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Elk River Star News
The Bank of Elk River makes Star Tribune’s Top Workplace list
The Bank of Elk River has been recognized as one of the Top Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune for the third year in a row. This honor highlights the bank’s commitment to fostering an outstanding work environment that has consistently earned the admiration and satisfaction of its employees. The Star Tribune’s Top Workplaces program identifies the leading companies in Minnesota through an employee-based survey. The survey measures various aspects of workplace culture, including engagement, organizational health, and employee satisfaction. Energage, an independent company...
Gate City Bank ranks third ion Forbes’ 2024 list
For the fourth consecutive year, Gate City Bank has made Forbes’ list of World’s Best Banks, claiming the No. 3 spot in the U.S. for 2024. According to Forbes, this recognition is in response to the bank going above and beyond to deliver excellent service, innovative solutions and overall satisfaction. This is especially true when it comes to addressing evolving consumer expectations, such as those associated with having access to a healthy mix of self-service and team-member-assisted banking opportunities. Forbes assembled the World’s Best Banks list by partnering with market research firm Statista, and the results are based on a worldwide survey of more than 49,000 banking customers across 33 countries. The 403 banks that ranked were evaluated by survey participants in categories such as overall customer service, digital services, terms and conditions, financial advice and trust.
Otsego gets ‘clean’ opinion on city audit
by Joni Astrup Associate Editor The city of Otsego has received a “clean” opinion in its most recent audit, which was conducted by BerganKDV. A clean opinion, also known as an unmodified opinion, is the best opinion that can be given, according to city documents. ...
Otsego City Council adopts temporary moratorium on cannabis businesses
by Joni Astrup Associate Editor The Otsego City Council has adopted an interim ordinance temporarily prohibiting the operation of cannabis businesses in the city. In 2023, the state legalized the cultivation, manufacturing, testing, distributing and selling of cannabis products and defined 14 types of cannabis businesses that will be allowed in Minnesota. ...
Rogers OKs sale of Muni, plans for new restaurant and bar
by Sue Webber Contributing writer The Muni bar in Rogers, a staple in the community since 1977, is about to become a remodeled restaurant and bar, under new ownership. The Rogers City Council on June 11 approved a $1.1 million purchase agreement with Craft & Crew Hospitality, Inc., for the sale of the city-owned property...
Rivers headed to Gulf of Mexico, playing his cello along the way
by Jim Boyle Editor Zak Rivers performed this past Sunday at the top of the stairs inside Rivers Edge Commons Park in downtown Elk River. The crowd was light but appreciative and complimentary. It was by no means an encore performance of the last time Rivers was here as a member of The Blue Ringers...
Dayton OKs police retention incentive program
by Alicia Miller APG of East Central Minnesota/Crow River News The Dayton City Council has approved a police department employee retention incentive program. Police Chief Paul Enga approached the council at the June 11 meeting with a plan to help retain police officers with the incentive program. Currently, the police department employs 12 sworn officers,...
Elk River police report: Wrong-way driver arrested for DWI; vehicle, bike collide; and man swindled out of $20,000
by Joni Astrup Associate Editor A 48-year-old Monticello man was arrested for DWI after driving the wrong way on Highway 10 in Elk River. Officers were dispatched to Highway 10 and Upland Avenue at 2:17 a.m. June 26 on a report of a truck driving east in the westbound lane of the highway. ...
Search warrant leads to drugs, arrest of Princeton-area man
Members of the Sherburne County Drug Task Force and Emergency Response Unit executed a search warrant Thursday, June 13, and arrested a Princeton area man after finding drugs and paraphernalia used to package and sell drugs. The warrant was executed at a residence in the 29500 block of 128th Street NW in Baldwin Township, according to Sheriff Joel Brott. Investigators discovered more than 37 grams of methamphetamine, scales to weigh drugs, paraphernalia to use drugs, and multiple firearms that the homeowner was ineligible to possess because of previous criminal convictions, Brott said. Investigators arrested Joshua Bennett Byker, 41, and booked him at Sherburne County Jail on charges of drug possession and sales, storing meth in the presence of a child, possessing a firearm when ineligible to do so, and child neglect or endangerment.
Ask a Trooper: How to zipper merge
Ask a Trooper with Sgt. Jesse Grabow of the Minnesota State Patrol Question: With summertime here and all the construction zones, can you talk about the zipper merge? It’s been talked about for a while but a lot of people don’t seem to get it. Answer: The late merge of “Zipper Merge” is a driving strategy that requires a change in the mindset of motorists who traditionally have been taught...
