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Elk River Star News
Grab-and-go craft kits are available through District 728 Community Education
District 728 Community Education is offering holiday grab-and-go kits. To register for a kit, go to www.728communityed.com or call 763-241-3520. Kits are available for pick up through Dec. 22. Available kits include: • Holiday ornament gift tag kits. The handmade wood gift tags double as ornaments. The wood slices feature vinyl words such as “cheer” and “peace.” Twine and beads complete the design. Cost: $29. • Holiday gnome kits. The kits include all fabric materials needed to make a holiday gnome. No sewing involved. A hot-glue gun is needed and available to borrow if you do not own one. Cost. $35.
Salvation Army still needs bell ringers; local spots available
With just a week left in the annual Red Kettle fundraising campaign, the Twin Cities Salvation Army reports that it still needs more ringers. The Red Kettle campaign is scheduled to run through Dec. 23. Bell ringers play a critical role as they collect anywhere from $60-$90 an hour in their kettles, all of which will provide relief to struggling Twin Cities families. As an example, $25 collected in a kettle will feed a family of four for a week. ...
Refuge asks people to fill bird feeders
Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge’s Christmas Bird Count will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 21 starting at 7:15 am at the Oak Savanna Learning Center. A nationwide activity organized by the National Audubon Society, the Christmas Bird Count is held from Dec. 14 to Jan. 5 annually, with tens of thousands of volunteers participating in this citizen science project. Sherburne’s refuge volunteers will survey within a 7.5-mile radius from the intersection of Sherburne County Road 9 and County Road 5. ...
Elk River Printing kicks holiday season into high gear with cookies and Santa event
Elk River Printing hosted a Cookies with Santa event on Dec. 1 that attracted a good turnout to check out the new look of the business. They also sat on Santa’s lap, including the adults, dropped off gifts for Gifts Anonymous and enjoyed coffee from Dunn Brothers Coffee and treats from Thompson Produce. The business wished to thank all those who joined in dancing, taking pictures, eating lots of candy and enjoying the day with Elk River Printing! “We had an amazing turnout and absolutely loved starting off the holiday season with our community,” said Jodi Adkisson, an Elk River Printing employee.
Elk River Printing kicks holiday season into high gear with cookies and Santa event
Elk River Printing hosted a Cookies with Santa event on Dec. 1 that attracted a good turnout to check out the new look of the business. They also sat on Santa’s lap, including the adults, dropped off gifts for Gifts Anonymous and enjoyed coffee from Dunn Brothers Coffee and treats from Thompson Produce. The business wished to thank all those who joined in dancing, taking pictures, eating lots of candy and enjoying the day with Elk River Printing! “We had an amazing turnout and absolutely loved starting off the holiday season with our community,” said Jodi Adkisson, an Elk River Printing employee.
Traditions and desire to be humble and kind continue on
by Jim Boyle Editor The family of Mark and Patti Schommer, of Maple Grove made a tradition out of cutting down a Christmas Tree at Goldenman’s Christmas Trees in Zimmerman every holiday season. This year was the 39th year in a row, but the third straight year without Patti’s smiling face since she lost her...
Children’s book at Goldenman’s Christmas Trees
by Jim Boyle and Tad Johnson APG of East Central Minnesota Pam McDonald spent a few hours at Goldenman’s Christmas Trees in Zimmerman Nov. 24 and 25 to promote her first children’s book, which recounts one Minnesota family’s experience with early-onset Alzheimer’s. McDonald is a Lakeville resident and a longtime Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District educator. ...
Q and A with Pam McDonald, author of “The Christmas Heart”
In the following Q and A, McDonald recounts her journey to publishing “The Christmas Heart,” which originally appeared in This Week Newspapers, a sister publication to the Star News. In the book, McDonald says Madi and her family struggle with their loss, but due to some miraculous events they are able to find hope and love again. What was the inspiration for the book? ...
Elk River-Rogers VFW Post recognizes student essayists
by Jim Boyle Editor The Elk River-Rogers VFW Post 5518 recognized winners of the VFW Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy contests at a meeting on Dec. 5 at its Otsego meeting hall. Liam Peterman, a homeschooled student from Greenfield, was the winner of the Elk River-Rogers VFW Post Voice of Democracy contest. The 2023-24...
