Northfield police, fire and ambulance responded last night to an incident at the DJJD carnival around 9:45. KYMN spoke with committee officials who confirmed that a drive cable skipped, which stopped the Ferris Wheel. No one was injured but First Responders were called to the scene as the 911 caller said there were. Carnival employees manually started the wheel within moments and were able to get everyone safely off the ride. The 911 call did attract the Dept. of Labor. Carnival management said they fixed the cable last night but are going through it all today to make certain it is fully operational for this evening.
Sheriff comments on mailbox thefts
There were a series of mailbox thefts recently. Rice County Sheriff Troy Dunn said they’ve made three arrests, two have been charged. He said they were stealing from mailboxes in rural Northfield, Nerstrand and Dennison, taking checks and forging them. The main suspect is yet to be charged as he’s being held in another county for outstanding warrants which will be dealt with first. Dunn recommended that you don’t put checks in your mailbox and ask for Direct Deposit from others. If you don’t get a check that you’ve been expecting, call the place it should be coming from and make sure. A Dundas man was arrested last week for cashing fraudulent checks, although he is not charged with stealing from the mailboxes.
DeLong says “it is incumbent” on Council to reply to Boards and Commissions
The Northfield Charter Commission and some elected officials have had ongoing disagreements on items as the Charter works to assert it’s opinions on some particular items. One includes their belief that business incentives received by Big Ten LLC, the company behind the new Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites, were inappropriate at the least. The Charter has asked the Council to state their formal response. City Administrator Martig explained that the City’s Attorney, Chris Hood, had responded last November to their legal challenges basically stating that it had been fully vetted and was legal and he then shared that at a Charter meeting. The Charter wanted to hear directly from Council. So, this week, they put it on a resolution saying they accepted the Charter’s request and that they reaffirm the City Attorney’s opinion. The Council approved the resolution 6 to 1. Councilor DeLong pulled the item from the consent agenda at the last meeting so that he could vote no. Commenting on board and commission members he said, “they’re the volunteers doing the work of the City. They asked the Council a question, I don’t think the Council can’t take 5 minutes out of the day to send them a proper response. I think it is incumbent on the City Council to reply to it’s Boards and Commissions”. 2 – Charter Commission Request (1)
Sen. Smith introduces bill on Affordable Medications
Senator Tina Smith introduced a bill to bring down the costs of prescription medications. She explains the Affordable Medications Act of 2018 addresses the issues in multiple ways including allowing Medicare to use their buying power to negotiate with the drug companies on cost. Additionally it would allow for the safe importation of drugs from Canada. There are provisions in her bill to make the prices of these medications more transparent and take away the tax loop that allows Drug companies to get a tax credit for television advertising. Her full interview is on kymn.net. This morning, members of the Senators staff were at Laura Baker Services Assoc. Discussing the bill and hearing healthcare concerns from citizens.
NHS hosts author and illustrator of ‘Shot All to Hell’ graphic novel
The Northfield Historical Society is hosting the author of “Shot all to Hell”, Mark Gardner, and illustrator, Nate Olson this weekend during DJJD. The book, originally written in 2013, is the true story of the James-Younger Gang’s ill fated Northfield bank robbery. Gardner explains the recent adaptation with graphics saying that Olson, with his Northfield connections, approached him with his idea to bring graphics to the story. He saw them and thought they were “outstanding”. He found a publisher. It is a fully illustrated adaptation of the original. Nate’s parents have firm ties in Northfield and he had learned about the Raid, growing up. After he read “Shot All to Hell”, he thought it would make a fantastic graphic novel. The challenge, he said, at first was to figure out how to cut down a 300 page book into a 120 page graphic novel. He found that each page of text became 2 pages of a graphic novel. They managed to find a way to cut back. The book is available at the Northfield Historical Society Museum store and outside at the tent this weekend. Stop by and see Gardner and Olson, they’re signing books and talking with folks today and tomorrow. Olson will be here Sunday too. Click HERE for times.
