by Rich Larson
The Faribault Police Department announced yesterday that they have opened an investigation into an apparent murder/suicide
that took place in Faribault on Monday night.
In a statement, the department said a 911 dispatcher advised officers shortly after 8pm on Monday that a female caller was reporting that her boyfriend had been drinking and was throwing things around the residence, and that he was not letting her leave. The caller reported that her boyfriend had two guns in the residence and that he might fight or flee when officers arrived.
Officers were dispatched to the 700 block of 3rd Street NW in Faribault They received no response when they knocked on the door, and found it was unlocked. Upon entering, they found two people on the floor, unresponsive, one female and one male. The female appeared to have suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead at the scene. The male appeared to have suffered a single gunshot to the head and was determined to be deceased. A handgun was found lying next to the male.
The woman has been identified as 32-year-old Amanda Schroeder, and the man as 27-year-old Brandon Akermark.
In the statement, Faribault Chief of Police Andy Bohlen expressed his condolences and the condolences of the department to the families and encouraged everyone dealing with domestic violence to seek help, and that the community should stand vigilant in these matters.
“There are several resources devoted to addressing this community epidemic,” he said. “We also encourage anyone that hears neighbors involved in domestic violence to call the police immediately as it could save a life.”
Chief Bohlen stated that this incident was contained to the residence and posed no ongoing threat to the public. The Faribault Police Department said the investigation is active and ongoing.
Council votes to close out fire claim
Last night the Northfield City Council voted to close out the fire claim with the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust. The vote brought an end to a rather dramatic period in the history of the city’s wastewater treatment plant.
Utilities Manager Justin Wagner gave a presentation to the council, going over three separate incidents in 2018 that prompted an operations review at the facility. In January of that year, a pipe failure caused a flood in the basement of the Biological Aerated Filter building. That May, a fire in the biosolids handling facility caused significant damage. Finally, two months later, another pipe failure resulted in 1 million gallons of wastewater being discharged into the Cannon River.
An independent engineering firm was brought in to review and assess the plant’s operations, resulting in 11 recommended changes ranging from the hiring of a full-time Maintenance Planner Scheduler to updating the plant’s safety program.
Wagner said the city received a settlement from the insurance company of $5.26 million dollars, leaving the city to pay $2.14 million to repair, install and upgrade all faulty equipment in the Biosolids Handling Building. However, a study done in 2016 showed a need for $3.9 million in equipment upgrades to the building. With $2.4 million paid, the city was actually able to save $1.76 million on needed upgrades and replacements.
There was some concern that such a large settlement would cause LMCIT to drop the city as a client, but City Administrator Ben Martig said the city continues to enjoy a good relationship with its insurer and councilor Brad Ness, and insurance agent himself, assured the council that the city was in no danger of being dropped.
Northfield Police Department encourages Night to Unite Gatherings
The deadline to register for Night to Unite is Friday. 
Formerly known as National Night Out, Night to Unite is an evening when neighborhood communities are encouraged to get together and have a neighborhood gathering to meet one another and promote community safety.
The event is held annually, except for last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, on the first Tuesday of August. Hosted by local law enforcement and public safety departments, the idea behind Night to Unite is to help neighbors and neighborhoods get to know each other, because when families know each other and communicate frequently, it can have a positive effect on the whole community.
Neighborhood parties are encouraged to register their gatherings. All registered parties will receive a free party kit that includes activities for kids, compliments of the Northfield Police Department and the Northfield Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention.
Each registered party will receive a visit from local law enforcement. Northfield Police Chief Mark Elliott said, sometimes there are too many parties for the department to cover so they have to get some assistance.
“We usually get help from our partners at the fire department and with the ambulance service. They’ll help out and stop by some of those parties, too. It’s really a good opportunity to get to know your neighbors. That way you can make connections with the people who live around you and really look out for each other. That’s how we make our neighborhoods safer.”
Those interested in registering can pick up a registration form at the Northfield Police Department or visit the city website and click on the Night to Unite link, or they can call the Northfield Police Department at 507-645-4477.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Northfield Police Chief Mark Elliott can be heard here
Rich Larson is the News Dicrector with KYMN. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
