By Teri Knight, News Director
A barely conscious man is now jailed on multiple drug charges. On Monday, a State Trooper was enroute to a driving complaint near the Flying J truck stop when he noticed a red car on the southbound side of I-35 in the area. The driver was slumped over the steering wheel. 28 year old Norman Alexander Zink of Prior Lake was not moving. The trooper called for an ambulance and went to get NARCAN. He was able to roust him but once he let go, Zink slumped back over with near complete loss of motor movement. A Rice County deputy arrived, allowing the trooper to search the vehicle. There were ziplock baggies, razors, pipes and multiple hypodermic needles found. Zink was transported, by
ambulance, to Northfield Hospital where staff found a black drawstring bag safety-pinned to the inside of his pants. Inside were baggies containing methamphetamine with a combined weight of 28.05 grams. An additional small bag tested positive for both Heroin and Cocaine. Zink is facing four felonies, the most serious, 2nd degree possession carries up to 25 years in prison. Bail’s been set at $25,000 with conditions. His initial court appearance is May 20th. Zink has a lengthy criminal history involving drugs, assault and burglary.
Draheim talks hogs and PPE’s
Some large meat processing plants had to close due to Covid-19 outbreaks at those facilities. While they are trying to open them safely, District 20 Senator Rich Draheim says there’s not enough progress being made as estimates he’s heard say that a half a million hogs will be destroyed in May and June with about a million and a half total destroyed by the end of August. Raising a hog costs about $150 each to raise. Then there’s the cost of destroying them. Draheim said, “I’ve talked to three farmers that are going to give it up because they can’t get enough on their operating note with the added expenses they have and no revenue”. As for PPE’s to protect workers, he says, “I saw a video of the warehouse where all of this stuff comes in, they don’t know where they’re going to put it all, it’s plum full. So there’s some misinformation out there on that and something we’re trying to dig in to”. He added, “if you know of a local hospital, nursing home or something that needs it, please reach out to me I’d love to try to help there and get some PPE because we have had that problem where there’s plenty in stock, it’s just not getting to the right places”. His full interview is HERE.
C-130’s to fly over Northfield at 2:10pm
The Minnesota National Guard along with the 934th Air Wing of the Air Force Reserve is scheduled to fly over the Northfield Hospital between 2:10pm and 2:25pm today in recognition of those on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Operation American Resolve” focused on Twin Cities hospitals last week but today, recognized Greater Minnesota. Maj. Gen. Jon Jensen, the Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard said the gesture is to honor all the essential workers statewide. From medical provider to meat packing employee; teacher to gas station attendant; an emergency responder to garbage collector, your work keeps us going.
New Alumni site for Northfield grads
There’s a new site for area school alumni, KYMN’s Logan Wells has more… If you’re a graduate of the Northfield High School, Area Learning Center, or Arcadia Charter School, HCI (Healthy Community Initiative) has released a new Alumni Database for you, where you can connect with other alumni, and apply for jobs. It’s called Northfield Compass. “The goal of Northfield Compass is to create an online community for Northfield Alumni that way we can provide support, resources, and networking no matter where they live. And within compass there are groups and a map so you can connect with alumni that live close to you even if you don’t live in MN.” That’s Candace Godfrey, shes the Northfield Promise Alumni Coordinator. “This is open to all graduates. We’ve sent an email to all the Alumni that we have email addresses for, but any Northfield Alumni can create an account no matter what year they graduated.” Other features allow you to create groups to plan reunions and other events. To join go to northfield.360alumni.com
