Five months later 2nd street is open
It’s a relief! For the first Monday since late November, 2nd street over the Cannon River is now completely open. Xcel Energy’s pipeline project was plagued with problems from the get go. The 3 week project took nearly 5 months due to extreme cold, equipment failure and an artesian well that just wouldn’t stop flowing. Crews finally wrapped up the finishing touches late Friday. NOTE: MNdot conducted a routine bridge inspection early this afternoon. They assured me they’d be out of there by 2pm! 
Richardson raises concerns over universal Pre-K
Governor Dayton’s proposed $400 million to pay for 4 year olds to attend pre-K classes is causing concern for school districts. Superintendent Chris Richardson says one of the concerns is that all available space they had is gone since the implementation of All Day K last year. Prior to last year, some children went half days, which means they could double the number of students. Now every parent has chosen to put their child in all day K. Richardson says every room is full. There’s no money in the bill to provide space. Richardson would far rather see the money be used to increase the formula benefitting all students. Private daycares may be eligible for the program IF they can provide classes that meet standards of preparing preschoolers. One elementary teacher I spoke with was leery of sending 4 year olds to such a structured setting and added that they really don’t have a curriculum for them.
Kallestad resigning from CRWP
After almost seven years, Executive Director Beth Kallestad is resigning her position with the Cannon River Watershed Partnership at the end of June. In an email she said she’s been feeling like she needed to do something different. The organization is in a good place right now. They just completed a strategic plan and recently won the Bush Prize. Kallestad said that gives them some funds to enhance their work. She added that they have a solid staff. Her plan is to start her own consulting business doing work similar to what she does now – planning, grant writing, project management, meeting facilitation – she hopes to stay in the water and natural resources arena and will definitely be staying in Northfield.
Nfld Meals on Wheels celebrates 45 years
Meals-On-Wheels in Northfield celebrates 45 years of providing nutritional meals to older adults and people with disabilities. Northfield Hospital Media Relations Director, Scott Richardson, explained how they started in May of 1970. Fourteen women from Church Women United gathered at the home of Dorothy Becker in rural Dundas for their spring meeting. Seven churches and the senior center were represented. They discussed their balance sheet, Operation H.O.P.E, the Clothes Closet and then new business: Meals-On-Wheels. The food is prepared by Nutrition Services at Northfield Hospital. Individual volunteers and drivers recruited by churches, services clubs, businesses, colleges and schools deliver some 6,500 meals annually. For more information on Northfield Meals-On-Wheels, call 507-646-1024 or go to the Hospital website and search. : http://www.northfieldhospital.org/about/community-partners/meals-on-wheels/.
State of the City luncheon slated for tomorrow
The Northfield Chamber of Commerce invites you to the 2015 State of the City Luncheon tomorrow at Jesse James Lanes. Mayor Dana Graham will give speak on City activities, development and key initiatives. Registration is at 11:30 a.m., with lunch and program to follow at noon. You can register online at Northfield Chamber events
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The post Today’s news update – Five months later 2nd street is open; Richardson raises concerns over universal Pre-K; Kallestad resigning from CRWP; Nfld. Meals on Wheels celebrates 45 years; State of the City luncheon slated for tomorrow appeared first on KYMN Radio - Northfield, MN.