Northfield Chief of Police Mark Elliott has confirmed reports that a suicide note was found with the body of Lisa Wade, the mother of
missing 6-year-old Northfield girl Elle Ragin. The note is quoted as saying “Elle is dead. I love you all. I am so sorry sorry sorry sorry.” Chief Elliott said that was the entirety of what was written.
Reports also say blood and hair were found in a garbage can in the garage of Wade’s residence. Elliott said the amounts were not significant enough to be helpful to the investigation.
On Tuesday during a press conference, Elliott revealed that Wade had traveled to Mississippi River Park in Stearns County, shut off her phone and evidently stayed in the park for two days. She then told a sheriff’s deputy that she had lost her keys and phone while hiking and received assistance getting her car to a dealership where she was able to obtain a new key.
Elliott also said yesterday that the search in Stearns County along the Mississippi has concluded. While the searchers did find Elle’s cell phone on the shore, and Wade’s purse with her keys, phone and ID in the river, nothing else was discovered.
Despite the information left in the note, Elliott has maintained hope that Elle Ragin would be found alive, even wondering if the information in the note is accurate.
The note raises more questions. If her daughter had died and Wade knew where she was, why wouldn’t she have offered directions to find the girl’s body before taking her own life?
While the evidence clearly points to one conclusion, Elliott said, without the discovery of her body, hope remains, however slight, that Elle Ragin could still be alive.
“This is a tough case. I think everybody in the public knows that. I’ve certainly heard from a lot of people around town, and they’re concerned. It’s heartbreaking. We’re still hopeful that we can locate Elle. Maybe Lisa, the mother, sent her with some friends or something like that, but at this point we just don’t have any evidence that’s the case.”
The search remains open. The police continue to receive calls from well-wishers and concerned members of the community offering help. Elliott said at this time, the only help they require is any information that anyone might have. And he thanked the community for the support the department and Elle’s family are receiving.
Anyone with any information concerning the disappearance of Elle Ragin is asked to contact the Northfield Police Department and share that information at 507-645-4477.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Northfield Chief of Police Mark Elliott can be heard here
Annual Board & Commission membership drive is underway
The City of Northfield is once again encouraging all interested parties to consider joining one of the many municipal boards or commissions.
A cursory glance at the Boards and Commissions page on the city website showed dozens of positions with expiring terms or boards with vacant seats.
Members participate in advisory, regulatory, governance and oversight activities in a wide variety of fields. While some are purely advisory positions, others like the Planning Commission and the Heritage and Preservation Commission have quasi-judicial roles to fill from time to time in issuing building permits and certificates. A statement issued by the city said more than 145 community members annually provide valuable leadership to the City through their participation on these groups and special study committees.
The statement went on to say that the City Council is committed to appointing members who reflect and represent diverse segments of the community.
Candidates to the boards are appointed by Mayor Pownell with confirmation by the council. The mayor typically meets with candidates one-on-one as she seeks to fill the appointments.
Additional information and applications may be obtained at the Administration Office in City Hall, or on the boards and commissions pages on the City of Northfield website, where an application may be filled out and filed online.
Completed board and commission applications may be turned in throughout the year; however, those wanting to be considered for the openings at the beginning of 2023 should submit an application no later than Monday, August 1, 2022.
Grant applications to Northfield Shares due by October 3
And the Northfield Shares grant application process is open for 2023. 
Northfield Shares is a local foundation that looks to support local programs and non-profit organizations by encouraging philanthropism, volunteering, and promoting collaborative leadership.
Grants through Northfield Shares are judged on specific criteria. A project will be evaluated based on need in the community, feasibility, and the ability of the organization to achieve the project’s goal. Organizations are evaluated on the assistance they offer to sustain a “thriving, equitable community for all residents,” and their ability to create the broadest possible range of help. The foundation tends to favor projects and organizations that involve volunteers, and collaborative projects from multiple organizations.
Grant applicants should have a goal and ability to maintain and enhance the overall well-being of the Northfield community and have the ability to manage the funds granted and deliver on the proposal.
Some grants will come through Northfield Shares’ dedicated funds.
“We’re really fortunate to benefit from the generosity of those who came before us who wanted their work to live in perpetuity,” said Northfield Shares’ Executive Director Carrie Carroll. “Our past donors have created something that we continue to benefit from.”
Those dedicated funds that Northfield Shares manages aid Northfield youth and young adults and help with the beautification of Northfield.
Once an application is received, it will be reviewed by the Grants Committee which will then make its recommendations to the Board of Directors for final approval. Grant recipients are announced in November and the funds will be distributed at the Northfield Shares Annual Meeting in December.
The deadline to turn in a completed application is October 3rd.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
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