Taylor looks forward to new PSC
Now that the council has made another step toward the realization of a new Public Safety Center, it’s time to make more decisions on the building itself. Mayor Rossing says they’ll be looking at specifics, the “nuts and bolts” of design. They hope to move through the design process this fall. Public Safety Director Mark Taylor said they started working on a new PSC in 2008. A number of committees have looked into the current facility which was built in 1970 and has had multiple flooding issues. (Listen to the podcast below for the full story)
The Police Department currently has 22 officers with a total of 27 staff. For perspective, in 1970 there were just 6 police officers. The fire department is also housed in that facility with their equipment. What they’re looking to do now is build a police facility with the capability of housing the fire department in the future. The building will be built at the Cowles site behind Perkins off Hwy 3. There are numerous issues with the current facility. Taylor says the need for a new PSC is there and they’re excited to get it done. Mayor Rossing said they hope to go out for bids in Spring.
Burning Ban – it’s hot enough
A burning ban has been issued for Rice County. Because of unseasonably dry conditions and high winds predicted for today, the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning. All burning permits issued in Rice County are suspended until further notice. Only recreational campfires and grilling are allowed. Rice County Sheriff Troy Dunn warns use extreme caution and good judgment before starting a campfire. He reminds you that the fires cannot be more than three feet in diameter by
three feet high.
Northfield Hospital Board to discuss Henke’s situation
The Northfield Hospital Board meets tonight. They’ll discuss appointing Vice President and CFO Tim Gronseth as acting President and CEO due to Mark Henke’s need for more surgery and convalescence. A senior safety investigator from OSHA conducted a random inspection and was impressed with the hospital’s Safe Patient Handling Program. In the report, she says that they could be a model for other hospitals. The final report will be out soon.
Clogged construction southbound calls for the zipper!
With the upcoming holiday you’ll want to take note of the single lane construction on southbound I-35 between the Heath Creek Rest Area and Co. Rd. 9. MnDot’s expecting very heavy traffic. They urge drivers to use the “zipper” method to merge into the single lane. This means using both lanes of traffic up to the actual single lane, then take turns allowing each other into the open lane.
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