Today’s news update

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For the top news briefs,

• Charges are pending against a 59-year old Northfield man arrested for driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. Northfield Chief of Police Mark Taylor says when when officers arrived on the scene early January 1st, they found a vehicle flipped on its side in front of Hogan Brothers on Division Street. A city of Northfield traffic sign and pole were also damaged. The driver was gone when police arrived, but a witness saw the suspect leaving the scene shortly after the accident occurred. There were no injuries involved in the accident. You can view a photo of the aftermath of the accident by clicking here.
• The Northfield City Council convenes for the first time in 2010 tonight. On the agenda: a presentation of Green Team awards for recycling to Northfield Special Olympics, the Northfield Union of Youth and Rice County 4-H. The council will also receive a presentation from the Non-motorized Transportation Task Force. Also on the agenda, council looks at a resolution ordering the improvement of 4^th street west and authorizing the preparation of plans and specifications. The project calls for the replacement of all city infrastructures—water, wastewater and road work. The council will also look at adjusting the assessments for the properties affected by the project. KYMN will have more coverage of tonight’s meeting throughout the week.
• The Northfield Downtown Development Corporation hosts a forum on Tuesday. The meeting will focus on a recently completed planning session and the resulting draft work plan for 2010. The forum is an opportunity for feedback on the plan. It’s also an opportunity for participation in the plan by NDDC stakeholders. The forum is free and open to the public. Again, that forum takes place tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. in the Archer House Riverview Conference Room.
• State health officials are urging Minnesotans not to let their guard down when it comes to the H-1 N-1 flu. Activity has decreased dramatically across the state, but that doesn’t mean the pandemic is over. Kris Ehresmann with the Minnesota Department of Health says the goal is to get as many people vaccinated now so we can be prepared for a possible third wave. The Rice County Public Health Department has scheduled two public H1-N1 flu shot clinics. Both the nasal spray and injectible vaccines will be available to people 18 years or older. The first clinic will be held on Tuesday, January 12^th from 10:00 to 11:30 at the Northfield Senior Center. The second clinic is on Thursday, January 14^th from 1:30 to 3:30 at the Faribault Senior Center. There is no charge for the vaccination.