By Teri Knight, News Director
First Responders used their skills early this morning to rescue a worker at the Jennie-O Turkey Store Feed Mill. Just before 5 o’clock this morning, the Faribault Fire Department, Rice County Sheriff’s Office, and North Memorial Ambulance Service responded to a worker injured in a small area for equipment maintenance two levels below grade. The worker fell 7 to 8 feet and landed on a concrete floor injuring himself. Fire Chief Dustin Dienst reports he was unable to move and in pain. Fire and ambulance crews were able to reach him by ladders and begin patient care. An emergency access hatch was directly above the
patient about 20 feet to ground level. They rigged up a system of ropes, pulleys, basket and webbing to extricate the patient. A firefighter and sheriff’s deputies hauled the patient up to ground level and placed him on a cot for transportation to a hospital at 5:59 am. Crews cleared the scene at 6:15 am. Chief Dienst stated, “Even though we train constantly on situations like this, every emergency has its own set of challenges that responders have to overcome. All responders involved did an awesome job and the patient received top-notch care”.
DMV at full staff and focusing on Customer Service
The Northfield Dept. of Motor Vehicles is up and running at full capacity now. Administrator Martig, “we process drivers license renewals and replacements, Real ID and enhanced drivers licenses now. Vehicle title registration and renewal, special license plate requests and of course DNR regulations of ATV’s, boats and snowmobiles”. They had some challenges related to covid-19 with a large backlog when they reopened at the same time of a staff turnover, “we had long lines and admittedly we had some challenges there but we’ve got that under control. We’ve got some additional part-timers to help”. Martig added, “Hats off to our wonderful staff. Renee and June are our full time staff and they’re doing a really great job really focused on customer service and then Jim and Susie are our newest and are working part time”. The office, on the first floor of City Hall, is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 4:15pm.
Sobering reminder not to drink & drive
South Central College along with the Rice County Chemical & Mental Health Coalition and the Rice County Safe Roads Coalition brought a sobering reminder to the college of what can happen when someone drinks and drives. On display is a crash car that took the life of Kaitlyn Hansen from a horrific alcohol-related crash in 2016. Sixteen year old Kaitlyn Hansen was a junior at Fillmore Central High School when a drunk driver hit her head on. You are invited to visit the college and view what’s left of the car. KYMN has the full story written by the Hansen Family along with a picture HERE. There is a current Click it or Ticket enforcement on until September 30th.
Candidate forums Sept. 26 and Oct. 3
The League of Women Voters of Northfield and Cannon Falls, along with St. Olaf and Carleton colleges and the Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring a Candidate Forum tomorrow and October 3rd and are inviting residents to send them questions at contactus@lwvnorthfield.org. You can join the events as an audience member at Zoom Webinar through Carleton College. Find all the information on our Upcoming Events Calendar on the front page of our website and also these links: Tomorrow will be candidates for Senate, House and District 1 Rice County Commissioner. On October 3rd, it will be for Northfield Mayor, Council and School Board seats.
KYMN Election Guide full operational
Logan Wells launched the Northfield School Board candidate surveys on our Election Guide last night. Go to our website and click on the Election Guide in the upper left hand corner. You’ll find information on all the candidates for State House and Senate, Rice Co. District 1 commissioner, Northfield Mayor, Northfield and Dundas Council and the school board. KYMN is also interviewing candidates on air. This morning Northfield Ward 3 council candidate George Zuccolotto was in studio. His full interview is HERE.
