The Housing and Redevelopment Authority . . . → Read More: Today’s news update | HRA to implement Homeowner assist program, Two residents named to Redistricting subcommittee]]> HRA will discuss details on implementing a Homeowner assist program for the 2012 Street Reconstruction

The Housing and Redevelopment Authority meets tonight at 5 o’clock. Among items on the agenda is the mandatory resignation of Dayna Norvold because she no longer lives in Northfield. There are now 3 openings on the board. The bylaws allow the HRA to continue to operate with the remaining two members, however, Jim Crow, who resigned his seat, has agreed to stay on until someone else has been appointed. The HRA will be implementing a program to assist homeowners with their 2012 Street reconstruction assessments. Guidelines will include income requirements and documentation similar to those for First Time Home Buyers. It will also be on a first come, first served basis. The HRA is being asked to determine total project budget and amount to allocate per request, as well as complete program guidelines so that staff can write up the program policy guide.

Two residents named to Redistricting subcommittee

A Member of the Draw the Line Minnesota Citizens’ Redistricting Commission and League of Women Voters (LWV) Director At-Large, Karen Saxe along with LWV President Bonnie Jean Flom have been selected by city staff to join council members Erica Zweifel and Ivan Imm on the Redistricting subcommittee.

NRC awarded $15,000

The Northfield Retirement Community (NRC) has been awarded a $15,000 grant from the Mardag Foundation of St. Paul. The money will be used to facilitate the development and launch of family caregiver support groups. President and CEO of the NRC, Kyle Nordine says in an era where more and more adult children find themselves offering support and guidance to their aging parents, it’s increasingly important to have a support system in place to help them navigate their care options. Part of the program will include educational materials co-authored by KYMN’s host and author of The Unexpected Caregiver, Kari Berit.

Local Carleton senior earns a Churchill Scholarship

A local senior of Carleton College is the lone student from a Minnesota College to earn one of the 14 Churchill Scholarships. Michael Coughlin of Burnsville will receivea full scholarship to earn his master’s degree at the Institute of Astronomy at Cambridge University. Coughlin is a math and physics major. The award is worth between $45,000 and $50,000 and covers all fees. Churchill Scholars also receive a living allowance of up to about $17,000.

 Interfaith Forum set for Saturday

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship started the Rainbow Community Celebration and Interfaith Forum a few years ago to show support and raise awareness and funds for marriage equality. More and more faith organizations have become involved. Will Healy will be giving the invocation.  United Church of Christ is hosting the event. There will be a number of speakers including a keynote by Minnesotans for Marriage Equality’s Javen Swanson. Included will be time for questions and then treats including wedding cake! Tickets are available now at Monkey See Monkey Read. The event is Saturday night at 7 o’clock, the cost $10 or $5 for students. You can also get tickets at the door.

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Playlist:

She’s baaaaaack! . . . → Read More: All-Wheel Drive |February 8]]> Jessica Paxton hosts the 4-6pm hours filling them with eclectic music, news and local info.

Playlist:

She’s baaaaaack! Thanks to the gang here at KYMN for taking over the driver’s seat while I’ve been out with “the CRUD”!

Queen/Killer Queen
Violent Femmes/Promise My Love
Pink Mink/Back Door
Son Of A Gun/Push It Through
Sleep Study/Flower Girl (playing Feb. 15 at Minneapolis’ Kitty Kat Klub!)
The Magnetic Fields/A Chicken With Its Head Cut Off
Glen Campbell/Ghost On The Canvas
James Vincent McMorrow/This Old Dark Machine
Communist Daughter/Ghosts
The Black Keys/Sinister Kid
Koo Koo Kanga Roo/Lmnop

After the news, area funeral announcements, and the weather forecast

Cloud Cult/Running With The Wolves
Jim O’Rourke/Therefore, I Am
Peter Gabriel/I Don’t Remember
Paolo Nutini/Jenny, Don’t Be Hasty
Portugal. The Man/So American
Luscious Jackson/Deep Shag
Everything But The Girl/Missing
Jack Penate/Spit At Stars
The Beatles/I’m Looking Through You
Heartless Bastards/Parted Ways (playing the First Avenue Main Room on Feb. 10; new album “Arrows” hits stores Feb. 14!)
Josh Rouse/Late Night Conversation
Laura Veirs/Phantom Mountain (performing a matinee/kid-friendly show at the Cedar Cultural Center on Feb. 18)
Wye Oak/Civilian

