The Hastings man responsible for a very serious injury crash in early June was sentenced yesterday. 22 year old Kaleb Meyers was driving too fast and impaired when he lost control of his vehicle on Kane Trail in Northfield township and rolled the car. Originally charged with multiple counts, he pled guilty in October to 1 felony count of criminal vehicular operation. He was sentenced to one year, however, it is stayed for three years. Meaning he won’t serve any time if he meets the conditions of his probation which include no alcohol, no drugs, not even
entering a bar or liquor store, among other things. Meyers and another man were trapped, another was found unconscious in a field. He was airlifted to HCMC where he spent 9 days with multiple issues including traumatic brain injury. Meyers blood alcohol was .157. He had no insurance, stopped making payments on the vehicle and had a revoked driver’s license. Kaleb Meyers
Stormwater ponds “huge infrastructure issue”
A recent study shows that 9 of Northfield’s 56 Stormwater ponds have reached or are approaching their sediment capacity. The Northfield Council, this week, heard a pond assessment from representatives of Bolten and Menk. Mayor Pownell commented that the consultants them, if the pond smells bad and/or is green, it’s doing it’s job which is keeping pollutants out of our water. The $1.6 million cost will be added to the City’s Capital Improvement Plan. The ponds will be cleaned over a period of 10 years. Administrator Martig said new water quality regulations require on-site management. He said, “the concept is that you don’t push your stormwater on to other people, you really need to find new ways to keep it on your site with things like impervious surfaces and looking at ponds that have vegetation in it that can utilize the water and naturally clean the nutrients before it goes into these ponds”. Martig added that aesthetics are important as well. When they go in to do dredging, they’ll also improve the vegetation around it. There may be walking trails in the area, they would work on those too while in the area (should they need it). He said while they’re in there “disrupting things”, they might as well take care of “a few things”. Martig said this is a huge infrastructure issue. He encourages anyone with a pond and/or questions about them to call the City’s Engineering department. Click on the links provided: preliminary report from Bolten and Menk.
Cash in the Kettle doubles today and tomorrow
It’s a good time to put some cash in the kettles. The Rice County Salvation Army has received a 2nd match in funds raised today and tomorrow up to $5,000. 88{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} of funds raised stay in Rice County, they fund a multitude of programs including emergency shelter, medication, gas vouchers, Youth camp to name a few. Coordinators Ed and Gina Little are looking for more volunteers too. If you have some TIME to donate, call 507-334-0369. Their budget for emergency services is built around the red kettle campaign. Last year they had to make some painful cuts, they want to avoid that this year. Little says they’re halfway to their $25,000 goal right now. Help them tip the scales and donate cash and/or time!
