The attorney for Waylon Kurts, a former St. Olaf student who is suspected of planning a mass casualty event on the school’s campus has filed a motion asking that all charges against his client be dropped.
A criminal complaint that was filed in Rice County District Court last April said that a St. Olaf custodian found empty packaging that had contained high-capacity firearm magazines, one for a rifle that holds 60 rounds, and another for a pistol that holds 24 rounds, with Kurts’ name on it in a dumpster outside of the residence hall where Kurts lived.
This led to a search of Kurts’ room by St. Olaf Public Safety personnel which turned up a tactical knife and a folding knife, a 24-round magazine for a Glock pistol, two empty boxes for 60 round rifle magazines, an empty ammunition box, a tactical vest that could hold three rifle magazines, 6 propane canisters, fireworks, lighter fluid, a lock pick set, and a note with St. Olaf Public Safety radio frequencies.
Also found in Kurts’ room were several notebooks filled with notes and ideas he had written down, including a hand drawn map of the Skoglund-Tostrud Athletic Facility. Another notebook found inside of his vehicle had notes for combat in it, describing the deadliest place on a person’s body to shoot them, how many times to shoot to ensure the victim’s death, how to kick in a door, and other notes on “things to be good at.”
Attorney Paul Rogescheske filed the motion on Kurt’s behalf. The 500-page document includes detailed listings of everything that was found in the dorm room. Rogoscheske states in the report that while his client did have possession of items that went against St. Olaf policy, he did not break a single law.
Moreover, Rogoscheske claims authorities have not been able to prove Kurts had a co-conspirator, despite one being named in the charges.
According to the motion, Kurts is a recreational shooter and hunter. A Vermont State Patrol police report notes that Kurts’ father referred to his son as a “prepper,” which is someone who believes a catastrophic disaster or emergency is likely to occur in the future and makes active preparations for it.
Kurts’ trial is scheduled to begin in December.
Middle School could maintain seven-period schedule
On Monday Night, the Northfield School Board heard a presentation from Northfield Middle School Principal Greg Gelineau proposing a way to maintain the Middle School’s seven-period schedule.
Last spring, as part of the budget reduction process, the Board decided to reduce the school’s daily schedule to six periods beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, thereby eliminating the equivalent of two full-time positions. The reduction in class periods would mean fewer elective classes would be made available to middle-school students, and the decision was one of the least popular ones made in the budget-cutting process.
Working over the summer, some members of the Middle School Staff and faculty found ways to consolidate a pair of classes, which would eliminate the need to make the change.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matt Hillmann said the Geography Department has stepped up to cut the time it takes to meet the teaching of the state’s geography standards in half.
“Darrell Sawyer, an outstanding geography teacher, did some work to map things out and make sure that all of the state’s standards could be accomplished in a one semester, everyday course. Darrell did some excellent work and showed that we could do it.”
Hillmann said the new design of the 8th Grade Geography course eliminates the need to replace newly retired Geography teacher Curt Mikkelson.
Another change will move the 6th Grade Writing class from an everyday course to an every-other-day course. With those changes in place, the Middle School will not only be able to keep the seven-period day, but it will also allow for more elective classes for Middle School students rather than fewer electives.
Hillmann said the budget reductions were made out of necessity, and nobody on the School Board was happy about having to do it. He said the proposed change, to which the board sounded receptive, shows the flexibility of the district’s decision-making process and the board’s willingness to change course when provided with better information.
“We don’t just set it, forget it and say ‘Yeah, we cut that and we’re going to make that change regardless.’ When we have new information, and we have new data, then we have another creative way that was not available to us at the time when we made those budget decisions. We always look at how can we improve things and I think it just shows that budgeting isn’t just a one time-of-the-year thing, it’s an ongoing process.”
The School Board is expected to vote on and approve the change at its next regular meeting on August 28th.
Free popcorn at FiftyNorth for a good cause
Fifty North will host a fundraiser next Wednesday in support of the Northfield Bridge Square Popcorn Wagon.
The wagon, which is 105 years old, has been undergoing a restoration process for the past few months, but there are structural fixes that are still needed. Specifically, the wooden window frames need replacing, as do the wagons axles, springs, wheels, and metal carriage. The awning on the wagon will be replaced, and the wagon will be repainted as well.
The wagon will be the centerpiece of the celebration at FiftyNorth as part of a free popcorn social. Northfield Historian Susan Hvistendahl, who has been a vocal supporter of the restoration, will give a presentation on the popcorn wagon’s history, and then be available to sign copies of her Historic Happenings books, including a brand-new 3rd edition.
Live music will be provided in the FiftyNorth lobby by Randall Ferguson as well.
Over the years the popcorn wagon has served to fund and support the operations of FIftyNorth, and the 501(c)3 organization is reminding all potential donors that contributions are tax deductible.
The Popcorn Wagon Party & Restoration Fundraiser is set for Wednesday, August 23rd, one week from today, at FiftyNorth from 6pm until 7:30. For more information, visit fiftynorth.org.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