Liam Peterman, 1st place in VFW Voice of Democracy Essay Contest
How many times has someone complained about heading to church or Mass instead of being grateful that we’re not being hunted for our religion? One of the greatest benefits of our democracy is religious freedom. Directly related to this is our freedom of the press. These freedoms are established by the First Amendment of the Constitution, otherwise known as the First Article of the Bill of Rights, which reads “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the...
First-place Patriot’s Pen Award goes to Keira Walliczyk for her essay titled ‘America’
America is not only inspiring to the people who live here but to people all around the world. In fact if it wasn’t for America’s inspiration I would not be here today. My great grandparents and their children lived in Germany during World War II. During the war my great grandfather supported the Americans, he even joined in their fight against his own country. They did this because my grandparents’ beliefs aligned with the American, which was for everyone to have freedom and equality. Once...
Ask a Trooper: Are DWIs more of an issue during the winter holidays
Ask a Trooper by Sgt. Jesse Grabow of the Minnesota State Patrol Question: I hear there that DWIs can become more of an issue around the winter holidays. Can you talk about that? Answer: A: Minnesota law enforcement is participating in a statewide campaign that includes extra DWI enforcement that started the day before Thanksgiving...
Stolen truck, tools and auto parts as well as icy roads, poser and fraud
by Jim Boyle Editor Truck believed to have been stolen from Elk River auction business Twin Cities Auctions, located at 9643 161st Ave. NW, reported a vehicle from its lot, and the keys too, were missing, and they are presumed stolen. ...
Five DWIs and one tired driver in Elk River
Rogers man forfeits vehicle after DWI arrest A 39-year-old Rogers man was arrested for DWI about 9 p.m. Dec. 5 after an officer observed his vehicle displaying expired registration while traveling near the intersection of Main Street and Proctor Avenue. A license plate check confirmed the tabs expired April 2023. The vehicle was stopped and the driver showed signs of impairment, failed a field sobriety test, and a breath test...
Five DWIs and one tired driver in Elk River
Rogers man forfeits vehicle after DWI arrest A 39-year-old Rogers man was arrested for DWI about 9 p.m. Dec. 5 after an officer observed his vehicle displaying expired registration while traveling near the intersection of Main Street and Proctor Avenue. A license plate check confirmed the tabs expired April 2023. The vehicle was stopped and the driver showed signs of impairment, failed a field sobriety test, and a breath test...
Wright County deputies assist boat stuck near Norin Landing
The Wright County Sheriff’s Department was dispatched to the Mississippi River in Otsego near 10940 95th Street NE about 5:15 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1, for a report of a male party whose boat was stuck on the rocks. The Sheriff’s Office brought out a shallow water air boat and was able to free the boat from the rocks and guide the boat operator to shore safely, according to Lt. Jake Lutgens. Centra Care Ambulance and Albertville Fire and Rescue were on scene as a precaution.
Elk River Community Theatre, NorthStar Arts present ‘Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer’
Dec. 14-17 Elk River Community Theatre and NorthStar Arts present Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer When: Thursday, Dec. 14-17; see ERCTMN.org for times Where: Elk River High School Little Theatre, Door H, 900 School St. Admission: Tickets available at ERCTMN.org. Info: Join us for this classic family Christmas show.
Increasing property taxes draw a crowd at Elk River City Council hearing
Maggie Stanwood Contributing Writer At a meeting on Dec. 4, the Elk River City Council approved the 2024 general, special revenue and enterprise fund budgets and authorized the property tax levy for collection in 2024. The levy was authorized at $16.1 million, a reduction of more than $500,000 since the council approved the preliminary tax...
Hennepin County to close garbage incinerator
by Anja Wuolu APG of East Central Minnesota/Osseo Maple Grove Press The garbage from all over the metro has found its way to the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center in Minneapolis for years. About a thousand tons of trash each day arrive at the doors. Hazardous items are pulled. Waste is burned, creating heat that makes...
Elk River's 2023 Santa in the Park attracts hundreds of children and families
Photos by Colleen Burrgraff of CJ Burgraff Photography Rivers Edge Common Park was abuzz on Dec. 2 with Santa, Mrs. Claus and a special appearance by the Grinch. Alexander 3, Arianna, 7; and Ariabella, 5, were among those who showed up to sit on Santa’s lap.
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Elk River Star News serves the Elk River, Otsego, Rogers and Zimmerman communities dating back to 1872. Published Saturdays by APG of East Central Minnesota. 24/7 local coverage found online at www.erstarnews.com
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