Early Monday morning, Rice County deputies responded to report of a domestic involving a man armed with a knife and a gun. Faribault officers responded to a home in Wells Township where the parents of the suspect reported their son was threatening them. 35 year old Derek Dean Dardis had reportedly woke his parents at 4:30am complaining that they had googled his girlfriend. Dardis was trying to get access to a 12 gauge shotgun. He had a .38 caliber handgun in his possession. Dardis uses a wheelchair and is partially paralyzed. Rice County Attorney John Fossum said that Dardis has been disabled for about 14 years and, “something set him off the other day and he went after his father with a knife”. Dardis “carved” his father after accusing him of harming family members. The father said his son had a
history of meth use and believed he was on it. Police have no confirmation of Dardis having been on meth that morning. Dardis admitted cutting his father with the knife. The parents said they didn’t believe they would be safe with their son in the home. Dardis is charged with 2nd degree assault with a dangerous weapon and misdemeanor domestic assault. Fossum said he considered attempted murder charges. Dardis remains in the Rice Co. jail, bail was set at $20,000 with conditions. His initial court appearance is May 2nd. Dardis Complaint (1)
NAFRS could become a Taxing District – Board awards bid on Fire Facility
Past NAFRS Joint powers board Chair Glen Castore reports that the taxing bill has been approved by the House and the Senate, who recommended it be included in the Omnibus bill. That means NAFRS could become their own taxing district like the Northfield School District. The NAFRS board met this morning to discuss an amendment to the JPA regarding those changes to the cost allocation formula. (They’ll vote in May) In particular this affects rural townships. The change would mean that their land would not be part of the estimation of market value, only their buildings. There’s a lot of information in their packet which I have posted on kymn.net. Additionally, the Board voted unanimously on awarding a bid for the fire facility renovation and expansion to The Joseph Company out of Austin, for nearly $3.4 million. Total project cost is $4.2 million. Fire Chief Gerry Franek and past Chair Castore will be in studio at 8:20 Monday morning to discuss the outcomes of the meeting. NAFRS packet for this morning’s meeting: NAFRS 4.19.1804162018 Supplemental information from Admin Martig on facility: 2018_04_19 NAFRS Board Supplemental Memo Packet for Agenda Items #5
Xcel gets easement – questions on overhead power lines
Xcel Energy was looking for an easement from the City of Northfield. City Administrator Ben Martig said it’s a major feeder line that would go from their substation near All Flex west to Riverview Dr. by the Maintenance facility. Several public recreational amenities exist in the easement area, including the East Cannon River Trail and portions of Sechler Park. There were questions from Councilor DeLong regarding overhead power lines in a recreational area, which, by the language of a grant given for the E. Cannon River Trail, any future power lines were to be placed underground. Public Works director Dave Bennett said he was unaware of that provision. (The council voted on this in 2013, the provision is on page 13. Here’s the LINK ) A representative from Xcel said they had no plans to place the lines underground at this time as they’d have to go under the river adding that there will be several poles with lines overhead. Bennett said that they’ll be wooden poles, not like the steel ones there now. Council approved the easement unanimously. Xcel will now file for right of way permits. The full video of the meeting should be posted on the City’s website.
2018 DJJD button revealed
The official 2018 Defeat of Jesse James Days button was revealed to committee members this week. The Button was created from a photo during the 2017 Bank Raid featuring JB Dudley. Look for JB as he charges his horse down Division St attempting to rob the First National Bank of Northfield with the rest of the James Younger Gang! DJJD is September 6th – 9th. Bring a Sharpie, as JB may autograph your button.
