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Laker Pioneer
Fire services take center stage at Long Lake forum
Long Lake city council teamed up with local fir services experts to host its third “fire forum” event on May 29. The Long Lake-Orono fire dispute hasn’t slowed down, and further mediation between the two cities will continue on June 17, with a trial set for January. The road to this point has been long, and recent developments have only complicated the situation. Residents of southwestern Orono will have fire...
Orono joins exclusive list of ‘millon-dollar’ cities
As many home prices across the country continue to rise, Orono has joined Zillow’s ‘Million-Dollar’ cities list in 2024. While Orono crossed the $1 million threshold in Zillow’s Home Value Index (ZHVI) metric in May, 2022, the city reached a new peak value of $1,043,372 in April. ZHVI “reflects the typical value for homes in the 35th to 65th percentile range.” The natural increase in home values accelerated with the...
Westonka’s Class of 2024 says good-bye to high school
Amid pomp and circumstance, Mound Westonka High School honored the 191 members of the 2024 graduating class May 29 at an outdoor ceremony on Haddorff Field. The Class of 2024 enthusiastically accepted diplomas in front of family, friends, teachers, and school staff on a perfect summer-like evening. President Natalie Miner greeted those in attendance and her fellow graduates on behalf of Student Senate. The students chosen to speak were Gabriella Larsen and Henry Meisel. ...
Ridgeview adds immunologist at Two Twelve MC
Ridgeview has announced it will offer Allergy & Immunology services at Two Twelve Medical Center in Chaska. With the launch of this new service, Ridgeview welcomes Alaaddin Kandeel, MBBS, who is now evaluating, diagnosing and treating patients 4 months of age and older for a wide range of allergy and immunologic conditions. Kandeel brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Ridgeview. As a board-certified allergist/immunologist, he provides evaluation and testing for environmental, food, venom and a wide variety of other allergens and immunologic conditions....
Hilltop families participate in first ‘Screen Free Week’
Students at Hilltop Primary School participated in their first ever “Screen Free Week” May 13-18. Social worker Lori Springer explained that the intention behind Screen Free Week is to encourage everyone to turn off screens to connect with family, friends, nature, and their own creativity. “Classrooms were very creative with how they spent their time throughout the week,” said Springer. “We saw classes doing lessons outside, math facts with sidewalk chalk, math games in the classroom, bonus time outside enjoying the fresh air, extra physical...
WHPS invites public to ‘Night to Unite’ events
Join neighbors across Maple Plain and Independence on Tuesday, Aug. 6, for the 15th Annual Night to Unite in Minnesota. Sponsored by the Minnesota Crime Prevention Association, AAA of Minnesota/Iowa, and local law enforcement agencies, Night to Unite will celebrate and strengthen neighborhood and community partnerships. Night to Unite is designed to: 1. Get to know one another in your neighborhood. ...
August opening planned for Shoreline Hotel
Construction of the new Shoreline Hotel in Spring Park is well underway, bringing it closer each day to welcoming guests to the shores of Lake Minnetonka. Originally targeted for spring 2024, project developer Kelly Olsen says the hotel is now on track to be completed by August, with reservations starting in September 2024. The inside of the former office building known as the The Yacht Club is being completely renovated to accommodate 27 king suites (23 of which will face the lake), a restaurant and...
Ridgeview joins Blue Band Project roster
Ridgeview has announced its participation in the Blue Band Project — an initiative in partnership with the Minnesota Perinatal Quality Collaborative (MNPQC) — designed to alert health care providers about a patient’s risk for preeclampsia, eclampsia and stroke during and after pregnancy. Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy-related disorder that is characterized by high blood pressure and typically protein in the urine. The disorder can cause severe health problems and have lifelong impacts — including an increased risk for heart disease, heart attack, stroke and high...
Westonka celebrates 2024 senior athletes
Each year, Mound Westonka High School celebrates standout athletes from the graduating class. This year’s celebration took place on May 23 in the MWHS cafeteria, with student-athletes and their parents in attendance. Included in this year’s recognition were the Yost-Haddorff-Leopold and Athena Award nominees and winners, as well as senior three-season athletes, declared college athletes, and state tournament participants. Activities Director Jeff Peterson recognized and congratulated the senior athletes on their accomplishments. “This is an incredible senior class with tremendous leadership in and out of...
Hennepin Theatre Trust recognizes Westonka production
Mound Westonka High School’s spring production of “Footloose” was recognized for its accomplishments in high school theater by the Hennepin Theatre Trust as a participant in the Spotlight Education program. MWHS Theatre wrapped a successful production run of the musical in April. One of the most explosive movie musicals in recent memory, “Footloose” came to life on stage. When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, Ren is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. What...
Minnetrista OKs staff promotions, infrastructure projects
Minnetrista boasts a reputation for the long-standing dedication of its employees and remains committed to retaining top talent while staying competitive in the marketplace. During the May 20 council meeting, the council approved several personnel promotions and salary adjustments effective July 1, 2024. Angie Boll was promoted from associate accountant/deputy clerk to senior accountant/deputy clerk, while Darci Atkinson transitioned from customer service assistant to administrative assistant. Additionally, both Gary Peters,...
