A passerby on Hwy 3 called NAFRS around 10 o’clock last night reporting smoke coming from Northfield’s Wastewater treatment planting across from Benjamin Bus. Public Works Director Dave Bennett said this morning that they are unable to determine the damage as they cannot get into the biosolid building. Bennett said they want to make sure it’s a safe atmosphere inside where chemicals and fire could be toxic. He added that there is NO danger to the public. They do know that the pasteurization
vessel is damaged so it will likely have to be replaced. Asked about alarms, Bennett said there were alarms and they did receive an alert. Staff was dispatched to the site. Right now, they’ll be transporting the sludge to be treated elsewhere. The other processes are functional. City’s press release: WWTP fire 5.30.18 PR
Man charged after crashing vehicle injuring his wife and another
A crash on Hwy 21 in Wells Township resulted in an arrest for criminal vehicular operation. According to the criminal complaint, a vehicle driven by 39 year old Rogelio Priego Vega was northbound on Hwy 21 at Dover Trail late Sunday night when he drifted across the center line and struck a vehicle driven by 39 year old Michael Jerome Brown of Lonsdale who was southbound. Brown was extricated from his vehicle and transported by ambulance to District 1 hospital with 2 broken legs. Vega’s passenger, his wife, was ejected and trapped under the vehicle, she was airlifted to a metro hospital with non life-threatening injuries. Vega was uninjured. According to the complaint, he told Troopers that his wife was driving. She was, however, found trapped under the passenger side and first responders lifted the vehicle to get her free. Troopers smelled alcohol on Vega and he blew a .24, three times the legal limit. He’s charged with 2 counts of criminal vehicular operation resulting in substantial injury and one count DWI. He remains in the Rice County jail and has requested an interpreter.
Woman punched when picking up her daughters
A Nerstrand man is charged with 2 counts of domestic assault. On Saturday, Rice County Sheriff’s Deputies were called to take a report on an assault that occurred earlier that evening. The woman said she received a text from one of her two daughters asking her to pick them up as they were afraid of their dad, 37 year old Belden Carl Hope. The mother, also Hope’s ex-wife, brought her mother with her and they arrived at his residence to see him drinking in the front of the house with a friend. According to the complaint, when Hope saw her, he stood up and told her she was not taking his daughters, then punched her in the face and she landed in the bushes. The friend tried to hold him back but he punched her again as she got up and knocked her into the car. At that point, the victim’s mother got out of the car and Hope threatened her. The friend then held him back and the four left the scene. One of the daughters told police that she thought her dad was going to kill her mom and grandma. The victim said he’s been abusive before but since he did it in front of the girls, she thought she should report it. Hope had a no contact order but it expired. His initial court appearance is July 10th. His criminal history includes assault, dui and fleeing an officer.
Memorial Weekend quiet in Northfield and Rice County
It was a pretty quiet Memorial weekend in Northfield. Deputy Chief Mark Dukatz reported one DUI arrest and several citations for no seatbelt us and a couple of speeding tickets. He said there were no medical related issues in spite of the heat. Throughout Rice County there were 6 DWI’s including Northfield’s.
Quiet Memorial
And it’s Battle of the Badges in Faribault today. Rice County Sheriff’s department, Faribault Police and Faribault Fire are holding a blood drive at the Faribault Fire Hall, challenging who will give the most blood today from 9am to 3pm! You can give blood under any three of the challengers. Walk ups are welcome or you can go to redcrossblood.org and make an appointment.
