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Adults close to missing 6-year old share personal reflections on kind, caring girl
Elle Ragin, who just completed first grade in the Doves K/1 multi-age classroom, should be starting second grade this fall at Prairie Creek Community School. Simon Tyler, director of Prairie Creek Community School in Castle Rock, said that in this time of uncertainty with no resolution yet to Elle’s disappearance, that he will continue to refer to the 6-year-old in the present tense. “Our community is devastated by the tragic...
School Board used work session to reflect upon high school building needs
High school students today rarely use or want lockers anymore. That was just one of the enlightening facts shared by Northfield Public Schools Superintendent Matt Hillmann during a recent interview. Hillmann was expanding on a discussion held at a School Board work session at the end of June, ahead of another held July 11. The board is considering how to move Northfield High School into the 2020s. While a 2018 referendum that would’ve called for a brand new high school failed, the board is now...
Biker dies from injuries caused by May crash with car
The 44-year old bicyclist from Northfield who was struck by a car at Highway 3 and Highway 19 on the evening of May 11, died in June. Mark Steven Ring died June 26, according to a news release from the Hennepin County Medical Examiner on July 11. Ring died from complications of multiple blunt force injuries, according to the Minnesota State Patrol, the investigating agency. No charges have been filed for the driver William James Matzek, 19, of Hastings. Matzek’s vehicle struck Ring’s bicycle in the intersection. The release from the medical examiner declared the crash an accident.
Tin Tea owner serves Vietnamese treats with a side of innovation
Before she opened Tin Tea, Northfield's only Vietnamese food shop last year, Chau Truong felt empty and purposeless. Despite a busy life as a St. Olaf College student studying psychology and business, Truong said taking classes online during the COVID-19 restrictions left her feeling deflated. "I love customer service," said the 20-year old from her high top perch of the parking lot window of Tin Tea. "I love talking, networking...
3 area farms on Saturday tour
Three area farms are participating in the Co-op Farm Tour on Saturday. The annual free self-guided tour is billed as an opportunity to visit farms across Minnesota, meet the farmers and support local agriculture. Over 20 farms are opening their gates and barn doors to the public from 10 a.m....
Marijuana edibles are selling 'nonstop'
Local smoke shops are scrambling to keep up with the high demand of now-legal edible and drinkable Delta-9 THC, which is the main psychoactive compound in marijuana. “It’s been nonstop,” said Jesse Mineti, an employee at Holy Smoke Tobacco in Faribault. “They’re flying off the shelves.”
More than 350 toured six local gardens last weekend
That’s how Northfield Garden Club president Elizabeth Olson described the club’s annual fundraiser, which was held last weekend. ”Our annual garden tour was the most successful garden tour in the history of the garden club,” she said. Ticket sales totaled $3,630, and three new members joined...
Final production for Northfield Arts Guild Theater
Prepare to be whisked away on the adventure of a lifetime, as the Guild Theater brings Neverland to Northfield with the Tony Award-winning play, “Peter and the Starcatcher.”. The play, directed by Rachel Haider with music direction by Peter Webb, and choreography by Mary Hahn, marks the 62nd season...
1st female firefighters join volunteer force in Northfield
History was made on August 2021 when two female firefighters joined the paid-on-call squad at the Northfield Area Fire & Rescue Department that has kept watch over the Northfield area since 1872. Coincidentally, Amy Reding and Katelyn Sticha just happened to join the force at the same time. They didn't...
Firehouse sleepers are just a pole slide away from responding to calls
One of the first questions nearly everyone asks Mike Kruse when they learn he was a sleeper at the Northfield Firehouse for 47 years, is always about the fire pole. "I used the fire pole on every call," Kruse said in a phone interview from northern Minnesota where he retired two years ago.
Old Codger's group connects past with present for Fire Department
Once a year, when the "Old Codgers" group converges at the fire hall for a chicken and rib dinner, they always end up gathered around the antique firetruck for a photo. Some traditions, like tire tracks in soft ground, just get more deeply embedded. The group of retired firefighters meets once a year, usually in the fall on a non-hunting season weekend. They come together to meet the active firefighters,...
