For a full report, listen every day at 6:05 a.m., 7:05 a.m., 8:05 a.m., 12:05 p.m, and 5:05 p.m.
For the top news briefs,
- The Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce hosts a business forum with city leaders this morning. The Chamber hosted a similarly formatted meeting in October, and at that time, several participants expressed interest in continuing a dialogue. Specific items scheduled for discussion: the city of Northfield’s budget and finances, including revenues, expenses, fees and investments. Also up for discussion, the options on the table for new police and fire facilities and the potential financial impact on taxpayers. The meeting takes place in Community Resource Bank’s Community Room. That gets underway at 8:00.
- The public will have an opportunity to meet the two finalists for Northfield Hospital President and CEO starting today. The first meeting takes place from 4-5:30 in the Northfield Hospital Conference Center. It will be a chance for people to meet Mark Henke, CEO of the Luverne hospital system. The second meeting will be held on Thursday, same time and place, and that will provide a chance to meet David Graebner, who has worked for Regions Hospital and Healtpartners Medical Group in St. Paul. Current President and CEO Ken Bank retires in 2010. The search committee’s final recommendation will go before the hospital’s Board of Directors on December 22 and it’s likely the board will make a final decision at that time.
- Last week, safety officials compiled a revised list of the 13 deadliest counties for highway deaths related to driver impairment. Rice County was number 8 on the list. Rice County Deputy Blaine Smith says between 2006 and 2008, there were 7 alcohol-related deaths and 36 serious injuries in Rice County. But, he says in spite of making the list, there is reason for Rice County to be optimistic—so far in 2009, there have boon no alcohol-related traffic fatalities in the county. This month, in a statewide effort, officials are cracking down on impaired driving with an increased presence on the roads. The penalty for a DWI is loss of license for at least 90 days and it can cost up to $20,000.
