By Teri Knight, News Director
After years of conversation and planning, and four months of construction, the roundabout 
at the intersection of Highway 246 and Jefferson Parkway was unveiled and opened on Friday. Along with the roundabout, the newly designed intersection features four pedestrian underpass tunnels. Despite the cold and blustery conditions the mood during the brief ribbon cutting ceremony was decidedly upbeat.
Northfield School Superintendent Matt Hillman echoed the feelings of everybody involved in the project when discussing the safety to pedestrians that the new design will bring. “I’m really appreciative of the vision of the city [for] the addition of the tunnels. They make this area more walkable and bikeable, I think it’s going to make a big difference not just for the school community, but for the neighborhood itself.”
Mayor Rhonda Pownell said the newly designed intersection will be beneficial to the city. “I’m pleased that we chose the safest option for people of all ages and all abilities,” she said. “It’s just going to be a wonderful improvement for the whole area.” During her remarks, Pownell also commented on the successful cooperation of all involved, saying it was a great example of what can be accomplished when city staff and leadership focus on their goals and the task at hand.
In the end Councilor Brad Ness best summed up the sentiments of the city leaders. “I voted for this project primarily for safety reasons,” he said. “It’s a good project to get accomplished and I think this intersection will be safe.”
Taking Domestic Violence out of the shadows
Bringing awareness and opening conversations to Domestic Violence and sexual assault is Hope Center Director Erica Staab. Advocates from various agencies have created the Rice County Sexual Assault Multi Disciplinary Action Response Team to offer assistance to victims. Staab noted that, with covid 19 along with other reasons, they aren’t reaching out as before or going to the Emergency Room to get a sexual assault exam. She added, “we know that this is still happening. And we know that domestic violence in sexual assaults are highly correlated. So often within domestic violence relationships there’s a sexual assault component too which can be really hard
for people to talk about”. The important thing, Staab said, is to get victims talking, to bring the issue out of the shadows and let them know Hope Center is a safe place. Services are free and confidential. Go to hopecentermn.org. Hope Center, like all non-profits, has suffered from not being able to hold fundraisers. Your donations would be greatly appreciated. They have started an Advocate training program, but if you’re interested in that, reach out to Staab. Listen to her full interview HERE.
NDDC reports on initiatives
Northfield Downtown Development Corporation’s Director Greg Siems gave a presentation to Council this week. Partnering with Rethos and MN Main Street Program they were able to support 8 local businesses with grants of $500 each. Through independent fundraising they gave $500 to an additional 6 businesses. The NDDC is also collaborating with Northfield Public Broadcasting on creating a series of short videos highlighting downtown businesses. With grant dollars from Artists on Main they funded downtown arts projects including Spreading the Love by Gerie Thelen and Dale Lewis. Thelen has also worked with local businesses to create a scavenger hunt to find “the heart of Northfield” where one of her 6 inch fused glass hearts are displayed. KYMN has a heart in our downtown studio window. Louis and Dan and the Invisible Band are putting together Musical Portraits coming next Spring. Administrator Martig said the NDDC is also working on a Special Service District. He gives an example of one possibility, “to go cooperatively together to do snow removal so could the downtown basically create an association, go out for bids and collectively do it all at one time and save some money”. The City funds the NDDC at $35,000 a year. Their three year contract is up at the end of this year. NDDC – City council presentation 10
Fire prevention month
It’s Fire Prevention month. As we move indoors, even more so this year due to covid, NAFRS Chief Gerry Franek reminds folks to check your heating appliances and smoke alarms are in good working condition. He reiterated the importance of having a plan to get out of your home and how to do so safely. Franek also spoke about the dangers of carbon monoxide. He said, “don’t leave your cars running inside your garage, pull them out or at least open up the doors because carbon monoxide is a silent killer”. Don’t keep combustibles stored near any heating appliance. Older water heaters have an open flame, he said, “once in a while when they ignite the fire comes out of the unit and it could ignite combustibles”. Franek’s full interview regarding their Joint Powers meeting and more is HERE.
This is my last formal broadcast as the News Director at KYMN. I’ve spent nearly a decade sharing local news stories with you. It’s been an honor and a pleasure to have had this time at this station. Northfield is lucky to have the gem that is 95 The One. This is your Community Station! I’m also grateful knowing that KYMN’s news will now be in the hands of the very capable, Rich Larson. Thank you to all of you have reached out. This is Teri Knight, signing off.
