Moreland accepts plea deal
Rice County Attorney Paul Beaumaster was shocked when, during pre-trial discussion on Tuesday, 58 year old Michael Wayne Moreland chose to accept a plea agreement offered in the death of Kimberly Motzko. That agreement is that the felony charge of criminal vehicular homicide/gross negligence is still out there but Moreland accepted careless driving, a misdemeanor. The agreement is that if he does everything required of him during probation then the charge of Careless Driving is the only thing that will be on his record. Moreland has 3 years probationary period in which he will serve prison time on July 25th, 26th and 27th for the years 2015, 16 and 17. Those are the day before, the day of and the day after the death of Motzko, the woman he struck on a rural road in Webster in July of 2012. He must abide by all other terms the court demands. His sentencing is scheduled for October 22nd. Beaumaster added that her family feels that “finally” Moreland accepted responsibility. Should Moreland violate any part of his 3 year probation he could face the felony of criminal vehicular homicide. His trial had been scheduled for September 22nd.
Council approves 2015 Preliminary budget with expectations of change
The Northfield City Council sailed through the Consent Agenda last night. They approved the Second reading of the Pawnbroker and Precious Metals Dealers Ordinance as well as an ordinance Amending the City Code to allow Youth Members on Boards and Commissions, giving voting rights to 1 per board. Council passed the 2015 Preliminary budget. Finance Director Melanie Schlomann discussed several different funds and added that this is PRELIMINARY and she expects the numbers to change. Council approved the 2015 preliminary budget 6 to 1 with Councilor DeLong the dissenting vote seeming perplexed as to where the dollars were for the Tiger Trail since they were in last year’s budget. Mayor Graham said there’s been a lot of questions about the budget process including how much information they receive and when. He added that staff is doing a great job of trying to answer all their questions and be transparent. By the end of September, council is mandated to pass a preliminary budget by September 30th. In December, the final budget and levy will be passed, all of which could lower. Graham’s interview and the meeting are archived online at kymnradio.net.
Constitution Day event
It’s Constitution Day and the Weitz Center is hosting an event from 7 to 8:30 this evening with speakers including Representative David Bly and Carleton President Steve Poskanzer.
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The post Today’s news update – Moreland accepts plea deal; Council approves 2015 Preliminary budget with expectations of change; Constitution Day event appeared first on KYMN Radio - Northfield, MN.