By Teri Knight, News Director
Remains of a body were found in Northfield Township yesterday afternoon. Rice County Sheriff Dunn reports that a farmer planting beans in his field at the curve on Kane Trail and Lamb Ave found the remains of a body in the grassy area separating farm field. Foul play is not suspected. The remains have been sent to Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office for identification. The case remains under investigation with the Sheriff’s Office. Deputies were assisted by the Rice County Coroner’s Office. Rice Co. Sheriff’s Press Release 5-8-20
NOTE: An update on the injury accident on Wednesday afternoon involving a squad car. The driver of the other vehicle has NON life-threatening injuries. The passenger of the Toyota RAV was uninjured. As mentioned, the Officer was treated and released.
Cheese Cave to close permanently
A small business becomes a victim of the pandemic. On their facebook page, the Cheese Cave in Faribault shared with their customers that they will permanently close on May 16th. They write, “we have thought long and hard about this and did not make the decision lightly. We were already walking a fine line prior to COVID-19, and given that no one knows how long the impacts of this pandemic will last, or what the normal will be, we do not see a viable path forward”. They extended their sincerest apologies to those that may be affected by the announcement and have been honored to have served the community of Faribault for the last 11 years with a gourmet experience of cheese and wine.
“Flagrant” traffic violations – increased fatalities
While traffic volumes have been down, speeds are up. Sheriff Dunn said yesterday morning, “but we’re seeing a lot of pretty flagrant traffic violations such as high speeds. Lots of speeds on the county roads and on the interstate over 100 miles an hour”. Dunn said when those people are stopped they say they thought law enforcement wouldn’t stop them “during Covid”. He stopped someone who was traveling over 60mph in a 30mph zone and, the person was on their phone. Dunn said, “I think we need to do a better job to let people know that, no, we are still going to stop you, you still need to abide by the laws even during the Stay At Home thing”. Dunn says it’s frustrating, adding that traffic deaths are higher than they were at the same time last year, with LESS traffic. Law enforcement is going to start ramping up their efforts this Fishing Opener weekend. Every week since the pandemic started, they’re also seeing more DWI arrests. There’s no reason they should be on the road. Drug use is also increasing. Dunn’s full interview is HERE.
Decision not easy but Nfld School officials “ready to alter” if there’s a change
The decision was NOT easy and no one is happy about it, least of all those who had to make the decision regarding the 2020 Northfield High School Graduation ceremony, which will be virtual. Principal Joel Leer and Superintendent Dr. Matt Hillmann reviewed multiple plans, gathered feedback from the Senior class and the parents, and knew that any plan they came up with was short of what they all wanted. Hillmann did add, “if we get a change of any kind in the Executive Order or Public Health guidelines or social distancing guidelines, we stand ready to make alterations to the plan to adjust to those”. Because of the size of the class, 293, gathering enmasse just isn’t permissible at this time. Hillmann did say that, while class reunions are not handled by School Districts, for the Class of 2020, they have committed to sponsoring a reunion at the High School next year for this class. Graduation will take place on May 31st as was planned, in fact, everything will be as a “normal” ceremony, except online and as graduates’ names are read, their photo will scroll on the screen. Graduates will pick up their diplomas curbside at the High School.
Arcadia updates their logo
Arcadia Charter school has a new logo, KYMN’s Logan Wells has more… Arcadia Charter School last week released their new logo. It has several of the same elements as their old logo, but its more color and professionally designed. “There were a lot of things we liked in the old logo. The text, the tree, but the tree itself was really just a stock photo from the internet in 2012. So it didn’t have that personal feel.” That’s Executive Director Laura Stelter. The new logo expands on the latest logo from 2012 and emphasizes the difference of every student with over 9 colors featured and is shaped like an olive tree to symbolize wisdom and peace. You can see pictures of the new logo on our website in today’s news update.
