Charges have been filed in the triple homicide reported in Farmington on Wednesday night.
A statement issued by the Dakota County Attorney’s office said Blake Thomas Maloney, age 26 of Farmington, has been charged with three counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of his mother 53-year-old Tracy Maloney of Lakeville; his father, 55-year-old Jack Maloney of Farmington; and his brother, 23-year-old Scott Maloney of Farmington.
According to the criminal complaint, a Farmington police officer was dispatched to the home of Jack Maloney on a request to check the welfare of Tracy Maloney, who had gone to her ex-husband’s house in Farmington to visit her sons.
The officer arrived at the home and knocked on the door which was partially open. When Blake Maloney answered the door and was asked if Tracy Maloney was there, he raised his hands above his head and admitted to the murders, saying he did not believe the people were his family.
Bail was set in the amount of $2,00,000 without conditions. Maloney’s next court appearance is scheduled for November 12, at 9am in Hastings.
Imminent Brewing owners and staff work against sexual harassment
Sexual harassment is a problem throughout society, that has worked its way into every walk of life, and social group. Recently, it has been shown to be a problem in the craft brewing industry, and one local brewery – if not more – is taking a stand.
Laura Meyers, the co-owner of Imminent Brewing in Northfield, said the problem was brought to her attention earlier this year, when a female brewer posted on Instagram that she was dealing with sexual harassment in her workplace and asked if any other women in the industry were dealing with it as well.
“Hundreds of people started sharing their stories on her page,” said Meyers, “and it became very clear, very quickly that this is a real problem in craft brewing.”
Meyers said it was a catalyst to begin a conversation with her own employees about the experiences women have had working at Imminent Brewing, and to start educating both staff and clientele about the realities of sexual harassment and how to put a stop to it.
Meyers said the first order of business was to make it as easy as possible for people to report a problem. Imminent contracted with a consulting group called WeVow to help on many different levels, including creating a reporting platform. There are now QR codes posted in various spots at the Imminent Taproom that can be scanned with a cell phone and will quickly facilitate a harassment report which will be sent directly to Imminent’s management.
The next step was to develop a code of conduct. Meyers said they wanted to find a way to remind people to not address the bartenders with pet names, and to treat others as they would like to be treated, without being overbearing or rebuking. They decided to play off of a different set of rules that had already been in place for years.
“We’re calling it Rules for Humans. We feel like it sounds a little friendlier, and because we’re a dog friendly space, we also have the Rules for Dogs and they kind of go together. It was just a way to say, ‘Hey we want to talk about this in a way that is accessible,’ and doesn’t feel stern and like we’re trying to reprimand people at every turn.”
Finally, Imminent has just put Brave Noise Pale Ale on tap. The beer is a collaboration with more than 140 breweries across the country to raise awareness about sexual harassment. Imminent is donating a portion of the proceeds from sale of the beer to the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
Meyers said other businesses around town are now talking about this as well, and she is hopeful that there will be a ripple effect to help all people gain a better understanding of the issue.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Laura Meyers can be heard here
Kraewood TIF public hearing set for tomorrow night
And the Northfield City Council will meet tomorrow night at 6pm in the Council Chambers at City Hall. 
The council’s regular agenda for tomorrow night’s meeting has several different items on it relating to the Kraewood development that will build two-dozen housing units and a 100-unit apartment building on the former Paulson Tree Farm. The council will hear a second reading of rezoning ordinances for two sections of the development, and they will consider a resolution to expand the Southbridge Tax Increment Financing District to include the proposed Kraewood apartment complex.
Additionally, there will be a public hearing, giving citizens an opportunity to voice their opinions on the use of Tax Increment Financing for the project.
The council will also consider a resolution recommending the preliminary budget and levy.
As always, the council and the city are always interested to hear what the public has to say. Those who do not wish to address the council at the meeting can email their councilor directly, or statements may be left through the eComment button in the “Agendas” section of the City of Northfield website.
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Rich Larson is the news director at KYMN Radio. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
