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Sun Patriot
Talkin' about baseball and talking
Chris Ohm, a sports announcer and member of the Waconia Baseball Association, was the guest speaker at the Waconia Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism’s luncheon on June 27. Ohm, who is Emmy-nominated, discussed both professional sports announcing and the people he has met through his work. Ohm also discussed another passion that is near and dear to his heart - the Waconia Baseball Association. Ohm escorted attendees around Lion’s Field and spoke about improvements that have been finished, that are in progress, or are slated in the future. At the end of the presentation, Ohm also invited members to the press box to try their hand - and voice - at calling some plays. (J.L. Schmucker/The Patriot)
Crown College accredited by theological association
Crown College’s Graduate School of Ministry programs have received accreditation from the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). This prestigious additional accreditation provides students and prospective students with the assurance of Crown’s academically excellent and robust theological education. Dr. Andrew C. Denton, President of Crown College, stated, “This is a significant step forward for Crown College’s vision of becoming the Midwest boldly Christian college. I express my deepest appreciation to the late Dr. Zell for his dedication to leading Crown’s Graduate School of Ministry and spearheading...
Magic at the library
Popular Brodini the Magician performed for children and parents last week at the Waconia library, and libraries in Watertown and Norwood Young America. Hailed as one of the best magic shows in Minnesota, the hilarious Brodini amazed, baffled, and spoofed with kid participants in his magic and comedy act. Brodini’s visit was just one of the many programs slated at Carver County libraries this summer. Upcoming events include escape rooms for kids, story walks, a Lowry Nature Center naturalist visit, a juggler and singers, also a summer reading program with drawings for prizes that runs through Aug. 10. Stop by any county library for an Adventure Begins at Your Library schedule of events, or go the library website at www.carverlib.org. (Al Lohman/The Patriot)
Gather and Grow among foundation grant recipients
The Community Foundation for Carver County (CFCC) has awarded $10,000 to three local organizations through its recent “Difference Maker” grant round. This grant round aimed to support community initiatives that will bring about positive change in Carver County. The three programs that were funded are as follows: • $5,000 to support the expansion of the Watertown food shelf through the Waconia United Food Shelf (Gather and Grow). ...
Waconia council denies request for sober living house
Battlefield Ministries has been denied again in its request to operate a sober living house for up to six individuals at a downtown Waconia residential property at 415 West First Street. The decision followed earlier conversations this spring and questions from the city council about the plan, and an extended public hearing that began at the council’s June 3 meeting and carried into its regular session June 17. While council...
Goodwill gets OK for Marketplace Drive site
A site plan and design for a Goodwill store to be located on property at 860 Marketplace Drive in Waconia’s highway business district was approved June 17 over objections from advocates for downtown thrift shops Freshwater Furniture Depot and Trending Upward. Goodwill Industries has plans for a 20,867 square-foot facility like other Goodwill locations that have sprung up in Chanhassen, Chaska, and other communities statewide. The new facility will be built on property next to Valvoline near Mackenthun’s Fine Foods and a growing number of...
Yetzer resigns council seat, city seeks applicants
Waconia city council member Steve Yetzer has resigned his council seat effective June 30 leaving a vacancy that will be filled by appointment. The announcement and decision were made at the June 17 council meeting, and Yetzer was recognized for his service at the meeting. Yetzer indicated he is departing his seat because of a property development project he is beginning work on downtown at Second and Olive streets that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest and make it awkward and uncomfortable...
Waconia theater student gets national recognition
The Hennepin Theatre Trust announced recently that John Anderson (Waconia High School) and Lillian Hochman (Minnetonka High Schol) will represent Minnesota at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (the Jimmy Awards) – a national celebration of outstanding student achievement, recognizing individual artistry in vocal, dance, and acting performance and elevating the importance of theater arts education in schools. “I am immensely proud to congratulate our talented students who will be representing Minnesota at the Jimmy Awards this year,” said Todd Duesing, president and CEO...
DNR offers tips for enjoying holiday on state lands
Minnesota state lands are great places to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday. In addition to an abundance of recreational opportunities including hiking, biking, birdwatching, camping and more; state parks, recreation areas and forests offer a quiet location to celebrate Independence Day away from loud fireworks displays. Minnesota rules prohibit the use of fireworks in state parks, recreation areas and forests. “Not everyone enjoys the light and sound associated with fireworks,” said Ann Pierce, DNR Parks and Trails Division director. “Minnesota state parks, recreation areas...
