JESSICA HARPER JOHN GESSNER LAURA ADELMANN
Eagan legislators review session 2A Outdoor market OK’d at Buck Hill 5A County Board race set in new district 5A
dakotacountytribune.biz dakotacountytribune.biz
date31, ##, 2009 MAY 2012
Volume 30, Number # VOLUME 33, NUMBER 14
Dakota County Tribune Since 1884
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Farmington couple take reins of family business
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INSIDE BIZ FORUM
Newspaper would like to hear from readers regarding the questions they think this year’s candidates should answer. TAD 4A JOHNSON FORUM
Saddleseat lessons can lead to competitions by Laura Adelmann
Strong American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars memberships are important to the community. DON 4A HEINZMAN
A viewing room with Wi-Fi is available off the lounge for family members After 40 years in business as Lear Stato watch lessons, which start as 30-minbles, a new generation has taken the reins ute individual sessions. After basic safety NEWS of the family’s legacy. skills are attained, they are conducted in Kyle and Jennefer Lear-Tharaldson of 40-minute small group lessons. Apple Valley man Farmington are embarking on an adven Lear Stables was previously owned by who runs a music lesson and ture to teach the art of saddle seat riding Jennefer’s parents, Bert and Alice Lear, of instrument repair to students from children to adult. Hastings. business from his Saddle seat is an English-style of riding Jennefer worked for her parents for home has seen it that involves standing and sitting during nine years with partial compensation with all. trots. the goal of buying out the businesses. The AL Students learn to safely handle a horse, purchase closed March 1, and the couple 6A YNIGUES maintain their balance and the skills to opened in Vermillion Township at the successfully ride saddle seat. As they prog“Equitare” building at 4263 170th St. E., DAKOTA ARTS ress, there are opportunities to participate which has a Rosemount mailing address. Dakota County in various levels of competitions. The couple intend to expand the busithis week news resident Type: UPC Version A Stats: 0to take Everything needed to try the sport, inness and introduce more people to the Code Customer: 3242-ECM Publishers Photo by Courtney Church the stage as Pippi Order #: P34915-017 MAG: 1.00 cluding the horse and riding gear, is availsport they have come to love. P.O. #: BWA: 0.0020 Amanda Borchers rides Picasso, one of Lear Stables’s Longstocking in By: Symbol Width: 1.4690 able at Vermillion Township’s Lear Stables. “We love our customers,” Jennefer Ordered Polarity: Positive Up Height: 1.0200 theSymbol Children’s Date Run: 05/29/2002 Flexo Width: 0.0000 The serious student will eventually pur- horses, during her winning entry in her academy said. “They are family.” Theater Company chase their own boots, helmet and stirrups, equitation class. She described the atmosphere at the production. Kyle said. stables as fun and said students become The process took about a year to complete, CLAIRE 32A “It’s super fun,” he said. “I go to the stable, and information Jennefer had to know included close friends as they learn and grow in a sport HOFFMAN and it’s all smiles. It seems to offer people some the biology of horses, riding safety, locomotion they enjoy together. way to regenerate and replenish themselves.” “Sometimes, kids just want to hang out at and horsemanship. Lear Stables students range in age from pre- She said she has earned many ribbons in the barn,” Jennefer said. “There’s a joke that school to their 70s. competitions and enjoys introducing others to kids would rather clean the stall than clean their “We’ve had some people start as late as their the sport. room. The kids at the barn are really good kids. 60s,” Kyle said. “It really is something anybody “It’s always been a part of who I am and what A lot of times, people think they are older than can do.” they are. Riding is important to them, so they I do,” Jennefer said. 8 34493 00023 6 Jennefer, who has participated in the sport Lear Stables has horses for different levels, work hard.” since childhood, is Minnesota’s only American and students may compete with various horses Lessons are $35 each, and packages are availRiding Instructors Association certified saddle as they grow in their skill level. able that will drop the cost. seat instructor. “I like kids to be riding different horses,” Jen- For more information, call (651) 438-9008 “It’s a tip of the hat to her expertise,” Kyle nefer said. “It challenges you.” or visit www.learstables.com. General 952-894-1111 Distribution 952-846-2070 said of his wife. “It’s a strenuous testing program To allow lessons year round, Lear Stables of- Advertising 952-846-2011 she had to go through. It’s like a college exam — fers an indoor riding arena that is heated in the Laura Adelmann is at laura.adelmann@ecma big one — for riding instructors.” inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek. winter. An outdoor ring is also available. DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Minnesota Supreme Court reverses 2008 murder conviction Backstrom’s conduct cited in ruling by Laura Adelmann
DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
The Minnesota Supreme Court reversed on Wednesday a murder conviction because of interference by Dakota County
Attorney James Backstrom and other “state actors.” In the May 23 ruling, the Supreme Court found “multiple state actors unquestionably interfered with the legislatively mandated independence of medical examiners” and put defendant Nicole
Beecroft’s constitutional rights at risk. Beecroft, of Oakdale, was on trial for murder in 2008 in the death of her newborn baby, and Dr. Susan Roe, then a staff member with the Dakota County Medical Examiner’s Office, was prepared to
testify to her findings that the child was stillborn. Backstrom sent Roe’s boss, Dr. Lindsey Thomas, a series of emails opposing any member of her staff testifying for the defense. In one of his emails, Backstrom threatened to withdraw his support for
Thomas’ reappointment as coroner when the Dakota County Board was considering whether to renew her contract with the county. Backstrom was later fined $900 and publicly reprimanded by the Minnesota Supreme Court for attempting to discourage
medical examiners from testifying at the trial. In the ruling, the Supreme Court found the conduct of several prosecutors and certain law enforcement officials had “fallen short of what we expect it to be.” See Reversal, Page 10A