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Turn out for the Republican caucus last night in Northfield was what activists expected. . . . → Read More: Today’s news update | Santorum surprise sweep of Northfield Republicans]]> Santorum surprise sweep of Northfield Republicans

Turn out for the Republican caucus last night in Northfield was what activists expected. Janalee Cooper reports that about 250 people attended with 30% first timers. Throughout the state, it was Rick Santorum’s night with Ron Paul coming in 2^nd. In Northfield, Santorum received 87 votes with Mitt Romney coming in at 56 votes followed by Ron Paul at 48 and Newt Gingrich at 20 votes. In Rice County totals, again, Santorum easily won with 294 votes but Ron Paul came in 2^nd with 190 votes, Romney followed at 121 and Gingrich last with 77 votes. Santorum also won Colorado and Missouri.

Rossing named to Governors Tax Reform Advisory Board

Mayor Rossing was among just 15 Minnesota Mayors selected to sit on the Governors Tax Reform Advisory Board. The group will be exploring ideas surrounding LGA and then giving recommendations to the Governor. She anticipates the process running throughout the Spring.

Redistricting subcommittee formed

The redistricting process has revved up. At this week’s council meeting, Mayor Rossing suggested that rather than work on the maps as a full council, they form a subcommittee. Councilors Zweifel and Imm have been appointed to the subcommittee, 2 residents will be selected by city staff. An open house to gather input from the public is scheduled for Feb. 15^th at 6pm at City Hall council chambers. The public hearing is February 21^st, the maps must be made by March 20^th at which time, they will be sent to the State.

Community Development could undergo reorganization

Council also discussed the community development department reorganization. There seemed to be an emphasis on planning. Mayor Rossing said council gave their thoughts to City Administrator, Tim Madigan. It really comes down to funding. One option is to consider using a consultant for certain projects rather than hire a full time staff member. Madigan will take council suggestions under advisement and come back with recommendations.

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The 46 year old resident of Valleyview Assisted Living and Memory Care whose unit burned . . . → Read More: Today’s news update | Arsonist being evaluated at HCMC and Council still can’t agree on EDA appointments]]> Arsonist being evaluated at HCMC

The 46 year old resident of Valleyview Assisted Living and Memory Care whose unit burned Sunday night, intentionally set the fire. No formal charges have been filed as yet, however, Public Safety Director Mark Taylor says the paperwork has been sent to the Rice County Attorney. Deputy Chief Chuck Walerius says the man deliberately set his unit on fire with a lighter. The man is currently at Hennepin County Medical Center undergoing psychiatric evaluation. The residents are unable to return to their units just yet. Officials met with the MN Dept. of Health and environmental services, Walerius says the unit on the end that burned will be sealed off while the rest of the residence is cleared of smoke which permeated the entire building. He says they’re hoping residents can return by the end of the week. Currently many of the residents are at the Owatonna Valleyview but there are also a few at Abbott Northwestern due to their ongoing medical conditions.

 Dundas drug dealer gets prison

A Dundas drug dealer arrested in last Novembers drug sweep has been sentenced. 22 year old Kevin M. Reineke was given 7 years for multiple felonies related to drug sales. He was also ordered to pay over $5500 in fees and restitution. He’ll get 203 days credit for time already served.

Council still can’t agree on EDA appointments

The Northfield City Council met last night for a regular meeting due to tonight’s caucuses. Two items on the consent agenda were moved to the Regular agenda for discussion. They included Mayor Rossing’s appointments to the EDA. Once again, the mayor’s choices were challenged and once again there are no new members to the EDA. She brought forth Councilor Nakasian, Charles Hayes and Joe Gasior, when Councilor Pownell tried to bring them individually, neither citizen was approved, so Mayor Rossing pulled Nakasian too.

 2012 Street reconstruction projects move forward

Public Works Director Joe Stapf presented the possible 2012 street reconstruction project assessments. The numbers are preliminary and subject to change. One resident spoke, Tim Klak, urging council to hold their approval until more information was available. Last night council set a public hearing date for February 21^st. The council passed the Resolution authorizing the preparation of plans and specifications.

Exemptions are approved for 3 car garages

The Planning Commission’s recent approval of a 3 car garage is in conflict with the new Land Development code. They asked council to allow design standard exemptions for final plats with previous development agreements. Builder, Steve Schmidt, spoke on behalf for several builders expressing the problems created over the construction of homes on lots platted under development agreements previous to the new LDC. Council approved the exemptions.

