UPDATE: The Northfield Police Department would like to thank those who provided information on Anthony Kragness. He has been located, he is fine and has been reunited with his family. [No further details have been provided] Teri Knight will have more at the 3p and 5p news
Northfield man missing
The Northfield Police Department is looking for information to assist in locating 25 year old Anthony Kragness. Kragness is a white male, 5”10”, about 160 LBS, dark brown hair and hazel eyes. He was last seen in downtown Faribault, on Sunday night about 11:20. There have been no known contacts with family or friends since about 2 o’clock Monday morning. Deputy Chief Mark Dukatz said it’s unusual for his family not to hear from him. He added, “not to have contact with family or friends this long and then missing out on work which is apparently not normal for him is pretty concerning”. The
Northfield Police Department is asking anyone with information about this individual to call 507- 645-4477 and ask for Investigations. Northfield and Faribault are working together to find Kragness. I’ve posted his picture on kymn.net and it’s on our Facebook page. Please share it. ADDITIONALLY: Family and friends are reaching out through social media, asking for any information. According to a Facebook post, he was last seen at Grandpa Al’s in Faribault at 11:20pm. At about 2:30 Monday morning he apparently tried to call several people.
Mental health emergencies challenging community hospitals capacity
Hospitals across the state are facing a real challenge. Northfield Hospital & Clinics CEO, Steve Underdahl said they’re finding themselves, “in the position of being the help of last resort sometimes for folks with significant mental health or chemical dependency problems” Underdahl said since 2007, mental health emergencies have gone up 49{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} while substance abuse emergencies have gone up about 70{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9}. Part of the challenge is they’re the “landing spot” for an emergency but not for long term treatment. One of the unintended consequences is that they need to treat them for a longer period while other resources are sought. Underdahl said just recently they had a gentlemen “living” in the hospital for a month, not because he needed medical care but that it took that long to work with government agencies and others to kept him the right placement. The hospital is working with the Minnesota Hospital Association to create additional awareness of how substantial the issue is and trying to advocate for better options within state government. Underdahl says they’ve put in place a telemedicine program wherein they have a therapist on the other end of a monitor who can help evaluate situations in real time. They’re in communication with colleagues at HCMC for emergency medication “best practice” protocols for people in significant psychosis. Underdahl’s complete interview is on kymn.net.
Hwy 3 and Arbor Street projects in the final stages
Concrete crews finished up the majority of their work on the Hwy 3 and 3rd street project in Northfield this week, with the exception of the plaza area in the southwest corner of the intersection. Paving crews installed the final lifts of bituminous. Striping and signing crews will be on-site today to install the new street signs, and pavement markings. Next week, the cones are scheduled to disappear on Tuesday and Hwy 3 should open to full traffic use! Crews will return the week of September 12th to wrap up work on the Plaza, and install the pedestrian activated Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacons. The Arbor Street crossing is coming along. Signing crews will complete the traffic sign installations today. The new crosswalks will be painted and final grading, seeding and erosion control blankets will be placed. The intersection will be fully open to traffic by the start of school on Tuesday. Driver feedback signs and rapid flashing crosswalk signs will be installed late September.
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