Dakota County
Tribune
Farmington | Rosemount and the surrounding areas www.dakotacountytribune.com
April 3, 2014 • Volume 129 • Number 5
Farmington readies for June’s Dew Days
NEWS Charges in fatal crash An Apple Valley woman who was driving a van for a group home is charged with causing a fatal crash last April in Apple Valley. Page 2A
by Jennifer Chick SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
OPINION Swedish choir The Vettern College Choir from Sweden conveyed a range of emotions during a concert in Rosemount. Page 4A
THISWEEKEND
Farmington resident Darline Lehmann was the first rider to take advantage of a new DARTS ride service. DARTS Ride Connection gives residents in Farmington, Apple Valley and Lakeville door-to-door ride service Tuesday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Driver Mike Kuczabosk picked Lehmann up at her house on Tuesday, April 1, giving her a ride to a scheduled appointment. Residents can call 651-234-2281 to schedule rides at least two days in advance. (Photo submitted)
New DARTS service gets first rider by Jennifer Chick SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Within just two weeks of beginning a new doorto-door ride service in Dakota County, DARTS Ride Connection has given its first scheduled ride to a Farmington resident.
Southern comedy
Darline Lehmann moved to Farmington from Rosemount on March 12. After hearing about the new ride service, she called the reservation registration voice mail line and scheduled a ride. “Now that I’m part of this community, I’m glad
Expressions Community Theater is bringing the Southern comedy “The Dixie Swim Club” to the stage of the Lakeville Area Arts Center. Page 19A
that I can get around with DARTS,” she said. “To me, when I see the DARTS name, it means dependable and good service.” DARTS is an organization that supports older adults’ independence See DARTS, 14A
With spring officially on the calendar, Farmington is looking forward to Dew Days in June. With a resurgence in the downtown festival over the past few years, organizers estimate that as many as 8,000 people fill downtown Farmington during the multiday festival to visit with neighbors and sample all that Farmington vendors and store owners have to offer. This year, Dew Days begins Tuesday, June 17, with Farmington royalty coronation events and continues through Saturday, June 21. The 2014 Dew Days grand marshal will be Harold Roy, a World War II veteran from Farmington. Each year, the Dew Days Committee holds a button design contest. Entries from middle and high school students within Farmington are evaluated by Farmington art teachers. This year’s winner is Kristi Flodin, 12, from Dodge Middle School. Watch for her but-
Benefit is April 6 for Aundria Arlandson, Apple Valley SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
SPORTS
After 20 years representing Lakeville on the Dakota County Board of Commissioners, Paul Krause will not seek re-election in the fall. (Photo by Laura Adelmann)
Paul Krause won’t seek re-election Minnesota School of Basketball owner Brian Ammann delivered items ranging from school backpacks to hundreds of basketball shoes to the Carribean island of Roatan. Page 12A
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INDEX Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Announcements . . . . . 7A Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 12A Public Notices . . . . . . 14A Classifieds . . . . 15A-17A
News 952-846-2033 Display Advertising 952-846-2011 Classified Advertising 952-846-2000 Delivery 952-846-2070
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See DEW DAYS, 14A
Neighbors rally around ailing woman awaiting surgery by Andrew Miller
Humanitarian (and basketball) aid
ton design to start popping up in Farmington shops in about a month. Her tiger sporting shades is ready for some fun in the sun at Dew Days. There are a few changes to the usual Dew Days lineup, as well as a few additions. This year, bingo will be moving to Thursday night while the Flavors of Farmington, where people sample free food from local restaurants and retailers, will be Wednesday night. Darla Donnelly, chair of the Dew Days Committee, said it made the schedule changes to reduce conflicts with other area bingo activities usually held on Wednesday nights. Now bingo players have even more chances to play that week. Crowd favorites such as the bed races, bingo, bean bag tournament and Flavors of Farmington will be joined by new events for children and young adults. Rick Benson of Ricky’s Gym, a new fitness center
‘I’ve earned my time to relax,’ Lakeville commissioner says by Laura Adelmann SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
After 20 years, Lakeville’s Paul Krause will not seek re-election to the Dakota County Board of Commissioners when his term expires in December. “I just think it’s time for me to do other things,” Krause told Sun Thisweek. “I’ve been thinking that way for a long while.” He plans to spend time with his grandchildren, travel and relax. A former Minnesota Vikings defensive back and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Krause has endured multiple health problems he said were caused by concussions he suffered while in the NFL. “I don’t feel the greatest,” Krause said. “I played 16 years in the NFL, and I’ve got a lot of bumps and bruises, aches and pains. I think I’ve earned my time to relax.” Krause, 72, has represented Lakeville through some of Dakota County’s most ambitious years, when construction was booming and the city grew rapidly. He said he is proud of the county’s efforts to keep
property taxes down while building roads, bridges and parks. “I’m proud of the board itself,” Krause said. “Dakota County has a tremendous board, and ever since I have been on it, we have held taxes down to the lowest in the state. I think we should be very proud of that.” State Rep. Mary Liz Holberg recently announced plans to run for the seat held by Krause. Krause said he considers Holberg a friend but does not plan to endorse anyone for the position. “I’m not going to endorse anybody,” Krause said. “Right now, I don’t think I want to do that. I don’t think it’s necessary or right to push somebody. I’m not even getting into saying anything about who should run.” Krause, who chairs the county’s Physical Development Committee of the Whole and the Regional Railroad Authority, has always had an interest in transportation issues. He is focused on transit See KRAUSE, 14A
Aundria Arlandson has a daunting operation ahead of her. Next week, the 45-yearold Apple Valley resident will undergo surgery to remove her spleen, pancreas, bile duct and part of her intestine. The procedure at the University of Minnesota Medical Center will require a 16-inch incision and will keep Arlandson in the hospital for three weeks to a month — followed by at least a year of at-home recovery. Since October 2012, Arlandson has battled pancreatic and peptic ulcer disease, and already has undergone eight surgeries and five gastrointestinal procedures, along with having a feeding tube put
Aundria Arlandson in.
staving off life-threatening complications of her condition. “I’m scared — it’s not a small surgery, but it’s something we’ve been looking forward to for more than a year,” said Arlandson, who lives in Apple Valley with her husband, Rufino, a band director in the Inver Grove Heights school district. Arlandson previously worked in the hospitality industry, and most recently managed Jake O’Connor’s Restaurant in Excelsior. She is now unable to work at all. Since her medical ordeal began, Arlandson has received support and encouragement from her neighbors, Mike and Gayleen Asleson, who this weekend are organizing a benefit in
Now homebound, she takes more than 40 pills each day to manage the constant pain. The operation at the U of M, which also involves a transplant of insulinmaking cells to her liver, will result in immediate diabetes, but it is, according to doctors, her best bet for See ARLANDSON, 14A
Swedish choir performs in Rosemount
The Vettern College Choir performed a concert at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Rosemount on March 29. The 44-member choir from the Swedish city of Jonkoping presented traditional choral works, Swedish ethnic music and hymns. In addition to performing during their visit to Minnesota, the students traveled to places in the state connected to the history of Swedish immigration to America, including Lindstrom and the St. Croix Valley area. (Photo by Lori Hannasch)