A Northfield man is in custody after leading Farmington Police on a high-speed chase Tuesday night that resulted in structural damage to one of the buildings in 
Around 7:45 Tuesday night, the Northfield Police Department was made aware that Farmington police were in pursuit of a vehicle southbound on Highway 3 at what has been estimated to be speeds reaching 100 mph. The vehicle, driven by Victor Manuel Cruz Puentes, entered the city of Northfield and shortly thereafter crashed into the front of the apartment building at 710 Highway 3 North, which is Cruz Puentes’ listed address. Cruz Puentes fled from the crash through the building then into the adjacent building at 720 Highway 3. Cruz Puentes’ reportedly assaulted and injured an officer who attempted to arrest him, and when additional officers from the Farmington and Northfield police departments arrived Cruz Puentes attempted to assault them as well. He was subdued and taken into custody.
One Farmington officer was transported to Hennepin County Medical Center with injuries. Cruz Puentes was taken to the Northfield Hospital with possible injuries as he said he was not wearing his seatbelt and had impacted the steering wheel when he crashed. He was treated and released into Farmington Police custody.
Due to the damage to the building several residents were moved to alternative housing by the complex owner until a structural assessment and repairs can be made.
A statement released by Northfeld Chief of Police Mark Elliott said his department served in an assisting capacity on this call. Questions regarding the crimes of fleeing and assaulting a police officer should be directed to the Farmington Police Department.
City taking next steps on re-branding project
On Tuesday night after an abbreviated regular meeting, the Northfield City Council held a work session that included city staff, community members, and several 
members of the City Branding Commission.
Northfield Mayor Rhonda Pownell and City Administrator Ben Martig described the session as another step in the city’s re-branding project. The meeting was facilitated by St. Olaf Chief Marketing Officer Katie Warren and former Target Corporation Marketing Executive Bob Thacker, both of whom are Northfield residents who sit on the Branding Commission.
The point of the meeting was to come to a consensus on what the new City brand should reflect, or as Mayor Pownell put it, what is the brand essence.
“So, the brand essence is the heart and soul of the brand. Its timeless qualities are expressed in a few simple words that are unique to the brand. The mission is what you do, but the brand essence is who you are and how you do it.”
The commission was formed approximately 18 months ago in response to the census data that shows Northfield to be an aging community with relatively stagnant population growth and is a city that has a strong need to develop its commercial industrial tax base. The main objective of the commission is to help the city develop a comprehensive marketing plan that will help to grow the economy by attracting young families, workers, entrepreneurs, businesses and tourism. The plan is also something that each Northfield citizen must be able to buy into.
“Certainly, our community as stewards, and as businesses and residents need to buy into the plan. This Is us; this is Northfield. And we need to then send that message out to the world to talk about what a great place this is to do business, to come visit, to help grow our tax base, and grow our economy, and keep it a vibrant and fun place as well.”
Late last year, the commission conducted a survey asking community members how they see the city in its strengths and weaknesses. Mayor Rhonda Pownell said more than 950 people responded to the survey, and that data was used in part to boil the brand essence down to the words “vibrant,” “charming,” and “creative.” As such they will be the guides that are used to put the marketing plan together.
Mayor Pownell said the participation of all community members is vital to the success of this project, and she said she was very grateful to those who answered the survey, and to those who will continue to participate.
“We’re really grateful for all those that took the time to answer the survey and there will be more opportunities. Stay tuned everyone. Anytime we’re having open houses or creating those opportunities for dialogue to bring you up to speed on what we’re doing, we just really appreciate your presence at all of those meetings.”
The next step, said Martig and Pownell, is to find a consultant to work with the commission to create the marketing plan. The request for qualifications will be made in the coming weeks, and the city is hopeful of finding the right consulting firm by the end of June.
Volunteer opportunities in Northfield abound
National Volunteer week began on Sunday. Throughout the week, people have been encouraged to find a volunteering opportunity for a day, or for one project, or for an ongoing commitment to an organization or a cause.
Nonprofits rely on volunteers to help accomplish their day-to-day work and to meet their overarching goals. According to Volunteer Solutions, an international organization that offers volunteer opportunities worldwide, volunteering can benefit the volunteer as much as the cause or organization they work with. It offers a chance to make a difference with something meaningful to that person and helps to give a better understanding of social responsibility. Volunteering can also be an opportunity to gain first-hand work experience and can enhance and supplement an education.
Carrie Carroll, the Executive Director of the local community foundation Northfield Shares, said that her organization encourages volunteering as a fundamental piece of their mission, and to that end, they operate the Volunteer Hub on their website, which posts opportunities from all over the city.
She said right now there are opportunities to work with the Earth Day Celebration on Saturday. Later in May, people can volunteer for the Love Our City program. There are opportunities with the Northfield Public Library, Clean River Partners, HealthFinders Collaborative, and Ruth’s House of Hope, just to name a few.
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”]
