The Northfield School Board approved changes in their staff technology, shifting from desktops to laptops. IT Director, Kim Briske had discovered that they would do better financially if they leased MacBook Pros. Superintendent Dr. Matt Hillmann said, due to the number of computers they were faced with upgrading this year, it made sense to make the switch over the summer break. Leasing is also more predictable for budgeting purposes. He said it’s a 4 year lease
at $141,000 a yr at the end of the 4 years they could purchase the equipment or they could use the residual value, perhaps even after 3 years, to enter into another lease and pay for the entire first year of the next lease with the current equipment. Hillmann said the laptops also empower the teaching staff with the ability to be mobile and gives them the latest tools to continue design lessons and interact with students in a way that is modern. He said they look at this as a financially responsible move with a very low interest rate while providing standardized equipment as well as training.
“Driving with your chin” will get you a ticket that might just save a life
Chief Nelson calls it “driving with your chin”. Distracted driving is very easy to spot and there are additional law enforcement looking specifically for those doing everything BUT looking at the road. Phones are certainly a major culprit but that’s not the only thing. Nelson said driving with your dog or cat on your lap is extremely distracting and think of what would happen to your pet if you were in a crash where your airbag deploys. Nelson said distracted driving is at a point now like they were twenty/thirty years ago with drunk driving. It’s just as deadly but not as easy to prove as drunk driving. The data collected between 2011 and 2015 shows that there were more than 86,000 distracted driving related crashes with an average of 65 deaths and 215 life-changing injuries each year. Nelson thinks the real numbers are higher, saying, “I don’t think we have a clue how big these numbers are”. He added that innocent people, who are in their lane,minding their own business, have been t- boned, rear-ended and hit head-on. (Recently a young woman injured a motorcyclist in the intersection of Hwy 3 and 19 while taking a left in front of the rider). Northfield, Dundas and Faribault police as well as Sheriff’s deputies, along with 300 other law enforcement agencies are involved in a distracted driving enforcement wave through April 23rd. Nelson warned, “keep in mind, our officers might not be necessarily in a squad car looking for you, they might be standing alongside the road just watching you at a stop sign or stop light and have someone else waiting for you down the road”. The Toward Zero Deaths program, has made it possible for the enforcement wave.
Nfld Econo Foods delivers “highest” check to Habitat for Humanity
For 2 weeks in February, Econo Foods in Northfield took part in their parent company’s scan campaign for Habitat for Humanity. Store guests had the opportunity to donate at the cash register and each store was able to participate as well. Company wide, stores raised over $200k with 100{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} going directly to local Habitat for Humanity affiliates. The Northfield EconoFoods had the highest contribution from a single store in 8 states, donating $3,300!
Pictured left to right: Craig Hall (President), Troy Foxen (Store Manager), Dayna Norvold (Executive Director) and Brent Nystrom (President-Elect).
On April 19th, Habitat is holding a breakfast at Bethel Lutheran Church in Northfield from 7 to 8am. You’re invited to enjoy a free breakfast, learn more about habitat for Humanity and will be given the opportunity to donate if you are so inclined.
Listen to Wendy for Egg Hunt updates!
Be sure to listen to kymn for information on Easter Egg hunts scheduled tomorrow morning. The 71st VFW Egg hunt at the bottom of St. Olaf Old Main is set to begin at 9am and in Dundas, theirs is scheduled for 10am at Old Memorial Park. Wendy Nordquist will keep you informed if there are any cancellations.
