Today is, of course, St. Patrick’s Day, and Law Enforcement will be increasing its presence across Rice County, and the state, on what is 
Northfield Police Chief Mark Elliott said while he feels it is important to have a good time and enjoy the holiday, it is also important to be safe. The safety of everyone needs to be kept in mind, and that especially means exercising good judgement on the roads.
According to the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety, alcohol and drug impairment is one of the most dangerous driving behaviors seen on Minnesota roads. There have been more than 400 drunk driving-related traffic deaths in Minnesota since 2016. Alcohol-related crashes not only take lives, but they can also change them forever. An average of 384 life-changing injuries were caused by alcohol-related crashes in that same period.
Chief Elliott said he strongly encourages people to plan ahead for a sober ride by designating a sober driver, using public transportation, a cab or an app-based ride service, or by staying at the location of the party. It is important to make that plan before doing any celebrating, as a person’s judgement tends to be better when there is no alcohol in their system. Also, he said, Northfield has limited resources for rides-for-hire and arrangements might have to be made ahead of time.
He also reminded everyone that the Northfield Police Department will be looking for impaired drivers.
“We’re going to have extra patrols on as part of Minnesota’s toward zero death program. We’ll be out doing increased traffic enforcement and safety in particular, particularly around DWI’s over Saint Patrick’s Day. So, we’re going to have extra officers out as well as State Patrol and the county will have extra people out looking for impaired drivers.”
Those who encounter a drunk driver or know a person that is driving while impaired should call 911. Please be prepared to provide location, license plate number and observed dangerous behavior when calling.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Northfield Chief of Police Mark Elliott can be heard here
NH+C experiencing a ‘tough moment’
As healthcare systems across the country continue to face major funding and workforce challenges, Northfield Hospital + Clinics President 
and CEO Steve Underdahl said this is a particularly “tough moment” in American health care.
There are many problems, and they tend to compound on themselves. Like every other sector of the economy, inflation has taken a large toll on healthcare. Underdahl said they had anticipated inflation would be a problem coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic, but the degree to which it has risen has been a surprise.
Northfield Hospital, like many other hospitals across the country, continues to have trouble transferring patients, particularly those needing nursing home care. The hospital has patients who no longer need to be in the hospital, but are not ready to go home, and there is nowhere to send them because of the staffing problems nursing homes are facing.
Staffing, of course, is a problem at hospitals as well. Underdahl said NH+C is seeing the problem at all levels of staffing, and in every discipline from nurses to maintenance, and it is costing the organization a lot of money.
“You know the costs of overtime, shift bonuses, travelers where we have sort of temp staff which was a process that got started during COVID. In 2022 just as an example, this represented millions of dollars for us. So, this isn’t just one of those things where it’s, ‘Well that’s been kind of a hassle and it was a little more expensive than it used to be.’ it represents numbers with two commas in them.”
He said part of the problem is that every sector of the economy is competing for the same employees. Today, someone looking for an entry level position can almost choose where they would like to work, from fast food to a lumber yard to a hospital. Every position must make itself as attractive as possible with higher wages, signing bonuses and other benefits, which only drives costs up.
Minnesota unemployment levels currently sit under 3%, but the workforce participation rate is only at about 68%. Like many people, Underdahl is a bit mystified by those participating in “The Great Resignation.”
“The dad in me takes over a little bit and it’s like, ‘Well, you know. What are these people doing?’ And, because I personally know some folks who you know are like, ‘Well, I’m going to take a little time off and reassess.’ I just always find that an interesting cultural moment that we’re in.”
Underdahl said there are many positions open with Northfield Hospital + Clinics. For employment information, and a list of what positions are open, visit northfieldhospital.org/careers-new.
DJJD Committee now accepting nominations for ‘Exemplary Public Service’ Heywood Award
And the Defeat of Jesse James Days Committee announced yesterday that nominations are now being taken for the 2023 Joseph Lee Heywood 
Distinguished Service Award.
The Joseph Lee Heywood Distinguished Service Award is given to a Northfield citizen who exemplifies a dedication to public service. Each year, the community honors Joseph Lee Heywood who was killed during the notorious James/Younger Gang bank raid. Heywood was, of course, the bank teller that refused to open the vault for the bandits.
Past recipients of the award include Nola Matheson, Greg Langer, Noel and Lois Stratmoen, Clancy Dokmo, Ray Ozmun, the 2022 recipient Jerry Anderson, and KYMN’s own Wayne Eddy.
The deadline for nominations is March 31st. For more information and to find the nomination form visit the Defeat of Jesse James Days website at djjd.org
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
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