$1 million bail set for man charged in alleged road rage murder
A Faribault man who allegedly repeatedly punched a man in a road rage incident last month is now charged with murder. Larry Myers, 79, of Faribault, died Wednesday from injuries sustained in the June 27 incident on Cannon City Boulevard near 154th Street E. between Faribault and Northfield. Leslie Shawn Sanders, 52, was initially charged with first-degree assault. The Rice County Attorney's Office added second-degree murder without intent to the...
Man dies, suspect charged with murder in road rage
A Faribault man who allegedly repeatedly punched a man in a road rage incident last month is now charged with murder. Larry Myers, 79, of Faribault, died Wednesday from injuries sustained in the June 27 incident on Cannon City Boulevard near 154th Street E. between Faribault and Northfield. Leslie Shawn Sanders, 52, was initially charged with first-degree assault. The Rice County Attorney's Office added second-degree murder without intent to the...
Summer work session held to discuss Northfield High School renovations
Although Northfield students and teachers are currently on summer break, members of the School Board are still in session this summer. The board held a meeting last week to get the ball rolling on a renovation plan for Northfield High School, with a potential referendum looming. Northfield Superintendent Dr. Matt Hillmann explained the reasons for getting together.
Police concerned missing Northfield girl may not be found alive
Authorities are searching the Mississippi River and a park near St. Cloud for a missing Northfield 6-year-old. The mother of Elle Ragin visited the park twice before she died by suicide and left a note saying the girl is dead. “We are still extremely hopeful. But based on the information and the evidence that we have at this time, we are concerned that we may not be able to find Elle (alive),” Northfield Police Chief Mark Elliott said at a press conference Tuesday. ...
Local residents push back against new owners of Viking Terrace trailer park
In April, new owners purchased Viking Terrace, a trailer park in northwest Northfield. A few weeks ago, residents of the trailer park received a 40-page document outlining new rules which restricted usage of sheds, porches, plants, flowers, toys, pools, trampolines and barbecues. The new owners, Lakeshore Management, also wanted to impose a 10 p.m. curfew and rules about loitering at that time. “Many dogs are not permitted, and they [new...
Former Raiders find success at the collegiate level
Several Northfield area student-athletes made a significant impact at the collegiate level during the recently completed spring 2022 season. The following is a list of some of the accomplishments achieved by the former Raiders this year. Molly Stevens, Junior, Augustana (South Dakota), Women’s Golf A junior at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, S.D., Stevens is a graduate of Northfield High School and earned All-State accolades in golf at NHS in...
Pools and water parks pick up attendance as summer heats up
After a slow start amid cool weather, attendance at local public pools and water parks has gotten back on track to meet and even surpass last year’s levels. For local aquatic centers, strict state and federal guidelines and restrictions issued in the months following COVID’s initial outbreak in 2020 torpedoed that year’s attendance and balance sheets. In Faribault, the city’s Family Aquatic Center did not even open at all.
Northfield Knights knock out Hastings
The Northfield Knights returned to the win column on Wednesday, June 29 with a convincing 12-4 victory over the Hastings Hawks at Sechler Park in Northfield. The Knights improved their record to 10-3 in the Classic Cannon Valley league standings and 11-4 overall in 2022. Northfield continued its season on July 4 with a home game against nearby rival Dundas at Sechler Park and will next host league leader Rochester on July 8 in Northfield for a 7:30 p.m. game. ...
Search continues for missing Northfield girl
A 6-year-old girl is still missing three days after her mother was found dead by suicide in their Northfield home. Investigators continue to look for Elle Ragin, Northfield Police Chief Mark Elliott said in a Monday night news release. “Officers and agents followed up on many leads today and obtained valuable information assisting with gaining understanding into the disappearance of Elle Ragin. As of this time we have not been...
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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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