing teachers...
Mitten tree tradition continues at FiftyNorth
For at least the last 10 years during the month of December, colorful and warm winter hats and mittens have served as woolen ornaments on a large Christmas tree in the lobby of FiftyNorth. This generous tradition continues this year. Michelle Loken, program coordinator for arts, volunteers and dining at FiftyNorth, said that even though Operation Joy is no longer collecting the outerwear, Northfield’s elementary school children would still be receiving the new outdoor apparel. ...
Blizzard Boxes at the ready for Meals on Wheels diners this winter
NH+C helps Meals on Wheels diners prepare for wintry weather with Blizzard Boxes – a handy stash of food and beverages to tide them over if a winter storm interferes with Meals on Wheels delivery someday this winter. Klinkhammer Financial Group has sponsored Blizzard Boxes in Northfield since 2018. Each year, the Klinkhammers create and donate around 50 sturdy boxes filled with nutritious goodies including a tuna lunch packet, protein shake, fruit and veggie pouches, fruit grain bars, peanut butter chocolate wafers, mac & cheese, instant oatmeal, coffee and hot chocolate. Lindsey, Barbara, Joe and Alex Klinkhammer assembled the 2022 Blizzard Boxes, then dropped them off at Northfield Hospital for Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers to deliver on their midday routes. NH+C will serve over 10,000 Meals on Wheels meals this year . . . plus one to keep on hand just in case.
Faribault vs. Northfield Boys Hockey Story
The Northfield High School boys hockey team (4-1, 2-0 Big 9) took advantage of three powerplay opportunities to chart a 4-1 victory over Faribault High School (3-2, 1-2 Big 9) in Northfield Saturday. “We took advantage of some penalties they took and were able to capitalize on some powerplays. We just need to be a little better on puck movement and winning battles in front of the net,” Northfield High School coach Mike Luckraft said. “They (Faribault) have a nice team and have some guys...
Ideal winter weather and full moon added to Winter Walk's allure this year
For hundreds of Northfield residents and visitors, the 24th annual Winter Walk brightened the evening hours from 5-10 p.m. with thousands of white holiday lights, decorating trees, outlining storefronts and lining curbs. Northfield businesses up and down Division Street and beyond welcomed shoppers with warm beverages, holiday snacks and inventory discounts. Some statistics collected by the Northfield Chamber of Commerce confirmed that this year’s walk was enjoyed by over 3,500...
Northfield boys swim and dive wants return to state
A perennial power in the Big 9 conference that finished third at the Class A true team state meet last season, the Northfield High School boys swim and dive team is poised to add another chapter to its tradition of success in 2022-23. The Gators finished the 20121-22 season with an 8-2, 7-2 Big 9 record and tied for second at the conference meet. At the 2022 Class A Section 1A meet, Northfield placed a close second to team champ Mankato East. Northfield then ended...
Carleton and St. Olaf make annual donation to City of Northfield
Carleton College and St. Olaf College made their annual donation to the city of Northfield on Monday, Nov. 28, at City Hall in the council chambers. Carleton Vice President and Treasurer Eric Runestad and St. Olaf Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Janet Hanson presented the donation to Mayor Rhonda Pownell, City Administrator Ben Martig and Finance Director Brenda Angelstad. {div}This year’s donation is $160,000, split evenly between the two...
Winter Walk Snowflake hunter wins $1,000 in Chamber Bucks
When Northfield resident Heather Bernarding and her family found the hidden ornament during the annual Winter Walk scavenger hunt, she was — needless to say — very excited. Tim Freeland, who has been organizing the Winter Walk Snowflake ornament hunt since 2011, said Bernarding “called me screaming” after she and her kids found the ornament around 9 a.m. Thursday. Bernarding, who has seven children, moved to Northfield with her husband and family about five years ago. ...
Pickleball players on the lookout for winter options
Pickleball continues to be a popular means of recreation regionally, with some hearty players even playing outside over the winter. When there’s no ice or wind and temperatures are at least 30 degrees, players come out to Northfield’s Riverside Lions Park twice a day at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. “We welcome any players who show up,” said Paul Case, who helps organize the unstructured outdoor group with her husband...
