By Teri Knight, News Director
A fatal crash closed Hwy 19 this morning around 7:30. Rice County Sheriff Troy Dunn said the crash occurred near Fireside Orchard. The State Patrol had the highway closed for several hours to investigate. According to Sgt. Troy Christenson with the MN State Patrol, the road reopened at 11:42 this morning. Two people were killed when a semi carrying liquid fertilizer traveling westbound and a car traveling eastbound hit head-on. the drivers of the semi and the vehicle were killed. Another vehicle hit the back of the truck. Two people inside that vehicle were not hurt. The crash remains under investigation.
Warren headlines Get Out the Vote rally
On a frigid day, they began arriving well over an hour before her appearance. Sen. Elizabeth Warren was the headliner, yesterday, at a rally organized by Minnesota Students for Biden Get Out the Vote. The once Presidential hopeful asked the approximately 250 St. Olaf and Carleton students, who had already voted. Nearly all of them raised their hand. Her message to them, with just 15 days left, volunteer, manage the phones and talk to people. There were also appearances by Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan and US Congresswoman Angie Craig. All with a message to the youth on healthcare, reproductive rights and equality. Their full message was to keep the State blue and vote Democrats all along the ballot. The full audio and pictures of the rally is HERE.
Good samaritans alert family house on fire
Just before 8 o’clock yesterday morning, neighbors and a passerby alerted a family to their house on fire. Faribault Fire, Police and North Memorial Ambulance responded to 907 2nd Ave NW. The occupants thought they smelled burning paper. Smoke was coming from the front porch of the home when First Responders arrived. All the occupants had gotten out of the home. Firefighters quickly knocked down the fire and started tearing into the siding and porch ceiling to expose and extinguish hotspots. The porch and siding on the front of the home suffered extensive fire damage. Light smoke and water caused some damage inside the home. Crews cleared the scene at about 40 minutes later. The Faribault Fire investigation ruled it accidental. Fire Chief Dustin Dienst thanked those good Samaritans for alerting the family to get out. Their quick thinking and willingness to take action helped ensure there were no injuries.
Nfld Council to call for public hearing on franchise fees
The Northfield Council meets tomorrow night. On the agenda is a call for a public hearing regarding franchise fees to replace street assessments and a consideration to add the Honeylocust connection to the E. Cannon River Trail in the 2021 road project. This was voted down at their last meeting as it needs a super majority and one of the councilors was absent. There will be a presentation on the draft Rice County Comprehensive Plan which includes Economic Development, land use, sustainability and more. The presentation: 1 – 2040 Rice County Comprehensive Plan Update Presentation (1) You can view the agenda and comment on the City’s website through 4 o’clock tomorrow afternoon. The council will also discuss their continued remote meeting status due to the covid emergency.
Larson will lead KYMN News Dept.
KYMN welcomes Rich Larson to the team as the new News Director. Most everyone knows Rich from, most recently, Northfield’s living room, Imminent Brewing. Rich’s background is with the Northfield News and Southernminnscene and, of course you’ve heard him here on KYMN Thursday evenings with The Weekly List and also with Andrew Rossow for Remember Radio. Rich will be taking over the reins from me on Monday, October 27th.
