Dakota County
Tribune
Farmington | Rosemount and the surrounding areas
www.dakotacountytribune.com
NEWS Probe continues into police shooting in Burnsville Man killed outside McDonald’s. Page 2A
OPINION Minnesotans deserve a primary Snarled traffic, crammed rooms make caucuses a nightmare for many. Page 4A
March 24, 2016 • Volume 131 • Number 4
Rosemount alumni share common ground Man Military academy graduates take different paths to success by Tad Johnson SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Three U.S. military academy graduates have traveled the globe over the past four years, but they still share in common one piece of geography. It’s that rectangle in east central Dakota County called Rosemount. It was there that Bryce Wilberding, Adam Jackson and Stephen Sawyer attended Rosemount High School, graduating in 2012 when they made their plans to join three different U.S. military academies. The trio went their separate ways after earning their diplo- In 2012, Bryce Wilberding, Adam Jackson and Stephen Sawyer, the three mas as they landed at West Point, Rosemount High School graduates who were headed to three different miliColorado Springs and Annapolis, tary academies, gathered during a recognition ceremony at the high school. (Photo submitted) See ALUMNI, 6A
THISWEEKEND
Missing Elko New Market teen found safe Mom pleaded for help in Facebook posts by Laura Adelmann SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Meet the Author Fantasy writer Kristin Van Risseghem is set to speak March 30 at the Robert Trail Library as part of the “Meet the Author� series. Page 19A
An Elko New Market teen is home again two days after she disappeared from Lakeville Target and her worried mom took to Facebook to plead for help in finding her. Lakeville South High School junior Danielle Edson disappeared Saturday, March 19, and she was seen on video leaving Target Lakeville in a silver sports car originally believed to be driven by a 30-yearold man she allegedly met on a social media app. Edson’s mom, Melissa Hartwell Hanson, reported Edson missing
after waiting 40 minutes in vain to pick her up after work at Target. Working with police, Hanson said they believe Edson met the adult male on an app called MeetMe and they had been talking on Snapchat. Hanson said Edson used a coworker’s phone to arrange the pick up. Concern poured out online after Hanson pleaded on Facebook for people to be on the lookout for the missing teen. Initially there were no news updates, and Hanson posted to Facebook thanking people for their thoughts and prayers.
Then, late Monday night, Hanson reported on Facebook that the worrisome ordeal was over. “FOUND!!!!!!� Hanson wrote. “Danielle Edson has been found!!!! Thank you so much to the Elko New Market Police Department, Jordan PD, Minneapolis PD, Target and all of our friends and family and the community for all of you prayers.� Others responded and expressed relief regarding Edson’s return home. A post by Mark Koski stated, “Wonderful news! We are so happy she is home, we have been very conSee MISSING, 7A
District 192 agrees to install solar arrays on buildings by Andy Rogers SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
SPORTS Eastview girls third at state Basketball team on one of the best five-year runs of any program in the state. Page 12A
PUBLIC NOTICE The Dakota County Tribune is an official newspaper of the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District. Page 14A
The Farmington School District agreed last week to install solar arrays on the roofs of nearly every building in the district. Based on how many arrays can fit on the roofs, they could generate three megawatts per year, according to Art Crowell from Sundial Energy, who called the estimate conservative. In the first year, he estimates the district will save about $74,250 in energy costs after expenses. Savings will rise to about $102,000 in 10 years, according to his estimates. The Farmington School District approved a plan that “The district is not purwould place solar arrays on most of the buidlings win- chasing (the arrays),� said thin the district last week. (file photo) Jane Houska, the district’s
Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 12A Public Notices . . . . . . 14A
by Andy Rogers
Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A
Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 15A Announcements . . . . 18A
News 952-846-2033 Display Advertising 952-846-2019 Classified Advertising 952-392-6862 Delivery 763-712-3544
See SOLAR, 7A
South St. Paul man also charged for his role in Eagan, West St. Paul burglaries by Tad Johnson SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
