Dak Co Gov’t Center on lockdown for a time
The Dakota County Government Services Center campus in Hastings was on lockdown this morning after an unidentified man allegedly claimed to have a gun. The campus includes the Administration Center, Judicial Center, Law Enforcement Center, and Juvenile Services Center. At about 8:35 a.m., a deputy heard an individual yelling about having a gun in the parking lot of the Judicial Center. Several witnesses also reported hearing a man yelling in the parking lot. All buildings in the
campus were placed on lockdown and, due to the quick actions of responding deputies and officers from the Hastings Police Department, the individual was located inside the Government Center complex shortly thereafter. The subject was taken into custody without incident. An unopened bottle of alcohol was discovered in his possession and he smelled of alcohol. The individual was identified as 37-year-old Chance Amos Thern Schwersinske. He was detained for questioning and later released due to insufficient evidence of a threat. No weapons were found. The campus was reopened for business at 9:05 a.m. Dakota County staff prepares and trains for responses to incidents like the one today, which helped lead to a safe outcome for all staff and citizens.
Planning and pricetag discussion continues on CR 1 reconstruction
Rice County continues to tweak plans for the County Road 1 reconstruction between Hwys 3 and 246. Northfield is a part of that discussion as it borders the area. City Administrator Ben Martig said, based on safety, the county has done some modifications to their plan. Including adding a roundabout that dramatically increases the cost (as well as safety for pedestrian crossing) and also lowering the road due to site lines. They’re also looking at adding at an additional half a million dollars to put in an underpass that would connect Dundas and Northfield for non-motorized use. The County wants financial participation from the two cities and Bridgewater township. In November, the Council passed a resolution saying they would put in $103,000. And also requested some additional trail extensions heading further east. The idea is safety for those going to the schools and YMCA. The County wasn’t interested in that. They want the direct trail connection with the underpass. Northfield Council discussed raising their contribution to $115,000. Dundas already voted to do so. Martig added that Bridgewater agreed to cover the cost of acquisition of easement right of ways as well as some financial participation. The County would cover half the cost of the underpass. This will come before Council next Tuesday.
Healthcare – short fix/reform
Republicans put forth their health care bill that would give a temporary fix for those affected by skyrocketing insurance costs and included reforms as well as allowing for relief based on income. Representative David Bly said the Democrats put forth their temporary bill with no reform. Bly said, “reforms may well be needed but we need to get together and talk about them and make sure we get them right”. Dayton’s offer of a 25{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} rebate won’t go far enough for at least 120,000 Minnesotans. The enrollment deadline to start coverage in February is January 15th. Open enrollment for the year ends January 31st. Is implementation possible? Bly says it’s still possible to do that short term fix. It isn’t going to solve the problem ongoing but it would at least give people a little breathing room “. At the Federal level, it’s anybody’s guess regarding what will happen with the Affordable Care Act. Bly is a proponent of a single payer system. There’s a meeting at the Northfield UCC on Sunday at 3pm.
Nfld School Board to look at weapons policy – again
The Northfield School Board held the first reading of Policy 501 regarding their Weapons Policy. They just updated the policy early last year after a student had been caught with an unloaded BB gun, using the University of MN definition. However, last Fall, the Minnesota Supreme Court settled a 40 year old question deciding that a BB gun was not a firearm. Superintendent Dr. Matt Hillmann said that means they are forced to look at their Weapons Policy again as they always want to make sure they’re in alignment with State case law and Federal law. This will come back to the Board.
Click below to listen to the 1-12-17 NEWS podcast:
