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Elk River Star News
North Star Brewing eyes former Hardee’s building
by Sue Webber Contributing Writer North Star Brewing has its eye on the former Hardee’s building located along Highway 101. The Rogers City Council heard a presentation Dec. 27 from representatives of North Star Brewing, a startup microbrewery planning to submit an offer to acquire the former Hardee’s building at 14086 Northdale Blvd. that is...
As new year begins, a Sherburne County commissioner ‘group hug’
by Joni Astrup Associate Editor Sherburne County commissioners started the new year on a congenial note, electing a new board chair, offering new year’s wishes and making positive comments about one another during the board’s first meeting of the year on Tuesday, Jan. 2. Commissioner Lisa Fobbe jokingly referred to it as a “group hug.” ...
Dayton hires one of three new officers
The Dayton City Council has approved filling one of the three full-time police officer positions budgeted for 2024. Last month, the council approved the Police Department to begin accepting applications for the three positions. The department received an application and interviewed the applicant. The applicant and now new hire is Andrew Dickman. He has been employed with the Brooklyn Park Police Department for 17 years, which includes nine years of...
Mike Gamache elected chair of Anoka County Board for 2024
District 5 Anoka County Commissioner Mike Gamache was elected chair of the seven-member Anoka County Board of Commissioners at the board’s Jan. 2 organizational meeting. He was also elected chair of the Anoka County Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board and named chair of the Information Technology Committee. “I’ve always had the belief that we can work together and do the business of the county for the people of the county,” Gamache said. “That means building roads, having a social services system that assists people in many ways, running quality elections, and making sure everything else is running as it should on a day-to-day basis. This is what our residents expect of us, and my fellow commissioners and I will continue to work together, with county staff, and the public to ensure Anoka County provides all the proper amenities and services.”
IT manager will start work in Otsego
Ben Boyd has been hired as a full-time information technology manager by the city of Otsego. The new position was included in the 2024 general fund budget and is aligned with the retirement of the city’s current IT service provider, Rob Snavely, with Softronics. Snavely has provided “exceptional service” to the city for 35 years, according to city documents. Forty-five people applied for the new position and seven were interviewed. Boyd’s hiring was approved by the Otsego City Council on Dec. 11. He will start in mid-January.
Elk River Municipal Utilities again recognized as Smart Energy Provider
Elk River Municipal Utilities has once again earned a Smart Energy Provider designation from the American Public Power Association, joining less than 100 public power utilities nationwide. This honor recognizes ERMU’s commitment to and proficiency in initiatives that support the goal of providing safe, reliable, low-cost, and sustainable electric service. Kris Sellstrom, chair of American Public Power Association’s Energy Innovation Committee, presented the designations on Nov. 13 in San Antonio, Texas, during APPA’s annual Customer Connections Conference. ...
500 adventures to remember
Bob Naslund has continually hiked at a state park monthly since March of 1982 by Jeff Hage APG of East Central Minnesota/Monticello Times Forty-one years ago in March of 1982, two epic events occurred in the life of Bob Naslund that have played roles in shaping his life the past four decades. ...
Two fishing on Ann Lake rescued from water by firefighters
Two men who were fishing on Ann Lake were rescued from the water Friday evening after going into the water, according to Sherburne County Sheriff Joel Brott. Firefighters from Zimmerman/Livonia Fire District rescued the men, who are brothers aged 59 and 63. They were taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons. The brothers pushed a flat-bottom boat onto the lake’s ice and worked their way about 70 yards from shore, where they broke the thin lake ice, pushed the boat onto open water and began to fish, according to Brott. Later, as they tried to push the boat back onto the ice, they fell into the lake. A man who was outside letting his dog out heard the men cry for help and called 911.
