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LATEST NEWS
Flooding Closes Some Rice County Roads
Past, present, and near future heavy rainfall has created the flooding of low lying areas, as well as some area rivers, creeks, and streams -- prompting some road closures in Rice County. Current Road Closures Within Rice County. (This list is current as of Friday, June 21st at 2:00 pm.)
Area farmers cope with heavy rain; Cannon River flooding expected over weekend
The Cannon River in Rice County is forecasted to get within 0.1 inches of major flood levels Monday, and local agriculture might see some lower yields. Rice County Commissioner and fifth generation farmer Jim Purfeerst said his prayers were answered this year, since he’s comfortably beyond the drought that plagued the area the last couple years. But it might be a bit more rain than he and other local farmers bargained for, and it isn’t looking to let up this weekend. ...
Rice County approves gravel mine near Nerstrand Big Woods State Park despite residents' environmental concerns
A group of Rice County residents has been left frustrated after their efforts to stop — or at least delay — the county's issuance of a gravel mine permit were rebuffed. The Rice County Board voted 4 to 1 last week to issue a gravel mine permit in an area of Northfield Township that some residents say is environmentally sensitive — and should be regarded as part of a broader swath of preserved land they refer to as the "Big Woods Corridor."
Road closures, clean-up assistance updates in Faribault
TUESDAY UPDATE (June 25, 1 p.m.): River levels for the Cannon and Straight continue to drop, and we thankfully avoided any additional rainfall last night. Find below the current road/facility closure, along with a link to an online form for volunteer groups to fill out if they’re willing and able to assist in clean-up efforts.
Rice County to use state funding for its portion of statewide settlement
Rice County will utilize state funding to compensate property owners who had their lands seized after a federal ruling last year made the payouts necessary. A Minnesota law from 1935 required counties that make any profit selling a property seized over unpaid taxes disperse those profits to schools, cities and the county. But the Supreme Court said that isn’t constitutional in May 2023. That decision led to additional litigation and a subsequent statewide settlement funded by the Minnesota Legislature, according to a summary by Goodhue...
No Wake Zones Back on Rice County Lakes
Jesse Thomas, Rice County Sheriff, has imposed no wake restrictions on 11 Rice County lakes. Thomas says water levels are high due to all the recent precipitation and that's why the no wake restrictions are back in place. Lakes included are:. Cannon. Cedar. Circle. Cody/Phelps. French. Fox. Mazaska. Roberds. Sakatah.
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