Dakota County
Tribune
Farmington | Rosemount and the surrounding areas www.dakotacountytribune.com
NEWS Area pastors bless pets St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rosemount holds its annual Blessing of the Animals. Page 2A
OPINION Obermueller is board’s choice The newspaper’s editorial board endorses Mike Obermueller in the 2nd District. Page 4A
October 16, 2014 • Volume 129 • Number 33
Homecoming prank gone wrong in Farmington Kidnapping charges not being considered after seniors and juniors have ‘war’ by Andy Rogers SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Part of a “war” between the junior and senior class took a turn for the worse in many ways during Farmington’s homecoming. The Farmington Police Department reported as part of a prank involving a group of 17 seniors, four juniors hands were zip-tied and two juniors were forced into a trunk and two in the back seat of a car. The group piled into a number of cars and went for a joyride on Sept. 27. The joy may have never started for the juniors, but it came to an end for everyone when two of
the cars in the caravan collided. There were no injuries and minimal property damage. The individuals scattered and the juniors were long gone by the time police officers arrived. From there, the police department realized it was more than a fender bender. Farmington Chief of Police Brian Lindquist said he suspects the individuals were cooperative during questioning. Of the 17 students, several could be looking at serious charges. The Farmington Police Department is working with the Dakota County Attorney’s Office to determine what charges may ap-
ply and to whom. The majority of those who may face charges are seniors ages 17 and 18. “Obviously some of the students that are not 18 will not be prosecuted by the county attorney,” Lindquist said. “But we’re looking at this as one collective event.” Potential charges include disorderly conduct, reckless driving and assault. “If you want to get crazy you could look at kidnapping but it’s not on the table,” Lindquist said. “It’s not even a topic for consideration. But we’re looking at all possibilities. We’re not in the business of retribution. We’re in the business of changing con-
duct.” Lindquist said the situation could have ended much worse. “But the grace of God, like most of these things, they’re a few inches away from being really bad,” Lindquist said. “It’s one of those things they’ll look back and think how goofy and dumb was that. … If the accident hadn’t taken place, would we have even known? There’s a 50-50 chance we wouldn’t.” The there no reports of any other such incidents related to Farmington’s homecoming week. Email Andy Rogers andy.rogers@ecm-inc.com.
Board confirms gymnastics coach nonrenewal
THISWEEKEND
Lynn Bauman won’t be back as head varsity coach
Folk music in Lakeville
by Andy Rogers SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Folk artist Dennis Warner is bringing his fun-filled live show to the stage of the Lakeville Area Arts Center. Page 17A
SPORTS
The Rosemount High School marching band placed first in Class AAA at the Youth in Music contest in Farmington on Oct. 11. (Photo courtesy of Dave Andrews)
Rosemount wins Youth in Music
Irish boys soccer to state The Rosemount boys soccer team plays role of underdog in upsets in section tournament. Page 10A
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PUBLIC NOTICE The Dakota County Tribune is a legal newspaper for the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District.
INDEX Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 10A Announcements . . . . 11A Public Notices . . . . . . 12A Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 13A
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Things were buzzing Saturday after the Rosemount High School marching band won the 2014 Class AAA Youth in Music championship in Farmington. The group’s 2014 program – “The Queen,” built on music from Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring,” Imogen Heap’s “Aha!,” “The Flight of the Bumblebee” and “God Save the Queen” – topped a field of four Class AAA bands before a sold-out audience at the Farmington High School Tiger Stadium. Chippewa Falls, Wis., The Farmington High School marching band played in exhibition at the Youth in Music contest in Farmington on Oct. 11. (Photo courtesy of Dave Andrews) See BAND, 8A
Lynn Bauman made her case to the Farmington School Board on Monday that she would like her old job back, but the board stood by its initial decision. For the first time in eight years, someone new will be the head coach of the varsity gymnastics team at the high school. Farmington Athletic Director Bill Tschida will recommend to the board that Amanda Lund will be the new varsity gymnastics head coach for the 2014-15 season. Bauman was the longtime varsity coach at the high school, but the board approved her non-renewal 5-0 on Sept. 22 as part of the consent agenda. Board Chair Tera Lee was absent. Coaches are on year-toyear contracts. After reviewing the reasons and speaking with friends and family, Bauman decided to appeal. She said she received plenty of support from the community. “I can’t go anywhere in Farmington,” she said. “People are either giving See COACH, 8A
Rosemount accepts bid for activity center Building would be attached to city-run Steeple Center by Tad Johnson SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Though a bid to construct a proposed activity center addition to the city-owned Steeple Center is 1.1 percent over the projected budget amount, the Rosemount City Council approved the bid at its Monday, Oct. 7 meeting. The bid of $2.39 million from Ebert Construction of Corcoran exceeded the projected budget by $270,000. City Administrator Dwight Johnson said construction bids are running higher than expected in other similar city projects, so the result was not unexpected. Council Member Kim Shoe-
The Rosemount City Council approved a bid Tuesday, Oct. 7, to have an activity center addition built attached to the city-run Steeple Center. (Graphic submitted) Corrigan pointed out that city officials will work with Ebert to refine the plan and possibly reduce the budget. The total package includes
a base bid of $2.09 million and The base bid includes enclosing $301,994 spread out among 12 al- the top floor but not the interior ternate options, including finishing work. the interior rooms of the second See CENTER, 8A floor.
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