By Teri Knight, News Director
The Rice County jail facilities study is in Phase two. Sheriff Dunn said they hope to have the full study wrapped up in December. He added, “we’ve now taken it to the next level and what our needs are with the Law Enforcement Center. And so now we’re starting to look at what these options would look like at both the downtown location where our current Rice County main jail and law enforcement center is and at our Annex site out on Hwy 61 in Faribault”. The Board, that also has two Commissioners on the study, will crunch numbers and decide what the needs are. They’ve had 45 years out of the current facilities, Dunn said, “they say they build them for 25 to 30 years. So we have to do something to meet the needs of the future”. Dunn’s full interview is HERE.
Free Covid testing and Rice County numbers
The National Guard is assisting in setting up free covid-19 testing in Northfield from noon to 6pm today through Thursday. Rice County Public Health Director Deb Purfeerst said this is a 4 week effort by the Mn Dept. of Health, “to provide increased access to no barrier covid testing in communities across the State”. That means it’s free and anyone, regardless of whether you have symptoms or not, can get the test. All you need to provide them with is your name and a contact, your phone or email. These are drive through, although you can walk also. If you are registered, which they would prefer, it will take about 7 minutes. If you aren’t pre registered, it will take about 10 minutes, according to Purfeerst. It will be a nasal swab, processing at Mayo and notification of results will take 2 to 3 days after the test. As for Rice County’s current situation, Purfeerst said, “as of this morning Rice County is showing 1,409 cases and that was an increase of 10 cases from yesterday”. That’s a cumulative number from March. Fifty-nine of those totaled have been hospitalized, 13 were in ICU and there have been 8 deaths in Rice County since March. Breaking down the numbers geographically, Purfeerst said of the 1409 cases, 1044 had a Faribault zip code, 250 in Northfield, 50 in Lonsdale, 21 in Morristown, 16 in Webster, 10 in Dundas and 18 with other zipcodes within Rice County. Details are on kymnradio.net. Purfeert’s full interview is also online. Faribault will have free testing next week, they’re still working on details.
Biermans honored for their efforts to enhance wildlife habitat
Jim and Mary Bierman are the 2020 Wildlife Enhancement Award winners for Rice County. The Wildlife Enhancement Award, administered through the Rice County Soil and Water Conservation District, recognizes individuals or organizations who do an exemplary job in implementing conservation practices that benefit Rice County wildlife. The Biermans purchased their farm in 1973 in rural Northfield. Rolling hills, swales, and a creek running through the property made it difficult to plant and harvest with large, modern-day farm equipment so the Biermans decided to restore the fields to native habitat. Enrolling in the Conservation Reserve Program, the Biermans also restored around fifty-two acres of native prairie. Through the years, they have conducted controlled burns to control weeds and improve the prairie areas. Mary said, “It’s really fun to watch and see different species of wildflowers and grasses blooming throughout the summer and fall. The prairie is different every year, especially after controlled burns”. The full story with pictures is HERE.
Nfld Council mtg tonight
The Northfield Council meets tonight at 6 o’clock. You can find the agenda at ci.northfield.mn.us under City Council. You can also comment online through 4pm on any item. Meetings begin at 6pm and are viewable on the city’s website. Administrator Martig will be in studio at 7:20 tomorrow morning with a meeting recap.
