by Rich Larson
As the Covid-19 virus continues it resurgence through the country, Rice County Director of Public Health Deb Purfeerst said 
that the Delta Variant of the virus is causing an increase in the number of positive cases in Rice County.
Purfeerst said, according to the Centers for Disease Control, the Delta Variant is twice as contagious as previous Covid-19 viruses, and it is spreading quicker right now than the virus was at the peak of the pandemic.
Throughout June and into July the number of positive cases reported each week in Rice County was in the single digits. Then for the week of July 18-24 the number jumped from 7 to 26. The following week, which is the last reported period of time, the number jumped again from 26 to 78.
Purfeerst said while the numbers are nowhere near what they were a year ago, the increase is troubling.
“We’re kind of at the point right now that we were at the end of April. Certainly, we’re not at the point we were at Thanksgiving last year, when we were seeing nearly 800 [positive] cases in a week, but the concerning this is that we’re definitely seeing the increase in the cases.”
Purfeerst is urging all Rice County citizens to get vaccinated. The numbers show, she said, that being vaccinated is a highly effective defense against the virus. The Minnesota Department of Health said this week, that the percentage of people who have been vaccinated who are contracting the virus is 0.19%. Of those the percentage of people requiring hospitalization is 0.02%, and the percentage of vaccinated people who die from Covid-19 is 0.002%.
She said it is very important that as people research the vaccines, they use a credible source like the Rice County Public Health or the Minnesota Department of Health or the CDC websites.
Rice County is offering free vaccination clinics every Thursday at the Government Center in Faribault. All three vaccines are readily available. The clinic is accepting both appointments and walk-ins. For more information, visit the Rice County Public Health website.
Council “checks some boxes” at meeting on Tuesday
During the City Council budgeting work session on Tuesday night, the council agreed on some procedural items and operating funds that will allow for more focused work in future sessions on some of the more discretionary funds. City Administrator Ben Martig called it “checking some boxes,” as he presented four area of the budget for the council’s approval.
The first was the Northfield Area Fire and Rescue Service budget, which must be approved by the three governing bodies: the Northfield City Council, the Dundas City Council and the Rural Fire District. Martig said the budget for next year would be largely the same, increasing by only about $2000. The council agreed to have approval of the NAFRS budget put on the consent agenda for the August 17th meeting.
Utility Funds and Rate Structure was the next topic. Public Works Director and City Engineer Dave Bennett said the rates will increase only slightly next year. The water rate will increase by 1%, Wastewater by 1.75%, Stormwater by 5% and there will be no change in the garbage fees. Bennett said with the increases the average utility bill will increase from $71 to $72.
Martig said the Municipal Liquor Store is running very efficiently but is at full capacity. The city has looked for a new site to re-locate and expand the liquor store for many years, and he said the council has certain criteria for a new location.
“In the past the council has put a priority on wanting to be downtown. It’s actually strategically good to be close to grocery, and we have two different grocery stores right in our downtown core. It’s good to be on a busier street, so that it’s visible and easy to find and you might get some impulse buying with that. Corner lots are ideal, if we can find one.”
And finally, with regard to the Economic Development and the Housing and Redevelopment Authorities, both budgets are determined based on the year’s tax levy which will be preliminarily set on September 21st. Historically, the council has always set the preliminary levy at the statutory maximum amount. Martig said the council agreed to move forward with that plan, and the EDA and HRA budgets will be presented after the 21st.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Northfield City Administrator Ben Martig can be heard here
Cannon Falls Open Air Fair is this afternoon
And today, the Cannon Falls Chamber of Commerce is inviting one-and-all to the Cannon Falls Open Air Fair. 
Cannon Falls Chamber Executive Director Kyle Paulson said that more than 40 vendors will set up on the sidewalks of Cannon falls today, representing retailers, artisans, and services. Attendees will find pottery blankets, ponchos, hats, clothing, handbags and jewelry, she said, along with companies with job openings, churches, and service organizations. The Cannon Fall Public Library is holding a book fair as well.
In addition to the retailers, Paulson said there will be food vendors as well. Lorentz meats will be offering free hot dogs and the Cannon Falls Knights of Columbus will have free sweet corn. Additionally, there will be pizza, crumbled meat sandwiches, Stevie B’s Rock’n BBQ food truck will be there, as will Maui Wowie Hawaiian Coffee and Smoothies.
The vendors will be set up right in the heart of Downtown Cannon Falls, on 4th Street and Mill Street from 3-7pm. For more information, contact the Cannon Falls Chamber of Commerce at cannonfalls.org.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net.
