Dakota County
Tribune
Farmington | Rosemount www.dakotacountytribune.com
NEWS Helping out others in Texas A Dakota County man was among those who traveled to Texas to bring medical aid to those affected by hurricane Harvey. Page 3A
and the surrounding areas September 14, 2017 • Volume 132 • Number 29
A September to remember Rosemount Area Arts Council events bring together authors, art, music, food, fun
Apple Valley resident’s new novel is a two for one
by Tad Johnson
OPINION
SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Expanding scholarships Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Community Education is seeking to expand its scholarship program. Page 4A
THISWEEKEND
When the lights went on Rosemount History Talks’ topic explores how electricity came to rural areas of Dakota County in the early years. Page 17A
The Irish lose in overtime Rosemount scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to tie its game against Edina but lost 20-17 in overtime Page 11A
PUBLIC NOTICE The Dakota County Tribune is an official newspaper of the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District.
If pressed, Denis J. LaComb might admit there could be something in his genetic makeup that he can write a novel or two then wait several decades before doing a ny t h i n g with them. It hap- Denis J. pened with LaComb two of his westerns, “Apache Death Wind� and “Apache Blue Eyes.� They were both written in 1974 and 1975, respectively, but weren’t published until nearly 40 years later. Now the same thing has happened with another novel written half a dozen years ago which has resurfaced and gone under his editor’s surgical pen.
The Rosemount Area Arts Council wants local residents to have a super September. With four signature events on the slate, the nonprofit, volunteer organization is aiming to provide a variety pack of activities. This weekend the Steeple Center and the lawn outside it will host the Country Faire with authors, artists, music and food on offer. Later in the month, the group will kick off its Meet the Author fall series, host its first improv act and Oktoberfest will polka into Images submitted town. The Country Faire on Saturday at the The Country Faire is a spi- Rosemount Steeple Center will feature noff of last year’s Author and BC Stoneware by Bob Carter, handBook Fair that was held at the crafted wood items by Janet Dubbels, Rosemount Community Cen- handmade journals by Kari Kruempel ter. and paintings by Laura Baker. The venue change and the addition of outdoor food and music aim to give the event the feel of going to the apple orchard in the fall, according to John Loch, arts council member. See EVENTS, 5A
See LACOMB, 9A
First State celebrates remodel Oldest running business in city modernizes by Andy Rogers SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
SPORTS
LaComb to speak about his new work
First State Bank of Rosemount has been operating at the same location in downtown Rosemount since 1959, but the building is now vastly different. The oldest running business in Rosemount held a remodel completion celebration last week after a year of working around the construction zone. First State Bank of Rosemount president Mark E. Toombs said it may have been quicker to build a brand new building somewhere else, but the street has been home to the bank for more than 100 years. The bank opened its doors a few spots east of its current location in 1909. Toombs is the third generation bank president. The fourth generation works for the bank as well. The bank has about 30
families who have used it for three generations including a few in their fourth generation. But, even with all the history, it was time to modernize. “We literally took everything down to the cinder blocks and rebuilt with all new stud walls, sheet rock, new electrical, data lines, all of that,â€? Toombs said. “We totally updated it. ‌ We wanted to make it more homey, more comfortable place to come.â€? The building was built well before anyone imagined the internet. “We didn’t have a very good Wi-Fi in here,â€? Toombs said. “This building was built in a time where the floors and walls were really thick.â€? The bank also added five offices and a conference room to help give more privacy for customers. “If someone is talking about their finances, they don’t want to be sitting where other people can hear,â€? Toombs said.
They also didn’t need all those drive-through lanes anymore. At one point they had six lanes, but more people are banking online, so now they’re down to two. The drive-through lanes are now on the north side of the bank, and the tellers are consolidated with the lobby. They turned two covered lanes into an outdoor seating area for employees to have lunch or take a break. It was the staging ground for last week’s celebration, which featured pizza from Rosemount Carbone’s Pizza and Pub, and ice cream from Culver’s restaurant, two downtown neighbors. Toombs said it’s important for the company to use local businesses. He said they used a local contractor, who also used local subcontractors, to complete the remodel. They hope it sets them up for another 100 years. Photo submitted
Contact Andy Rogers at First State Bank of Rosemount president Mark E. andy.rogers@ecm-inc.com. Toombs stands inside the remodeled bank.
Rosemount couple sentenced for fraud They gave more than $2 million worth of bogus loans to themselves
INDEX Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 11A Announcements . . . . 12A Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 13A Calendars . . . . . . . . . 17A
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A Rosemount couple found guilty of orchestrating a years-long, multi-million dollar fraud scheme were sentenced on Tuesday in U.S. District Court to a combined 13-plus years in prison and were ordered to pay $1,781,106 in joint restitution. Nkajlo, 61, and True Yang Vangh, 52, received sentences of seven and a half years and six years, respectively, after both
pleaded guilty to the charges of bank fraud. According to court documents, Nkajlo Vangh served as the president and chairman of the board of directors for the Hmong American Federal Credit Union overseeing daily operations, authorizing checks, soliciting individuals to serve on the board of directors, and maintaining minutes for board meetings. True Vangh was em-
ployed as the full-time manager of the credit union and was responsible for hiring and managing employees, obtaining and maintaining credit union funds, assisting tellers with financial transactions, and ensuring proper reconciliation and documentation of credit union transactions. According to the defendants’ guilty pleas and documents filed in court, the defendants diverted
credit union funds to themselves and businesses they operated by fraudulently issuing loans from the credit union and then transferring the money to accounts they controlled. As part of the scheme, the defendants submitted loan applications using fictitious names and falsified personal, employment and income information. In their respective capacities, the defendants approved the loans despite
knowing that the information provided in the loan applications was false. After the loans were approved, the proceeds of the fraudulent loans were disbursed into accounts belonging to or controlled by the defendants. The defendants then used the proceeds to pay pre-existing, bogus loans that had also been disbursed by the credit union See FRAUD, 5A
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