In June of 2016, Ezequiel Lopez of Faribault, was selling cocaine and methamphetamine to Cannon River Drug Task Force. Yesterday he was sentenced to 88 months in prison after pleading guilty to 2nd and 3rd degree drug sales. Lopez admitted selling cocaine and methamphetamine to the agents on different occasions. Rice County Attorney John Fossum commented that Lopez has been in and out of the system over the years adding, “he’s 41 years old, goes to prison for 7 years and we hope not to hear from him again”. Fossum added that the CRDVOTF has been busy executing 1 to 2 warrants a week for the last couple of years. Adding, “that’s busy, that a lot of work for 8 or 9 people”. Fossum was in studio this morning, his full interview is on kymn.net.
It’s a go for Hills of Spring Creek
Northfield City Council approved the final plat of the 8th addition to the Hills of Spring Creek residential development and Escrow agreements with Schmidt Endeavors, Inc. There will be 13 homes built in a more compact design than the previous additions. The final plat deals only with Ontario Dr. City Planner, Scott Tempel said, “Ontario Drive will be constructed, curb, gutter and all the utilities put in there by the developer”. The City will obtain a piece of land to build a drainage pond. With the agreement they’ll be opening the median at Jefferson Parkway to increase safety in the area. They also have a cost share agreement to complete Hall Avenue. Tempel said Schmidt Endeavors has contributed $150,000 toward the project.
School District renews contract with Benjamin Bus
Together Benjamin Bus drivers have about 400 plus YEARS of safe driving. Their contract with the Northfield School District was on the School Board agenda this week. Superintendent Dr. Matt Hillmann, “they also don’t just focus on getting kids to and from school”. They are “bookends for the kids day”. They’re more than just drivers but rather an important part of the kids day. The Board approved a 2 year contract with an opportunity for 2 more extensions. Hillmann explained that it’s a “very reasonable” contract with a 2{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} increase this year and 3{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} next year. For years 3 and 4, it will likely be about 2.2{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9}.
Work to resume on Hotel project
As KYMN reported a couple of weeks ago, work stopped on the new Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites several weeks ago due to a water issue as geopiers were being installed as support for the footing and foundation of the hotel. Three quarters to completion of the piers, they hit water. The City allowed them to pump into the water treatment plant and they’ve now been pumping into the Cannon, after DNR approval. The initial problem has been solved and now they are maintaining the site by pumping every few days, if necessary, until work starts again. Helitech, the Geopier installation firm, moved their equipment out of state to work at another job site while the problem was taken care of. Rebound Enterprises announced yesterday that installation will continue as soon as the construction equipment can return to the site, on or before July 24th.
