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Although traffic has drastically slowed since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, traffic counts at Northfield Public Library have been higher than expected given the circumstances.

Seventy three pinwheels sit in a Northfield front yard.

This week, The Weekly List celebrates the early days of rock & roll and salutes the people who got the whole thing going.  

Event date: May 27, 2020
Event Time: 04:00 PM - 05:30 PM
Location:
Northfield, MN 55057
Description:
Members of the public may monitor the meeting electronically from a remote location by dialing in using your phone. United States: +1 (646) 749-3122 Access Code: 716-803-853

The Northfield City Council has delaying a decision about opening the Memorial Pool this summer, awaiting guidance from the governor’s office.

By Teri Knight, News Director As reported 2 weeks ago, Post Consumer Brands Director of Communications, Katie Seifert, confirmed that they have a third party medical staff doing wellness checks before workers start their shift at all of their plants. In spite of efforts made, such as staggering shifts, additional cleaning and adhering to social

Rice County Public Health Director Deb Purfeerst provides statistics of Covid19 cases in Rice County and discusses testing capability.

Northfield American Legion Commander Michelle Bornick discusses the recorded 2020 Memorial Day Celebration.  Click on this link to view the celebration.

Each year, to end their Spring Concert, the Northfield High School choirs and alumni sing, The Road Home to honor the seniors performing in their last high school concert. This year the concert was cancelled due to Covid-19. Instead they performed a virtual version. This is it….

Remember this:

Freeborn Wind Pre-construction Mtg? May 14th, 2020

Here’s Commerce-EERA’s response, POST pre-construction meeting:

Hello Ms. Overland,

EERA would like to address your request to be provided information regarding the Freeborn Wind Farm Pre-Construction Meeting held last Wednesday, May 13th.  EERA holds and conducts pre-construction meetings as directed per the issued site permit, which indicates that EERA staff and Commission staff are to meet with the Permittee.  We do occasionally extend invitations to other state agencies and local county staff that have permitting and regulatory authority over portions of the project, local boards or authorities with jurisdiction in the project area, and occasionally participating landowners with interest in project construction activities specific to their property.  These additional attendees are not the same for all projects, and they are only included for clarification and discussion on items or issues for which they have direct approval responsibilities or authority. 

It is our understanding that pre-construction meetings for wind facilities are not covered by Minnesota’s Open Meeting Laws, as there is no final decision being made and there are no individuals present at the meeting with the authority to make a final decision with respect to authorization of project construction.  These meetings are held to ensure that the Permittee has provided the necessary pre-construction filings and satisfied the necessary pre-construction compliance aspects of the conditions and special conditions in their site permit.  Pre-construction meetings are not held as another opportunity for environmental review and public comments.  All the items referenced in compliance filings, general construction activities, turbine locations, access roads, collector lines, ABPP, downstream permits, etc. have been included in the environmental review and public participation associated with the project’s site permit application, public information meeting, development of a draft site permit, public hearing and essentially the entire permitting process as well as the permit amendment process.  

As you have specifically mentioned that the Commission is responsible to promote public participation, and EERA does agree with promoting and encouraging public participation.  However, the Commission is directed to promote and encourage public participation during the site permitting process, which they currently do through public information meetings, public hearings, and public comment periods.  The Commission has issued a site permit, and multiple amended site permits for the Freeborn Wind Farm, with that, the permitting process has been completed and the Project has proceeded on to the permit compliance phase.  EERA is responsible for ensuring that the Permittee is meeting the Commission approved site permit conditions and special conditions. If you have specific compliance concerns, please provide EERA with details on the compliance issue and identify which site permit condition or special conditions has not been complied with, so EERA can follow up.

Thank you,

Rich Davis

The Northfield City Council on Tuesday approved assessments for this year’s planned street repair project in the heart of the city.

Across Minnesota, local township boards are charged with maintaining thousands of miles of gravel roads. That mission is particularly vital to agriculture and commerce, yet while they have few other expenses, many struggle constantly with regular upkeep and maintenance needs.

Five Post Consumer Brands employees in Northfield have tested positive for COVID-19.

As of Wednesday, Rice County has had 295 lab confirmed cases of COVID-19, ranging in age from 5 months of age through 89 years of age, with a median age of 35.2

Seven St. Olaf College seniors and recent graduates have been awarded Fulbright fellowships for 2020–21.

By Teri Knight, News Director  We’ve taken multiple phone calls regarding a national story that Northfield and Faribault was a “hotbed” of covid activity. As reported, the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases did go up significantly nearly five times in the last two weeks ago. What’s necessary to understand is the context. Rice County Public

Northfield Mayor Rhonda Pownell and City Administrator Ben Martig discuss the May 19 City Council meeting.  Topics include appeals from Carleton College, UCC Church, and Cannon Gardens for 2020 mill and overlay project assessments, budget timeline, and the nomination of Deputy Chief Mark Elliot as the new police chief.

U.S. Senator Tina Smith discusses the CARES Act and proposed bills for other relief packages.

Throughout the spring of 2020, Teague Peterson-McGuire, Video Journalist for the Messenger created a series of videos about dorm life at St. Olaf. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the series remains incomplete at this time.

Below is a playlist of the completed videos:

Northfield City Administrator Ben Martig is considering nominating current Deputy Chief of Police Mark Elliott to become the next chief of police.