Selectboard OKs detective post

NORTHFIELD — The Selectboard unanimously approved the creation of a detective position for the Police Department last week.

Currently, when cases arise that require long-term investigation, the Northfield Police Department is assisted by State Police. Police Chief Jon Hall said he believes a detective role, rather than the department’s existing sergeant position held by the person who will fill the job, would be particularly useful for handling sexual assault cases and crimes against children. The detective will receive 80 to 100 additional hours of training on subjects such as sexual assault investigation, fingerprinting and photography.

Northfield Kiwanis set raffle

NORTHFIELD — The Northfield Kiwanis Club is raffling a Ryobi battery-powered riding lawn mower valued at more than $3,000. The raffle’s second prize is a Ryobi line trimmer.

Tickets are on sale Thursdays throughout the summer and early fall at the Northfield Farmers’ Market, held 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., in front of Fiddleheads Gallery on Main Street. On other days, club members will sell tickets under their pop-up tent at the Northfield Creamie and Centennial House Bed and Breakfast on Main Street.

Organizers hope to raise enough money to increase the amount of educational awards that the club awards to Northfield seniors at Pioneer Valley Regional School and Franklin County Technical School who plan to go on to post-secondary education or training. Applications are available to students in the Class of 2025 at the start of the school year. For more information, call Steve Stoia at 413-498-5921 or email northfieldkiwanis413@gmail.com.