More movement toward the reality of a Public Safety Center
The Public Safety Center was on the Council agenda this week. Mayor Rossing said there were 3 actions they addressed, creating a capital project fund, setting the public hearing date for June 5th and setting the “not to exceed” limit. The budget is two-fold, first is the purchase of the Cowles property then building the facility for police with room for fire training and administration. They set the number at $7.2 million. The next step is the public hearing on the bonds. After that goes through, the public could call for a reverse referendum. The council will proceed with design. Next week they’ll hear firmer numbers on what it will take to set the wheels in motion.
More details on murder charges
Bail was set at $500,000 for a man accused of conspiring to commit murder. Yesterday Rice County Judge Cajacob set bail for 26 year old, Jesse Allen Helgeson of Kenyon. Just ½ hour earlier, Rice County Sheriff Troy Dunn addressed the media outlining the events that led to Helgeson’s arrest. According to Dunn, a concerned citizen, the one who Helgeson contacted to kill the victim, showed a text message to law enforcement officials stating his intent to “get rid of him”. Police then used an undercover cop to pose as the hired killer and monitored numerous messages and phone calls between the concerned citizen and Helgeson. Dunn says in a phone call Helgeson said he “need to get this done, get it done. I’ve been trying to get this done for 2 months”. The undercover cop met with Helgeson where he was given instructions on how to kill the victim and make it look like a drug deal gone bad. It appears the motive was jealousy as the victim is the boyfriend of Helgeson’s ex-girlfriend and the mother of his son. The victim had allegedly threatened Helgeson saying he would torture his son in front of him and then kill Helgeson. Helgeson was arrested Monday afternoon at the Flying J Truck Stop also known as The Big Steer in Northfield. His 2 year old son was with him at the time. The boy was placed in protective custody.. Jesse Helgeson was charged with conspiracy to commit premeditated first-degree murder. He is also facing burglary and assault charges in Mower County for an alleged incident involving the same man he was allegedly trying to hire someone to kill. Rice County attorney, Paul Beaumaster, sought bail at $1 million citing Helgeson’s determination to cause harm. His next court appearance is May 30th. If convicted he could face up to 20 years in prison.
Planning Commission meets tonight
The Planning Commission meets tonight at 7 o’clock. There will be 2 public hearings, one for the land development code affecting the industrial district and a rezoning request from All-Flex for property at 1601 Cannon Lane. The meeting will be streamed live online at kymnradio.net
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