Plane crash in Morristown
A small plane crash near Morristown sends one to the hospital. Just before 2 yesterday afternoon, Rice County deputies, Morristown Fire/Rescue and Police as well as North Ambulance were dispatched to the 22000 block of Jackson Ave. When they arrived 70 year old Delbert Voegele had been helped outside of the plane. He was treated at the scene and airlifted by North Aircare to St.
Mary’s hospital in Rochester. Voegele was the lone occupant and is the owner of the single engine experimental plane. Sheriff Troy Dunn said the plane had just taken off from the property when it encountered mechanical issues and crashed into a pasture. The plane sustained significant damage and the crash is being investigated by Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Aviation Administration. Dunn said Voegele’s injuries were serious but he was is in stable condition on the helicopter.
Public Nuisance properties come before Nfld Council
Three properties in Northfield were deemed Public Nuisances. The Northfield Council heard testimony from an attorney representing 2 of the properties, 908 College Street and 315 8th street. The City building inspector said there was a long history with those properties and neighbors felt they’re fire hazards stating the insides were also full of junk. Some of the items include an unusable hot tub and up to 10 unlicensed, inoperable vehicles as well as construction materials. The action was to approve a Resolution for Order of Abatement. City Administrator Ben Martig said the Council’s action granted the rights (with a deadline of December 28th) that if they don’t clean the properties up, the District Court allows the City to clean the areas and assess the cost to the owners. That would cost them considerably more. The original date of cleanup was by October 28th but there’s a criminal charge ongoing in relation to 2 of the properties that allows for a December 28th court date. This is a rare occurrence that it gets to the point of coming before Council. Martig said, if you have a complaint about a neighbor’s property, you can report that confidentially via the City’s website, snail mail or call 507-645-3021 .
Northfield Council taps minimal rate hikes
The Northfield City Council approved some utility rate hikes this week. City Administrator Ben Martig said there’s no change to the garbage or water funds. However the Stormwater rate will go up 6{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} and Wastewater up 3{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9}. For residents that are medium users, that means about a 2.5 {b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} or $1.26 more per month. Commercial properties will see a 4.5{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} increase. Martig said they’re incremental increases but necessary due to upcoming capital projects to improve infrastructure. While there’s no increase in the garbage fund, Council did discuss programs such as weekly recycling, organics waste, or perhaps more yardwaste pickup. Next year they’ll look to possibly implementing new options or perhaps lower the rate. The approved rate changes will go into effect January 1st, 2017.
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