Two people remain in serious condition after a one car crash Sunday night. About 7:20 that evening, Rice County Sheriff Troy Dunn reports, they were called to a personal injury crash at 230th Street and Baseline Road just south of Faribault. The vehicle went through a stop sign at a “T” intersection and went into the ditch across the road, impacting the embankment and ending up in a field. The driver, 34 year old Darcy
Andrews of Medford, was flown by helicopter from the scene and, 34 year old David Trotter-Ford of Faribault, was first taken to District One Hospital in Faribault then, airlifted to St. Mary’s in Rochester due to their extensive injuries. Both are listed in serious but stable condition. Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash and possible charges are pending. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the State Patrol, Faribault Police, Faribault Fire/Rescue and North Ambulance.
Dundas looks forward to new City Hall
Dundas will be building a new City Hall next year. They’ve had multiple responses to their RFP for design work. The goal is to have the Hall completed by the end of 2019. Administrator John McCarthy added that they’re still working on the planning process for Kwik Trip but it won’t be in 2019. Traffic management has been the hang-up but they are working to find a workable solution. Mechanical Systems is expanding again, they are adding an office building. Joel Pumper started the company in 2001 and has grown it from a home-based two-man shop, to a full-service company that employs more than 150 craftworkers. They fabricate custom piping for major construction projects.
Sen. Draheim discusses marijuana and tobacco
Will the legal use of marijuana expand in Minnesota? District 20 Senator Rich Draheim believes that will be on the 2019 legislative agenda as more and more states are allowing it and taxing it. One issue is that it is still illegal on a federal level which means that all transactions are done with cash and put in safes. Banks, insured under the Federal government, cannot accept the money, which means there’s no regulation as for reporting income. He says they, “have to explore, on the Federal level, the banks being able to deposit legally this money”. Additionally, how do you regulate it in terms of driving offenses. Draheim said those two issues must be dealt with before he would think about before he could support it going to the polls for the people to decide. On the other hand, there’s a discussion about banning menthol cigarettes and flavored vaping products and raising the legal age to buy cigarettes to 21. He said that trying to explain it all to his 14 year old wasn’t easy, the whole discussion is confusing to kids. Draheim in not in favor of smoking but he’s also not in favor of raising the legal age to 21.
