By Teri Knight, News Director
Early yesterday afternoon a 14 year old Faribault boy was injured in an ATV crash. According to Rice Co. Sheriff Troy Dunn, Rocco Strouth was riding eastbound on an ATV out of the west ditch in the 17000 block of Hunt Lake Trail in Shieldsville Township, when he collided with a northbound passenger car driven by 78 year old Karen Johnson of Faribault. Strouth was ejected from the ATV. He was treated at the scene, transported to Allina Hospital and later airlifted to a Twin Cities hospital. He had been wearing a helmet prior to crash but it was dislodged as a result of the crash.The driver of the passenger car was uninjured and wearing her seatbelt. PI Crash Press Release 09032020 (1)
Chief Elliott on Oaths, Body cams and Officer Wellness
This week during the Northfield Council meeting, five law enforcement officers took Oaths of Office. Chief Mark Elliot, Deputy Chief P.T. Haider, Sgts. Jesse Cordova and Brian Kramer and a new Officer, Gabriel Crombie. Chief Elliott said, “we always like to recognize, not only the promotions but the hiring of a new Officer. It’s exciting for them, exciting for the department but certainly exciting for their families”. While discussing their budget on KYMN this week, he said that years ago, the Northfield Police Department identified body cameras as a tool to enable Officers to do their job better, now, he said, “certainly community expectations in meeting transparency and accountability throughout the nation, national polls suggest that 93% of people support the use of body cameras for police officers and we want to make sure that we’re meeting our community expectations and body cams are a part of that”. They’re working with Council to identify funding. Elliott said he’s hopeful that they can get the body cams early in 2021. Another issue he identified is Officer Wellness as they move through the cumulative effects of stressors. He added, “well Officers take care of their community well. And so we want to make sure that they’re in a good place and a place where they have healthy coping mechanisms”. One thing identified is to have Officer Check-ins with a Mental Health professional each year. Elliott calls it “preventative maintenance”. As for the cost, he said overall they have good community support but he does understand there’s a balance with community needs as well. His full interview is HERE under the Morning Show.
Proposed Wings credit union gets a nod from Council
A new project for Northfield took another step forward in the process during this week’s Council meeting. Wings Financial Credit Union is planning to put in a small office on a part of the Target parking lot near the recycling containers.City Planner Mikayla Schmidt explained to council that it was a minor subdivision that should not have a major impact on Target or Cub Foods. She said, “it’s going to be smaller than a typical footprint for the site itself. The building site will have two electronic tellers at this location and they’ll have the proper stacking and pedestrian access to the facility but there will always be someone working onsite. So actually when you drive up and you need to speak to a teller, you’ll remotely connect with their Apple Valley branch”. The approval from Council was unanimous.
Craig visits downtown businesses
2nd District Congresswoman, Angie Craig, toured small businesses in downtown Northfield this morning. Her first stop was in the KYMN studios. She and owner, Jeff Johnson, discussed the impact of Covid-19 on his business and issues of healthcare cost for small businesses. She then went on the air with him. That full interview is posted HERE. Craig spoke with the owners of Content Bookstore, Rare Pair, Hogan Brothers and the Hideaway Coffee Shop.
Floral mural a treat for the eyes
If you haven’t seen it yet, a beautiful floral mural is being painted on the Northfield Domino’s pizza building. Illinois-based mural artist Brett Whitacre has been working on the mural which he hopes to have complete by the end of the week. The building owner, David Aase was familiar with Whitacre’s work and wanted to commission a piece for his building (he owns the building, not the business). He approached the city last year asking about regulations and if the city would help with financing. The Arts and Culture Commission (ACC) approved it and $3,000 was provided from the 1% for the Arts Initiative through road projects to help finance the mural.
Dunn on the holiday weekend
It’s Labor Day weekend and already there are some folks on the roads. Rice County Sheriff Troy Dunn commented that he’d just like to see everyone enjoy themselves but asks that folks stay off the roads, out of the boat and off the recreational equipment if they’ve been drinking.