Toys for Tots donations and volunteers see unusual scarcity
This year, “toys are scarce” and demand is high, according to retired E7 Gunnery Sgt. Douglas Truman, the Rice County Toys for Tots coordinator. In the State Bank of Faribault’s Toys for Tots donation bin, two bags of toys laid at the bottom Wednesday afternoon. T-mobile on Central Avenue in Faribault had just a few also. Truman said this is not the norm for Rice County. ...
City Council approves 18.5% levy increase amid resident protests
On Tuesday night, the city chambers were packed with people, almost all of whom were clearly opposed to the levy increase. One by one, Northfield residents approached the podium to comment how and why the tax levy increase of 18.5% would be a hardship to them personally or for their businesses financially. After hearing comments, such as “taxation in this town is out of control,” “this city is run with...
Northfield pickleball players on the lookout for winter options
Last winter, a group of dedicated pickleball players showed up daily at the four Riverside Lions Park courts with shovels as well as paddles. They would scoop off at least two of the courts for outdoor play. This winter, some of the core players said they will continue to play outdoors on at least one already shoveled court. If there is no wind, and temperatures are between 25-30 degrees, members of this informal group play twice a day at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The...
Superintendent recommends referendum path to Northfield School Board
Before the discussion at last week’s School Board meeting shifted to options for the Northfield High School facility plan, Board Chair Claudia Gonzalez-George reminded members of their responsibility. “Now is the time to move into consensus,” she said. “We agree on much more than we disagree upon, including the need for more light and bigger spaces. Our decision is important and will have an impact on the community for years.” ...
Northfield fends off Faribault in close contest
In a classic Big 9 battle that saw neither squad lead by more than nine points, the Northfield High School girls basketball team (1-0, 1-0 Big 9) opened its 2022-23 season with a 46-41 win at Faribault High School (1-1, 0-1 Big 9) Thursday, Dec. 1. The Raiders were originally slated to open their season on Nov. 29 with a home game against Mankato West but weather conditions postponed that contest. Meanwhile, Faribault opened its season on Nov. 30 with a 49-38 victory at home...
Local native went 'To the Lighthouse'
Split Rock Lighthouse stands sentry at the edge of a sheer cliffside, overlooking the ragged and rough North Shore of Lake Superior. For a Nerstrand native and Kenyon-Wanamingo graduate, “To the Lighthouse” isn’t just the name of a classic novel. It was an opportunity. Hayes Scriven saw that opportunity in Minnesota’s North Shore. “In the last three years I’ve changed so much as a person. I never would’ve had that...
Still missing: Daryl “Dice” Budenski of Northfield
If you've ever experienced the panic of a loved one temporarily gone missing, then you hold insight into a loss that extends beyond minutes to hours to days, then weeks, months, years. That is reality for too many families across this country, including right here in Minnesota and right here in my county of Rice. Slightly over a year ago, 71-year-old Daryl “Dice” Budenski vanished, last seen around 3:30 pm October 1, 2021, near Koester Apartments in Northfield. His baseball cap and money clip were...
Local farmers eligible for drought emergency loans
Though winter is around the corner, dry conditions in southern Minnesota haven’t let up. According to the United States Drought Monitor, the roughly northwestern half of Rice County is in severe drought and the southeastern half is in moderate drought. This year was one of the area’s driest in the last five, second only to the record drought of 2021. More than half the county fell under moderate drought conditions...
Northfield charter school teacher wins statewide environmental education award
Wonder and excitement. Those are the two states of being Michelle Martin hopes her students reach when they experience nature. Martin, a fourth- and fifth-grade teacher at Prairie Creek Community School in Northfield, recently picked up a statewide award for her “outstanding, ongoing efforts in infusing environmental education into school curriculum.” Martin won the 2022 Formal Environmental Educator of the Year Award from the Minnesota Association for Environmental Education. ...
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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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