One person was killed and two more were seriously injured on Friday morning in a motor vehicle accident on Highway 19.
A statement issued by the Northfield Police Department said at 10:20 am a crash was reported on Hwy 19 west of Armstrong Road involving two vehicles that collided head on.
A white Audi SUV collided with a Honda SUV. The driver of the Honda was killed in the crash. The driver of the Audi and a passenger in the Honda were taken to the hospital with injuries. Highway 19 was closed for several hours for a crash investigation but was re-opened by mid-afternoon.
Because the accident occurred on a state highway, the Minnesota State Patrol responded and is handling the crash investigation. Further information will be available on the Minnesota State Patrol MSP Crash Updates webpage. KYMN News will update this story as more information is made available.
New Archer House development will be a mix of retail, housing
Manawa, LLC, the division of Rebound Enterprises that is re-developing the former site of the Archer House, unveiled the initial design plans for a new structure on Thursday night.
The plans show a nearly 70,000 square foot facility, combining residential and retail space, and room for at least one restaurant. The elevation shows a roof level of nearly 160 feet. With five levels, the design would require Manawa to apply to the city for a height variance, presumably through both the Historic Preservation and Planning Commissions before seeking approval from the City Council.
The front facade offers a segmented design to give an appearance of three separate buildings, with a relatively modern feel. Bob Loken of ESG architects, the designers of the project said during the presentation that the idea was to respect the requirements of the Historic Downtown District, while still creating a building that was obviously built in the present day.
The Archer, as it is labeled on several of the renderings, will offer just over 8200 square feet for retail, enough space, Loken said, for 3-5 outlets. There will be approximately 38 “dwelling” units. Details were not readily available, but sources say the majority of those units are designated for rental or ownership, while others will be furnished and offered for short-term rentals.
A bottom “river level” would be constructed as a 36-stall parking space.
The Archer House River Inn suffered a fire in November of 202, and the building was eventually demolished in January of 2022. When operating, the Archer House had been the heart of Downtown Northfield, and for nearly three years, questions have been rampant, wondering what would fill that space. Over time, there has been speculation that the new building’s footprint would reach from Division Street to the Cannon River. However, an emergency easement, necessary to service the neighboring Nutting Block Building, means the footprint will be much closer to the original Archer House. Instead, the area behind the building will be terraced and offered as a public amenity with space for the public to sit and gather. Loken said it is possible a restaurant could take advantage of the area as well.
Speaking before the plans were unveiled last week, Mayor Rhonda Pownell said she was very happy to see things moving forward and was excited by the opportunities a new building on the site would bring for the city.
“Economic vitality is a really important component of the Council’s strategic plan. Growing that downtown corridor is hugely beneficial. And obviously the Archer House is a redevelopment, bringing back a building that once stood there and I’m just really excited that we’re going to have a quality structure in that space. It’s just a unique opportunity that we have to bring something back that’s better.”
The public process of finalizing the design will begin on Wednesday when representatives from Manawa will bring the design before the Historic Preservation Commission, seeking a Certificate of Appropriateness. That meeting will be held in the Council Chambers in City Hall, beginning at 6pm.
Search for Elle Ragin continues
Yesterday marked the one-year anniversary of the disappearance of 6-year-old Elle Ragin. The case remains open and the Northfield Police Department, along with several assisting law enforcement agencies, have continued to investigate the case with little to publicly show for it.
On July 2nd of last year, the Northfield Police Department was called to a residence at 604 Maple Brook Court by an extended family member of Elle and her mother Lisa Wade. Police discovered Wade in the home, the victim of an apparent suicide, along with a note that read, “Elle is dead. I love you all. I am so sorry sorry sorry sorry.” After searching the house and surrounding area with officers, canine teams, drones, and helicopter police were unable to locate Elle.
Initial investigation revealed that Wade may have been involved in the disappearance of her daughter several days before taking her own life. The investigation showed that Elle had been last seen outside of her home on June 19, 2022. On June 23rd of last year, Lisa Wade was found alone in a state park in Stearns County, on the banks of the Mississippi River. She had been there for more than a day and told authorities she had lost her phone and car keys while hiking. After returning home to Northfield, Wade had contact with family members and was characterized as emotionally distraught.
Several leads have produced some evidence of what may have happened, but nothing concrete.
A statement issued by Northfield Chief of Police Mark Elliott said the department continues to work on the investigation and is asked for the public’s assistance. If anyone has information that would assist in locating Elle Ragin, please call the Northfield Police Department at 507-645-4477 and share that information. Anonymous information may be passed along to Crime Stoppers.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
