by Rich Larson
After an apparent murder suicide that occurred in Faribault late last month, Sheriff Troy Dunn said that domestic violence continues to be a major problem in Rice County, and one that should concern every citizen.
Too often, said Dunn, people will notice warning signs of a possible abusive relationship, but are unwilling to say anything. Many people will see a change in another person’s personality, or just notice an off moment, he said, but then fail to follow through. The Sheriff said intervention in those situations is vitally important and could potentially be lifesaving.
Issues of domestic violence and domestic abuse are hard on everyone in the community, from the victims to families and even to first responders. Discussing the incident in late July, the sheriff said the dispatcher and the officers who arrived on the scene will all have to live with the memory of that night for quite some time.
“With that murder suicide, you know, those first responders tried to do everything they could. There were deputies, officers, firefighters, and paramedics there to try to save those lives, and that will be etched in their memory forever.”
Resources like the Hope Center are in place in Rice County to help. They run outreach programs to educate the community about domestic violence. They can offer assistance to those who suspect they know someone in an abusive relationship. Most importantly, the Hope Center has a hotline number that is staffed by trained advocates 24 hours a day, seven days a week for anyone who is seeking help.
“Put that number in your phone,” said Sheriff Dunn. “so you have it in case somebody asks you for help.”
The Hope Center 24-hour Safeline phone number is 1-800-607-2330. For more information, visit hopecentermn.org, or click here.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Rice County Sheriff Troy Dunn can be heard here
Council handles a great deal of business with one vote on Monday
During their meeting on Monday night the City Council approved an unusually large consent agenda that included some significant resolutions and agreements for two housing developments that are seen as keenly important in the face of the city’s housing shortage.
Among the approved items on the agenda were the final plat and the development agreement for the Bluffview project that will develop over 21 acres in the southeast corner of the city. Bluffview has 46 lots that includes three quadplexes and 18 duplexes. The development will extend Ford Street to Trunk Highway 246, and the city agreed to help finance that extension. Johnson Reiland Homes, the Bluffview developer, will repay that loan incrementally as each new unit is sold. The council also approved a trail extension, making it easier for kids in the area to get to school.
Several more sections of the consent agenda gave help to the Community Action Center’s Hillcrest Village development. Mayor Rhonda Pownell said the council signed off on a grant that will make construction of the climate friendly emergency, transitional and affordable housing development much easier.
“There were six additional items for a grant agreement to give to that development for park dedication fees, sac & wac fees, building permit fees, fees related to the zoning application, and some other items. And I think we’re also going to be moving forward with helping them out with a sidewalk installation.”
Another item on the consent agenda was the approval of a lease agreement for a space in Kenyon where Northfield Hospital + Clinics will open a new clinic. Kenton has been without a medical facility since Mayo Health Systems closed a clinic there last year.
Many of the items on the agenda had been under discussion for months, and therefore were able to be grouped together for approval. In all, the council approved 14 items on the consent agenda.
Dennison Days is back
This weekend will see the return of Dennison Days. 
Joe Amy, the owner of the Fireside Lounge and one of the organizers of the celebration said most of the events and activities that have come to be associated with Dennison Days will be back this year, after the Covid-19 pandemic forced the town to cancel things last year. He said he’s just happy to see its return, as they were unsure until relatively recently if there would be a Dennison Days this year.
“There was a lot of uncertainty. Of course, last year, we had hoped we could have it even when things opened up in the summer, but there were just too many variables. This year, by about early April, or when things started to open up, we talked about it, and we were able to start putting things together about eight weeks ago. Some of it’s routine, but some of it isn’t. But it’s going to happen.”
The celebration began unofficially last night with the Culpepper and Merriweather Circus. The official start is tonight at 8pm with a street dance sponsored by Mar Lea’s Bar & Grill.
Most of the events are scheduled for tomorrow. There will be an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast from 8-11 tomorrow morning. A 5k run will also begin at 8am, as will the Classic Car Show. Other events throughout the day include a truck & tractor pull, a cow milking contest featuring members of the Goodhue County Law Enforcement Community, a euchre tournament, a horseshoes tournament, and Purse Bingo. Judging for the famous Dennison Days BBQ Cookoff will begin at 2:30.
There is a Kids Pedal Pull on Mainstreet beginning at 11am, and the Kiddie Carnival will open at 1:30.
The main event, of course is the parade, which is set to begin at 1:30. Amy said participants should plan on beginning to line up at 12:30
The celebration will wrap up tomorrow night with live music from Driver 5, beginning at 8pm.
Dennison Days is organized by the Dennison Lions Club. For more information, visit dennisondays.org
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Joe Amy can be heard here.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
