A Kenyon man pled guilty yesterday to 2nd degree drug possession stemming from a traffic stop by Faribault police in mid January. 34 year old Justin Scott Prondzinski was in an area known for drug activity when the Officer pulled him over for a faulty turn signal. Prompted by his behavior, further search of the vehicle, revealed 77 grams of methamphetamine, a couple of baggies with trace amounts of marijuana along with 8 gift cards.
Prondzinski has a lengthy criminal history including conviction of attempting to manufacture meth. He was sentenced to 7 years in St. Cloud State Prison.
Dundas okays church expansion
The Dundas Council voted to approve the Canvas Church expansion in the old K-Mart building. Administrator John McCarthy said they agreed with the Planning Commission’s recommendation to change the ordinance to allow that type of organization in the business district. There were additional uses added including gathering spaces, assemblies; areas similar to a church. Demolition has already begun for the movie theater, including taking out the floor. It will be roughly located in the middle of the building facing Hwy 3, with the liquor store to the south. The church will be facing Hester Street in the southwest corner. McCarthy says the theater may open by October.
Buy or Lease technology? The next School Board question
Northfield School District is looking to shift how they acquire new computer technology for their teaching staff. They’ve been on a 5 year cycle of bulk replacements. Superintendent Hillmann said they have a unique opportunity right now to shift to leasing the equipment. Director of Technology Services Kim Briske presented a proposal to the School Board this week and said now’s the time. Hillmann said the District can get a 1.25{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} interest rate, “and the fact is we can better plan our technology expenditures over a 4 year period as opposed to having swings and now we’ve got 142 computers that really should be replaced this year and then next year 60 or 70. It also has the advantage of giving all of our staff the same piece of equipment”. There’s efficiency to training everyone at the same time and will relieve some pressure on the technical services staff who have to provide support for a variety of computers. They’re looking at 350 MacBook computers at a price of over $600,000 including the various ancillary equipment needed. The School Board will vote on this item at their next meeting.
A bird, a bang and then boom
A bang and then boom, the electricity went out in Downtown Northfield this morning and a bird is fried. KYMN was out for about 15 minutes or so. Witnesses reported a flash at the Xcel substation on the corner of Hwy 3 and 2nd street. Xcel representative Matt Lindstrom said a bird flew into the transformer. While the traffic lights stayed on, all the businesses along Division were out checking with their neighbors to see who had lights.
