The Rice County Attorney’s Office has charged 56 year old Patricia Donna Caron with five felonies. Caron, founder and director of S.A.F.E. Sanctuary, a pet rescue operation in Faribault, is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from the charity for her own personal use. According to Attorney John Fossum, she’s facing two counts of theft by swindle and three counts of tax fraud. The investigation, showed that Caron did not report her income from SAFE on her tax returns and in 2 separate six month periods between 2014 and ‘16 she purchased $6,000 worth of personal items fromAMAZON.COM using funds that
belonged to SAFE and was paid $7,000 from SAFE though she reported she was not compensated by the charity. The criminal complaint indicates there are more allegations against Caron including fundraisers and adoption fees that were not clearly accounted for but paid to Caron in cash or by check. Nearly $1200 was paid to an online gaming service, over $3700 was paid to Verizon for an account owned by Caron’s son. Caron’s first court appearance is September 28th. Patricia Caron Complaint
High levy lower taxes?
The City of Dundas is looking at a 20{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} levy. Administrator John McCarthy said that’s sounds “really horrible” but because of some very fortunate timing for Dundas taxpayers, “that is occurring with the decertification of the last TIF District”. It’s the commercial area around Menards and old K-Mart site. McCarthy said, “that will allow, even with a significant levy increase, it will allow a decrease of about 15{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} in what’s called the tax rate”. Adding, “the tax rate is what people’s taxes are based on”. For example, McCarthy says, an average $200,000 home should see an annual decrease of about $100. Dundas has an aggressive Capital Improvement Plan for next year including a new City Hall, significant road rehabilitations and smaller infrastructure projects. McCarthy said the majority of the funding will come from the general fund. There will be assessments of about $200 a year for road improvements on properties affected. Council will act on the preliminary levy September 11th.
End of an Era – Rueb to close it’s doors
It’s the end of an era. J Grundy’s Rueb N Stein will close its doors September 17th. After 36 years, Joe Grundhoefer is turning the page and Freetime Restaurants LLC will be transforming the bar/restaurant. Grundhoefer says he is looking forward to taking some time off before starting his next chapter. He thanked all of his customers for their loyalty. He plans to go out with and all day Farewell Party on september 16th. The celebration will feature a special live music performance with members of The Big Wu. Major renovations will begin this fall and the restaurant will reopen next summer with a new look and concept. Chad Jenkinson will be the General manager. A Northfield resident with over 20 years of restaurant and hospitality experience. Freetime Restaurants LLC includes Jenkinson along with local businessmen Brett Reese, Greg Heymans and other community members.
Downtown street improvement Open House
The City of Northfield is holding an open house on the 2018 downtown street improvement projects for Division Street and Water street reclamations and the Washington St. mill and overlay. Proposed concepts will be on hand for public view and comment. That’s from 6 to 8 tonight at City Hall in Council Chambers.
