Dakota County
Tribune
Farmington | Rosemount and the surrounding areas
www.dakotacountytribune.com
May 26, 2016 • Volume 131 • Number 13
Battle for Senate 58 seat underway Little seeks to break trend; Pitcher aims to continue Republican control
NEWS Detective honored A Lakeville police detective was honored for his work on missing persons case involving two teenage girls. Page 2A
OPINION Session comes to dismal end It’s disappointing that the 2016 Minnesota Legislature struck out on transportation and bonding bills. Page 4A
THISWEEKEND
by Laura Adelmann SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
There is a lot at stake for both sides in the Senate District 58 race. Republicans have represented the district’s cities of Lakeville and Farmington since 1989, when Pat Pariseau was elected to finish the term of DFLer Darril Wegscheid of Apple Valley. Democrat Matt Little, mayor of Lakeville, is determined to be the first to break that cycle, while Republican Tim Pitcher, City Council member in Farmington, is just as determined to uphold the conservative GOP trend carried on by Mary Liz Holberg and Dave Thompson, both of Lakeville. Little and Pitcher said they have been door-
Tim Pitcher
Matt Little
knocking for months, meeting residents in person with volunteers who help them canvass neighborhoods. Little said he is getting a warm reception doorknocking, and is gaining supporters on all sides, including third-party members and Republicans, some who are volunteering on his campaign. “What we’re asking people to do is to vote for me based on my record,� Little said. “What have I done here in Lakeville,
what am I telling you I’m going to do? If you like what my plans are and like my record, then I’m asking for your vote, no matter what party you’re in.� Pitcher said he is also encountering strong supporters while door-knocking, and has been hearing their shared concerns about intrusion of a growing government, health care, privacy concerns and citizens’ loss of freedom. “Overwhelmingly, people believe they are taxed too much already,� Pitcher said. “I’m getting a lot of support because I’m supporting limited government. I can identify and cut wasteful spending, have quality choices in education and ensure we have safe roads and bridges.� Little said he is talking
to residents about areas people from both sides can generally agree, such as fixing roads, expanding bus transit and growing good jobs in Minnesota. He said his campaign has raised over $52,000 in donations, with most of the money coming from individuals and about 7.5 percent from political action groups or lobbyists. Most donors are in Lakeville and Farmington, with some family members donating from out of state, he said. Pitcher said fundraising is “going well,� but he is waiting until the reporting deadline in July to announce totals. He said he has been focusing on listening to people and identifying issues that concern them. Pitcher said one of his
top priorities would be to eliminate the state tax on Social Security income, a topic that he said has struck a chord with residents. “We’re one of the few states that still taxes Social Security,� Pitcher said. “It’s absolutely ridiculous.� Little said areas he would focus on if he were elected include social issues of mental health, drug abuse and homelessness, all things he said is “very passionate� about “because it matters.� “We have an opportunity to help the least among us,� Little said. “And that is what we’re here to do. We’re here to help other people and the state Senate gives me a chance to See 58, 6A
Rosemount man found dead by Lakeville liquor store Concert series in Apple Valley
Police investigating possible overdose
The popular Fridaynight concert series Music in Kelley Park returns this summer with 10 nights of music starting June 3. Page 15A
by Laura Adelmann SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Rosemount Leprechaun Days will have a fundraiser event June 3 and 4 at Cub Foods when brats will be served and money raised in an effort to defray event expenses, such as those to provide carnival rides. (Photo by Tad Johnson)
Barbecue to benefit Leprechaun Days Event slated June 3 and 4 in front of Cub Foods by Tad Johnson
SPORTS
SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Clay target league grows More than 7,000 Minnesota students expected to participate in state meet. Page 9A
PUBLIC NOTICE The Dakota County Tribune is an official newspaper of the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District.
