Two Faribault girls responsible for defacing grave markers
Two young girls from Faribault are responsible for vandalizing grave markers at Maple Lawn Cemetery. On Monday, Faribault police received a report of numerous markers being defaced with spray paint, some of them included a phone number. Detectives contacted the person listed, a young boy. He provided names of 2 girls he said he didn’t get along with. The parents of the 2 girls, ages 10 and 11, were cooperative and brought them to the police department where they admitted causing the damage. The case will go to the Rice County attorneys office for review.
Northfield at the forefront of implementing Drug Court
The Northfield Mayors Task Force on Youth alcohol and drug use was instrumental in getting Rice County to institute a Drug Court, according to Judge Tom Neuville. The impetus was the number of heroin deaths. HCI’s Zach Pruitt got a grant process going which helped provide the funding. Drug Court is not a new concept, Coordinator Yvette Marthaler says a 2013 study of drug courts in Minnesota proves it works. Recidivism dropped by 15% and participants are “much more socially engaged” meaning they work. Neuville says the goal is to spend the money on treatment that will enable offenders to create better lives for them and their families rather than jail. Many addicts commit property crimes to feed their addiction. There’s an eligibility criteria that must be met. Rice County won’t accept anyone unless they are high risk, high needs. They want people who have children and they must have a major addiction problem. Participants must also be looking at at least 6 months jail time. They have 2 people now going through the system, they’ve rejected 7 since drug court began in July. Neuville says the first thing is treatment. It’s a year and a half program that provides for treatment and high accountability. The full interview with Judge Neuville and Marthaler is posted online at kymnradio.net where they explain much more on the roots of Rice County Drug Court and exactly how it works.
Northfield Council received an update on Drug Court as it relates to Northfield. Mayor Pro Tem Zweifel explained that they are encouraging local businesses to donate services such as haircuts, oil changes and babysitting services. The Northfield police department has been supportive of the program, not all law enforcement is.
Nfld Hospital expansion looks to the future
The new 9,000 square foot expansion of the Northfield Hospital will include an endoscopy center that will allow for more efficiency and an opportunity to add an operating room if need be. President and CEO Steve Underdahl says as surgery techniques and protocols have changed, people are now coming in early in the morning and going into surgery right away. This expansion will provide for a better waiting space within the surgery area, a place for doctor/patient consults and post anesthesia care. It will be much more user friendly for doctors and patients. Work will start in November.
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The post Today’s news update – Two Faribault girls responsible for defacing grave markers; Northfield at the forefront of implementing Drug Court; Nfld Hospital expansion looking to the future appeared first on KYMN Radio - Northfield, MN.