Top 25 Star News stories online in 2023
1. Nightmare on Highway 169 https://www.hometownsource.com//elk_river_star_news/nightmare-on-highway-169/article_91b8e112-a442-11ed-92f7-efc1cab7be35.html 2. Ask a Trooper: Is it a violation if the third brake light quits working on a passenger vehicle? https://www.hometownsource.com/elk_river_star_news/ask-a-trooper-is-it-a-violation-if-the-third-brake-light-quits-working-on/article_7aa54002-388d-11ea-901d-3fcd5002d39d.html 3. Osterman shifts gears, commits to University of Minnesota ...
Highway 169 crash turned carjacking gripped readers in 2023
by Jim Boyle Editor Getting rear-ended by a truck while traveling at highway speed in the slow lane of Highway 169 in Elk River on Jan. 22 became the least of Billi Jo Kruse’s concerns when her 911 call was canceled. The 40-year-old wife, mother of two and surgery technician from Zimmerman went from being...
Elk River lost mainstay businesses in 2023
by Jim Boyle Editor Elk River lost several businesses in 2023 that had been around for decades and locals mourned their loss. Here’s a little on each. Elk River Cinema closed suddenly It was a sad day for theatergoers at...
Foster parents sought as HHS heads into new year
Wright County Health and Human Services spread holiday cheer through the annual Child Foster Care Holiday Party. There were 14 families who attended the party on Dec. 7 at Buffalo American Legion in Buffalo. Santa made a special trip to the party and took pictures and delivered presents to 48 children. The party is made possible by the support and donations from Wright County communities. Wright County Health and Human...
Elk River police report: Man faces DWI after hitting vehicle while passing it; one hurt after vehicle goes into median; and he's told he won $1.8M
by Joni Astrup Associate Editor A 43-year-old man was arrested for DWI after he hit another vehicle in Elk River around 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23. The incident began as a vehicle turned from the Walmart parking lot in Elk River, traveling north on Zane Street. A second vehicle was also traveling north on Zane,...
North Ballet draws crowd to magical production of ‘The Nutcracker’
by Jessica Charpentier APG of East Central Minnesota The North Ballet Academy unraveled the enchanting story of “The Nutcracker” at St. Michael-Albertville High School’s Performing Arts Center, Dec. 8-10, to 2,800 audience members. Former owner Katie Kocinski opened North Ballet Academy in 2009, but transferred ownership of the ballet school to Breanna Dvorak in 2016....
Baldwin Township seeking to incorporate, petitioning the state
by Chloe Smith APG of East Central Minnesota/Union-Times On Wednesday, Dec. 20, Baldwin Township held an informational meeting at Baldwin Town Hall for township residents concerning the township’s decision to incorporate and become a city. The decision has been a long time in the making, according to Township Board Chair Jay Swanson. ...
Christmas comes early at Guardian Angels
CHAP Ministries’ Adopt a Senior program provides birthday and Christmas presents to spread cheer at Guardian Angels by Jim Boyle Editor Christmas came early for residents of the Guardian Angels Care Center in Elk River. Sherri Benson, the organizer of...
Baldwin Township looks at incorporation
Baldwin Township is taking steps to become a city. The Baldwin Township Board has passed a resolution instructing its legal firm to petition the state for the incorporation, according to a township legal notice. Baldwin Township Supervisor Bryan Lawrence explained more about it in a presentation to the Sherburne County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, Dec. 19. ...
Assistant Sherburne County attorney earns professional achievement award
Assistant Sherburne County Attorney Nathan Benusa was presented with the MCAA Professional Achievement Award at the Minnesota County Attorneys Association’s annual meeting in December. This award is presented to an assistant county attorney who has dedicated significant time and skill to the advancement of the profession. Benusa was recognized for his work on a bill that passed in the Legislature that lowered the criminal threshold amounts for fentanyl. Benusa proposed the bill that closed a gap that allowed higher possession amounts of fentanyl compared to...
Marriage brought her to Elk River and helped her reach the century mark
by Jim Boyle Editor Beatrice James turns 100 years old on Tuesday, which is quite a feat for someone who almost didn’t make it into the world. The story passed down through the ages in her family is that she was a tiny, premature baby born in her family’s home on Dec. 26, 1923. She...
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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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