By Rich Larson, News Director
Yesterday, in a split vote, the Rice County Board of Commissioners approved the plans to build a new jail and law enforcement center on a green space
at a cost of approximately $50 million.
The discussion, which capped an issue that had lingered for nearly two years, was a surprisingly short one. Commissioner Jim Purfeerst, who was one of the two dissenting votes along with Commissioner Galen Malecha, stated that he felt the law enforcement center was not a part of the original conversation and practically doubled the price, and he suggested a jail-only facility be built on the site of the current jail annex. Three commissioners, Steve Underdahl, Dave Miller and Jeff Dokken all commented on the annex idea saying that their constituents in Faribault did not like the idea of a jail facility being the first thing people would see as they entered the town from the West.
Commissioner Miller stated his preference for a new jail and law enforcement facility by first acknowledging that the cost is high.
“This is the biggest capital expenditure that the board has probably ever looked at, so it has a lot of impact. But I believe that it is important that we have a facility that is located in Rice County.”
The Minnesota Department of Corrections informed Rice County in 2019 that the current jail, built in 1975, is no longer adequate and would be re-assigned as a 90-day lockup facility. Since that time, the county has looked at several options including building a jail on the annex space, remodeling the existing jail, and establishing a regional jail with Steele County. A jail study task force recommended the jail and LEC green space option earlier this year.
Commissioners Miller, Dokken and Underdahl voted in favor of the green space option, which passed 3-2.
Northfield Police Department publishes new policy manual
The Northfield Police Department’s policy manual has been posted to the City of Northfield website. The ten-chapter manual spells out all 158 policies of the Northfield Police Department from the use of force and vehicle pursuits to sexual harassment to vehicle use and maintenance.
This comes on the heels of a year-long policy review. Last year, working with the company Lexipol, the department updated each of its policies and then reviewed them internally to make them best fit the expectations of the Northfield Community. This was followed by an additional review of the more pertinent policies by the Mayor’s Police Policy Task Force.
Northfield Police Chief Mark Elliott said he realized during the review process, particularly while working with the public task force, that transparency is a necessity to engender more trust between the community and the police department. Posting the policy manual is an effort to that end, while also creating more accountability for the members of the department.
A statement announcing the release noted that, while the policies are there for the public see, read and understand, they are subject to change.
“The policy manual is a living document and adjustments will be made on a regular basis as changes in state and federal statutes, POST Board rules, and case law mandate changes. Department capabilities, technology, and capacity, as well as community expectations are also drivers of policy changes.”
The policies are posted to the police department section of city’s website. That page can be found by clicking here.
Yule to lead Football Raiders
Northfield High School announced yesterday that Brent Yule will be the next Varsity Head Football Coach of the Northfield Raiders. 
Yule has been a member of the Northfield coaching staff for three years, serving first as offensive coordinator and then last year as defensive coordinator.
Coach Yule, who is a Physical Education teacher at Greenvale Elementary school was selected from a pool of 18 candidates. He has also coached football and wrestling at St Clair (Missouri) High School, Owatonna High School and Medford High School.
Former Head Coach Bubba Sullivan said, “Coach Yule brings energy and enthusiasm to the field, meeting room, and weight room every day. Kids are drawn to him and his positive attitude and energy, and they are motivated to perform well for him. “
Meanwhile, NHS Activities Director Joel Olson called Yule a “transformational” coach, saying “He embodies the characteristics of what we want a coach to be. He cares first for the student and helping him or her to be the best they can be. The kids will know that he has a love for the sport and love for them.”
Coach Yule will assume his new duties immediately.
