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Elk River Star News
Elk River City Council selects firm to conduct search for next chief
Elk River to pay $25K to MGT/GovHR to fill police chief post following retirement by Jim Boyle Editor The Elk River City Council on Monday, May 20, selected MGT/GovHR, a firm with extensive recruiting experience in nearly 20 states, including a large share of them in the Midwest and Minnesota. ...
Elk River police report: Vehicle crashes in Elk River after incident at Otsego Target; Truck house;hits and trees fall on road
by Joni Astrup Associate Editor A vehicle crashed Monday, May 20, near the intersection of Main Street and Highway 10 in downtown Elk River following an incident at the Target store in Otsego. The Wright County Sheriff’s Office released the following information. ...
Rogers baseball takes down Hopkins at Target Field
Rogers won 3-1 on Thursday, May 16 by Erik Nelson Sports Reporter The sun shined on the players at Target Field on Thursday, May 16, as if both the Hopkins and Rogers baseball teams were being blessed by the baseball gods. In this battle between two teams that share the nickname Royals, Rogers (11-7, 10-1)...
Team 125’s Devon Garrison hopes to make an NFL roster
Garrison was a tight end and a safety on Team 125 before playing four seasons at Pittsburg State by Erik Nelson Sports Reporter While some of his Team 125 teammates have gone on to pursue careers outside of sports, Elk River High School graduate Devon Garrison isn’t giving up on his dream to make the...
Athlete of the Week: Burney’s extroverted personality fits well into Sting girls track team
by Erik Nelson Sports Reporter When she was in the fifth grade, Spectrum sophomore Alaina Burney and her class took a field trip to the track at Elk River High School. Burney tried a few things and ended up liking track. She then decided that when she entered high school, she would compete for the girls track and field team. ...
For retiring veterans service officer, it’s a bittersweet goodbye
May 24 proclaimed ‘Bruce Price Day’ by Joni Astrup Associate Editor Sherburne County’s veterans service officer retired May 24, but not before county commissioners proclaimed that day “Bruce Price Day” in his honor. Commissioners approved the designation at the May...
Two incumbents, one challenger in race for two county board seats so far
Fobbe, Schumacher both file for District 5 position by Joni Astrup Associate Editor Three people — including the two incumbents — have filed so far for the two seats on the Sherburne County Board of Commissioners that are up for election this year. ...
Wild West Days kicks up its heels this weekend in Zimmerman
The 53rd annual Wild West Days in Zimmerman kicked off Thursday, May 23, and runs through Monday, May 27. It started with a carnival, beer tent and fair food on the grounds of Zimmerman City Park at Second Street East and Main Street. Things heated up and expanded on Friday, May 24, when more food vendors, a mercantile, pony rides and a petting zoo were added along with live music...
Age no barrier: Gen Z hire champions senior care initiatives
Special to the Star News Guardian Angels Care Center has announced the promotion of Carlie Heinecke to administrator. “I eagerly anticipate her visits to the gift shop; her presence radiates warmth and care, making everyone feel valued and cherished,” one resident remarked. A graduate of Rogers High School in 2019, Heinecke distinguished herself as both...
Motorcycle hits median cable barrier
A Princeton man was injured Saturday, May 11, when the motorcycle he was driving came into contact with a highway median cable barrier in Elk River. Paul Bloomstrand, 62, was riding a 2008 Harley Davidson south on Highway 169 near mile marker 163 when the incident happened, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. It was reported shortly after 11 a.m. The State Patrol described his injuries as non-life-threatening.
Otsego awards bid for street project
The Otsego City Council has awarded the contract for the 2024 Street Renewal Project to the low bidder, Knife River Corporation of Sauk Rapids. Ten bids were received, ranging from $919,516 to $1,199,949. The project will include the improvement of streets within Vasseur’s Oak Grove 3rd and 4th Additions and Halls 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Additions.
ERPD offers tips to prevent thefts from vehicles
The Elk River Police Department is making the public aware of a spree of theft from motor vehicle incidents that have been taking place all over the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota areas. In a Facebook post, ERPD said these thefts from motor vehicles appear to be primarily happening in the following scenarios: • Theft from motor vehicles parked at local parks, regardless of whether or not the vehicle is locked (people will break windows to gain entry). ...
Three new Rogers police officers take oath of office
by Sue Webber Contributing Writer Recognition of Police Department personnel led the agenda at the Rogers City Council meeting on April 23. Police Chief Dan Wills introduced three new police officers, who then took the oath of office from Mayor Rick Ihli. ...
Highway 169 roadwork between Milaca and Princeton starting this summer
The Minnesota Department of Transportation will resurface both directions of Highway 169 between Milaca and Princeton, replace pipes and reconstruct the access at Highway 169 and Mille Lacs County Road 8 in Pease starting in late July. Work will require detours. Summary of work Pease - Early July to mid-September • Reconstruct into a J-turn...
Isanti County 2nd in the state to welcome therapy dog
Sherburne County Sheriff Joel Brott sees similarities between crime-fighting K-9s and therapy dogs — with an added layer of assistance to people by Nikki Hallman APG of East Central Minnesota/ County News Review Just seven months ago, Isanti County Sheriff Wayne Seiberlich and Investigator Sean Connolly announced the sheriff’s office would soon be receiving a...
New bus contract to boost starting driver pay to $27 an hour
by Jim Boyle Editor The Elk River Area School Board approved a new two-year bus transportation contract with Vision Transportation on Monday, May 13, that will aggressively work to address bus driver shortages. The driver minimum wage will be boosted to $27 an hour in the new contract. The cost of the new transportation contract...
Central MN Arts Board awards public art grant to Elk River EDA
The Central Minnesota Arts Board (CMAB) awarded a total of $53,719 in public art grants on May 9, including one for $8,000 to the City of Elk River Economic Development Authority. The money will be used for “Where Energy Flows,” a 7-foot-by-4-foot mosaic created by local artist Carey Dean depicting an abstract representation of the Mississippi River view from Elk River to be displayed within the Furniture and Things Community Event Center in Elk River. ...
Otsego hires city’s first communications specialist
by Joni Astrup Associate Editor The city of Otsego has hired its first communications specialist. The City Council voted 4-1 May 13 to hire Heidi Carey. The position is part-time. There were 42 applicants. The position is aimed at improving...
Zimmerman City Council votes to suspend park board
by Cordelia Frykman Contributing Writer The Zimmerman City Council voted on May 6 to temporarily suspend operation of the city’s park board. According to City Administrator Randy Piasecki, the chairperson of the Zimmerman Park Board recently resigned. City officials are...
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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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