Tribune Dakota County
Farmington | Rosemount and the surrounding areas www.dakotacountytribune.com
May 23, 2013 • Volume 129 • Number 12
Sobering message at high school Military moms, grandmas unite in support
NEWS
Celebrating Armed Forces WWII enthusiasts came together at the Dakota County Fairgrounds for the fourth annual Armed Forces Day. Page 2A
OPINION Repair special ed funding With many Democrats and Republicans in agreement, the special education funding system needs to be fixed. Page 4A
SPORTS
Irish sixth at True Team
by Howard Lestrud SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
by Theresa Malloy SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
While national headlines about troop drawdowns take the spotlight, Edina military mom Rachel Hause said she is “flabbergasted” when people are unaware that deployments are still happening. “It’s important for communities not to forget we’re not done sending people to noncombat zones,” she said. So Hause finds comfort with other military mothers and grandmothers who are all too familiar with the reality of deployment. On Saturday, May 18, more than 100 military moms and grandmothers came together for a luncheon put on by the Farmington Yellow Ribbon Network at St. Michael’s Church. The women enjoyed a meal, pampering, bingo and prizes, but mostly it was a way to connect with people who have had similar experiences. “It’s nice getting a chance to meet all these people whose paths wouldn’t have crossed,”
Rosemount High School brought home the reality of distracted or impaired driving to a junior and senior student assembly Thursday, May 16. The mock car crash took place in the front parking lot and featured a real-time simulation of an alcohol related car crash. In a coordinated effort, Dakota County law enforcement and emergency personnel, along with community business members, worked together to provide personnel for this assembly. Rosemount celebrated prom on May 18 in St. Paul. More photos are online at SunThisweek.com. (Photos by Rick Orndorf)
Rosemount’s string of top-three finishes at the state True Team boys track meet ended last week. Page 15A
by Theresa Malloy SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
NHL stars to put on exhibition during Leprechaun Days Up to 30 players will play in charity game by Andy Rogers SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Announcements . . . . 20A Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 15A Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 17A Public Notices . . . . . . 13A
News 952-846-2033 Display Advertising 952-846-2011 Classified Advertising 952-846-2000 Delivery 952-846-2070
See GOVERNOR, 14A
Almost 50 students from Akin Road Elementary catch virus, experience nausea, vomiting
Rosemount High School graduate J.T. Brown will be one of the many National Hockey League players who will compete in a charity game during Leprechaun Days in Rosemount. (Photo submitted)
INDEX
Minnesota’s gubernatorial election of 2014 is 18 months away but some Rep u bl i c a n s are flexing their muscles as official or potential candidates for the GOP nom- Dave Thompson ination. D F L Gov. Mark Dayton has already indicated he will seek re-election. O f t e n Jeff outspoken Johnson Sen. David Thompson, RLakeville, says he is considering a run for governor and Scott hoped to Honour announce his decision the first few days after the session ended May 20. No announcement had been made as of presstime. Speaking last week, Thompson said he owed it to his constituents and to “the good folks of Minnesota” to declare his inten-
Farmington fifth-graders get sick at Camp Pepin
THISWEEKEND
The Eagan art park is offering music, dance, theater – and even a reptile encounter – throughout the summer. Page 21A
Lakeville senator’s decision expected soon
More than 100 women from around the state attend luncheon in Farmington for fun, pampering, sharing experiences
See SUPPORT, 12A
Summer fun at Caponi
Republicans are lining up to run for governor
The Minnesota Wild’s season might be over, but those who are still itching to watch professional hockey, Leprechaun Days has something special. As part of the celebration, there will be an NHL players charity game at the Rosemount Community Center and Ice Arena on July 25. As many as 30 NHL
players are scheduled to participate, including Rosemount’s J.T. Brown, who played with the Tampa Bay Lightning. “People can enjoy an NHL game without having nosebleed seats,” said Chris Bichler, director of Rosemount’s Blue Line Hockey Club. “You get to meet the players and see them play up close. It’s nice for people who aren’t able to get up to the Xcel (Energy Center) to watch
the Wild and for people who just love hockey.” Rosemount varsity head coach Brad Stepan and assistant Tom Smreker spearheaded the efforts to get this first-time event in Rosemount. Stepan helped sponsor these events in other communities and he’s excited to start another one. “We’ve done two of them in Cottage Grove, See NHL, 13A
arrive on Monday. State health departments launched an investigation to determine if students brought the illness in or if something at the camp sickened students. “The Minnesota Department of Health suspects that norovirus is the cause of the illness and that it was brought to camp with a student,” District 192 Communications Director Jim Skelly said in an email. The official results of the testing will not be available for another week or two, but the symptoms are consistent with a norovirus. Each fifth-grade class from the five elementary schools attends the camp for a two-and-a-half day stay. The outdoor environmental camp is owned by Red Wing and YMCA. Meadowview students attended the camp without illness, and the final group from Riverview left Wednesday afternoon. “It appears that the
A Farmington tradition for more than two decades of sending fifthgrade students to Camp Pepin grabbed local media attention when almost 50 students came down with flu-like symptoms that shut down the Wisconsin camp. Akin Road Elementary students attended camp last Monday through Wednesday, experiencing nausea and vomiting among other symptoms. Principal Laura Pierce notified parents. Camp Pepin followed its cleaning protocol to cleanse the camp, and North Trail Elementary students headed out Wednesday to begin their stay. When two students fell ill on the second day, a precautionary decision was made by the principal and school nurse send North Trail students home early to avoid the spread of sickness. Camp Pepin closed for procedural cleaning until the next Farmington school was scheduled to See NOROVIRUS, 14A
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