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Elk River Star News
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. ...
Otsego Planning Commission slated to hear items related to Costco
The Otsego Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing on several items related to the proposed Costco store in Otsego. The hearing begins at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 5, at Prairie Center, 8899 Nashua Ave. NE, Otsego. Costco is proposing a store on a site at the northwest corner of 60th Street and MacIver Avenue. The Planning Commission will consider the following requests: ...
Otsego appoints election judges
The Otsego City Council has adopted a resolution appointing election judges for 2024. They are Julie Abel, Michele Becker, Stephanie Carpentier, Martha Carroll, Michele Chapman, Richard Christensen, Renae Citrowski, Alvina Cooke, Gabriel Davis, Anne Echtenkamp, Judy Fehn, Julie Fries, Larry Fries, Loren Green, Deborah Gross, Marqueta Hainje, Mike Halloran, Ann Hollis, Gary Hoxter, Annlea Hoxter, Gwen Lapp, Suzanne Leshovsky, Viola Look, Diane Lucas, Jo Malm, Bruce Maltzen, Linda McComb, Mary Murphy, Sandra Nordberg, Dan Oekle, Kathy O’Neal, Jim Penick, Judy Riess, Jim Riess, Tim Rizk,...
Rogers City Council OKs $7.4M in bonds for Fire Station 2
by Sue Webber Contributing Writer General obligation capital improvement bonds in the amount of $7.4 million, to be used in financing the construction of Fire Station 2, were approved Jan. 9 by the Rogers City Council. Hilltop Securities was the lowest of five bidders, with a 3.3% interest rate, according to Jason Aarsvold, senior municipal...
Arts board offers student scholarships
The Central Minnesota Arts Board awards $2,000 Student Arts Scholarships to people seeking their first undergraduate degree in an arts-related field. Application deadline is Feb. 7. Applicants must be residents of Benton, Sherburne, Stearns or Wright counties, but may attend college or university anywhere. Individuals can receive up to four scholarships in a lifetime. For details, go to centralmnartsboard.org.
Anoka County Sheriff’s Office expanding SWAT unit to include other agency members
by Peter Bodley Contributing Writer The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office is expanding its Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team to include members of other law enforcement agencies in the county. The Anoka County Board has approved joint powers agreements with the cities of Anoka, Blaine, Columbia Heights, Coon Rapids, Fridley, Ramsey and Lino Lakes for...
Rogers municipal liquor sales make net profit of $346,755 in 2022
by Jessica Charpentier APG of East Central Minnesota At the end of 2023, the Minnesota Office of the State Auditor released the analysis of municipal liquor stores in the state for the year 2022. According to the report, in 2022, 176 Minnesota cities reported operating 211 municipal liquor operations; 83 cities operated both on-sale and off-sale liquor establishments, and 93 operated off-sale liquor stores only. ...
ISD 728 enrollment continues to increase
Rogers and Otsego are expected to hit overcapacity in 3-5 years by Jessica Charpentier APG of East Central Minnesota At the Jan. 8 Elk River Area School Board meeting, the district discussed enrollment, projection and capacity updates for the 2023-24 school year. Director of Research and Assessment Joseph Stangler presented the findings to the board. ...
Rivers of Hope granted $7,000
Rivers of Hope has received a $7,000 grant from Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless. The funds will be used to provide survivors of domestic violence the essentials they need. Rivers of Hope is a domestic violence center serving Sherburne and Wright counties. It has been providing services in the community since 1989. Since 1986, the Open Your Heart Foundation has ensured that emergency shelters, food shelves and domestic violence shelters throughout Minnesota have the tools, equipment and infrastructure necessary to best serve those in need.
Free online class helps farmers to sell direct to customers
The University of Minnesota Extension will offer a free online class to farm operators on how best to price and market farm goods direct to customers. The series of three classes will be on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. on Feb. 6, 13 and 20. A self-guided workbook will be available to apply the knowledge to your own operation and the entire series is free. Register at https://z.umn.edu/direct-to-consumer “Farm operators typically...
District 728 Community Education offers Valentine’s themed classes
District 728 Community Education has a couple of Valentine’s Day-related classes coming up soon. They are: •Sweethearts’ Delights: Elegant Eclairs and Paczki (Polish doughnuts). Learn how to make the decadent French pastry known as a chocolate eclair, as well as a rich yeasted dessert called paczki. Saturday, Feb. 3, 4 to 6:30 p.m. $39 per household. Online. •Valentine’s Date Night: Fun With Fused Glass. Enjoy a Friday night with that special someone as you create a plate, dish or coasters to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Friday, Feb. 9, 6 to 8:30 p.m. at River Birch Glass Studio in Elk River. $55. For more information or to register, go to www.728communityed.com or call 763-241-3520.
Spectrum's Blake Femrite scores 1,000th point in dramatic fashion
Few high school basketball players in Minnesota reach the 1,000 point milestone with their school. Even fewer have done it in the fashion that Sting senior guard Blake Femrite did on Tuesday, Jan. 9. During the first half of No. 19 Spectrum’s 83-52 win over Eagle Ridge Academy, Femrite stole a pass by a Gryphons player and sprinted down the court towards the other basket. He then proceeded to dunk the ball into the net for two points with 14:12 remaining in the first half....
ISD 728 receives an unmodified opinion for 2022-23 audit
by Jessica Charpentier APG of East Central Minnesota At the Jan. 8 Elk River Area School Board meeting, the board discussed financial reports from the 2022-23 school year. MMKR Certified Public Accountant William Lauer presented the annual audit report findings. Lauer stated the audit was very positive; there was nothing to report from a compliance...
Nick Perbix and Lightning defeat Wild 7-3 to sweep season series
Exactly two weeks after defeating the Minnesota Wild 4-1 at Xcel Energy Center on Thursday, Jan. 4, the Tampa Bay Lightning (23-17-5) swept the 2023-24 season series against the Wild (18-21-5) with a 7-3 win on Thursday night at home inside Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Elk River native Nick Perbix recorded the secondary assist on Lightning center Waltteri Merela's first NHL goal in the second period, which gave Tampa Bay a 3-1 lead. ...
Seven appointed to new Sherburne County parks and trails committee
by Joni Astrup Associate Editor Seven people have been appointed to Sherburne County’s new Parks and Trails Advisory Committee by the County Board of Commissioners in action Jan. 16. One member was selected from each of the Sherburne County commissioner districts, and two members are at large. ...
What’s your name?
Mary Hall performed Tuesday at the Elk River Senior Activity Center. Her musical program was called, “What’s Your Name?” The songs she sang had people’s names in them. Hall has been performing in front of audiences throughout the United States for many decades and has more than 600 songs in her repertoire. Photo by Joni Astrup
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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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