“Father Dennis Dempsey: Driver Pleads Guilty to Death of Beloved Northfield Pastor”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Father Dennis Dempsey: Driver Pleads Guilty in Fatal Collision (Courtesy Church of St. Dominic)

More than two years after the tragic collision that claimed the life of Father Dennis Dempsey, the man responsible for the accident has finally pled guilty to causing his death. Trejean Derrell Curry, a 28-year-old resident of Minneapolis, has pleaded guilty to one count of grossly negligent criminal vehicular homicide, as announced by the Dakota County Attorney’s office.

The incident occurred on the afternoon of Monday, October 25th, 2021, when the Rosemount Police Department received a distressing call about a crash involving a vehicle driven by Curry and a bicyclist on County Road 42. Upon arriving at the scene, officers discovered an unresponsive male, later identified as 73-year-old Dennis Keith Dempsey, who sadly was pronounced dead on the spot.

Father Dennis Dempsey, affectionately known as Father Denny, was a beloved figure in the Northfield community. He served as the pastor at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church in Northfield from 2004 to 2019, where he became known for his efforts in connecting the Spanish-speaking population with the wider community. His warm nature and good humor endeared him to his congregation and beyond.

After leaving St. Dominic’s, Father Denny embarked on missionary work in Venezuela, where he had previously served. He later assumed the role of a priest at the Church of the Risen Savior in Burnsville, a position he had held for only a few months before his untimely passing.

Dakota County Circuit Judge Dannia Edwards has ordered a pre-sentence investigation, and the sentencing hearing has been scheduled for 1:30 pm on February 15th at the Dakota County Courthouse in Hastings.

Representative Kristi Pursell Advocates for ‘Outdoor School for All’ Bill

Representative Kristi Pursell (D-Northfield) is already garnering attention for a bill she has championed ahead of the 2024 State legislature session. The bill, titled ‘Outdoor School for All,’ aims to provide outdoor education opportunities to students across the state.

While the term “outdoor school” may be unfamiliar to many, those within the Northfield school system, particularly fifth-grade students, will recognize Wolf Ridge and Eagle Bluff as outdoor learning centers they have had the privilege to attend. Representative Pursell’s bill seeks to expand these opportunities by creating a fund that schools can apply for, helping to alleviate the financial burden for families who may struggle to afford such experiences.

Outdoor education programs at accredited centers like Eagle Bluff and Wolf Ridge offer a wide range of activities, including rock climbing, ropes courses, firearm safety, and winter survival classes. The bill highlights the numerous benefits of outdoor education, such as fostering leadership skills, critical thinking, self-sufficiency, decision-making, and social-emotional development. Representative Pursell, who previously served as an instructor at Wolf Ridge and has taught at learning centers in Washington and Oregon, believes that outdoor activities are an integral part of Minnesota’s cultural heritage.

The bill proposes the establishment of a fund that schools can tap into to reduce the cost of outdoor education programs. Representative Pursell clarifies that the bill does not mandate outdoor education in every school system but aims to provide funding for schools that may otherwise be unable to offer these opportunities.

Given that the 2024 session will not focus on budgeting, the bill is unlikely to be incorporated into a larger policy. However, Representative Pursell anticipates significant bipartisan support and expects the bill to gain traction in 2025.

Food Waste Challenge Informational Meeting Scheduled

Rice County is urging residents to take part in a county-wide food waste challenge starting on January 21st. The challenge, coordinated by Delia Denis in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Minnesota GreenCorps, aims to raise awareness about food waste and encourage sustainable practices.

According to estimates from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, approximately 30% to 40% of the country’s food supply goes to waste each year, making it the largest category of material in municipal landfills, with an annual weight of around 131 billion pounds. Denis emphasizes the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling when it comes to food waste.

To educate the public and encourage participation, Denis will be hosting two informational meetings on January 13th. The first meeting will take place in the morning at the Buckham Memorial Library in Faribault, followed by an afternoon session at the Northfield Public Library. In addition to individual efforts, the county is also collaborating with local businesses, food shelves, and Carleton College’s Food Recovery Network to explore ways to further reduce waste and redirect edible food to those in need.

For more information, contact Rich Larson, KYMN News Director, at rich@kymnradio.net..