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Dakota County

Tribune

Farmington | Rosemount and the surrounding areas www.dakotacountytribune.com

NEWS Rosemount band wins The Rosemount High School marching band won two contest title on Saturday, Sept. 6, in Eden Prairie and Apple Valley. Page 3A

OPINION Support students Area educators say parents can do a lot to help students navigate the opening weeks of the school year. Page 4A

THISWEEKEND

September 11, 2014 • Volume 129 • Number 28

Whitetail Woods opening its gates Sept. 27 New Dakota County park sports camper cabins, trails, unique playground wetlands, rolling hills, oak forests and prairies in Whitetail Woods. “This park has a feel of being in the Blue Mountains,â€? Dakota County communications director Gail Plewacki said. “It rolls. It has these hollows and these gentle hills. ‌ I think all of our parks are fabulous, but this one is special.â€? The 456-acre park located at 17100 Station Trail, Farmington, features 10.28 miles of hiking trails, a boardwalk through the wetlands, a 100-person picnic facility, three camper cabins, a natural play area, and an earthen amphitheater. The picnic facility at Whitetail Woods Regional Park can be rented out for weddings and other family gatherings. (Photo by Andy Rogers) See PARK, 6A

by Andy Rogers SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

Amid the bustle of suburban life, there are few escapes like a hike during a crisp fall afternoon. But a reprieve is near in the form of Whitetail Woods. Dakota County residents will have a new hiking experience on Sept. 27 when Whitetail Woods Regional Park raises the curtain near Empire Township between Rosemount and Farmington. Hikers will be joined by great blue herons, whitetail deer, coyotes and snapping turtles as they stroll through the

The days of free local TV access to end by Laura Adelmann SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

Weekend ďŹ lled with art The annual Lakeville Art Festival runs Sept. 20-21 on the grounds of the Lakeville Area Arts Center. Page 8A

SPORTS

Veterans, current service members, family members and citizens gathered under blue skies Sunday afternoon at the Rambling River Park in Farmington to dedication the Farmington Area Veterans Memorial. (Photo by Jennifer Chick)

Irish win Aerie Challenge The Rosemount High School volleyball team tops Stewartville in final of a tournament in Apple Valley. Page 10A

ONLINE To receive a feed of breaking news stories, follow us at twitter.com/ SunThisweek. Discuss stories with us at facebook.com/ SunThisweek.

PUBLIC NOTICE Summaries of the Intermediate School District 917 Regular School Board meetings on Tuesday, August 19, and Tuesday, Sept. 2, appear in this edition. Page 12A

INDEX Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Announcements . . . . . 6A

‘Let us never forget’ by Jennifer Chick SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

With the dedication of the Farmington Area Veterans Memorial on Sunday afternoon, community and families promised to never forget veterans, both living and dead. It’s been more than seven years of hard work, perseverance and numerous changes as the Farmington Area Veterans Memorial Committee made a memorial worthy of those who have given so much to keep the United States safe. The idea was first championed by World War II veteran Howard Miller, but Leon Orr, now chairperson of the committee, has been the driving force behind the memorial for the last several years. He received a standing ovation when he was introduced during the ceremony. “One thing this committee never did,� Orr said. “From the beginning with Howard to the dedication, the committee never thought about quitting.� He said a veterans memorial has been talked about since as far back as the 1940s, but a groundbreaking ceremony was held two years ago in July 2012. And the committee that never gave up ordered a perfect day for the dedication ceremony. A beautiful day of blue skies and light breezes greeted everyone as Farmington area resi-

A large crowd gathered at the Farmington Area Veterans Memorial at Rambling Park in Farmington Sunday afternoon to dedicate the memorial which has taken more than 11 years to plan and build. “Farmington does military functions very well,� said Mayor Todd Larson. (Photo by Jennifer Chick) dents packed the stands around the memorial in Rambling River Park to celebrate the completion of its first phase. Veterans, young and old, donned their dress blues and uniforms, dusting off hats and shining shoes for a memorial that will remember all those in the Armed Forces. “Farmington does military functions very well,� said Farmington Mayor Todd Larson as he

started off the hour-long ceremony. State Rep. Pat Garofalo also spoke, especially to the younger members of the crowd. He asked them to look at those in the crowd whom children might think are wearing funny hats and uniforms. “They are real live super heroes,� he said. “Let this be just the beginning of how we can support See VETERANS, 7A

The days of free access to local television channels is coming to an end. Charter Communications announced it will eliminate all analog channels and go to an all-digital format beginning Sept. 30 for Apple Valley and Rosemount and Oct. 17 in Lakeville. Charter spokesperson Kim Noetzel said the change will allow the company to provide customers with more high definition channels and Internet speeds that are double current levels. Local channels will be available on the company’s digital network. “Everyone’s going to need a box on every one of their televisions,� Noetzel said. “This will give our customers access to our two-way interactive platform, which will give them video-on-demand options, give them a better viewing experience and better picture quality.� Customers who already have a box attached to their televisions do not need to take any action, but any television that does not have a cable box attached to it will not be able to receive any broadcast signals after the switch is complete. The company has an offer that most customers will qualify for that provides one free box for the first year. After that, the cost will increase to $6.99 per month to rent each one after the first year. To support the transition, Charter’s store in Rosemount will be hosting expanded hours; customers can also have the boxes shipped directly to their home for free by calling 1-877-959-1617. Noetzel said programming charges will not increase due to the change. She said more than 90 percent of customers in the Lakeville and Rosemount area have adopted a digital device for at least one television in their home.

Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 10A Public Notices . . . . . . 12A Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 13A News 952-846-2033 Display Advertising 952-846-2011 Classified Advertising 952-846-2000 Delivery 952-846-2070

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