Lutes: Deadly force was justified in March 2 shooting
Wright County Attorney Brian Lutes has concluded his review of the officer-involved shooting incident that occurred March 2, 2024, in St. Michael that resulted in the death of a 67-year-old male from St. Michael. The incident was investigated by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Force Investigation Unit led by Senior Special Agent Sean Mooney. “Upon my review of the investigative materials, I have determined the use of deadly force...
Zimmerman mayor announces he will not seek reelection
by Jim Boyle Editor Zimmerman Mayor Nick Stay has announced he will not be seeking a fourth term as mayor. Stay was first elected mayor in 2018 in a three-way race with Dave Earenfight and David Brace. He collected nearly...
Big red chair, picnic tables donated
Submitted photo Downtown Elk River has been gifted a giant chair and picnic tables by Plants and Things USA and Furniture And Things for use this summer. Deana McLean, president of the Downtown Elk River Business Association and owner of Salon on Main and Eclectic Boutique, and fellow DERBA member Jennifer Wagner, who co-owns Edge Bar and Boutique, joined Steve Hickman of Plants and Things USA and Furniture and Things...
Friesen Holistic Services to serve teens, young adults with autism
Friesen Holistic Services LLC, a pioneering provider of holistic support for individuals who live with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), has announced plans to launch in Otsego. Founded by Kelly Friesen, a registered public health nurse, the business aims to address the unmet needs for independent living and life skill services for transition age students and adults with autism or neurodiversity in the northwest suburbs. Friesen runs her business out...
Sherburne County Board appoints Rupp as auditor-treasurer
She will fill out the term of Diane Arnold, who is retiring by Joni Astrup Associate Editor The Sherburne County Board of Commissioners has appointed Loraine Rupp to be county auditor-treasurer when current Auditor-Treasurer Diane Arnold retires July 9. Commissioners...
Faces of the Elk River Farmers Market: Krissa Lane, Gizmo’s Bistro
Krissa Lane, of Elk River, launched Gizmo’s Bistro after embarking on a mission to create a tasty, healthy and beneficial treat for their dog. Most treats are over processed with no nutritional value and contain preservatives, she said. Gizmo’s Bistro is homemade with locally sourced ingredients. Gizmo’s Bistro even makes its own peanut butter. No preservatives are added. And the ingredient list is under 10 items; some only have four. ...
Elk River Area School Board taps MSBA for superintendent search
by Jim Boyle Editor The Elk River Area School Board has approved on a 5-1 vote a proposal by the Minnesota School Boards Association to facilitate the search for the next superintendent on behalf of ISD 728. The search is expected to start in early July to late August and finish mid- to late-October at...
Updated: Section of CSAH 36 in Otsego slated to reopen after being closed due to flooding
Update: The segment of County State Aid Highway 36 between Quilley Avenue NE and Rachele Avenue NE in Otsego that has been closed since Monday (June 24) will re-open in the next half hour (1:30 p.m. Thursday, June 27) to traffic, the Wright County Highway Department announced. Flood water that had been covering the road surface has receded. Highway maintenance crews will remove the barricades currently in place, but they will remain off to the side of the road with projections of more rain coming...
Updated: Section of CSAH 36 in Otsego slated to reopen after being closed due to flooding
Update: The segment of County State Aid Highway 36 between Quilley Avenue NE and Rachele Avenue NE in Otsego that has been closed since Monday (June 24) will re-open in the next half hour (1:30 p.m. Thursday, June 27) to traffic, the Wright County Highway Department announced. Flood water that had been covering the road surface has receded. Highway maintenance crews will remove the barricades currently in place, but they will remain off to the side of the road with projections of more rain coming...
Updated: Section of CSAH 36 in Otsego slated to reopen after being closed due to flooding
Update: The segment of County State Aid Highway 36 between Quilley Avenue NE and Rachele Avenue NE in Otsego that has been closed since Monday (June 24) will re-open in the next half hour (1:30 p.m. Thursday, June 27) to traffic, the Wright County Highway Department announced. Flood water that had been covering the road surface has receded. Highway maintenance crews will remove the barricades currently in place, but they will remain off to the side of the road with projections of more rain coming...
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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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