By Rich Larson, News Director
The Northfield police announced yesterday that there will be no charges filed against the former Northfield school district employee who was 
terminated for administering melatonin to an infant without the family’s consent.
In a statement yesterday, the Northfield Police Department said that City and County attorneys had reviewed the case and found no basis to charge the former employee. Specifically, they said, there was no intent to harm and there was no harm caused.
On December 2nd, the district was notified that an employee of the Early Ventures childcare center had put a melatonin tablet into an infant’s bottle without authorization. After an investigation, that employee was terminated, and the police were notified.
The police investigation found that the infant, and any other child who may have been affected had suffered no harm. With the attorneys declining to bring charges, the case has been closed.
No quick answers on Archer House future
More than a month after the fire that gutted the Archer House, questions are being asked about the extent of the damage and the future of the building. Northfield Area Fire and Rescue Chief Gerry Franek said that, while everyone wants answers, the process is going to take quite a bit of time.
“We have another joint meeting with all the concerned participants in the building that have stake in the building and ownership, and insurance companies. So, it’s coming up in February, another joint meeting so-to-speak with the State Fire Marshall. It’s coming along, but it’s going to be a long, drawn-out process, looking at the liability and who is responsible for the loss.”
The Chief said the number of stakeholders in the building only muddles the process.
“There are so many people with ownership in the building and insurance. It’s not just one owner and one insurance company. It’s many; it’s multiple. And there are construction people involved and on and on. So, it’s a very complicated situation.”
The firefighters under Chief Franek battled the Archer House Fire for 24 hours with very little chance to take a break. The Northfield Community has responded to their hard work with gratitude and praise, and Franek said that has not gone unnoticed.
“I want to thank the community publicly for all of the sthe support we received during the Archer House fire. It was a long, lengthy ordeal and outpouring of support from everybody was very much appreciated.”
Those who are still looking to thank the Fire and Rescue Service can make a donation toward paying for their new Heavy Rescue Vehicle. Capital Construction is matching donations made between December 15th and January 15th, up to $15,000. For more information, visit nafrs.org.
Big Woods park to close for special hunts
And the Nerstrand Big Woods State Park will again be closing to the public for a pair of special deer hunts. 
The park will shut down on December 26th through the 27th, and again on January 2nd and 3rd.
The hunts are part of a program to combat Chronic Wasting Disease.
Nerstrand Big Woods State Park is within the C-W-D management zone known as deer permit area 605. That makes the park an important partner during this hunt, according to Ed Quinn of the D-N-R’s division of Parks and Trails.
“This hunt is important to the health of our wild deer herds. We appreciate the hunters following the mandatory sampling process. We’re also grateful for our guests who obey the closure during these hunts.”
CWD is a fatal neurological disease for deer. Hunters can learn more about CWS and find testing sites at mndnr.gov/cwd
