Jesse Thomas

Sheriff Thomas emphasizes the restrictions help minimize the likelihood of erosion on lake shores and nearby roads. and allow those with boat lifts to adjust their lifts.

The signs posted at lake accesses say "on all Rice County lakes," but in a Facebook post from the Sheriff's Office they say, "No wake restrictions are in force on 12 Rice County lakes (Cannon, Circle, Cedar, Cody/Phelps, French, Fox, Hunt, Mazaska, Roberds, Sakatah, Shields, Union) until further notice."

Rice County Commissioners approved the final 2024 Tax Levy and Budget.

Calls for service totaled 13,253 last year from January 1 through October 15. This year the total during that time frame is at 14,244.

Under the agreement Rice County will receive 40 percent of gross call revenue at the new facility and 15 percent at the current jail until the move is made.

Word is the City of Northfield wants to play Rice County because they were victorious over the City of Faribault.

Sheriff Thomas stated, "A 2019 study in Colorado found that for every dollar of tax revenue received from recreational cannabis sales, $4.50 was spent on addressing the adverse impacts of cannabis."

Verdick told Commissioners the low bid on Phase One of the Finance Department remodeling was provided by Met-Con Construction of Faribault in the amount of $24,000. Despite the concerns voiced by Commissioners they unanimously approved accepting the bid and moving forward with the project.

We covered several other topics including progress on construction of the new Public Safety Center on the north edge of Faribault.

This article includes an audio clip of Gordy Kosfeld visiting with new Rice County Board Chairperson Steve Underdahl.