 Pedestrian struck on Hwy 3 at 2nd St. suffers minor injuries

The pedestrian struck yesterday morning while crossing Hwy 3 at 2^nd St. was checked out at Northfield Hospital and appears to not suffer any significant injuries. Deputy Chief Walerius says the accident occurred at barely 5 miles an hour. The driver, who immediately pulled over, was visibly shaken. Although having the green light, he’ll likely be charged with something because you must yield to a pedestrian.

 Caucuses tonight

Caucuses will be held at 7 o’clock tonight at the Northfield Middle school for democrats and at the Northfield High school for Republicans. For more information go to caucusfinder.sos.state.mn.us

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Attorney Boris Parker shares his life growing up in St. Petersburg, Russia (then Leningrad, USSR), immigrating to the U.S., . . . → Read More: Wayne Eddy Affair | Boris Parker]]>

Attorney Boris Parker shares his life growing up in St. Petersburg, Russia (then Leningrad, USSR), immigrating to the U.S., and being educated and becoming a lawyer in America.

Click here to listen to the show!

Listen in to the Wayne Eddy Affair every weekday. Monday through Thursday, 9:00-11:00 a.m. Fridays from 9:30-11:00 a.m.

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Officials believe that last night’s fire at the Valleyview Assisted Living and Memory Care facility was intentionally . . . → Read More: Today’s news update | Fire intentionally set]]> Fire intentionally set

Officials believe that last night’s fire at the Valleyview Assisted Living and Memory Care facility was intentionally set. Public Safety Director, Mark Taylor said there have been no arrests but they believe they know who set the fire and that there’s no cause for the general public to be alarmed. All their findings have been sent to the Rice County Attorney for assessment. Firefighters were called to a fire at the facility around 7:20 last night. One of the volunteer firefighters leaves near the area and was able to assess the scene before the firetrucks arrived. Northfield Fire Chief Gerry Franek says their first concern was to get the residents out safely. Firefighters assisted one gentlemen out of his unit in a wheelchair. Residents were then taken to Emmaus Church as a staging area to keep warm. The fire was under control within 35 minutes. The fire started in a southwest unit where it was contained. The rest of the building suffered smoke damage. Staff was able to go back in to retrieve medical records and prescription medications for some residents. Taylor says that the building was being readied for the residents to return, hopefully, later today. We’ll continue to update you as information becomes available.

 Pedestrian struck

A pedestrian was struck about 9 this morning while crossing Hwy 3 at 2^nd St. The woman was walking westbound while the driver was making a right hand turn from 2^nd St. We spoke briefly with the driver who was visibly upset and waiting for police to talk with him. The woman could move her extremities but was placed in a neck brace and transported to Northfield Hospital. We’ll keep you updated as information becomes available.

Council meets tonight due to caucuses

The Northfield City Council will meet tonight at 7 o’clock for a regular meeting due to tomorrow night’s caucuses. The Consent Agenda currently has 10 items to approve. The first item on the regular agenda is a discussion of the 2012 street reconstruction project assessments. Council will be asked to set an assessment hearing for February 21^st and to set an assessment level at that time. Some preliminary numbers are lower than what was anticipated.

New LDC code causes problems with old agreements

An item that may take up time is the land development code concerning wide garages. The Planning Commission’s recent approval of a 3 car garage is in conflict with the new code. They’ve asked council to allow design standard exemptions for final plats with previous development agreements. Several builders have recently expressed frustration to City staff and elected officials that the City’ s new Land Development Code ( new LDC), which the City adopted in August of 2011, is creating problems for the construction of homes on lots platted under development agreements previous to the new LDC. The builders maintain that to redesign building plans to satisfy the new LDC’ s requirements would cause hardship and significant expense to the potential buyers of such homes, and they urge the City to issue building permits for these lots so long as the plans comply with the standards in its old LDC.

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Listen for news updates on-air at 6, 7, 8, Noon, 3 & 5

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Listen . . . → Read More: ‘Morning Show’ with Jeff Johnson | Representative Kelby Woodard (Dist 25B) 2/06/12]]> Jeff Johnson speaks with State Representative Kelby Woodard, from District 25B regarding current issues with the State Legislative Sessions.

