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Elk River Star News
Thumbs Up is opening teen after-school program in Rogers
Thumbs Up will open its second teen after-school program at the Rogers Activity Center on Wednesday, Feb. 7. Thumbs Up opened its first teen after-school program in downtown Elk River in February of 2022. The after-school program is a safe hang-out space for teens. Since opening the Elk River program in 2022, Thumbs Up has had over 1,700 youth visits. ...
Microbrewery planned at former Hardee's property in Rogers
The Rogers City Council on Jan. 23 approved a $350,000 purchase agreement for the sale of city-owned property at 14086 Northdale Blvd. to LM Ritz Properties, LLC. On Dec. 27, 2023, the City Council heard a presentation from representatives of North Star Brewing who said they planned to submit an offer to acquire the city-owned former Hardees building at 14086 Northdale Blvd., to develop a start-up microbrewery and taproom. Brett...
Was that an explosion? Yes, but controlled at testing facility
Defense company Northrop Grumman calms concerns by discussing northern Anoka County proving grounds, regular detonation tests by Ian Wreisner APG of East Central Minnesota Area Facebook groups have lit up in recent weeks with questions about possible explosions. Loud bangs and rattling have had people turn to their digital neighbors, none of which reported any...
Ask a Trooper: What can I do about my stolen driver's license?
Ask a Trooper by Minnesota State Patrol Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: I was recently the victim of identity theft. My driver’s license was among the items stolen. I am concerned that this person will use my identification to drive, among other things. What can I do in regards to my license? Answer: I am sorry to hear about your situation. This is not my area of expertise, but the Minnesota...
Elk River police report: Man sleeping in laundromat after hours; burglary reported; and driver hears 'crunching sound'
by Joni Astrup Associate Editor Shortly after 12:30 a.m. Jan. 26, police were called to Duds & Suds, 568 Dodge Ave., Elk River, to check on the welfare of a male. Officers arrived and located the male sleeping inside the business after hours. Officers woke him and he agreed to leave. He had a cell...
Bryan Lawrence to seek state House seat
Post now held by Rep. Kurt Daudt, who is resigning effective Feb. 11 by Joni Astrup Associate Editor Another candidate has announced he is running to fill the legislative seat being vacated by Rep. Kurt Daudt, R-Crown. Bryan Lawrence, a...
County secures $24.7M for Zimmerman interchange
The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced that Sherburne County will receive $24.7 million to complete road construction at Highway 169 and County Road 4 in Zimmerman, according to a press release from Sherburne County. The project is designed to improve traffic flow, increase safety and remove the only remaining traffic signal between Rogers and Onamia. This project will: • Reconstruct about one mile of Highway 169 and approximately a...
United We Shiver will honor former United Way director
Event set for Saturday, Feb. 10, in Big Lake United We Shiver is a free community event that has entertainment for every age. It will be held at Lakeside Park in Big Lake on Saturday, Feb. 10. This will be the third year that Sherburne County Area United Way has been putting on this event...
Elk River School District to add special education staff
District discusses specialized population groups, bonds by Jessica Charpentier APG of East Central Minnesota On Jan. 22, the Elk River Area School Board held a special school board meeting and a work session. All board members were present except for Sara Weis. ...
Elk River Municipal Utilities electric customers to see no rate increase in 2024
The Elk River Municipal Utilities (ERMU) Commission has approved a zero percent rate increase for electric service in 2024. The decision reflects ERMU’s ongoing efforts to provide reliable, affordable electricity to its customers, according to ERMU. “The decision to hold electric rates steady in 2024 is a testament to our commitment to the well-being of our community,” Mark Hanson, general manager, said in a statement. “We are grateful for the...
Petals to Pines Floral named wedding award winner
Petals to Pines Floral, a high-end custom florist located in Otsego at 101 Market, was announced as a winner of the 2024 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards. This accolade recognizes the top local wedding professionals who demonstrate superiority in quality, service, responsiveness, and professionalism. Winners are determined by couple reviews on WeddingWire, a wedding vendor directory. The award celebrates top vendors that showcase hard work and outstanding service. “This is an award we have won in previous years, but COVID has changed wedding work significantly, so...
