River rescue all in the line of duty
Catching up with Northfield Police Chief Monte Nelson yesterday, he said things had been pretty quiet, then shared that last week, “our officers saved someone out of the river right behind you guys Memorial weekend”. The man fell into the water near the dam on the evening of May 27th. According to the report, the unidentified man had been climbing on the wall in an attempt to pull up a fish. Officers Klostermeier, Wierson, Feldhake, Nelson and Sgt. Tussing were on scene behind the Archer House, “so one of our guys stripped down and they made a human chain and dropped our officer down
and he got out into the water, got a hold of the guy and drug him to the other side of the river by the canoe landing”. Klostermeier was the one who went in the waist deep water and pulled the victim to the edge where NAFRS Rescue and EMS personnel were able to pull the victim up to safety. Chief Nelson said the victim did not appear to have sustained any major injuries. He was transported to Northfield Hospital for treatment and observation. It did appear that alcohol might have been involved. Nelson praised the efforts of all the emergency personnel and especially Officer Klostermeier who didn’t hesitate to enter the river to rescue the victim. The reporting person also did a great job calling dispatch, following safely along the river, and then relaying information to personnel on scene.
Man caught with 1/2 a pound of cocaine gets 6 years
An Illinois man caught in Faribault with over 220 grams of cocaine last year was sentenced in Rice County court yesterday. The Cannon River Drug and Violent Offender Task Force seized the ½ pound of cocaine in early March of 2015 after Days Inn hotel staff caught a waft of marijuana coming off of 26 year old Reginald Ronald Gales . According to the criminal complaint, staff had to spray air freshener through the lobby to try to get rid of the smell that lingered. Gales was initially charged with First degree controlled substance and first Degree sale of drugs, both felonies carrying a 30 year maximum prison sentence. He pled guilty to First degree controlled substance. Rice County Attorney John Fossum said yesterday that guidelines called for between 74 and 96 months. Because he confessed to the cocaine, Gales was given 74 months or 6 years. Fossum said, surprisingly, Gales has no prior felony record. The street value of the cocaine is estimated at $20 to $25,000.
Repaving will wrap but flashing beacons won’t come till July
MnDot’s repaving project from St. Olaf Avenue to the Dakota County line should wrap up by the end of next week. Northfield Engineer Sean Simonson adds they’ll be installing the rapid rectangular flashing beacons at Greenvale Avenue and the intersection just north of the Dairy Queen. He explains that they’re going to be a pole mounted flashing beacon that hangs over the traffic lane that pedestrians can activate to more safely cross the highway. A pedestrian has to activate them to work and vehicle traffic are warned from either direction. While the paving will be done, the poles for the flashing beacons are 10 weeks out which means it will be after the 4th of July before they’re up and running. Next up will be pedestrian improvements at Hwy 3 and 3rd street. That project starts on Monday. I’ll have those details tomorrow.
Nfld council meets after 3 week break
The Northfield Council meets tonight after a 2 week break. It’s a full agenda that includes a stop sign request at 5th and Washington. Mayor Graham will be in studio tomorrow morning at 7:20 with a recap. On tonight’s Beyond the Open Mic, Victor Summa and Don McGee are back with opinions on city business including the decision of a local man who had been offered the position of Economic Development Coordinator but turned it down. Council agenda: CC 6-7-16
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