In March a man living in Faribault for just a few weeks was charged with nearly a dozen counts of criminal sexual conduct with a child under 13. The original complaint, states that 36 year old Keith Richard Falkenstern, came to Faribault with his fiancee and her 4 children in late February. They were living in a hotel when the mother walked in on Falkenstern and one of her two daughters in bed. She had taken their infant son to emergency and when she returned, the little girl was naked. The child ran into
the bathroom and told her that Falkenstern had touched her. Both girls were interviewed by Rice County Social Services and reported being molested by Falkenstern multiple times in North Carolina, where they came from, and in Minnesota. On Friday, a complaint was filed in Rice County Court from North Carolina where Falkenstern is facing additional charges. He’s been in the Rice County Jail since March 12th. His bail is $400,000 with conditions. There is an extradition hearing on August 23rd. In the meantime a jury trial is scheduled for October 29th in Rice County.
Dundas to vote on solar moratorium
Solar power is on the agenda for Dundas Council tonight. In November last year, the Council enacted an interim moratorium to determine how to regulate the construction and installation of ground mounted solar energy Systems. Since then the Planning Commission held several meetings to review possible regulations and a Public Hearing was held on July 19th. After reviewing the information received, City staff was instructed to clarify some issues regarding the Rural Service District and present an ordinance to the City Council for action. An Ordinance has been prepared. Administrator John McCarthy will be in studio at 8:45 tomorrow morning with a recap of the meeting. Filing for Council and Mayor positions closes tomorrow in Dundas. So far Council Member: Grant Modory has filed and Kelly Ludvigson is the challenger. No one has challenged Mayor Glenn Switzer.
Will an Elementary School be on the ballot?
The Northfield School Board meets tonight, they’ll be deciding whether to bring forward a bonding bill for a new Elementary school. Superintendent Dr. Matt Hillmann is recommending they do so. He will be in studio at 7:20 tomorrow morning with more.
Division set to open tomorrow
The City of Northfield reports that Division Street between 6th and 8th streets is scheduled to open tomorrow. Stage 2 of the construction project then begins on 7th St. between Washington and Water. And the mill and overlay of Washington St. along with the municipal parking lots. Full press release: Press Release #2_
Primary voting tomorrow
Primary Voting takes place tomorrow. It’s your chance to affect the November State elections as the Primary narrows the field of races to two contenders, one DFL, one GOP. The heat is on in races for Governor, Attorney General and two U.S Senators. You can only vote for one party.For Governor, the GOP has Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson, former Governor Tim Pawlenty and Matthew Kruse. Democrats (5) include Attorney General Lori Swanson, 1st Congressional District Rep. Tim Walz,Minnesota Rep. Erin Murphy, Tim Holden and Ole Savior. As for Attorney general, there are three Republicans: Doug Wardlow, Sharon Anderson and Robert Lessard. Meanwhile, Northfielder Matt Pelikan is the endorsed DFL candidate, along with U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, state Rep. Debra Hilstrom, former Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman and former Ramsey County Attorney Tom Foley. And U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is running for a third term and facing Democrats Steve Carlson, Stephen Emery, David Groves and Leonard Richards. Republicans include Minnesota Rep. Jim Newberger, Roque De La Fuente, Merrill Anderson and Rae Anderson. The other senator seat temporarily filled by Tina Smith is open. She’s running to keep it. and facing University of Minnesota professor Richard Painter, Nick Leonard, Ali Chehem Ali, Christopher Seymore Sr., and Gregg Iverson on the Democratic side. Republicans include Minnesota Sen. Karin Housley, Bob Anderson and Nikolay Nikolayevich Bey. And because Walz opted to run for governor, his seat is open. Four Republicans Carla Nelson, Jim Hagedorn, Steve Williams and Andrew Candler; and two DFLers — Dan Feehan and Colin “Coke” Minehart — are looking to be their party’s candidate come November. You can vote in only one party. For a sample ballot go to myballotmn.sos.state.mn.us. Polls are open locally from 7a to 8pm. You can find your polling place on the Secretary of State’s website.
