By Teri Knight, News Director
Northfield High School graduation will be virtual. In an email sent to students and families yesterday afternoon, Superintendent Hillmann and Principal Leer told them they’ll hold an online graduation on May 31st at 2pm. The ceremony will be much the same as any other with remarks from Hillmann, Leer, School board chair Julie Pritchard, a student representative and a commencement address but while the names are being read, there will be pictures of each graduate displayed. After the ceremony, their diplomas will be distributed curb-side until 6pm. There have been suggestions, and other schools have chosen to postpone graduation, however, Hillmann said there is too much uncertainty around
a postponement. The safety of the class and their loved ones is of the utmost importance. It will also allow all class members to receive their diplomas and graduate on the originally scheduled day. Hillmann expressed concern that a postponement may be another opportunity for disappointment. The District already has plans to sponsor a reunion of the class of 2020 in the spring of 2021. KYMN will have Hillmann and Leer on the air at 3 o’clock this afternoon.
Nfld Council approves license rebate – Chief Nelson announces retirement
On the Northfield City Council agenda last night, they unanimously voted to approve on-site liquor license rebates due to covid-19. The city licenses the establishments from April 1st to March 31st. Clerk Deb Little said, if the stay at home order is lifted on May 18th, there would be 47 days they were unable to sell on-site liquor. Little explained, “so 32 licensees would be eligible for a prorated refund, the cost right now would be $7385, approximately”. Perhaps the biggest news came at the very end of the meeting. Northfield Police Chief Monte Nelson told council, “I did want to make sure that council was aware officially of my intent to retire July 31st. Not an easy decision but I think an important one both for me and my wife and also for the department”. He’s been in police work for 34 years, 24 of them with the City of Northfield. He added, “I’ve enjoyed every year of it and I’m proud of it, proud to say my 24 years here, I was extremely lucky we have such great community support, as I’ve always said”. Councilors and the Mayor all had praise for Chief Nelson, some tears were shed. Nelson will be on the air with us at 8:45 tomorrow morning.
After 46 years firefighter, Kruse hangs up his hat
And another retirement, this one from Northfield Area Fire & Rescue. Mike Kruse is hanging up his hat. Fire Chief Gerry Franek said, “his tank is running out of gas, maybe. He feels like it’s time, that’s 46 years and I think that’s pretty dang good”. Franek shares the story of a garage fire they were at years ago when a 300 gal. gasoline storage tank on a tripod outside the garage got hot, “and it shot out like a rocket and it went in between all of us guys and I think it actually scorched him a little bit”. Kruse has lived in the fire house the entire time starting out when it was on Division St. in the building that is now the Arts Guild. Kruse officially retires tomorrow. Kruse was named Firefighter of the Year in 2019.
