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Northfield News
Water quality volunteers monitor Northfield's rivers, lakes and creeks
When David Strachan retired last June after 19 years of operations work at Sheldahl and 18 years in IT consulting in Bloomington, he wanted to take a breather before diving into volunteer work. That idea didn’t last long. Now, Strachan, who was an English major at St. Olaf College with little to no background in the sciences, let alone water, is one of several volunteer water testers for Northfield. ...
3-term Councilor Nakasian to step down
Citing personal reasons, City Councilor Suzie Nakasian told Mayor Rhonda Pownell, her City Council colleagues and city staff Tuesday evening, June 7 that she would not be seeking re-election when her term ends in late December. And instead will finish early at the end of June. “It’s been such a meaningful part of my life to serve on this council,” said Nakasian, her voice breaking with emotion. “But my family life has changed, and I need to find a new chapter for me. I need...
Northfield City Council returns to discussion of sidewalk chalking
After hearing two presentations to recognize the elementary school winners of a poster pollution prevention contest and an update by Age Friendly Northfield regarding a recent survey, city councilors got down to business last Tuesday evening and focused most of the duration of the three-and-a-half-hour meeting on one topic: sidewalk chalking. Sidewalk chalking After early business and a short break, the council returned to the amendment it discussed on May...
Day on the Farm gives consumers a peak into the operations of a dairy farm
Across the country, dairy producers and dairy industry supporters recognize June as National Dairy Month. Members of the Rice County American Dairy Association schedule an annual event to build relationships with the community through first-hand experiences. Barb and Paul Liebenstein, of Wolf Creek Dairy in Dundas are hosting this year’s event on Saturday. Attendees of...
Habitat for Humanity breaks ground on five new builds
Since 1991, Rice County Habitat for Humanity has partnered with 68 families to provided 62 new homes, two repairs and four recycled homes. The Christian nonprofit is building with five families in the same Faribault neighborhood this summer. Eight adults and 21 children from the Ahmed/Jama, Limon, Warsame, Ogutu and Elwood families gathered with Habitat staff and supporters Tuesday evening for a groundbreaking ceremony. Habitat continues to build on the...
Northfield native brings all-ages circus show to Dundas
With a caravan of traveling artists in tow, Northfield native Nat Allister’s all-ages theatrical production arrives for one performance only in Dundas this weekend. Allister, a 2006 Northfield High School graduate, is bringing “Lonesome Spectacular: A New Circus-ish Show About A Lot of Things” to Keepsake Cidery & Events on Saturday, June 11. The curtain rises at 4 p.m. This is Allister’s seventh such production with The Fox & Beggar...
How will Rice County pay for the new Public Safety Center
Bonds will be issued later this summer to pay for the Public Safety Center. There are multiple options for paying back that loan. County officials have proposed a .375 increase to the county sales tax, which would be projected to raise almost $3 million annually but would need voter approval. Or the county could raise property taxes. The main difference between the options is in who pays the tax increase. ...
Rice County awards Public Safety Center construction bids
Construction of a new Rice County Public Safety Center is moving forward even as uncertainty remains over how it will be funded. At a special meeting Tuesday, the Board of Commissioners awarded construction bids for the center, which will house a new county jail and offices for the Rice County Sheriff’s Office. The new 83,000-square-foot center will be built on the northern edge of Faribault, east of Highway 3 at 30th Street. ...
Farmington takes out Northfield in playoffs
Blowing past John Marshall 15-4 in their Section 1A playoff opener on May 31, the Northfield girls lacrosse team was about to get a steep step up in competition. The Raiders were then set up to take on second second-seeded Farmington in the Tigers’ den the following day. Farmington jumped out ahead early and never looked back on the way to a 24-3 loss for the seventh seeded Northfield, ending its season. ...
Salvatierra farm works to be a model for agroforestry and regenerative agriculture
On 75 acres west of Northfield, off Highway 19, lies a patch of ground in the Cannon River Valley Watershed that likely represents the future of agriculture. The land that once grew corn and soybeans, conventional crops grown in what was once rich, dense and black soil, has now been intentionally placed into transition. Farmer Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin explained to a group of 20 visitors Thursday afternoon how Salvatierra Farm showcases...
Gas prices continue to rise locally and beyond
With gas prices rapidly surging towards $5 a gallon, local drivers have had to pinch their pennies at the pump. With global oil demand continuing to outstrip supply and summer tourism season upon the United States, a dip in gas prices seems unlikely for the foreseeable future. Minnesota gas prices hit $4.58 per gallon on June 5, a new record high that clocks in at about a quarter higher than a week ago, 60 cents higher than a month ago and roughly $1.50 more than...
Bryon runs past Raiders to end year
Dropping their first game in the Section 1AAA baseball playoff, Northfield didn’t have much wiggle room in the double elimination tournament. Backs against the wall for the Raiders, they didn’t waste their opportunity, getting past Austin 5-2, Stewartville 3-2, and Red Wing 5-2, the Raiders sat one game away from competing for a berth to the state tournament into their June 4 game versus Byron. Northfield fought hard till the...
Raiders get revenge on Lakeville North, fall to Farmington
Advancing to keep its season alive, the Northfield softball team got a chance to even the score against Lakeville North in the Section 1AAAA playoffs, as the two squared off on May 31 in Austin’s Todd Park. The fourth-seeded Raiders were dropped to the elimination bracket by the fifth-seeded Panthers after a 2-0 loss on May 24. Using a pair of clutch performances by Rylee Blandin in the circle and...
Northfield golf sends pair to state meet
Northfield’s Nate Stevens has been a force in the Section 1AAA Boys Golf Tournament for years now. Winning the title in 2018 and 2021, the Notre Dame commit had a chance for the third title at the Jewel Golf Club in Lake City in the two-day postseason tournament on May 31 to June 1. Stevens did not falter down the stretch to take the championship for the third time in...
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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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