By Teri Knight, News Director
An Austin woman led police on an 18 mile chase through parts of Rice County and Le Sueur Counties reaching speeds of over 100 mph. On Sunday, a Trooper spotted a vehicle on I-35 near mile marker 63 without taillights. When they attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver took off, exited on the hwy 21 ramp to Faribault and started throwing items out the window at various locations. After multiple tactical maneuvers, the vehicle came to a stop about 2 miles south of Hwy 21 on Highway 13. 22 year old Nena Marie Hardy, the driver, was booked on charges of fleeing an officer and 5th degree controlled substance. The passenger, 27 year old Joseph Iron Piper, was the one throwing things out the window. When placed in a squad Piper started to become unresponsive, was roused and then became unresponsive at the jail and was taken to the hospital. Among items found were cash, about 7 grams of meth, some marijuana and an open alcoholic beverage. Hardy’s bail was set at $40,000.
Martig turns down raise; Roundabout work at 246 & Jefferson will close intersection late May/early June
The Northfield Council held a closed meeting to discuss Administrator Ben Martig’s employee review. Mayor Pownell said, “Mr. Martig has met and exceeded expectations. Mr. Martig continues to put his knowledge, leadership and experience to work improving out city operations and the betterment of the Northfield community”. While he merited a raise, he turned it down due to the current pandemic situation. He said this morning, “I’m certainly treated fairly in this community and I’m motivated by many ways and I’m certainly sensitive to the current conditions and challenges our business community, our residents are feeling right now”. Council discussed the Hwy 246 and Jefferson Pkwy detour which is likely to last 6 months. For Hwy 246, the detour includes Co. Rd. 1 and Hwy 3. If you’re on Jefferson, the official detour takes you to Maple St. The City will pay Rice County over $17,000, according to Engineer Dave Bennett said, the length of the detour can be extended or shortened, “it pays for the wear and tear on the county roads”. Bennett said that private utility work is being done right now, “and really most of that work needs to be completed before the contractor’s indicated that he’s going to move onto the site. We’re probably looking more late May or even into June really before the intersection would close”. As they get closer to closing the intersection, Bennett said they’ll have more detailed maps.
Draheim wants to plan for slowly reopening business
As Governor Walz opened up golf courses and bait shops and archeries, places where outdoor activities can still maintain social distancing, district 20 Sen. Draheim commented, “to me I think we need to be planning for opening up more businesses and I think the businesses know how to open up if we them guidelines”. He’s spending a lot of time with a wide variety of agencies to work on solutions in a safe manner. He feels more businesses can open up slowly. Every day he hears from those who can’t open their business, that if this lasts much longer they won’t reopen when the opportunity does arrive. Many farmers have said the same thing. Draheim asked those who can volunteer at food shelves to do so. This happens to be National Volunteer Week.
Nfld Shares has a big thank-you to volunteers
This is National Volunteer week and Northfield Shares is celebrating. Program Director, Carrie Carrol, praised the volunteers of this community. From tornado relief to DJJD to Northfield’s Community Dinner last year to Covid-19 response, she commented, “I just want to say thank you, thank you, thank you to everybody out there who does donates their time and talents and energies around all the volunteer roles that you have done. Sincerely, on behalf of me and the entire Board of Directors at Northfield Shares, we cannot say thank you enough”. Northfield Shares has a number of volunteer opportunities and utilizes a portal for all things volunteer including organizations looking for volunteers. The Volunteer Hub has been up and running for about a year and there are 40 organizations with volunteer opportunities. If you have a story about an exceptional volunteer you can email them at info@northfieldshares.org and they will share them to Facebook. Or just tag them.
