LBSA will hold Affordable Housing Forum
Affordable housing is in short supply in Northfield. Habitat for Humanity’s Dayna Norvold said Northfield has 478 subsidized units but over 2,000 families with a household income under $35,000. She says people are surprised at the level of low income here. A 2013 study said 33% of families in Northfield made less than $35,000 yearly. To be considered at the poverty rate, a household income for a family of 4 must be less than $23,000. Laura Baker Services Association’s Sandy Gerdis is ringing the bell for her clients saying the disability community has a hard time finding affordable housing and it’s going to get worse. Right now housing is included with services at LBSA but moving forward, they will be separated. Many of her clients live with aging parents and will need housing, something that creates community. LBSA is hosting an affordable housing forum on the evening of May 19th from 7 to 8:30. They’ll talk about the need and have some families speak. Additionally the focus will be on creative solutions outside of dollars. The focus will be on builders, suppliers and others who can come up with creative ways to build affordable homes/units for all the various community members. For more information on the forum go to laurabaker.org.
Flags fly at half staff today for National Police Week – Dunn says gone but not forgot
Rice County Sheriff Troy Dunn says 274 officers have been killed in the line of duty in Minnesota. This is National Police Week and Governor Dayton has ordered all flags on state and federal buildings be flown at half staff from sunrise to sunset in honor of the fallen. Dunn says those officers are gone but not forgot. They gave the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. He says the families are often forgotten. Being the spouse or children of an officer isn’t easy. One wife said being married to a police officer “is not for wimps”.
Erickson exits after 10 years
Assistant Public Works Director Brian Erickson was recognized this week for 10 years of service then announced that he’ll be leaving. Erickson has accepted the Public Works Director/City Engineer position for the City of Mounds View. He said he’s gained a lot of experience here in Northfield working with some great people. Erickson says his proudest accomplishment has been the renovation of City Hall. Mounds View is north of Minneapolis and has a population of about 12,000. Erickson plans on commuting from his farm in this area. His last day is May 27th. City staff are working on a reception for him.
EAB stepping on Northfield’s threshold
Dakota County was quarantined due to Emerald Ash Borer found last winter. That’s not only at Northfield’s door but a foot on the threshold as land north of North Avenue is in Dakota County. City Parks and Streets supervisor TJ Heinricy says what that means for citizens is that any deciduous trees cannot out of the quarantine area. So residents in Thye Parkway, Queen Lane, cannot haul to Northfield’s compost. One issue is how to police that. He says the City is in informational mode right now. Heinricy will be attending a seminar next week regarding pro-active actions including spraying trees, injecting them and/or cutting them down. We’ll have more on this subject coming up next week. Governor Dayton has declared next week Emerald Ash Borer Awareness week.
Click below to listen to FULL newscast:
Listen for news updates on-air at 6, 7, 8, Noon, 3 and 5
The post Today’s news update – LBSA will hold Affordable Housing Forum; Flags fly at half staff today for National Police Week – Dunn says gone but not forgot; Erickson exits after 10 years; EAB stepping on Northfield’s threshold appeared first on KYMN Radio - Northfield, MN.