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Elk River Star News
Elk River Planning Commission docket includes cannabis regulations, McDonald's sign request and salvage yards
by Maggie Stanwood Contributing Writer The Elk River Planning Commission is beginning to look at a potential ordinance to regulate the growing, processing and manufacturing of cannabis and cannabis products. The adult use of recreational cannabis in Minnesota was approved by the Legislature in 2023. ...
Otsego will host Dec. 4 open house on proposed city campus projects
The city of Otsego will host an open house for the city campus projects from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4. The open house will be at the combined City Hall and Public Works Facility, 13400 90th St. NE. The purpose of the open house is to inform residents of the proposed project and to provide a history of the space needs study completed to guide the project. There will be tours of the existing facility, and city staff, architectural consultants, and construction management consultants will be present to answer questions from the public. The city website has a dedicated page with project information: https://www.ci.otsego.mn.us/cityfacilityproject.
Kayak launch, picnic shelter, boardwalk, more planned at park
Kayak launch, picnic shelter, boardwalk, more planned at park A grant contract agreement for improvements at Carrick’s Landing Park in Otsego has been approved by the Otsego City Council in action Monday, Nov. 27. The city was notified in June that it was awarded a $350,000 Outdoor Recreation Grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for improvements at the park, located at 9050 Quantrelle Ave. The grant has a local match of $350,000. According to the project budget, the city will develop an access site along the Mississippi River at Carrick’s Landing Park, including a kayak launch, river access, shore fishing, boardwalk, nature observation area, overlook, paved trails, signage and a picnic shelter. The work is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2024 with an estimated completion of September 2024.
Council votes 4-1 to establish fire and emergency services department
by Joni Astrup Associate Editor The Otsego City Council has voted 4-1 to adopt a resolution formally establishing the Otsego Fire and Emergency Services Department. “This is somewhat of a housekeeping request, but it is an essential step for us to keep moving the process forward,” Emergency Services Director Daryl Rausch told the City Council...
School Board approves World’s Best Workforce goals
The Elk River Area School Board approved, as part of its consent agenda, the 2023-2024 World’s Best Workforce goals, and its plans, goals and strategies for Achievement and Integration (A&I). These items were presented at the Nov. 13 regular School Board meeting. 2023-2024 goals Goal 1: ISD 728 Early Childhood Programs will increase the area of development average in Teaching Strategies Gold from 90.67% in the spring of 2023 to...
North Star Boys’ Choir brings world acclaim home to Minnesota
Elk River director Francis Stockwell’s choirs share Vienna Boys Choir sound around the world before starting holiday performance season by Katie Lindenfelser Special to the Star News Churches and concerts halls were filled to the brim this past summer as the North Star Boys’ Choir joined other boys choirs for concerts on a tour across...
Shot clock met with approval more than concern by basketball coaches
“Ten…nine…eight…seven…six!” No, that wasn’t the crowd counting down the final seconds of the Elks girls basketball’s team’s 71-62, season-opening win over White Bear Lake on Tuesday, Nov. 28. That was the Elks bench yelling during the second half at teammates to get a shot off before the shot clock expired. Beginning this season, 2023-24, the Minnesota State High School League implemented shot clocks at every boys and girls varsity basketball...
Active Navy engineer takes in vets program with FaceTime
by Jim Boyle Editor Jacob Haack, a lieutenant in the Navy stationed in San Diego, planned on being at his nephew’s last patriotic Veterans Day program at Twin Lakes Elementary School in Elk River before his sister’s son, Jaxxon, would head off to middle school. The combat engineer for Naval Special Warfare, however, was needed...
Ask a Trooper: Talk about the Toward Zero Deaths traffic safety program
Ask a Trooper by Sgt. Jesse Grabow of the Minnesota State Patrol Question: I just saw something about a Minnesota traffic safety program that’s been around for 20 years. Can you talk more about that? Answer: Yes, here is some information we shared on our DPS blog: Minnesota has seen a 32 percent reduction in...
New team in town
Events team to take game day experiences to new heights for Elks with assist from Squatch by Jim Boyle Editor Skaters for Rogers and Maple Grove brought their A-game to the Furniture and Things Community Event Center in Elk River on Thursday, March 2, and another team of mostly high school students with an interest...
Elk River police report: Two flee after police stop; driver had an active warrant; and vehicle fire reported
by Joni Astrup Associate Editor Two men were arrested after one fled from police on foot and the other in a pickup truck. The incident began unfolding shortly before 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, when an officer ran a registration check on a Chevrolet Silverado that was traveling on Highway 10 in Elk River and...
Elk River City Council lifts moratorium at quiet public hearing
by Maggie Stanwood Contributing Writer A moratorium on home occupation applications will be lifted after the Elk River City Council approved amendments to city ordinances which reference home occupations at a meeting on Nov. 20. The moratorium allowed city staff to look at all the ordinances referencing home occupations and make changes to be consistent...
Local governments hosting truth-in-taxation hearings
by Joni Astrup Associate Editor Public hearings on proposed 2024 budgets and property tax levies for area cities, counties and school districts are coming up soon. Known as truth-in-taxation meetings, they give the public an opportunity to comment before local governments adopt their budgets and property tax levies for the upcoming year. Here’s the schedule: ...
Application deadline for new county parks committee is Dec. 8
Sherburne County is accepting applications for seven positions on a new Parks and Trail Advisory Committee. The committee will be made up of one representative from each of the five commissioner districts and two at-large members. Applications will be accepted through 4:30 p.m. Dec. 8. For more information or to apply, go to https://tinyurl.com/4j2t2sz7.
Bid awarded for bridge replacement near Zimmerman
A bid has been awarded for the County State Aid Highway 4 bridge replacement over the St. Francis River in Sherburne County. Redstone Construction LLC was the lowest of five bidders, submitting a bid of $1,533,266. Bids ranged as high as $1,952,663. The Sherburne County Board of Commissioners awarded the bid to Redstone Construction on Tuesday, Nov. 21. The bridge is located west of Zimmerman in Orrock Township. It will be replaced in 2024.
Rogers Otsego Dayton Women of Today unites women
by Jessica Charpentier APG of East Central Minnesota/Crow River News Rogers Otsego Dayton Women of Today is one of almost 50 Women of Today chapters across the state of Minnesota. Women of Today is a national volunteer group open to women 18 and older who strive to serve their community and make friendships and connections. ...
Nine Elk River firefighters complete probationary period needed to be sworn in
Photo courtesy of City of Elk River It was a big night at the Nov. 20 Elk River City Council meeting for the Elk River Fire Department. Not only was Casey Neumann recognized for his promotion to deputy fire chief, nine probationary firefighters received their badges after serving in the department for one year. The newest firefighters include: Parker Carlson, Jason Cich, Kyle Hardy, Molly Ruby, Lindsey Helland, Britny Cook, Mark Fisher, Aaron Olsen and Logan Hemmesch.
Guns and Hoses hockey game to feature Elk River Police, Fire
Members of the Elk River Police and Fire Departments are teammates on the scenes of auto accidents, house fires and other mayhem, but on March 10 at 4 p.m. they will face off at the Furniture and Things Community Event Center in Kiser Rink No. 2 in the first-time Guns and Hoses hockey game. Proceeds from the event will benefit the charities of each department’s choice. Tickets will cost $10 for adults and $5 for kids, seniors and veterans. Kiser Construction, sponsor of the event, will also be selling merchandise with the proceeds going to their charities. The planning for this event is underway with refreshments and some giveaways likely to happen. Watch for more details in the Star News.
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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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