By Teri Knight, News Director
UPDATE:
This morning at 4 o’clock, rice County Sheriff Troy Dunn reports that Rice County Deputies received a call of an ATV theft in the 5000 block of 185th St. West. in Wells Twp. The owner called and stated his ATV and utility trailer were just stolen. The trailer was attached to the ATV. Deputies arrived in the area and located the suspect. He fled from deputies on the stolen ATV. With the use of the Sheriff’s Office ATV’s and drone unit, the suspect was taken into custody. Deputies were also able to locate an accomplice to this crime and she was arrested as well. No one was injured during the incident. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Faribault Police Department. Jesse Colin Guy, 40 was charged with Theft of a Motor Vehicle and Fleeing. He appeared in court and received bail at $200,000 w/ no conditions or $100,000 with conditions. The female accomplice, Jamie Ennis, 40, was charged with Aiding and Abetting a Theft and was released on her own recognizance.
Martig names Elliott as Chief nominee
Northfield Police Chief Monte Nelson announced his intent to retire on July 31st. This week, City Administrator Ben Martig said he, “had the pleasure and opportunity to announce that I named Deputy Chief Mark Elliott to be selected to be considered as a candidate for the nomination of Police Chief”. As Administrator, he nominates the position, however, the actual appointment must be approved by the majority of the City Council. It’s no surprise that Elliot was nominated, as a vetting process for a succession played into his hiring as Deputy Chief. Martig spoke with councilors one on one before bringing Elliot forward. Martig said he has, “over 20 years experience in the Bloomington Police department, worked his way up. He’s been the Police Chief in Prior Lake. We’ve certainly seen him working here as well and so I think he’s a strong candidate for Chief. He’s worked with us on a NOVAK (consulting) police
department organizational study over the last year”. Chief Nelson had weighed in earlier that Elliot would be his choice. It was a year ago in March that Elliott replaced Deputy Chief Mark Dukatz.
Moravchik wins GOP endorsement
Lonsdale resident Joe Moravchik was endorsed by the Republican Party last night for Minnesota House District 20B which includes Le Sueur and Rice Counties. He received 87% on the first ballot, easily surpassing the 60% threshold needed for endorsement. He commented that he looks, “forward to a positive, issue-driven campaign against Rep. Todd Lippert.” Moravchik said his top priority is helping families and businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The full press release is on kymnradio.net. There’s also an interview with Moravchik from April 27th.
Lippert looks to be called back as Walz expected to extend Peacetime Emergency
Speaking of Todd Lippert, as he has been each Friday through the legislative session, he was in studio this morning discussing what most legislators are calling “intermission” as the session may have officially ended, but, Lippert says, “we are going to be going back for the legislative session on June 12th. We expect the Governor to be extending the Peacetime Emergency and as he does that, he has to call the Legislature back into session. That was known and so I think there wasn’t quite the sense of urgency around some of the deadlines”. As they go back, a bonding bill will be a high priority especially as we deal with the pandemic. Lippert said, “we have some economic security bills in the House that we feel are very, very important for some Minnesotans who are most vulnerable right now and we want to get those across the finish line and get a deal with the Senate”. The House and Senate are about one billion dollars apart on agreement of a bonding bill. The House wanting 2.3 billion with the Senate at one billion. Lippert says there’s been a lot of neglect on infrastructure. There’s more to his interview on kymnradio.net.
The State of Minnesota has laid out a summary of the re-opening plan. I have posted the easy-to-read version on our Updated Covid-19 page. Click on the Red Box.
Local Memorial Day Service on youtube
Every year for decades, KYMN Radio has been honored to broadcast the Northfield American Legion and VFW Posts Veterans Memorial Service.This year, though there will be no in-person Memorial, a shortened service has been recorded and is now available on the City of Northfield’s youtube channel. American Legion Post 84 Commander Michelle Bornick puts a positive spin on it saying that she feels more people will have the opportunity to participate, especially those in the more vulnerable population that must stay at home. There are no High School bands or the Voices of Democracy speaker, however, she said, “we have our Benediction and our Invocation by Pastor Keith Beckwith, we have the Commander’s Address this year by our VFW Commander, Kevin Larson and then I read the names of the Fallen. So there’s approximately 40 Service men and women who have died this year”. Bornick said their National Commander, Bill Oxford, has asked that we all light a candle on our porch at dusk on Memorial Day. This is to honor the Fallen. She added, a red candle is to remember those who died in wars overseas, a white candle represents all the POW’s and MIA’s who did not return, “and then a blue candle is to symbolize our eternal love for those who did come home but have since left us”. KYMN will broadcast the audio of the service at 9am on Monday as well. Here is the LINK to the video service.
