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Elk River Star News
Eight honored with annual awards at ISD 728 schools
Each year, ISD 728 celebrates its staff, volunteers and substitute teachers with the annual staff awards, including a first-time Coach of the Year award. Elementary Teacher of the Year: Erinn Weinmann, Parker Elementary Staff Member of the Year (building): Tracy Ratike, VandenBerge Middle School Staff Member of the Year (district): Gwen Anderson, EL Coordinator ...
More than 40 call it a career in Elk River Area School District
Work spans range from single digits to 30-plus years by Michael Schoemer District 728 Communications A pair of leaders bid farewell to ISD 728, wrapping up careers marked with leadership, caring for students, innovation and, above all, friendship. Terry Bizal,...
Rogers Front Porch Theatre provides family-friendly musicals
by Jessica Charpentier APG of East Central Minnesota/Crow River News Front Porch Musical Theatre was launched in 2011 in Rogers by Tim and Linda Lindeen after they moved to the area. The Lindeen’s realized the need for local theatre opportunities for children. Before kicking off Front Porch Musical Theatre, Linda Lindeen was a music and...
Town ball returns to Elk River thanks to Lumberjacks
Elk River Lumberjacks are in their first season in the Eastern Minny South League by Erik Nelson Sports Reporter Only the best, healthiest baseball players in the world can play in MLB. That doesn’t mean those who don’t make the cut have to stop playing the sport they love. ...
Elk River’s Kiersted re-signs with Florida Panthers
Fresh off of winning the Stanley Cup for the first time in their 30-year history, on Friday, June 28, the Florida Panthers re-signed defenseman and Elk River native Matt Kiersted to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2024-25 season. Kiersted’s contract will expire on July 1, 2025. Kiersted was a teammate of Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Nick Perbix when they played for the Elks. Kiersted, 26, has skated in 37 career NHL games, all with the Panthers, but didn’t play a game with Florida in 2023-24. Because he didn’t appear with the team, he will likely not have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup. Kiersted and the Panthers will visit the Minnesota Wild on Dec. 18, 2024, at 8:30 p.m. at Xcel Energy Center.
Washington Capitals trade Rogers hockey alum Nick Jensen to the Ottawa Senators
On Monday, July 1, the Ottawa Senators acquired Washington Capitals defenseman Nick Jensen in exchange for defenseman Jakob Chychrun and Ottawa’s third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Jensen, who turns 34 in September, is a native of St. Paul and played for the Rogers Royals boys hockey team. In 2023-24, he played in 78 regular-season games with the Capitals and recorded 14 points (one goal, 13 assists). Jensen has played 562 NHL games with the Capitals and the Detroit Red Wings. Jensen and the Senators will visit the Minnesota Wild for a game on Sunday, Dec. 29, at 7 p.m. at Xcel Energy Center as the NHL released its schedule for the 2024-25 regular season on Tuesday, July 2.
Zimmerman girl, 7, to race at ERX Motor Park on July 12
KSTP featured Eleanor Stanley in a segment during its June 4, newscast Although she isn’t eligible to receive a driver’s license for almost another decade, that hasn’t stopped 7-year-old Eleanor Stanley from pursuing her dreams of sports car racing, KSTP News reported Stanley, of Zimmerman, will race at ERX Motor Park in Elk River as part of the ERX Off-Road National sponsored by Amsoil on Friday, July 12, and Saturday, July 13. She drives in an age bracket for 6-to-12-year-olds. Most of her competitors are boys, but she’s won races against boys who are older than her.She drives more laps on the racetrack than the total years of her age. The Star News plans to feature Stanley in an upcoming edition. For those that want to see her in action, tickets are available to the ERX Off-Road National at: www.erxmotorpark.com/offroad-national.
Biggest USA Cup in Blaine coming up; Star News looking for local angles
The National Sports Center (NSC) in Blaine has announced the 39th annual Target USA Cup will be taking place July 12-20. The 2024 tournament will welcome the largest number of players and referees from across the country and world in its history. There will be more than 1,180 teams participating over the eight-day event. The event will feature over 2,300 soccer matches and a multitude of activities across the campus to keep players nourished, replenished and entertained throughout the eight days. ...
Update: Elk River's Independence Day fireworks show postponed to July 27
Potential cost to babysit fireworks put an end to plans the July 4 show by Jim Boyle Editor Fireworks for a city celebration are expensive and explosive. Baby-sitting them can be almost as costly, members of the Elk River City Council learned on Monday, July 1. ...
Update: Elk River's Independence Day fireworks show postponed to July 27
Potential cost to babysit fireworks put an end to plans the July 4 show by Jim Boyle Editor Fireworks for a city celebration are expensive and explosive. Baby-sitting them can be almost as costly, members of the Elk River City Council learned on Monday, July 1. ...
CFO LeRoy Lindenfelser marks 30 years at The Bank of Elk River
LeRoy Lindenfelser, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at The Bank of Elk River, marked his 30th anniversary with the institution on June 27. Lindenfelser’s journey with The Bank of Elk River began in 1994 when he joined as a consumer lender for the yet-to-be-built Otsego branch. His dedication and expertise led him to the Main Street branch in 1998 as a commercial lender and assistant CFO. Lindenfelser assumed the role of CFO in September 2007. ...
Les Schwab Tire Center awarded CUP from Elk River Council
The Elk River City Council approved a conditional use permit for a Les Schwab Tire Center at its June 17 meeting. The retail motor vehicle specialty service station will be located at 17994 Zane St., next to Tractor Supply and across from The Home Depot. The project includes construction of a 10,599-square-foot retail and service center, retail showroom, pull though service canopy, and a tire warehouse. In addition to tire sales and service, other automotive parts like tire rims and accessories will also be for sale at this location. The service center will service brakes, provide alignments, oil changes, and other minor maintenance and repair work. An official for Les Schwab Tires from Bozeman, Montana was there to answer questions. Council members noted the company’s eastward expansion into Minnesota and wished them well.
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. ...
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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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