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Northfield News
Residents turn out as local libraries open up programming
After two years of holding youth events online, if at all, local libraries have plunged full steam ahead into a full schedule of youth programming this summer — and have been rewarded with interest comparable to pre-pandemic days.
Summer organ recital at Valley Grove draws big crowd
With windows open to let the summer sunlight and fresh country air seep in, music enthusiasts attending Wednesday’s noontime organ recital were treated to an extremely pleasant music experience. While Richard Collman played the church’s 1911 pipe organ and Stephen May assisted with playing and pulling the tabs, concertgoers were also treated to a visual display of Collman’s quick footwork across the pedals at Nerstrand’s Valley Grove Lutheran Church. The...
A look at state, legislative and congressional races at the August primaries
With every seat in Congress, every seat in the Minnesota Legislature, the Governor’s Mansion and other statewide offices on the ballot, this fall’s elections could turn out to be the most consequential the state has seen in years.
Northfield council discusses fire department costs at special meeting
The Northfield City Council heard about Northfield Area Fire Rescue Services (NAFRS) cost increases and talked about the city’s 2023-24 budget at a work session at the Northfield Police Department’s training room July 19. Interim Fire Chief Tom Nelson explained the NAFRS budget was higher for 2023, due to five key reasons: the cost of hiring and training new recruits; the increased number of fire calls; the higher utility costs; increased fuel costs; and additional software expenses. ...
Aurora Pharmaceuticals lobbies to purchase Northfield Ice Arena; city turns to school district
After a short break at a July 19 special meeting, Northfield city councilors turned to a problem that has plagued the city for several years, the Northfield Ice Arena. City Engineer David Bennett explained that the 1970s building was not originally built to be an ice arena. The city basically inherited the facility off Highway 3 on the south side of town. “The building is outdated, antiquated and has outlived...
County approves bonding for Public Safety Center
The Rice County Board of Commissioners approved the issuance of bonds to finance construction of the new Public Safety Center. An increase in property taxes may be needed to repay the bond. The vote Tuesday was 3-2, with commissioners Jim Purfeerst and Galen Malecha voting against issuing the bonds. Malecha has previously stated he opposes the project. Purfeerst said he voted against the bonds because of concerns raised by farmers...
Northfield council looks for developer for 5th and Water Street redevelopment
Last week, plans for the future development of the Fifth and Water redevelopment project in downtown Northfield took a step forward when the Northfield City Council approved a request for qualifications (RFQ) document to disperse to developers. On March 30, the Northfield News reported the sale of the historic buildings at Fifth and Water streets to the city. The purchase price for the Northfield News building was $1.2 million and $900,000 for the Ameriprise building. ...
Knights pick up pair of wins at Sechler
The Northfield Knights (13-6) baseball team returned to the win column this past week with a pair of victories at Sechler Park. On July 12, Northfield scored a 4-0 win over #4 Lyon’s Pub and then finished the week with an 8-6 win over league rival Hampton on July 15. Lucas Warner was the winning pitcher for Northfield with two hits allowed and two strikeouts. Cameron Gray and Luke Johnson added innings of relief work as the trio combined for the four-hit shutout. ...
Northfield council passes conversion therapy ban with highest possible fine
On a 5-1 vote, the Northfield City Council passed a ban prohibiting the practice of conversion therapy for minors and vulnerable adults. Mayor Rhonda Pownell was the lone dissenting vote, believing the county and state would be the more appropriate government entities to enact the ban. First proposed by the Northfield Human Rights Commission, the ban prohibits the practice of any emotional or physical therapy used to “cure” or “repair” a person’s attraction to the same sex, or their gender identity and expression. There’s no...
Nordic walking builds balance, muscles and body stability
Clad in comfortable exercise clothes, sturdy walking shoes, and sun-protective hats, members of one of two Nordic walking afternoon classes at FiftyNorth received their first introduction to a new method of fitness last week. Nordic walking has been steadily gaining in popularity, said Craig Swenson, assistant director of Fifty North. So much so, that the Jefferson Parkway center has added classes to its fitness offerings. “Nordic walking is a phenomenal...
Love of history, photography and fire department lore motivated anniversary planning
Sometimes when you want something done, you have to do it yourself. That might sum up how Aramis Wells, a paid-on-call fire department volunteer since 1999, wound up planning the Northfield Area Fire & Rescue’s 150th anniversary celebration, detail by detail. Not only did Wells snap most of the commemorative photos, but he designed the special 150th anniversary logo. He also ordered new shirts for the active and retired volunteers...
Council hears emotional comments from Viking Terrace residents
So many people interested in the Viking Terrace trailer park saga turned up for the public comments portion of the Northfield City Council meeting last week that city administrators had to open up an additional meeting room in City Hall. Close to 45 residents of Viking Terrace and supporters of the mostly Spanish-speaking residents, who believe the new owners, Lakeshore Management, are treating the residents unfairly, crowded into the council room and the spillover room down the hall. ...
Northfield bike shop adds outdoor adventures component
The summer of 2022 has been a busy one for the Farmstead Bike Shop as it prepares for its upcoming move to a new expanded location in downtown Northfield in the site that formerly housed Bierman’s Furniture on Division Street. Along with the logistics of making its upcoming location change, Farmstead has also added a new component to its business with the creation of Farmstead Outdoor Adventures (FOA), which currently offers area residents a source for kayak and stand up paddle board rentals during the...
Ex Northfield bar manager sentenced to restitution, probation for theft
Charges against a onetime manager accused of stealing money from a now-shuttered Northfield bar and a nonprofit organization will be dismissed if she pays restitution and completes probation. Sarah Michelle Weinberg, 39, of Farmington, pleaded guilty to felony theft in connection with $9,000 that went missing from the Northfield Fire...
2 additional candidates complicate 2nd District race
Two additional candidates in the 2nd District congressional race are creating new political dynamics in what is expected to be a toss-up between incumbent U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, D-Prior Lake, and Republican Tyler Kistner, of Prior Lake. The newly drawn 2nd Congressional District, which goes into effect in 2023 after the November elections, covers the southern Twin Cities metro area and contains all of Dakota County and portions of Scott and Rice counties, plus Le Sueur County. Voters within the newly drawn district will vote...
Veterinarian traveled the world for the perfect cow
Dr. Dean Franz is a well-known name in the dairy industry. The knowledge and friendships he cultivated throughout his life have earned him a spot in the Rice County Agricultural Hall of Fame. Franz will be posthumously honored at the 2022 Rice County Fair. His love for cows formed at...
State townball association to host tournaments in Rice County
A unique summer tradition in the state of Minnesota, town team baseball will put the spotlight on this area, as the Minnesota Baseball Association will host its 2022 Class B and Class C tournaments in Dundas, Faribault and Miesville. The tournaments will be held on three consecutive weekends beginning (Aug. 19-21, Aug. 26-28 and Sept. 2-5) with the Class B title game being played at Dundas on Sept. 5 and the Class C title game being played at Faribault’s Bell Field on Sept. 5. ...
County fair a highlight for coordinators, 4-H'ers & judges alike
4-H’ers like Clare Landrum enjoy showing livestock for the whole experience — not just while showing her animals in the ring, but also for the life lessons gained by working with them the many months before showtime. “It teaches younger and older kids responsibility, and gives them something...
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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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