Breaking news

Candidate for governor Becky Lourey (left) visits with Jasmin and Amber Barksdale, Molly Woehrlin and Charles Skinner during a house party hosted Thursday, January 12, by Sharon Gates-Hull in Northfield. Lourey held the first town hall-style meeting of the campaign later in the evening at St. Olaf College. She also visited along Division Street and viewed the farm art exhibit at Northfield Arts Guild.

Pictured (from left to right): Becky Lourey (sitting on table), Jasmine Barksdale, Amber Barksdale, Molly Woehrlin, Charles Skinner.

From the Northfield Public Schools Web site:

"Today, December 14th school will be dismissing two hours early due to bad weather."

This includes all Northfield public schools -- including the charter schools. It also affects many other groups: for example, Northfield Montessori is also closing early (at 2 p.m.).

The arrival of the 434th Chemical Company (Northfield, Redwing and Roseville) is scheduled for November 29th. The best guess for time is around 3:00p.m. Listend to KYMN or check here for updates.

Update: photos added 11/30 6:30 am:

I received a phone call this morning from a government official, informing me that the Dundas City Council last night voted 3-2 to not renew the contract of City Administrator Sue Kyllo.

Posted to the Star Tribune website about 45 minutes ago: Woman's body found in Forest Township ditch

At first, a backhoe operator west of Northfield, Minn., thought he saw a mannequin lying face-down in a ditch on Sunday afternoon. But closer inspection revealed it was the body of a blonde woman in her mid-30s, who had shoulder-length hair and wore a silver friendship ring.

Update 11/08 6 am: StarTribune

Rick Estenson and 250 Northfield area high schoolers are at the Metrodome this morning for the state high school Class AA semifinal soccer match against St. Louis Park at 10:00 am. Rick just phoned me from the Dome with the news that Breck beat St. Thomas Academy 5-1 in the other semifinal match.

He promises to phone me with a half-time update but I may be in the car on my way to the Twin Cities when he calls. If so, I'll post an audioblog entry via cell phone... AKA a type of moblogging.

10:50 am update: Halftime score 0-0. Teams appear to be evenly matched, according to Rick. Shots on goal: SLP 5, NFLD 4.

11:45 am update: The score is still tied 0-0 at the end of regulation. Shots on goal: SLP 18, NFLD 7. The game now shifts to a sudden-death overtime. If it's still tied after the overtime, then it's a shootout.

Noon update: St. Louis Park scored at about 9 minutes into overtime. Final score: St. Louis Park 1, Northfield 0.

12:30 pm update: See the MSHL box score on the game.

A shrill fire alarm evacuated the Archer House just before 4 p.m. today. A dryer in Chapati, the Indian restaurant, caught fire but caused minimal damage according to 2nd Assistant Fire Chief Tom Nelson.

During the reports from the mayor at tonight's city council meeting, Lansing said that he was ready to make a recommendation for an interim administrator to fill the role left by Susan Hoyt. Lansing recommended William A. Bassett for the role, and the council consented by not objecting.

If you have 6 million bottles of water to donate to victims of Hurricane Katrina, send them. Otherwise, donate money. Bruce Morlan attached this comment to a blog post about the Katrina disaster earlier this week.

Here's further explanation on the Red Cross web site: About Donating Goods to the Red Cross for Areas Impacted by Hurricane Katrina

And here's a list of other agencies accepting donations, according to this piece in the Pioneer Press:

The DJJD Horseshoe has been found!

From the website:

The Horseshoe was FOUND on 30 August by a team of 4: Evelyn Pelleymounter, Steve Phlaum, Lucy Gaylor, and Judy Anderson. It was found under the Water Conservation Sign attached to the Odd Fellows Park sign on Forest Avenue.

"Congratulations!" to the finders and "Better Luck Next Year" to the rest of us hunters.

The Northfield People for Peace and Goodwill will come together for a Vigil this evening for Cindy Sheehan as part of a national movement of over 1400 vigils across the country. PPG will join these other groups for a candlelight vigil in support of Cindy Sheehan's vigil outside of President Bush's Crawford, TX ranch. Cindy and hundreds of supporters are camping out as she awaits a decision by the president to meet with her face to face.

The Vigil for Cindy Sheehan will take place from 7:30 to 8pm this evening, August 17, on Bridge Square in downtown Northfield (Division Street and 4th Street). The Center for Sustainable living (333 1/2 Division Street, above Jenkins Jewelers) will be open from 6:30 to 7:30 for sign making and preparations for the vigil. All are welcome.

The Northfield People for Peace and Goodwill is an informal collection of citizens who support the ideals of peace, non-violence, and community
well-being, in the city of Northfield, MN and beyond.

I just spoke (4:40 PM) with NAG Empress Rebecca Bazan, shown in the photo with NAG board member (and 2005 Super Lawyer) Steve Meyer at last week's ArtSwirl Kickoff.)

The 150th party will be held outside, since the rain appears to have moved through the area.

5:05 update: As will "The Comedy of Errors" in Central Park at 7:00, according to Director Susan Carlson.

I hear through the grapevine that Alex (NCO's esteemed vice-chair) Beeby's wife has just delivered their latest baby! We celebrate with them, and are excited to hear that the new arrival is already on tap to be a future front page blogger! Now that's one way to get more volunteers!

Star Tribune: Budget deal reached; state employees will return to work; Pioneer Press: Budget deal reached; state employees will return to work; MPR: Minnesota state shutdown ends with early-morning deal; Rep. Ray Cox: Finally!

I spoke by phone with board member Diane Cirksena this morning at 6:20. She told me that at last night's School Board meeting, the Northfield School Board voted 6-1 to approve the sale of the old Middle School to Carleton College. Paul Hager voted against the measure, evidently because he felt the process was moving too fast.

At the meeting, Carleton upped their offer from $400,000 to $452,000 to meet the appraised value of the building.

After the meeting, the Board met in closed session with their attorney to discuss the details for the final negotiations on the deal.