by Rich Larson
Changes are being made to the traffic flow at Bridgewater elementary school that should alleviate what has been a severe disruption on
Jefferson Parkway during drop-off and pickup times.
In an effort to make the roads safer and the school commute smoother, traffic will be directed to enter the school parking lot from Highway 246 at the entrance south of the Jefferson Parkway roundabout. Traffic exiting the Bridgewater parking lot will be required to make a right turn, going east onto Jefferson Parkway. Those wishing to go west on Jefferson Parkway will follow the road around the roundabout until they are back onto Jefferson and moving in the right direction.
Once inside the school parking lot, the drop off and pick up lane will remain in the same location.
A statement issued by the City of Northfield said the new rules will more than double the vehicle stacking capacity on the Bridgewater grounds.
The change will go into effect next Monday, October 25th. Northfield police officers and additional school staff will be on hand for the first week to ensure an orderly transition and adjustment to the new system.
Northfield Schools Superintendent Dr. Matt Hillmann said the decision to re-route the traffic was one that was made by both the City of Northfield and the Northfield School District. They are hopeful that this will ease the snarl that has become commonplace on Jefferson Parkway in the mornings and afternoons.
The city has created videos in English and Spanish describing the new changes and mapping out the new route. They can be found on YouTube by clicking here for English and here for Spanish. Those with further questions can call the City Engineering Department at 507-645-3020.
CAC makes permanent changes to Operation Joy
With just under two weeks left before Halloween, the Community Action Center is reminding people in the Northfield area that it’s not too early to start thinking about Christmas. The CAC is gearing up for Operation Joy, the annual gift sharing program that provides families in need with food and gifts for the holiday season, and they are asking for help from the community.
The Community Action Center has run Operation Joy for over fifty years, providing a sorely needed service for the area. Lisa Percy, the Operation Joy program coordinator said the CAC had to make some significant adjustments to the program last year to keep that run intact, and some of those changes will be made permanent.
Traditionally, Operation Joy has provided a toy for each child of participating families. Last year, however, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, they were forced to provide a gift card to the families for each child instead. The feedback the organizers received told them that the gift cards were the better option for families, as it allowed for a more personalized gift for each child, and it helped with the fact that most toy donations tended to be for younger kids.
“We’ve had a lot of teenagers who are part of this program. And a lot of the toys and donations have not always fit their age group, so we just wanted to level things for everyone, and make it an equitable opportunity. Gift cards fill that need in a lot of ways.”
Along with the gift cards, which last year were purchased from Target, each family will receive gift cards from Content Book Store, Chamber Bucks courtesy the Northfield Are Chamber of Commerce, a gift card to a local grocery store, and a box of food. Each child will also receive a pair of hand sewn pajamas, and each family will receive a handmade quilt. Percy said last year, Operation Joy served more than 900 children, and they already have more than 900 pairs of pajamas ready to give away.
The CAC is currently taking monetary donations to pay for the gift cards and is accepting registration from families who wish to participate. The date of Operation Joy this year is Wednesday, December 8. For all the information on participating and donating, visit communityactioncenter.org.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Lisa Percy of Community Action Center can be heard here
Area United Way and HOPE Center to host presentation on Domestic Violence Prevention
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the Rice County Area United Way has announced a Zoom presentation in collaboration with the HOPE Center entitled “Uncovering Domestic Violence in Our Midst.”
Erica Staab-Asher, the Hope Center Executive Director will lead the presentation. She will discuss the impact of isolation abuse and gaslighting, or the practice of psychological manipulation that forces a person into questioning what they believe to be true. Staab-Asher will also talk about the cycle of victimization and why it is so hard to break, and she will offer advice on how to help someone who is, or even might be, stuck in a potentially dangerous relationship.
Based in Faribault, the mission of HOPE Center is to create zero tolerance for sexual and domestic violence through healing, outreach, prevention and education. Through innovative programming, they offer direct support to victims of violence in Rice County, collaborative support to other organizations that serve victims, and educational support to the entire community.
The HOPE Center offers a 24-hour safe line. Anyone looking for help on how to get out of an abusive relationship, or advice on how to help someone, can call 800-607-2330.
The Zoom presentation will be next Monday, October 25th at noon. For more information or for a link to the presentation, email the Executive Director of the Rice County Area United Way, Elizabeth Child, at elizabethchild@ricecountyunitedway.org.
For more information on HOPE Center click here
For more information on the Rice County Area United Way click here
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