Listen to the full interview here:

Click here to listen to the show!

Contact the Senator….

rep.kelby.woodard@house.mn

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Playlist:

Etta James/W-O-M-A-N . . . → Read More: All-Wheel Drive |February 3]]> Jessica Paxton hosts the 4-6pm hours filling them with eclectic music, news and local info.

Playlist:

Etta James/W-O-M-A-N
Prince/When You Were Mine
Dusty Trails/Roll The Dice
The White Stripes/Fell In Love With A Girl
The Mamas & The Papas/Twist & Shout
Toni Price/Throw Me A Bone
The Civil Wars/Poison & Wine
Glen Campbell/Hold On Hope
Halloween, Alaska/The Jealous Ones
Yeasayer/Tightrope
Sugar/Your Favorite Thing
The Clash/London Calling
The Vibrators/You Broke My Heart
Amy Winehouse/Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?
Yaz/Situation

After the news, the area funeral announcements, and the weekend weather forecast

From Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” album, released thirty-five years ago this weekend…!
Second Hand News
Dreams
I Don’t Want To Know
Never Going Back Again
Cocteau Twins/a kissed out red float boat
Nick Drake/Northern Sky
Sufjan Stevens/Jacksonville
Rogue Valley/Rope Swing Over Rogue Valley
Nick Lowe/I”m A Mess
The Smiths/Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now
The National/Fake Empire
Radiohead/Fake Plastic Trees

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Broadcast on KYMN every Thursday from 11-11:30am. Ready or not, you’re a caregiver and Kari can help. This weekly . . . → Read More: The Unexpected Caregiver | Families Taking Care of Families (Five Tips)]]>

Broadcast on KYMN every Thursday from 11-11:30am. Ready or not, you’re a caregiver and Kari can help. This weekly program will help arm the average “boomer” with valuable help on getting the proper care for and reconnect with your aging parents.

Click the arrow to listen!

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Paula’s Guest/Topic . . . → Read More: ArtZany!-Radio for the Imagination | ‘Noises Off’ 02/03/12]]> Listen Fridays at 9:00am (replayed on Saturday also at 9am) to Paula Granquist’s “ArtZany!: Radio for the Imagination”

Paula’s Guest/Topic this week:

Paula’s guests today will share the story of the production Noises Off at the Paradise Center for the Arts in Faribault, Minnesota. All of my guests today are great supporters of the arts and active volunteers in southeastern Minnesota.

Ryan Heinritz is the Executive Director of the Paradise Center for the Arts in Faribault, Minnesota.  Visitparadisecenterforthearts.org for details on programming, events, and ways to support this non-profit arts organization. The mission of the Paradise Center for the Arts is to create a vivid and energetic cultural center for the community and region.

Kathy Rush is the Technology and Circulation Services Coordinator for the Northfield Public Library. She is a member of the board of directors for the Lockwood Theater Company.

What they also share in common is a role in the production NOISES OFF at the Paradise Center for the Arts in Faribault, Minnesota.

Ryan Heinritz plays Selsdon Mowbray.

Kathy Rush is a producer for the show.

Noises Off at the Paradise Center for the Arts

paradisecenterforthearts.org

Friday, February 10th, Saturday February 11th at 7:30pm,

Sunday, February 12th at 2:00 pm

Thursday, February 16th, Friday, February 17th, and Saturday, February 18 at 7:30pm

Tickets: $13 Adults  and $8 for children 12 and under. Groups of 10 or more, $1.00 off per ticket. Sponsored by Faribault Foods, Part of the 2012 Faribault Daily News Theater Season

Click here to listen to the show!

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By Scott Peterson (For Teri Knight)

Northfield Mayor Mary Rossing has been selected, along with more . . . → Read More: Rossing Selected to Governor Dayton’s Tax Reform Advisory Group]]>

Mayor Mary Rossing

By Scott Peterson (For Teri Knight)

Northfield Mayor Mary Rossing has been selected, along with more than a dozen Minnesota mayors, by Governor Dayton to advise the administration in its efforts on tax reform. The Tax Reform Advisory Group for Local Government Aid (LGA) will review and discuss policy issues related to LGA–specfically how to best pay for local services while holding local property taxes down. The amount of LGA given to cities is about half what it was a decade ago. The work of the advisory group will directly support the governor’s comprehensive tax reform proposal, which will be presented to the 2013 legislature.

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