A Northfield house-fire sends couple to stay with friends
A Northfield couple is staying with friends after their home erupted in flames Saturday. Edina Realty agents Sid and Martha Kasper’s home caught fire on Saturday afternoon. Northfield Fire responded to douse the fire and helped rescue their cats. Red Cross responded to help them buy needed items immediately. The home has been boarded up and secured for the time being until a full damage assessment is made. Their car sitting in the driveway was a complete loss.
Young Northfield girl caught up in culvert on Fox Lake
A Dundas man and a Northfield girl were rescued on Saturday after being being trapped near a culvert. On Saturday afternoon, Rice County Deputies were called to the west side of Fox Lake near Fox Lake Trail and Culver Ave., in Forest Twsp. 25 year old Joseph Frank of Dundas and 11 year old Chelsea Johnson of Northfield, were on a surfboard type raft. While they were paddling in the swollen water, they got too close to a large culvert. Between the high water and the strong current they were both sucked through a large culvert. According to the press release, the girl was the first to go through the culvert. She was wearing her life jacket, managed to get out and go for help. Frank hung on in the water, trying not to be pulled into the culvert. He was thrown a rope but was unable to be removed from the water. That was when he was pulled under water and sucked through the culvert. Frank was not wearing his life jacket. Both were injured. They were seen by North Ambulance and transported to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
Rice County issues no wake zone and cautions boaters to be aware of debris
Just an hour before that, Rice County Sheriff Troy Dunn was discussing the need for caution on area waters and added that canoeists and kayakers need to be very careful, especially novices. There’s a lot of debris in the water, including trees and the rivers are still moving fast. Dunn said the water was up to the road at Roberd’s Lake where there was a 20 foot swimming beach. He had called for a no wake zone throughout Rice County. He sent the water patrol out to post at public accesses and talk with area resort owners as well as residents. While the water has been going down, it’s still high and the current’s still strong.
Kline visits Northfield, assessing damage in southern Minnesota
Mayor Dana Graham, Police Chief Monte Nelson and Sheriff Dunn met with Congressman John Kline on Saturday as he toured flood ravaged areas in southern Minnesota. 
Public Works Director Joe Stapf commented that the Cannon River in Northfield had gone down by a foot and a half on Saturday afternoon, however, they were still very cautious about what’s to come. Areas of flooding have been found where there wasn’t a problem in 2010 or 2012. A concern for area farmers is how long their corn and soybeans will sit in water. And for businesses and the City, it will be carp cleanup coming up as the water recedes.
Northfield has fared better than many other communities. Graham said the big advantage we had this year was the fact that Byllsby dam opened up for us to allow more water through. Kline’s visit was really an information gathering mission. Damage assessment will take weeks at the least.
Northfield PD moves to new facility this weekend
Aside from assisting with flood patrol, the Northfield Police department spent the weekend moving. If you have business inside the police station such as paying a fine or filing a report, starting today, you’ll be doing that at their new location at 1615 Riverview Drive behind Perkins restaurant. I was fortunate to get a tour of the new building. Far more security features will make their work easier and the vehicles will be able sit inside during winter.
The Dundas City Council meets tonight at 7 o’clock. They’ll consider raising their compensation just as Northfield is. They need to pass any raise before elections. The proposed ordinance would increase the Mayor’s compensation to $500 a month and councilmembers to $400 a month. City Administrator John McCarthy will be in studio tomorrow morning.
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The post Today’s news update – A Northfield house-fire sends couple to stay with friends; Young Northfield girl caught up in culvert on Fox Lake; Rice County issues no wake zone and cautions boaters to be aware of debris; Kline visits Northfield; Northfield PD moves to new facility this weekend appeared first on KYMN Radio - Northfield, MN.