Trial for Northfield woman charged with killing puppies is underway in Dakota County
The jury trial of 62 year old Dayna Kristine Bell got underway in Dakota County court on Monday. The Northfield woman was charged with 14 felonies in April of 2012 in connection with animal cruelty. Chief Deputy Attorney with Dakota County, Phillip Prokopowicz said they picked the jury and were still taking testimony yesterday. A witness reported that Bell, owner of Bell Kennels in Sciota Township, drowned puppies and other dogs in September of 2011. This same witness says she also broke the neck of one dog that bit her. When executing a search warrant at Bell Kennels, investigators found 10 dogs in individual plastic bags in a freezer. They believe the dogs were wet when placed in the freezer. The trial could conclude today. Keep it on KYMN for further developments. I have a call in to the Dakota County Attorney’s office.
Rice County Public Health receives SHIP grant
Tis the budget season and Rice County Commissioners heard their fair share this week. Rice County Public Health Director Deb Purfeerst said her levy was expected to be $188, 720. She says the request is 5.6% of the department’s total expenditures. She’s also asking for 2 more full time employees. She says it should only affect her budget by about $27,000 because they are revenue generating positions. Purfeerst mentioned that much of their funding comes from grants. Yesterday, the Minnesota Department of Health announced that Rice County has been awarded $442,000 from the State through SHIP – Statewide Health Improvement Program. Rice County Public Health will be able to begin new projects across the county, while continuing its existing programs such as: supporting employers in offering comprehensive workplace wellness programs, educating child care providers on best practices in healthy eating and ensuring better access to healthy fruits and vegetables by supporting community gardens and farmers markets. They started the health improvement program four years ago.
Carleton’s “Pathways” program featured in Strib
Carleton made the front page of the Star Tribune on Sunday. Their new “Pathways” program was highlighted. This fall, Carleton launched the interactive website, as a “one-stop” shop for those who wonder how to turn a history or philosophy degree into a meaningful career. The Strib says at today’s prices, even elite schools like Carleton are feeling the pressure to justify the value of a liberal arts education. Parents are wanting to see a marketable career for the money they’re spending, which, for Carleton, is $58,000 a year for tuition and room and board. Associate Dean, Louis Newman, told the Strib that at first, there was some resistance to the “careerist focus” of the Pathways project. Some faculty members worried that students would feel pressure to abandon more cerebral studies, like philosophy or art history, for more practical ones like computer science. He said “We had to make very clear from the get-go,” said Newman, that “this is all about exploring. It’s about branching out. The last thing in the world we want to do is start narrowing their interests too soon into some career path. That’s not the point of this kind of education.” The Pathways database tracks more than 8,000 graduates and their career paths, following potential job titles with student interests. The interactive site allows students to visualize a path.
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The post Today’s news update – Trial for Northfield woman charged with killing puppies is underway in Dakota County; Rice County Public Health receives SHIP grant; Carleton’s “Pathways” program featured in Strib appeared first on KYMN Radio - Northfield, MN.