The spell of warm weather has many people already thinking of the fun they will have this summer. For Rosemount Leprechaun Days Committee members, they know the fun during the annual festival that will happen in 2016 from July 22-31 won’t happen without the support of the community. Next weekend helping the allvolunteer organization will be easy during the Rosemount Leprechaun Days Barbecue and DJ Fundraiser
Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9A Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 10A Announcements . . . . 14A Calendars . . . . . . . . . 15A
News 952-846-2033 Display Advertising 952-846-2019 Classified Advertising 952-392-6862 Delivery 763-712-3544
Ball, who is a DJ as a side job, will be playing some music to get people in a festive mood while they enjoy a casual picnic. “We appreciate the support that Cub Foods is giving us for this event and all of their past support,� Ball said. Cub Foods was a Leprechaun Days Gold Sponsor last year, which means they gave over $2,500 in funds or in-kind donations. The committee is accepting donations of money or in-kind serSee LEPRECHAUN, 8A
by Andy Rogers A crash on Highway 3 last week has revived a call for motorists to start seeing motorcycles. Daniel Schulte, 56, of Farmington, suffered a serious injury after his Harley Davidson collided with a Mercury Mountaineer at the intersection of Highway 3 and 200th Street West in Farmington at about 2:45 p.m. May 19. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, Schulte was traveling north on Highway 3 when a Mercury Mountaineer pulled onto Highway 3 from
200th Street West, colliding with his Harley Davidson Road Star. He was not wearing a helmet, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. The driver of the Mercury Mountaineer, Nicole Swanson, 42, of Farmington, suffered no apparent injury. According to the State Patrol, Swanson was wearing a seat belt. There was no drug or alcohol use detected in either driver. “In this case, the driver on Highway 3 has the right of way,� said Lt. Tiffani Nielson, Minnesota State Patrol public information officer. “The SUV has to
yield to traffic and will potentially be facing charges. The level of the charges is based on the finding in the case.� She said the State Patrol will do a crash reconstruction and investigation, which will take between two and three months. “They’ll see if there was any visual obstruction or if speed limits were being followed,� Nielson said. “If you’re speeding, you give up the right of way.� There isn’t a stop sign at the intersection for those traveling on Highway 3. Many residents have expressed concern about the intersection in the past
decade. Matthew Milan, 17, a junior at Farmington High School, died at the scene of a car accident at the same intersection almost 10 years ago. He was the passenger in the front seat riding in a car driving south on Highway 3 with friends on May 6, 2006. The car attempted to make a left turn onto 200th Street in the Milan family driveway when the car was struck by a northbound dump truck. The driver Dylan Fortney and passenger Jonathan Anvik also sustained injuries requiring hospitalization. The truck driver
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Laura Adelmann is at laura. adelmann@ecm-inc.com.
Motorcycle, SUV crash results in serious injuries SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
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in front of Cub Foods on Friday, June 3, and Saturday, June 4. “We invite everyone to come out and see some of their neighbors at this event,� said Steve Ball, committee president. “It will help us to raise funds to defray some of the costs we have for the awesome fireworks show or bringing some great musical entertainment to Central Park.� The Barbecue and DJ Fundraiser will serve up brats, chips and water 4:30-7:30 p.m. Friday and 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Cub Foods is at 3784 150th St. W.
Lakeville police are investigating the death of a 23-year-old Rosemount man discovered lying near the Lakeville Liquor store at the intersection of County Road 46 and Galaxie Avenue early Tuesday morning. The man, identified as Abale Gebremeskal Mulat, was found by police after they received a report of a body at 5:30 a.m. He was found clothed and alone lying in the grass next to a walking path near the intersection. Police said there were no signs of trauma and the death does not appear to be the result of a traffic incident. In a news release, police described Mulat’s death as “suspicious due to the location of the body� police are exploring the possibility of an accidental overdose.
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sustained minor injuries. Farmington Police Chief Brian Lindquist didn’t have any data showing that the intersection is any worse than any other one in the county but noted that all intersections are inherently dangerous, and certain conditions make it worse such as line of sight obstructions and weather. The intersection is technically in Empire Township, but Farmington Police Department officers assisted on the scene. MnDOT is scheduled to begin a $5.3 million project on Highway 3 next See CRASH,6A