A 52-year-old South St. Paul man was charged on Tuesday in Dakota County District Court for his role in three different alleged burglaries in Rosemount, Eagan and West St. Paul in September and October 2015. John Anthony Ihnot and co-conspirators who have not been charged allegedly broke into the Rosemount VFW, Penn Cycle and Eagle Pointe Apartments during a twomonth stretch when they attempted to steal money from inside a cash machine, stole $6,700 worth of bicycles and other items, and stole tools and a van from the respective locations. Ihnot was charged with two counts of felony second-degree conspiracy to commit burglary and thirddegree conspiracy to commit burglary. In the alleged Sept. 10 Rosemount VFW breakin, Ihnot and his accomplice used a crow bar and saw to gain entry to the building where inside they attempted to pry open a cash machine and used a sledgehammer in an effort to break it open. When their efforts failed, they left the building and returned a short time later in a different truck with the same kinds of tools. They gave up their attempts and instead stole a jar containing about $200 in various denominations and a display with assorted candy. They caused about $5,938 in damage to the entryway and $2,000 in damage to the ATM. Nearly all of their activity outside and inside the VFW was captured on surveillance video, which captured details about their vehicles and clothing. In the alleged Oct. 6 Penn Cycle break-in, Ihnot and his accomplices allegedly stole a key to the See VFW, 8A
Bartholomay, crowd trade barbs, accusations during council meeting Petition formed urging City Council member to resign over police light conviction
INDEX
finance director. “We have (investor Kenyon Energy) who is physically putting the arrays on our roofs. What we’re doing is leasing our rooftops. That’s how we’re generating our money.� Any maintenance, installation or operational costs are the responsibility of Sundial Energy, according to Houska. The district will have the option to purchase the arrays after seven years, again at 15, or at the end of the 20-year agreement. There will also be ground arrays installed for educational purposes. This summer the district plans to put new roofs on its buildings.
charged in Rosemount VFW break-in
SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Last week, Farmington City Council Member Jason Bartholomay said he was glad his legal battles were behind him, but some members of the community feel otherwise. Three community members spoke during the City Council meeting, urg-
ing Bartholomay to resign over his conviction of having prohibited lights on his vehicle. Supporters and detractors debated the severity of the situation and traded outbursts and accusations throughout the meeting. During closing remarks, Bartholomay accused his opponents of coming to his house uninvited, insulting his family and other legal transgressions. “I’m a little disgusted by the behavior I’ve saw tonight and in the past,� Bartholomay said. Bartholomay was convicted for two petty misde-
meanor prohibited lights violations and paid $250 in fines last week stemming from an incident on Oct. 26, 2015, in Apple Valley. According to court records, a charge of impersonating a police officer was also continued for dismissal until Dec. 14, 2016. The charge will be dismissed after nine months if Bartholomay remains law abiding, forfeits all property into evidence and has no similar charges. “I did not plead guilty (for impersonating an officer),� Bartholomay said. “I’ve never been prosecuted for it, nor will I. I
don’t have any lights now. I gave them to police when I found out I wasn’t supposed to have them.� Last week, court records showed that the charge was dismissed, as previously reported by the newspaper. Bartholomay also told the newspaper last week he also understood the charges were dismissed. But, court records were updated Monday to reflect that the charges were continued for dismissal. Assistant Apple Valley city attorney Ryan Bies wrote in an email, “It is my understanding that court administration en-
tered some information incorrectly into the Register of Action� and corrected it Monday. Lacelle Cordes, a former Farmington City Council member, said she’s gathered almost 200 signatures to demand Bartholomay’s resignation. “He has sat up there and told us he was innocent and will be exonerated of all charges,� Cordes said, referring to comments Bartholomay made in December. She said ignorance of the law does not mean you’re innocent, and he is digging himself a deeper See PETITION, 6A
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