This afternoon, as part of a domestic violence awareness campaign, the HOPE Center and the Rice County Attorney’s Office will present a training session addressing the myths & misconceptions surrounding victims of domestic violence entitled “Why can’t you be a better victim?”
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. A statement issued by Rice County said it is important to mourn those who have died because of domestic violence, celebrate and support those who have survived, and encourage those who work to end violence.
Attendees of the seminar will learn what to do if they witness domestic violence, how to best support victims, and what resources are available to victims.
The statement said victims of domestic violence living in Rice County can access free and confidential advocacy and services from HOPE Center, which is the county’s domestic violence advocacy agency. They can also receive help from the Rice County Attorney’s Crime Victim Services program, which provides resources for crime victims involved in the criminal court system.
The session is set to run from Noon-1:00 this afternoon in the boardroom of the Rice County Government Services Building in Faribault.
Ice Arena faces several obstacles
The City of Northfield, while in the midst of budgeting for 2024, is using long-term financial forecasting for the first time within the budgeting process. So, as the City Council debates the merits of an 11.5% increase to the tax levy vs. a 9% increase, the not-so-quiet elephant in the room is the projected 20% tax levy increase set for 2025, due to the Bridge Square redevelopment project and the $10-$11 million the city would contribute to the construction of a new $18 million ice arena.
It is quite possible that the Bridge Square project will be delayed at least a year, but the ice arena is becoming more and more of a glaring problem that must be addressed.
The city has searched for answers on what to do with the problematic building for decades. The building was never meant to house an ice rink long-term, but it has done so since the early 1980’s. It is not an appropriate building to support the Northfield High School hockey program, falling short in many of the Minnesota State High School League criteria. The roof is in need of replacing, and the ice making system is so out of date that the fuel that runs it will soon no longer be available to the city.
Efforts have been made in the past to find a solution, including a failed referendum in 2018, but the issue is now coming to a head. Several presentations have been made to the council over the last few months about the need for a new building and how the finances would break down, followed by extensive discussion. Only Councilor Brad Ness has expressed full throated support for a new arena. Councilors Jessica Peterson White, Jami Reister and George Zuccolotto have said they do not support construction of a new building based on the plans they have been shown.
Last week, City Administrator Ben Martig presented options for how to proceed, if at all, with the project. Councilor Peterson White said she would need to see much more participation from private entities and the Northfield School District for her to support the project. Councilor Kathleen Holmes asked what would happen if the city were to close the building and not replace it, to which Ness replied that the exodus of hockey playing students would cost the school district an estimated $2.25 million annually in state funding. Peterson White said those numbers only serve to support her feeling that the district should be offering more.
Martig’s presentation showed that the city could continue with the building as it stands, but if nothing else, it would likely have to add in the cost of a new ice making system in 2025. City staff has previously indicated that would be approximately $2 million.
The Council is expected to keep both the new arena and the Bridge Square project in the Capital Improvement plan for 2025 when it approves the final budget for 2024 in December, but changes will most likely be made before the next budgeting cycle begins next summer.
Mill Town Marathon offers Minnesota runners an option
And on Sunday, somewhat unexpectedly, the City of Dundas will host the Mill City Marathon
Three weeks ago, organizers of the Twin Cities Marathon were forced to cancel their event two hours before the start of the race due to extremely hot conditions, leaving many who had been in training for months to look for other options. Some runners in the Dundas area, like Dale Fredrickson, were reminded of the timed marathon in Dundas that had been organized in 2020, and a new version of the Mill Towns Marathon was created.
Fredrickson said the course will begin and end at Memorial Park in Dundas.
“The course starts and ends at the ballpark where the Dukes play in Dundas. There’s plenty of parking. The course will run down the east leg of the Milltowns Trail to Quick Trip and then out on the sidewalk. That runs along Highway 19 to Armstrong Road. And then it’s back on the bike path just past the entrance to Sechler. Then it runs the bike path back through Dundas, so you’ll be crossing city streets in Dundas twice.”
Fredrickson said half-marathon runners will circle the course twice. Full marathon runners will circle it four times. The terrain of the course is quite flat, according to the marathon website, so it will not be an impediment to the runners and will offer spectators excellent places to cheer the runners on.
He also said volunteers are needed to help with water stops and other support roles for the race. Those interested in registering should visit the Mill Towns Marathon webpage. The cost to run either the full or half marathon is $50. The race will begin at 8am this Sunday.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Dale Fredrickson of the Mill Town Marathon can be heard here
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