With restoration complete, Peterson farmhouse ready for tours
The next phase in the evolution of the historic Andrew Peterson Farmstead is nearly complete with restoration of the 1880s farmhouse that Swedish emigrant Peterson built just east of Waconia and raised a family. Exterior painting was completed recently and just a few punch list items remain indoors, which means the farmhouse is ready for tours. In fact, more than 90 visitors already have toured the building informally during restoration, according to Wendy Petersen Biorn, Carver County Historical Society executive director. ...
RoboCats clean up at e-waste recycling event
The Waconia RoboCats robotics team in partnership with Recycling of Minnesota captured six pallets of electronic waste at a collection event held June 8 at the Waconia Middle School parking lot. Collected items included laptops, flat screen TVs, many outdated phones, old game systems, and lots of cords, according to organizers. Electronic waste represents one of the fastest growing waste streams on the planet – an estimated 50 million tons...
Relay for Life set for September in NYA
With Relay for Life only three months away, Carver County residents are invited now to join a team, create a team, sponsor, or donate to 2024 Relay for Life event. This year’s American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Carver County event is taking place on Saturday, Sept. 21 at Legions Pool Park in Norwood Young America. The event opens at 3 p.m. with opening ceremony at 4 p.m. Luminaria walk begins at dusk followed by closing ceremony. Look for details on the website: www.relayforlife.org/carvercountymn ...
Fire department helps ducks dodge demise
The wet weather we have experienced this spring has been great for mosquitos and generally good for ducks – but not the mother and ducklings that ended up in a storm catch basin recently in Waconia. Fortunately, Waconia Fire Department personnel came to the rescue, safely extracting the mother and all 14 ducklings. The incident occurred June 12 around 4:30 p.m. near the intersection of Maple and First Street, according...
Ohm family fills out infield at Lakers game
If you were keeping a scorecard at the Waconia Lakers baseball game on June 4, it might have been tough to track because at one time there were four Ohms in the infield. Lakers manager Mike Friedrich set it up that evening so that all four of “the Ohm boys” signed on with the Lakers, and one inning featured an all-Ohm infield. Dad Chris Ohm has dreamed about playing together...
Sheriff: Crash leaves Mayer man dead
A Mayer man is dead after a single car crash in Hollywood Township on Monday, according to the Carver County Sheriff’s Office. According to the sheriff’s office, deputies responded just after 5 a.m. on June 24 to a 9-1-1 call reporting a vehicle crash on Co. Rd. 122, near the intersection of Co. Rd. 21. Upon arriving at the scene, deputies located a 2013 BMW M5 crashed in the north...
Rain events raise water levels in local rivers
In many years, local waters like the Crow River run high in the spring from snowmelt. In 2024, in what could be one of the later high-water years, it is rain that is the factor following what has been essentially a three-year drought. Both the Crow and Minnesota rivers have been running at flood stage following 12- ½ inches of rain this spring, most of which came in May, although flooding impacts have been minimal. ...
ISD 110 offers another deal to teachers’ union
ISD 110 has presented another contract offer to Waconia teachers outside the context of mediation encouraging the Waconia Education Association to present the proposal to its members and request a vote. The proposal follows 12 months of negotiations and a mediation session last month which the ISD 110 negotiations team called a “wholly unproductive process” and “regressive bargaining.” In correspondence dated June 11, ISD 110 reiterated its financial position and...
Bands march in the rain
A parade of umbrellas joined the parade of marchers June 22 on a wet night at the Lake Waconia Band Festival. The show must go on is the old adage, and despite intermittent showers a dozen marching bands performed their shows for die-hard band fans and judges. The Waconia Marching Band also marched out their new uniforms for the first time. (Al Lohman/The Patriot)
Sheriff: Man arrested in shooting of family dog
The Carver County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest in the shooting of a family dog earlier this month in Young America Township, according to the sheriff’s office. According to the sheriff’s office, deputies received a call just before 6 p.m. on June 15 about a dog that had been shot at an unknown location in Young America Township. Upon arriving, deputies learned that a family member had walked the...
Sheriff: Teen girl in custody after alleged assault
A Chanhassen teen was taken into custody Friday evening after allegedly making threats against and assaulting another teen, according to the Carver County Sheriff’s Office. According to the sheriff’s office, deputies responded to a report of two teens fighting at a residence in Chanhassen. According to the report, a 14-year-old girl allegedly had a knife and was threatening to stab a 15-year-old boy. When deputies arrived, they learned the boy...
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Sun Patriot is comprised of Waconia Patriot and News & Times newspapers and serves the Cologne, Mayer, New Germany, Norwood Young America, Watertown and Waconia communities. Published Thursdays by APG of East Central Minnesota dating back to 1889. 24/7 local coverage found online at www.sunpatriot.com
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