NPD’s Pink Patch Project going strong after DJJD launch
Coming off of a successful fundraising effort during the Defeat of Jesse James Days the Northfield Police’s Pink Patch Project continues into October which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The Pink Patch Project is a national push to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Officer Champagne Eiklenborg has now brought the project to Northfield with the 1st Annual Northfield Police Department Pink Patch Project campaign.
During Defeat Days the NPD raised $4,526 in donations, patches and pin sales, boosting the total donations raised so far to just over $7,000. Officers will wear pink patches on their uniforms the entire month of October. According to a statement on the City of Northfield website, “The change in uniform is intended to stimulate conversation with the community and to encourage public awareness about the importance of early detection and the on-going fight against this disease.”
For Eiklenborg, fighting breast cancer starts with awareness and conversations.
“Any conversation’s a good conversation. Anyone that would love to have a conversation with myself or any other Northfield Police Department officers or even just community members, have those conversations. Cancer’s a real thing out there so keep talking about it and keep having awareness about it.”
In addition to sparking important community conversations, Eiklenborg hopes to raise at least another $1,200 before the end of the month and she looks forward to donating a “huge lump sum” to the American Cancer Society.
Eiklenborg also invited the Northfield community to an event on Saturday, October 15 at the Mall of America that will bring together the law enforcement agencies participating in the Pink Patch Project. Agencies will have booths and campaign merchandise and Eiklenborg said it will be an opportunity to connect with all the communities that have come together to fight breast cancer and raise awareness.
Place a pin or patch order by emailing NPDpinkpatch@gmail.com. The “Arrest Breast Cancer” pins are sold out, but the $10 NPD patch and $12 pink handcuff pins are still available.
For additional information about how to support the Pink Patch Project and what patches and pins look like, go to the Northfield City website.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Officer Champagne Eiklenborg can be heard here.
Five NHS seniors recognized by National Merit program
The Northfield High School has announced that five 12th Grade students have been recognized for their academic achievements by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
The National Merit program evaluates scores on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) that students take during junior year and students earn recognition based on academic performance in school.
Northfield Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matt Hillmann said these awards are a “big deal” for NHS, the students and their families. He said Northfield High School has a deep well of student talent and academic achievement and these honorees are the latest example of that.
“We have lots of kids who excel academically and in this case we had five high school seniors who were recognized by the College Board as part of the National Merit program. It’s a big deal for these young people.”
Henry Vrtis was selected as a National Merit Semifinalist. He is one of 16,000 semifinalists across the United States, representing less than 1 percent of high school seniors in the country. Henry and the other semifinalists will have an opportunity to continue in the competition for the 7,250 available National Merit Scholarships.
Hannah Hulett was named a Commended Student in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program for her exceptional academic performance. Hannah is among approximately 34,000 Commended Students from across the nation. Commended Students placed among the top five percent of 1.5 million students who entered the 2023 Merit Program.
Finally, Amelia Rosenhamer, Margaret Muth, and Sophia Weed each received the National Rural and Small Town Award (NRSTA).
A ceremony to celebrate the five honorees is being planned and a date will be announced soon.
Tonight Council to discuss expanding bikeways and regulating THC
Tonight there will be a regular City Council meeting in Council Chambers at City Hall.
There are three items on the Regular Agenda for the meeting tonight: considering expanding Northfield bikeways, clarifying ordinance language that governs the work of Northfield’s Heritage Preservation Commission, and considering how to regulate the sale of THC products in the city.
These topics have been discussed by the council before and this will not be the last meeting at which they are discussed or voted on.
The City Council and the Northfield City Staff are eager to hear the opinions of the public on any matter, whether the subject is on the Council agenda or not. Those who do wish to make a point, air an opinion or ask a question can email their councilor directly or make use of the eComment function which can be found in the “Agendas” section of the city website. City Council meetings are public and livestreamed on the city website and recorded so residents can go back and watch them. If you would like to make a comment in person, there is always an opportunity for Open Public Comments after the Consent Agenda is approved and before the Regular Agenda is discussed.
Tonight’s meeting will begin at 6 p.m.
Cait Kelley is the KYMN News Editor. Contact her at cait@kymnradio.net.
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