By Teri Knight, News Director
The injured bald eagle that captured our community is flying free. On the cusp of Fourth of July celebrations, the Northfield community united in saving our nation’s symbol of freedom. The injured bird was spotted by several residents and they called police. Between residents, the fire department and police, Officer Drew Wierson and Sergeant Scott Johnson were able to safely capture the eagle which was taken to the University of Minnesota Raptor Center. They notified KYMN that, after 130 days in their care, the eagle soars!
Hillmann knows late start challenges are personal
The science is in and the discussion continues as to whether the Northfield School District will institute a late start for middle and high school students. Superintendent Dr. Matt Hillmann says it’s good for students in both mental and physical ways. One of the most interesting studies out of Kentucky found that a later start dramatically lessened teenager-involved car accidents as their decision-making capabilities were sharpened. The accumulated scientific information, Hillmann said, was the impetus to discuss a Northfield late start. They also know it could be a real problem for families on set schedules. He commented that while the science is “global,” the challenges, including childcare, are “personal.” The school board has a conceptual plan wherein the elementary grades would begin at 8 a.m. and end at 3 p.m., middle school would begin at 8:30 a.m. and finish at 3:24 p.m. and high school would begin at 8:45 a.m. and wrap up at 3:39 p.m. This is a tentative schedule. Hillmann said the current sports schedule impacts all athletics and activities within the community from high school on down. He added that another real challenge is on the transportation end. While Benjamin Bus is currently a “well-oiled machine,” this change would disrupt that. Hillmann said, “It would not be nearly as efficient and in fact there are some things we’d have to think about potentially doing with our transportation that we’re not sure would be the right call.” On December 16, 2019 the school board will hold a work session at 5 p.m. in the High School Media Center. If any decision would be made for 2020, they would have to make it by mid-January. They could also consider doing it for 2021. Hillmann’s full interview is HERE.
NAFRS sets JPA allocationo
Last week, the Northfield Area Fire and Rescue Joint Powers Board looked over their Operations with a budget of $800,000 a year. There are three entities of the JPA: Northfield, Rural (which includes 7 townships) and Dundas. Chair Bron Scherer said the allocations each of them pays changed slightly. Population, real estate values and call volume gives them the percentages. The City of Northfield will pay 72.5{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} for years 2020 and 2021. Rural will pay just under 22{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} and Dundas will make up the rest at a little under 6{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9}. None of those numbers are all that different from previous years.
“Pretty uneventful” snow event
Northfield Deputy Police Chief Mark Elliott reports that it was “pretty uneventful” during our snow event. They “made contact” with a few car owners to move their vehicles but other than that it was quiet. Rice County Sheriff Troy Dunn reported icy conditions this morning and some blowing and drifting. As always slow down, use caution.
