Thursday, May 23, 2013
Paving crews will be putting the final layer of asphalt on Division Street between Eighth and Woodley streets.
Drivers who usually commute on Division Street South between Eighth and Woodley streets will need to look for a detour on Thursday. Paving crews were out early Thursday morning putting the final layer of asphalt on that section of Northfield's main street, as well as Eighth between Water and Washington streets. Most of the work involved in rebuilding those streets occurred last summer as part of the city's 2012 street reconstruction program. Paving work is expected to wrap up by 6 p.m. Thursday. Drivers could use Washington and Water streets as alternatives.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Rice County youth are confronted by an average of 85 tobacco ads every time they enter local stores, according to a recent survey of tobacco advertising conducted by the Four Corners Partnership.
Editor's Note: This story was posted on the Rice County website. Rice County youth are confronted by an average of 85 tobacco ads every time they enter local stores, according to a recent survey of tobacco advertising conducted by the Four Corners Partnership. The survey focused on retail stores that are accessible to youth and did not include liquor stores or other adult-only business that sell tobacco. The ads uncovered by the survey represent just a small part of the $10.5 billion the tobacco industry spends each year to market tobacco products – much of which is spent to advertise in ways that influence youth. “We want to raise the level of awareness about the influence that tobacco ads have on our youth and their decision to smoke,” …
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Also in this week’s recap – A Mother's Day fire ruins things for Eagan apartment residents and Lakeville Public Schools ponder a run at a referendum.
Take a trip around Dakota County and the south metro with this week's rundown of top news. For the original story, simply click on the link in the headline. Paving Paradise? Lebanon Hills Trail Plan Worries Residents Dakota County officials have plans to develop a 6.5-mile, paved bike trail in Lebanon Hills Regional Park to increase recreational opportunities. But some residents would prefer the park stay as pristine as possible. Eagan Council Warms Up to Proposed Pilot Knob Improvements The consternation that marked a January meeting on the proposed reconstruction of a portion of Pilot Knob Road was nowhere in sight last week. What to Do with the Sperry Water Tower? The 146-foot-tall water tower in Eagan is a money-maker for the city…
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Steve Underdahl formally accepted the Board of Directors’ offer of the position Friday. He will begin his work on Tuesday, June 11.
- GOVERNMENT
-
Saturday, May 18
Editor’s Note: This is a press release from Northfield Hospital and Clinics. Steve Underdahl has been named the new president and CEO of Northfield Hospital & Clinics (NH&C). He formally accepted the Board of Directors’ offer of the position Friday. He will begin his work at NH&C on Tuesday, June 11. Underdhal comes to Northfield from Mayo Clinic Health System, Albert Lea and Austin, where he most recently held the position of Vice President of Operations. Prior to that, he served as hospital administrator for the Albert Lea hospital from 1999 to 2012. He has a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Bethel College. His background includes work in the area of chemical dependency treatment. Gina Franklin, board chair and a member …
From the City of Northfield, see the attached document for the Administrator's Memorandum.
From the City of Northfield, here is the City Administrator’s Memorandum from City Administrator Tim Madigan for May 17. In this week’s memo: • City Hall is in the midst of a spring cleaning, as the building is being prepared for a reconfiguration project. • More than 80 trees were ordered during the city’s annual tree sale. • Nearly 400 residents dropped debris during the city’s two clean-up days earlier this month. • The Bridge Square fountain will be filled next week.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Patrons who purchase passes during the pre-season period receive a 10-percent discount. Pre-season passes are available from 9:30 a.m.-noon at the Northfield Ice Arena.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
A contingent of day care providers and families with children who use that care protested against Senate File 778. But the DFL-controlled Senate approved the measure with a narrow, 35-32 vote after 17 hours of debate.
UPDATE, Wednesday, May 15: It took 17 hours of debate and more than a little arm-twisting from bill author Sen. Sandy Pappas, but the bill allowing day care providers to unionize in Minnesota passed the State Senate early Wedneday by the narrowest of margins. The DFL, which has a nine-member majority in the Senate, had a few members vote "no" on the unionization bill, approving it with a 35-32 vote. Minnetonka Sen. Terri Bonoff of Minnetonka, Greg Clausen of Apple Valley, Bev Scalze of Little Canada and Melisa Franzen of Edina broke ranks with the DFL and voted against the measure. The bill will now move to the House floor, where it will most likely replace a similar bill, H.F. 905, before it could move to Gov. Mark Dayton's desk. …
Gov. Mark Dayton’s signature Tuesday didn’t end the heated debate around same-sex marriage.
Whatever side of the debate you fall on, there’s no denying that this week’s passage of a bill legalizing same-sex marriage was a historical moment. Minnesota became just the 12th state to sanction gay marriage when Gov. Mark Dayton signed the bill Tuesday. Patch readers quickly wrote in to share their thoughts on the moment. Eagan Patch reader Kathi Malone echoed the view of legislators who voted yes in seeing same-sex marriage as a civil right: I am so happy that finally gay people will be able to have the civil right to marry. This is truly an American vote for freedom. I applaud Sen Clausen and all other legislators who voted for this historical bill. James N added: Thank you Senator Carlson and the entire MN legislature for extending …
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Legislation to allow gay marriage in the state cleared its final hurdle Monday, May 13. With Gov. Mark Dayton expected to sign the bill as soon as tomorrow, Minnesota will become the 12th state in the country to allow same-sex couples to marry.
The Minnesota Senate approved H.F. 1054 Monday, May 13, clearing the way for Minnesota same-sex couples to marry in the state. The 37 to 30 vote, which was seen as the last hurdle for the legislation, makes Minnesota the 12th in the United States to recognize same-sex marriages in state law. Gov. Mark Dayton's office announced a signing ceremony set for 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 14. Democrats, known locally as the DFL party, hold a 39-28 advantage in the Minnesota Senate. Debate began shortly after noon Monday, with the Republican Party introducing a pair of amendments to the bill, both of which were voted down by state Democrats, who control the Senate. It quickly moved to speeches invoking personal feelings and relationships surrounding the…
Monday, May 13, 2013
After the Minnesota Senate voted to legalize same-sex marriage Monday afternoon, politicians, celebrities and citizens weighed in on both sides of the issue online.
Dan Johnson
7:21 pm on Thursday, May 23, 2013
Anti-gay prejudice is taught early in life before the ability to think critically is developed. That makes assimilation of new and conflicting information difficult, though it can be done. Many have changed their understanding of gay people and positive change continues, though all gay people have lived their entire lives waiting for equal treatment under the law as promised in the founding … more ›