The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is asking for help from the public in finding an endangered adult from Randolph who has gone missing.
A statement issued by the BCA said emergency personnel with the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office and the Randolph-Hampton Fire Department have been looking for Nicole Anderson since Saturday morning. Nicole was last seen leaving her home to get the mail but never returned. The BCA is now treating this as an Endangered Missing Person case, with concern for her welfare.
Nicole Anderson is described as a 56-year-old white female, 5 feet, 10 inches tall and approximately 135 pounds. She has blond hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing dark-colored pants, sandals, and a long gray sweater/shirt.
According to the statement, Anderson’s family said her sudden disappearance is deeply concerning, especially to those who know her well. Her dog, phone, wallet, car, and crucial cancer medications were all left at home. She had recently undergone two major surgeries for breast cancer and is in the recovery process, making it even more critical to locate her quickly. Given her medical condition and her strong bond with her dog, the statement said, it is highly unlikely that she would leave without telling anyone, or making the proper arrangements
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has a phone line for sharing any helpful information at 651-438-8577, or email crimeandwarranttips@co.dakota.mn.us.
School Board fill-in will most likely be a former board member
On Monday night during their lone July meeting, the Northfield School Board addressed the need that Noel Stratmoen has expressed for temporarily resigning from the board due to health concerns.
Stratmoen, who has been on the school board for just under 44 years, is the longest tenured school board member in Minnesota. This is the second time in just over 18 months that he has taken a leave of absence from the board, after stepping aside in December of 2022 and returning in August of 2023.
Stratmoen is in the final month of his term, which is set to expire in January. Minnesota state statute allows for board members to temporarily resign because of health reasons, mandating that the leave last at least 90 days. Had the leave come within 60 days of the term’s end, the board would have been allowed to leave the spot open. However, the statute mandates that with about six months left, Stratmoen’s seat must be filled by a temporary replacement.
After Northfield Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matt Hillmann received the notification, he and School Board Chair Claudia Gonzalez-George drafted a pair of options for the board to consider. The first was to approach the situation the same way it had during Stratmoen’s previous leave, by opening the seat up to the general public and taking applications from those interested in filling the open seat. The second option was to contact one of the five former school board members who had served no later than 2020 but were no longer on the board.
Because of the shorter length of time this absence could last, the board voted 4-2 to contact Rob Hardy, Ellen Iverson, Julie Pritchard, Tom Baraniak and Robert Coleman to inquire if any of them would have interest as a short-term fill-in. Hillmann said he believes that is the best action to take.
“The board did approve to direct chair Claudia Gonzalez George to reach out to former board members. People who have served since 2020 but are not on the board right now. She will ask if there were any who would be willing to serve. The benefit of that is adding someone who has been on the board, and they know the system. They are able to get up to speed fairly quickly and provide the public with excellent service between now and the end of the term in December, should Noel be out that long.”
Stratmoen will be eligible to return in mid-September should his health allow. Dr. Hillmann echoed statements from every member of the school board when he said Stratmoen and his wife Lois are among the most beloved and respected members of the Northfield community, and the hopes for his speedy recovery are universal.
Rice County will be well represented at the fair
With summer at just about the midway point, it is time to start thinking about the Rice County Fair, which begins next week, running from next Wednesday, July 17th through Sunday the 21st at the county fairgrounds in Faribault.
A statement issued by Rice County said employees from three departments, Environmental Services, Public Health and the Sheriff’s Office, will all be working at this year’s fair.
Environmental Services will be located in the Commercial Exhibit Building. Visitors will be able to learn about Rice County’s Solid Waste Facility, the county recycling program, the Waste Wizard tool, and good techniques to decrease food waste. They will also be able to discuss building permit processes, potential Zoning Ordinance updates and issues with aquatic invasive species. Or, as visitors to the booth, they can ask questions, play a game, and enter to win prizes in a daily drawing.
Rice County Public Health will have an information booth at the fair, where visitors will learn about Public Health services, including vaping, vaccinations, health and safety, physical activity and health data about Rice County residents. The county health department will also offer a lactation space so families with young children will have a quiet space for breastfeeding.
The Sheriff’s Office’s Command Post, located just inside the east entrance, will include a First Aid station and a table with information for residents about staying safe at home, at work, or at play, whether they are on a bicycle, in a vehicle, or on the water.
In case of inclement weather, parents needing to pick up children should meet them at the Faribault Ice Arena near Bruce Smith Field.
Motorists should enter and exit from the north entrance off of 20th Street NW across from the Rice County Highway Department building.
For more information about fair parking, rides and attractions, exhibits, food vendors, entertainment and more visit ricecountyfair.net.
KYMN Daily News 7/10/24
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
