The show goes on but with a somber feel. This will be the 6th year that Tom and Pat Otte will hold the Randolph FFA Alumni Truck and Tractor Pull on their property. Wednesday evening they were tragically struck by a vehicle while riding their motorcycle. Tom is currently at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester with life threatening injuries. At 11 o’clock this morning, a representative from St. Mary’s reported he is in “Serious Condition”. Pat died at the scene. 44 year old Heather Miller-Nellermoe of Hastings, struck them as she crossed Hwy 61 from southbound Highway 316 near Miesville in Welch Township. The Ottes
were northbound on Hwy 61. Miller-Nellermoe was then struck by a vehicle traveling southbound on hwy 61. She sustained life threatening injuries and was flown to North Memorial. Her passenger, 45 year old Aaron Schultz of Hastings, was not treated for injuries. While he had alcohol in his system, the State Patrol report says it is “unknown” if she did. The couple in the 3rd vehicle were uninjured. The crash remains under investigation. The Randolph FFA just received the old bleachers as a donation from the DJJD Rodeo grounds. The tractor pull is tomorrow from 10am to 5pm presented by River Country Coop.
Power outage leaves downtown without radio and coffee
Over 5,000 customers, including downtown Northfield and the KYMN studios, were without power for about 50 minutes this morning from around 6:15 to just after 7. An Xcel Representative said it was a power failure at a substation. Citizens have said they received texts that it was “animal contact”. The power outage may be to blame for a product fire at Post Brands. NAFRS Chief Gerry Franek said they were called to report of a fire on the 4th floor in the toaster area. There was no damage just smoke from the product that smoldered because, without power, it wasn’t cooling properly. They shut down Hwy 19 for a short bit to drag the water hoses across but it was unnecessary.
HRA ponders property purchase
The Northfield HRA held a closed meeting Wednesday morning to consider offers and counteroffers on the purchase of property at 1800 Maple Street South, a nearly 2 acre lot, for the possible development of affordable housing. There are 4 concept plans including one with 6 single homes, 11 single patio style homes and 2 offering two-story townhomes. The land was estimated at around $240,000. No action was taken at the closed meeting. 1800 Maple Street Site Map
Dakota Electric active with solar projects
Dakota Electric Association is very active with solar projects. Representative, Dave Reineke, said they have a solar array up and running southeast of Hastings and a 2nd one near Randolph will be up and running by year end. They’re working on a 3rd location. He said there’s less maintenance with solar versus wind turbines. The Federal government has a 30{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} tax credit through 2022 and Dakota Electric offers a production rebate of up to $4,000 if you want to add solar to your home or farm. They also buy back any excess at the retail rate. They’re out at the Dakota County Fair through Sunday. You can talk to them about electric cars too.
The City of Northfield is in the process of preparing an ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan for public right-of-way. They’re asking the public to submit comments or recommendations to the City’s ADA Coordinator, Sean Simonson, now through August 23rd. Press Release_ADA Transition Plan
