Northfield, MN (March 27, 2020)-

In light of the threat that the COVID-19 virus poses for the members of the Northfield community, the Northfield Complete Count Committee has suspended census-promotion activities that would involve interactions with the public.

The country's current state of National Emergency underscores the critical importance of a complete 2020 Census count for Northfield. It is critical in emergency response situations to have census data about where people live. Census data are used to allocate billions of dollars in federal funding each year, including for emergency response services.

The Complete Count Committee is asking for everyone’s help to reach out and encourage others to complete the census. This will help ensure that our city, townships, and school district receive fair representation and funds, so Northfield can continue being a strong community.

Northfield, MN (March 25, 2020)-

The City of Northfield is reviewing, evaluating and planning Governor Walz’s issued “Stay At Home” Executive Order that will go into effect at 11:59 pm on Friday, March 27th and stay in effect until April 10th at 5:00 pm.  As a municipal organization, we will be implementing the order.  Additionally, we encourage businesses, organizations and individuals in our community to do so the same.

According to the order, individuals may leave their residences only to perform any of the following activities, and while doing so, they should practice physical distancing:

Northfield, MN (March 18, 2020)-

The City of Northfield City Council took action “Declaring a Local Emergency” Tuesday evening to allow certain policies and procedures to be waived in order to provide a more rapid response, and manage city operations in accordance with Governor Tim Walz’ Peacetime State of Emergency declaration on March 13, 2020, and the federal government in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak that has infected people worldwide.

Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019, commonly known as “COVID-19,” which is a respiratory disease that can result in serious injury or death, is spreading globally and has been identified by the World Health Organization (“WHO”) as a pandemic.

Effective Tuesday, March 17 through Friday March 27, the Northfield Police Department will be closing the front lobby to visitors, following CDC guidelines related to COVID-19. The entrance vestibule with telephone access to dispatch will remain open.

Northfield, MN (March 16, 2020) - 

City officials have made some decisions about department operations and meetings by following the guidance of the Minnesota Department of Health MDH and Center for Disease Control CDC in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The following decisions have been made effective immediately:

Northfield, MN (March 13, 2020)

Following up on the coronavirus concerns, the City of Northfield is watching the situation closely and we are following guidelines from the Governor’s Office, the Minnesota Department of Health and other state officials. We want to thank community members for continuing to follow the best medical recommendations such as washing your hands for 20 seconds, staying home if you’re ill and maintaining social distancing.

Event is postponed until further notice.

Due to the seriousness of the coronavirus, City officials have decided to postpone the annual State of the City Address scheduled for March 16 until further notice. The mayor’s annual address, held in the magnificent Carleton College Kracum Performance Hall, reflects and informs the community of current and future initiatives effecting the entire Northfield community.

The health and safety of all community members, sponsors, guest speakers, award winners, entertainers, board and commission members and city staff is of the upmost importance. With ever increasing COVID-19 concerns, all are encouraged to hand wash frequently, stay home if ill, practice social distancing, and seek information from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Minnesota Department of Health.

        Celebrate Women's History Month with a culminating event at the Northfield Public Library.  Daughters of the American Revolution member,  Stacey McGown Olson will present three short powerpoint from the DAR Museum on Thursday, March 27, 6:30 - 8 pm   in the library meeting room.  Powerpoint topics include:  1.  Myth or Truth (common myths heard in museums).  2.  Masterpiece Qults in the DAR Museum 3.  For the Fun of It  (American Childhood from the 18th to early 20th century).  Discussion will follow each presentation.

The City of Northfield emergency management officials are working with local, state and federal health officials in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak that has infected people worldwide. There are currently no confirmed outbreaks in Minnesota.

Despite not having any cases in Minnesota, health officials recommend individuals and families make a plan in case someone gets sick. They also suggest following the same steps for avoiding the flu:

Post Consumer Brands will be conducting a routine inspection of the Ames Mill dam and portions of the Malt-O-Meal building foundation. This work is scheduled to begin the week of February 17 and is intended to be completed by March 6 (weather permitting).

Heavy precipitation events throughout the spring, summer, and fall months led to increased water flow in the Cannon River which prevented this work from taking place during more mild weather months.

The Northfield Arts Guild 411 Concert Series presents the sibling vocal blend of The Cactus Blossoms at 7:30pm on Saturday, March 14, 2020 at Armory Square, 519 Division Street, Northfield.   

Minneapolis-based brothers Page Burkum and Jack Torrey have been creating music as The Cactus Blossoms for a decade, having released several albums and toured with Kacey Musgraves and Lucius. The release of their newest album, Easy Way, cemented the pair as a modern-day duo similar to the Everly Brothers and NPR’s All Things Considered describes Easy Way as offering “creative turns of phrase, gorgeous harmonies, and an ageless sound.”

Sign up for the rain garden workshop on March 19

Rain gardens are a great way to beautify your property and a great way to capture and clean up stormwater before it flows into the Cannon River. Staff from the Cannon River Watershed Partnership (CRWP) and City of Northfield are teaching a workshop on rain gardens on Thursday, March 19, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Community Action Center, 1651 Jefferson Pkwy HS-200.

Don’t forget that on Thursday, February 13, 7:00 p.m. at Hideaway in downtown Northfield, the Annual Meeting of Northfield Citizens Online is happening. All are welcome to attend!

President Griff Wigley and Vice President/Secretary Tracy Davis will facilitate a discussion of the history and future of Northfield.org and hope Northfielders will sit in and contribute to the conversation. Watch this space for agenda.

Almost 30 years ago, a group of Northfielders had been discussing questions like:  What's the likely impact of the Internet on the local community? How can it be used to strengthen a geographic community rather than undermining it? 

   Northfield Reads is focusing on climate change, and will present a discussion at the Northfield Public Library on Thursday, February 27, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.  A panel of area experts will discuss ideas presented in a brief article, "World Scientists' Warning of a Climate Emergency," by a group of over 11,000 scientists around the world, who declared that planet Earth is facing a climate emergency.  The article is available at

https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/advance-article/doi/10.1093/biosci/biz088/5610806

Put on your dancing shoes for Leap Year Swing Dance, February 29, 2020. The event will be held at the Northfield Ballroom (1055 HWY 3 North) and will run from 7:30-10:00 pm. Music will be provided by Bend in the River Big Band with vocalist Linnea Nelson Marrin. Victor Albrecht, a local dance instructor, will provide free swing dance lessons beginning at 6:45. There will be a cash bar. General admission tickets are $15. Student admission is $10.

Invite your friends and neighbors. All are welcome!