Orono fire department ranks continue to grow
Orono’s fire department staff levels continue to grow after a pair of positions were approved by the Orono City Council on May 13. The council approved Fire Chief James Van Eyll’s request to hire two new paid on-call firefighters in a 3-1 vote. Council member Alisa Benson voted against the resolution. “Authorizing the hiring of more staffing is not something I support” Benson said. ...
Society presents ‘History Cruise’ on Lake Minnetonka
The Lake Minnetonka Historical Society (LMHS) will present a history cruise, “Shipwrecks and Disasters on Lake Minnetonka” aboard “Lady of the Lake” in Excelsior, on Monday, June 10, at 6 pm. Tickets are $22.50 for LMHS members and $37.50 for nonmembers and are available at tinyurl.com/52fwx52x. For more information contact LMHS at info@LakeMinnetonkaHistory.org, or 952-474-2115. Passengers will cruise over the lower lake’s “boat graveyard” while historian Scott D. McGinnis tells tales of the many boats that lie beneath the waters and the surprising way some...
White Hawks hit the links ahead of tourney
The Mound Westonka boys golf team had two meets last week. They competed in their final conference meet at the Ridges at Sand Creek in Jordan on May 20, and the Pioneer Cup at Pioneer Creek in Maple Plain on May 22. The Wright County Conference holds three 9-hole meets and three 18-hole meets each spring. The team award was won by Holy Family again this year, the top ranked AA team in the state. Southwest Christian, ranked fifth in AA, took second. ...
Westonka seniors get $344K in community scholarships
Mound Westonka High School hosted the annual Scholarship Awards Night on May 15, when 75 scholarships worth over $344,000 from 52 different donors were awarded to 67 members of the 2024 graduating class. Students and their families gathered in the Westonka Performing Arts Center to accept their scholarships, which came from both the local community and from donors across the country. “The evening was a wonderful moment to honor the stories and passion of our donors while creating a moment to highlight our current seniors,”...
Crown College kicks off major renovation project
Crown College is beginning a $1.7 million project to renovate its East Wing classrooms. This project is possible largely due to two $500,000 gifts from generous anonymous donors newly associated with Crown. While fundraising is continuing for portions of this project, the Crown College Board of Trustees approved the project start. The East Wing project will finalize classroom renovations and include a new classroom layout, adding a student lounge area,...
Ridgeview announces names of scholarship recipients
Ridgeview is pleased to announce the 2024 recipients of a $2,000 Health Care Scholarship. Scholarships were awarded to the following high school students who are pursuing a health-care related degree or career: Jenna Adamietz, Belle Plaine; Maleah Wishnack, Central (NYA); Hanna Taha, Chanhassen; Halle Browning, Chaska; Veronica Shaer, Delano; Katelyn Beranek, GFW (Gibbon, Fairfax, Winthrop); Callie Klabunde, Glencoe-Silver Lake; Adia Patterson, Holy Family (Victoria); Selah Streachek, Holy Trinity (Winsted); Gabriel Michels, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted; Evelyn Menden, Jordan; Ava Heimerl, Lester Prairie; Madison Horsch, Mayer Lutheran; Kiah Helget, New Ulm; Elisabeth McCallum, Minnetonka; Averie Zealley, Mound-Westonka; Emily Archambault, New Prague; Karcyn Dose, Sibley East; Livia Bengtson, Southwest Christian (Chaska); Gabriella Dahlke, Try-City United (Montgomery); Ellana Keaveny, Waconia; Kayla Schutte, Watertown-Mayer; Emma Eckstein, Child of Ridgeview Employee; Leena Taha, Diverse Ethnicity (Minnetonka). This year, Ridgeview awarded $48,000 in scholarships to west-metro students. Funding for the Ridgeview Health Care Scholarship Program is generously provided by Ridgeview Foundation’s Friends & Family Committee and anonymous community donors.
Mound mulls plan for proposed Halstead Bay development
Pine Financial Group Inc., a property investment company based in Colorado, has put forth a concept plan for a proposed development called “Halstead Estates” that straddles Mound and Minnetrista. The proposed development site occupies a 1.66-acre parcel located at 6639 Bartlett Boulevard. During the May 15 Mound City Council meeting, Rita Trapp, the city’s planning consultant, detailed the proposal, which comprises eight row houses, two duplexes, and one single-family home, totaling 13 units on the Mound side of the project. Additionally, the concept plan encompasses...
West Hennepin Public Safety seeks applicants for officer training
The Intensive Comprehensive Peace Officer Education and Training (ICPOET) Program is an opportunity to become a West Hennepin Public Safety Police Officer and join the team of dedicated police officers. West Hennepin Public Safety Department is a police department serving the small communities of Maple Plain and Independence. Our communities and elected officials have strong support for their police officers and the honorable work police officers perform every day. Even though the agency is a smaller police department in Hennepin County there are many opportunities for success and career development such as: ...
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Laker Pioneer serves the Mound, Minnetrista, Spring Park, Navarre, Long Lake, Orono, Maple Plain, Independence and Minnetonka Beach communities. Published Saturdays by APG of East Central Minnesota since 1974. 24/7 local coverage found online at www.lakerpioneer.com
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