MN Dept. of Health investigators found neglect in the deaths of two residents who suffered falls at Three Links Care Center last year. The first death occurred in mid-May when a resident fell while being helped from the bathroom by a nurse’s aide who did not use a transfer belt, also known as a gait belt. State findings released last week concluded that the aide was to blame for the death. Three Links Administrator Mark Anderson told KYMN yesterday, that the employee was immediately suspended and the
incident reported to the State. Three Links then did their own investigation. The State investigated in June, the employee admitted fault. Five months later, another resident fell, this time dropping out of a mechanical lift that was known to have a faulty part. In that case, the state found the care center responsible for the death. Anderson said they immediately had a representative of EZ Lift inspect all their lifts. The Center stopped using lifts with the rubber stopper (although they are still approved by the State for use) and have gone to a metal click system. Those lifts are monitored daily and inspected monthly. Anderson also said they have evaluated their policies and procedures, have conducted further training. Anderson remarked that nursing homes are some of the most highly regulated organizations and they strive for perfection. He extended condolences to the families. This is part of the State’s backlog of issues at Nursing Homes across the state. Three Links has a long history of quality care in Northfield.
Lino pleads to Criminal Vehicular Operation
A Northfield man charged with 2 counts of criminal vehicular operation, DWI, 2 counts of reckless driving and open bottle last November, pled guilty yesterday to Criminal Vehicular Operation. 22 year old Nick Craig Lino crashed into 3 parked cars in Viking Terrace, where he lives. Two passengers suffered non life threatening injuries. One reported that Lino was drunk and had 10 to 15 shots of alcohol and was driving 140 to 160 mph south of Dresden when he blew through the stop sign at Fremouw and crashed into the cars. He has a lengthy criminal history involving alcohol and violence. Sentencing on THIS charge is scheduled for April 5th. Lino 2854
18 year old charged with felony drugs and underage drinking
Eighteen year old Jordan Jeffrey Meehan of Northfield is charged with 2 felony counts of 5th degree drugs and underage consumption. On Sunday, Northfield Police pulled over the vehicle, in which Meehan, was a passenger, for a headlight out. There was a smell of marijuana, the police searched the vehicle and found a partially drank bottle of Jack Daniels, another bottle of whiskey under the front passenger seat, a backpack with 28 grams of marijuana, a pipe, a scale, 3 baggies of THC laced caramel corn, a note with names and numbers and 6 Adderall pills. Meehan admitted that all of that was his. He also admitted that he sells to friends and those names were people who owed him money. Meehan was in the Rice County jail as of 11 this morning. Meehan Complaint
Mayor/Admin interview
The Northfield City Council met last night. Mayor Pownell and Administrator Martig were in studio this morning with a recap. Their full interview is on kymn.net.
