Polls are open today from 7am until 8pm, as voters across the country are being asked to decide on hundreds of candidates for office. 
In Minnesota, Governor Tim Walz, seeking a second term, is being challenged by former State Senator Scott Jensen. The offices of Attorney General, Secretary of State and State Auditor are also being decided today.
In the 2nd Congressional District, which includes Northfield, Democratic Congresswoman Angie Craig who is seeking a third term, is once again facing off against Republican Challenger Tyler Kistner, whom she narrowly defeated two years ago.
Every seat in the State House of Representatives and the State Senate is up for election this year, due to the re-drawing of legislative districts after the 2020 census. In the new House District 58A Republican endorsed Gary Bruggenthies, an accountant with Scott County, is opposing DFL endorsed Kristi Pursell the Executive Director of Clean River Partners. In Senate District 58, Democratic endorsed Northfield City Councilor Clarice Grabau is facing Republican nominee Lonsdale Chiropractor Dr. Bill Lieske.
Rice County law enforcement offices are on the ballot today. Incumbent Sheriff Jesse Thomas is being challenged by Ross Spicer, a deputy sergeant in the sheriff’s office. Meanwhile two-term County Attorney John Fossum is also being challenged from within his office by Brian Mortenson.
Three seats on the Northfield City Council will be decided today. The at-large seat vacated by Grabau is being sought by Thelma Estrada and Davin Sokup. Incumbent Councilor Jessica Peterson White is being challenged for her 4th Ward seat by Aaron Schindler, and Kathleen Holmes is running unopposed in the 1st Ward.
Finally, Northfielders are being asked to fill three seats on the Northfield School Board by choosing from a pool that includes incumbents Tom Baraniak and Jeff Quinell, along with candidates Ben Miller, Robert Coleman, Jenny Nelson and Ricky A. Livingston.
Those in the Northfield School District are also being asked to vote on a referendum that would renew and expand the district’s Capital Improvements Levy.
Rice County Salvation Army prepares new Mini-Kettle program to enhance fundraising
With the holiday season approaching, the Salvation Army is ramping up its annual Red Kettle program. In Rice County, the standard kettles
will be set up outside of the same familiar locations in Faribault, Northfield and Lonsdale, however this year locals will also see a new facet of the program sitting on the counter of a favorite establishment, bank, or retail center.
The Mini-Kettle program will bring what has traditionally been an outdoor exercise indoors. The smaller versions of the red kettle will simply sit on a counter beside a cash register inviting patrons to donate some change to help benefit the various programs run by the Rice County Salvation Army.
Don Pavek is coordinating the mini-kettle program. He said there could be as many as twenty different locations this year, and he already has most of the locations in place.
“I’ve got a lot of places that have already agreed. Tanzenwald, The Hideaway, Northfield Golf Club, Culvers, the L&M Bar, Flaherty’s, Dawns, Firehouse Liquor, The Quarterback Club, Rare Pair. All the banks have agreed; Merchants Bank and Community Resource. They’ll have these kettles sitting there.”
The Rice County Salvation Army offers help throughout the year for disaster relief, food assistance, veterans services, shelter for those experiencing homelessness or domestic abuse, rent and utility assistance and several grass roots programs.
After setting and meeting ambitious goals during the pandemic, the Rice County Salvation Army has a goal to raise $100,000 this season. Pavek said all funds raised by the Rice County Salvation Army will stay here to help the people of Rice County. In fact, he said, much of what the Salvation Army does is in conjunction with the Community Action Center whose efforts are centered specifically in Rice County.
The mini kettles will begin to appear in locations later this week, he said, just about the same time the bell ringers will begin to appear with the larger kettles across the county. Both facets of the program will be active until the week before Christmas.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Don Pavek can be heard here
NFAB fundraiser will honor the late John Prine
A multi-generational group of local musicians will gather at Armory Square on Saturday, November 19th to celebrate and perform songs 
written by legendary singer songwriter John Prine. The tribute show, which has been organized by veteran Northfield musician Ray Coudret, will benefit the Northfield Fine Arts Booster Board (NFAB).
Coudret is a math specialist at Northfield High School, and for more than ten years has been the director of the wildly popular Rock & Roll Revival program. The roster of performers for this event reflects his wide range of connections. Northfield High School students Emmet Norie, Caroline Brice and more will perform alongside Northfield community members such as Barb Piper, Brianna Lane, and the Bratlanders. Mixing generations, Mark Ross will perform with his daughter Ari, while Rob Ryden will perform with his daughter Grace. Coudret and his band Fred the Bear will perform as well.
John Prine, who passed away in 2020 as an early victim of Covid-19, is considered one of the most influential songwriters of his generation. His music has been covered by John Denver, Bonnie Raitt, Kacey Musgraves, and many more.
He was, Coudret said, a master of his craft.
“Every single song has like a lyric that’s just sort of perfect. He has songs where there’s always a lyric that touches you deeply, and there’s always some goofy thing that you’re not sure exactly what he means. I heard someone say once – and I’ve stolen it, so I don’t know who it was – but it’s basically ‘I was going to sit down and write a song, but John Prine already wrote all the good ones.’”
Tickets will be available at the door for a suggested donation of $10. Doors will open at 5:30, and the music will begin shortly after 6pm.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Ray Coudret can be heard here
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
[recent_post_carousel slides_to_show=”1″ limit=”5″ slides_to_scroll=”1″ category=”10″ media_size=”medium” dots=”false” show_read_more=”false”]