The Bank of Elk River continues its support of Riverfront Concert Series
The Elk River City Council has approved a contract with The Bank of Elk River regarding the bank’s sponsorship of the Riverfront Concert Series for the next three years. Under the terms the bank will contribute $25,000 in 2024, $26,000 in 2025 and $27,000 in 2026 to secure the exclusive sponsorship rights of the concert series, according to a city memo. The City Council also passed a resolution acknowledging the bank’s contributions to the concert series for the upcoming three years and commending the bank for its donations. For many years the Bank of Elk River has contributed funds to support the Riverfront Concert Series operated by the Elk River Parks and Recreation Department and was recognized by the city last year for the bank’s 15-year partnership with the city. The outdoor summer concerts are held in downtown Elk River.
Gradient Technology offers scholarship
Gradient Technology, an Elk River-based small business incorporated in 1996, has assembled a scholarship opportunity for any high school senior who attends school or is home-schooled within the boundaries of the Independent School District 728 and will be pursuing a degree in a science or engineering field. The Gradient Technology Science and Engineering Scholarship provides $1,500 to one awardee after one term in good standing. Postmark deadline is March 22, 2024. For more information, students should speak with a school counselor. For home-schoolers, visit gradtech.com/media.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources seeks woodland owners
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is inviting private woodland owners with 2 or more acres of forested property to participate in a new effort to help improve and advance forest inventory across Minnesota. The DNR’s Resource Assessment Program is developing a more precise forest inventory – information on the type, number, and size of trees in forests that can provide insight to the health of forests and how they’re changing. This is developed by pairing lidar (light detection and ranging) data collected aerially with...
Elk River caps Golden Arches sign height at 40 feet
by Keith Anderson APG of East Central Minnesota McDonald’s is known worldwide for its limitless sale of hamburgers, a number that continues to soar higher each day. But in Elk River, the golden arches sign that has illuminated the night sky along Highway 169 for four decades will be limited to a height of 40 feet through a conditional use permit request, amending the planned unit development agreement, thanks to...
Elk River Police Report: Woman loses $9,000 in Bitcoin scam; Asleep behind the wheel, he hits parked vehicle; Officer gets in place to catch speeder
by Joni Astrup Associate Editor A 63-year-old Elk River woman was bilked out of $9,000 in a Bitcoin scam. Multiple people scammed the woman into taking the money out of her checking and savings accounts and depositing it into a Bitcoin account, according to the police report. Bitcoin is a digital currency. ...
College student with big dreams doesn’t let disability limit her life
by Lauren Flaum APG of East Central Minnesota/Monticello Times Despite suffering from a debilitating condition that has weakened her muscles and limited her movement, leaving her wheelchair-bound, Kimberly Mullis leads a full, active and rather busy life as a college student in Minneapolis. Bubbly and bright, the 20-year-old Otsego native lives in a dorm on...
Travis Ekbom announces run for House District 27B
Seat now held by Rep. Kurt Daudt, but he is resigning effective Feb. 11 by Joni Astrup Associate Editor A candidate has thrown his hat in the ring in the emerging race to fill the legislative seat being vacated by Rep. Kurt Daudt, R-Crown. ...
Wright-Hennepin plans electric substation in Otsego
by Joni Astrup Associate Editor Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association intends to develop an electric substation south of County Road 39 and west of Mason Avenue in Otsego to meet existing and future electric service needs in the area. The substation will be located along the future alignment of MacIver Avenue, so it’s referred to as...
Agreement allows outdoor rink for Elk River Youth Hockey Association
The Elk River City Council on Jan. 16 approved a short-term lease agreement with the Elk River Youth Hockey Association (ERYHA), allowing the association to have a temporary outdoor hockey rink adjacent to the Furniture and Things Community Event Center in Elk River. ERYHA will hold Mite level (8 and under) hockey practices outdoors to make more indoor ice available at the Furniture and Things event center for their other age levels to use, according to a city memo. ...
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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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