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Dakota County

Tribune

Farmington | Rosemount www.dakotacountytribune.com

and the surrounding areas August 27, 2015 • Volume 130 • Number 25

Apple Valley man pleads guilty in RAAA theft

NEWS Vikings moving to Eagan? The Minnesota Vikings have signed a deal to purchase land of the former Northwest Airlines headquarters. Page 2A

OPINION End human trafďŹ cking Law enforcement and communities are working together in Minnesota to see the end of human trafficking. Page 4A

THISWEEKEND

by Andrew Miller SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

An Apple Valley man pleaded guilty Aug. 19 to five counts of felony theft in connection with the loss of about $113,000 from the Rosemount Area Athletic Association between 2011 and 2013. Robert S. Reischauer, 63, stole money by fraudulently writing checks to himself and paying for his PayPal and Amazon accounts with RAAA funds while he was employed as finance manager for the youth athletic association. After issuing checks to himself, Reischauer would delete them from the accounting records he presented to the RAAA board, according to

court documents. Police launched an investigation in September 2013 after an audit by the athletic association following Reischauer’s departure revealed thousands of dollars missing, the criminal complaint said. Reischauer had been the only one with access to the accounts. The RAAA replaced Reischauer — and undertook the audit — after noting several small errors in accounting. Reischauer had been the association’s finance manager, a paid position, for 27 years. Police executed a search warrant at Reischauer’s home and seized financial records relating to the association’s accounts. The Minnesota Department of

Commerce’s Fraud Bureau assisted in the investigation, undertaking a “forensic accounting� by analyzing RAAA records and Reischauer’s computer and bank records to determine the amounts and timeframes of the thefts. Assistant Dakota County Attorney Dain Olson prosecuted the case. “I am pleased the defendant has accepted responsibility for his actions which resulted in significant financial loss for this youth athletic organization,� Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said. Reischauer faces a maximum penalty of 55 years in prison and fines totaling $170,000. His sentencing has been set for Nov. 17 in Hastings.

Old buildings, new businesses in downtown Farmington City officials hope to foster growth in historic district by Andy Rogers SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

Roots rock at the market Minneapolis roots rockers The Fattenin’ Frogs are set to perform at Eagan Market Fest next week. Page 17A

SPORTS Kicking off a new season Football games return as the high school season kicks off for area teams. Page 10A

PUBLIC NOTICE The Dakota County Tribune is an official newspaper of the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District.

INDEX Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 10A Announcements . . . . 11A Public Notices . . . . . . 11A Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 12A

News 952-846-2033 Display Advertising 952-846-2019 Classified Advertising 952-392-6862 Delivery 763-712-3544

Not every suburb has a historic downtown like Farmington. With banks, barber shops, restaurants and boutiques, Farmington’s city center on Third Street is a rarity in the Twin Cities metro area. But there are also empty store fronts where the business climate’s ebbs and flows are seen. Many city officials view the area ripe with untapped potential both economically and culturally and are in the process of putting together a long-term plan to help revitalize the district. “(Downtown Farmington) is something that is unique to the city,â€? said Adam Kienberger Farmington’s Community Development Director. “Not every community has a historic and authentic downtown. ‌ It’s very much a part of our community’s history. The city was built up around downtown, so it’s not something we want to take for granted.â€? He said community surveys consistently reveal that residents value its hometown feel. Farmington officials hoping to answer the question of what it will take for downtown to continue to thrive and ensure they have a plan when opportunities arise. Robert Vogel, Farmington’s historic preservation consultant, said

by Andy Rogers SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

For the fifth annual Ramble Jam, organizers hope it’s the best. The odds are in their favor because every event’s attendance has exceeded the previous one. The annual country music festival at the Dakota County Fairgrounds in Farmington Sept. 11 and 12 has grown from a one-day event with a few hundred attendees to a two-day party with about 5,000 in attendance. Part of the draw is that attendees get to see many emerging country artists. “When you look at the last five years, we’ve brought some artists in that were pretty new at the time and have gone on to become big-time stars,� said Lori Jensen, Ramble Jam committee chair. Last year when the Ramble Jam committee signed Sam Hunt to play, “he was a nobody,� Jensen said. “Now he’s probably one of the top country artists. That’s exciting for us. I think a lot of our fans, they know that too. It’s fun to say they

The disruption to Farmington School District caused by any delay to the 195th Street reconstruction project will be less than originally thought. It was previously reported the starting times for middle schools and high school would be altered due to delays in the project, but that’s not the case anymore. Superintendent Jay Haugen said he spoke with the contractor and learned that crews said they are certain that 195th Street would be open from Flagstaff Avenue to Everest Path. It means busses will be able to travel more easily through Farmington to get students to where they need to go without altering the school schedules. The foot pathways near Meadowview Elementary still aren’t scheduled to be complete, so all Meadowview Elementary students will be eligible for bussing because it would be unsafe to walk. The timeline for completion of the pathways is unknown, but Ross Beckwith, Dakota County construction engineer, said during last week’s Farmington City Council meeting that it may be a few weeks. Haugen encouraged students to ride the bus and limit traffic near Meadowview Elementary because the area around the school is an active construction zone. The school district is in the process of alerting families of any changes. Email Andy Rogers at andy.rogers@ecm-inc. com.

See DOWNTOWN, 9A

saw them when they were nobody. We go out of our way to find emerging country bands.� A month after playing at Ramble Jam, Hunt’s single “Leave the Night On� went to No. 1 on Country Airplay chart. Two months after playing, his album debuted at No. 1 on the Top Country Albums and No. 3 overall. Headliners for 2015 include Eric Paslay, Brothers Osborne, Michael Ray and The Swon Brothers, who fished third during the fourth season of NBC’s The Voice television show in 2013 and will close Ramble Jam at 10 p.m. Sept. 12. Perhaps the Swon Brothers most successful song from The Voice was “Danny’s Song,� a cover of a Loggins and Messina hit from the 1970s. Swon Brothers self-titled album that came out a year ago features hits “Later On� and “Pray for You.� Eric Paslay headlines Sept. 11 with his hits “Friday Night,� “Song About a Girl,� and “She Don’t Love You.� He’s See RAMBLE JAM, 6A

WE ARE BUYING:

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and another dozen or more older buildings. Almost all of them have a significant amount of useful life left in them.� The Exchange Bank Building, Masonic Temple Building, Fletcher Building and Farmington State Bank building are recognized with the Heritage Landmark designation. The downtown has had its share

SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

Eric Paslay, Brothers Osborne, Michael Ray and Swon Brothers headline Farmington festival

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while the city has always been interested in downtown economic development, this plan is expected to be the most ambitious and comprehensive. “The city has always been aware that was an asset,� he said. “It looks like a lot of other small rural towns in Minnesota. It has a little bit of mainstream Americana in the middle of a modern urban center. There’s probably a half dozen landmark properties in downtown

by Andy Rogers

Emerging country artists take the spotlight at Ramble Jam

A fee is charged at some locations to cover distribution costs.

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With a some new businesses and some empty buildings, Farmington city officials are putting together a revitalization plan for downtown. (Photo by Andy Rogers)

Update: No change to Farmington school schedules

• All Gold & Silver Coins • Old Currency & Bank Notes • US Coin & Currency Collections • Unwanted Gold & Silver Jewelry • Sterling Silver Place Settings • Professional Numismatist on Staff

Immediate Payment If You Choose To Sell!

The Swon Brothers are scheduled to headline this year’s Ramble Jam country-music festival Sept. 11-12 at the Dakota County Fairgrounds in Farmington. (Photo submitted)

Eric Paslay should play his hit “Friday Night� the Friday night of Ramble Jam. (Photo submitted)

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