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May 6, 2016 | Volume 37 | Number 10
Robo-excellence
Settlement amount for Ulfers is $115,000 Former CDA executive director will release all claims against the agency by Tad Johnson
“My family, friends and colleagues have been amazing and never waThe Dakota County vered in their support,� Community Development Ulfers told the newspaper Agency and its inthis week. “I could surance provider not be more fortuwill pay the CDA’s nate and blessed former executo have so many tive director of 38 people believe in years $115,000 in me.� exchange for Mark Ulfers’s terminaUlfers’s full release tion, which the of claims against Mark Ulfers CDA says was for the CDA as part of cause, was effeca settlement agreetive May 12, 2015 ment that was reached in — 60 days after Ulfers arbitration. received notice that the The CDA Board, which CDA Board approved the includes all members of termination at its March 3 the County Board, ap- meeting. proved on April 19 the Ulfers and the CDA agreement, which brings Board’s insurance carrier to a close more than a Chubb Group entered meyear-long dispute as the diation March 10 in MinCDA accused Ulfers of neapolis when they agreed workplace harassment and to resolve Ulfers’ claims he denied those charges at on mutually acceptable the time of his termination terms, according to the and later during a 30-min- CDA. ute address to the board The former execduring a name-clearing hearing. See ULFERS, 12A SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Summer Sensations Inside this edition is a special section that includes a calendar of summer events for the six cities the newspaper covers. Inside this edition
OPINION Met Council changes afoot Columnist Don Heinzman says that changes to the Met Council’s structure are likely after the 2016 legislative session. Page 4A
THISWEEKEND
The Cobalt Catalysts, a FIRST robotics team from Eastview High School, stand with their robot, Fenrir, at the FIRST world championships held April 27-30 in St. Louis, Mo. The Cobalt Catalysts, who advanced to the semifinals in the FIRST Robotics Competition division, were one of three teams from Apple Valley to qualify for the international event. The Diamonds, a middle school-age FIRST Lego League team, squared off against 108 teams from 44 countries, placing third in project presentation and 16th in the Robot Game. The Iron Maidens, from Apple Valley High School, won the Connect Award at the world championships; the award is given to the team deemed to be the best at community outreach and promotion of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education. (Photo by Dan McGonigle/ The Caledonia Argus)
City to celebrate 50 years of Freedom Days by Andrew Miller SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Classic funny business The Mel Brooks musical comedy “The Producers� is coming to the stage of the Lakeville Area Arts Center. Page 17A
SPORTS
Apple Valley’s annual Freedom Days festival will return this summer with a special emphasis on its 50th anniversary. In addition to festival staples such as the Fourth of July parade and classic car show, organizers are planning to mark the event’s half-century milestone with a July 1 concert in Johnny Cake Ridge Park showcasing 50 years of music, from 1966 — the year the festival debuted — to the present day. This year’s festival runs June 27-July 4. Activities include a junior golf tournament at Valleywood Golf Course as well as a kids fishing derby at Lac Lavon. The annual classic car show and vendor fair is set for July 2, followed on July 3 by Family Fun
Night with a carnival at Johnny Cake Ridge Park. The capstone to this year’s festival on July 4 features a Fun Run, the ever-popular community parade and a prefireworks party at Johnny Cake Ridge Park, with a fireworks display at dusk. Freedom Days chair Pat Schesso said organizers are looking to increase participation in this year’s parade, and are encouraging businesses and community groups to take part by entering a float or sponsoring entertainers. And while the festival is celebrating 50 years, Schesso said the Fourth of July parade will pay tribute to two local organizations also celebrating anniversaries. Serving as parade marshals will be representatives from the Apple Valley Fire Department — in honor of its 50th an-
Apple Valley High School’s marching band was among the many participants in last year’s Freedom Days Fourth of July parade. (File photo) niversary — and the Apple Valley American Legion, which is marking its 40th anniversary in 2016. Registration forms for
the parade, and the classic car show and vendor fair, are available at www. avfreedomdays.com. For registration information,
contact Pat Schesso at 952-432-0386. Email Andrew Miller at andrew.miller@ecm-inc.com.
Propane leak caused food truck explosion Investigation officially closed Spring sports welcome sun After some early spring rain, Apple Valley and Eastview high schools’ sports teams are reveling in the sun. Page 12A
INDEX Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 10A Public Notices . . . . . . 11A Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 13A Announcements . . . . 16A
General 952-894-1111 Display Advertising 952-846-2019 Classified Advertising 952-846-2003 Delivery 763-712-3544
by Laura Adelmann SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
A food truck explosion last March that damaged several homes in Lakeville was caused by a propane gas leak, according to a State Fire Marshal investigation. Investigator Bruce McGlaughlin’s recent report documents details of the Motley Crews Heavy Metal Grill food truck explosion that occurred at 11 p.m. Friday, March 6, 2015, at owner Marty Richie’s Joplin Path home. According to the report, three cooking griddle control knobs were left in the “off � position, but their three propane gas controls were all found to be in the “on� position following the incident. A propane gas mani-
Marty Richie’s house where his food truck exploded propelling debris as far as 500 feet and damaging as many as a dozen homes nearby. Neighbors said they felt the explosion from miles away. (File photo) fold valve supplying the griddle was also found in the “on� position. The report stated the doors to the truck were left unlocked and Richie and his girlfriend, Lisa Caufield, were away from home with friends at the time of the blast.
Richie’s daughter, Samantha, was at home in the basement when the truck exploded. She was driven to Fairview Ridges Hospital where she was evaluated and released. The report said there were no injuries caused by the blast.
A neighbor across the street in his garage when the truck exploded told investigators said he did not notice any odor, flameball or smoke prior to or during the explosion. Richie told investigators he had spent the day prepping the truck for a Saturday afternoon event, cleaning it and filling its undercarriage propane tank at the Lakeville Marathon station at around 5 p.m. Heather Keske, the employee who filled the tanks, reportedly told investigators she had filled Richie’s food truck tank 50 times before, and when she fills it the tank valve is turned off. She said she was unable to open the tank bleeder valve, which was unusual. Keske said she did not notice any leaks during or after the fill. She told investigators she unhooked
the fill line and did not open the tank valve or see Richie open the valve. Richie said he parked the truck at his home, plugged in a 50 amp electrical service cord and turned on the truck circuit breakers to power refrigeration appliances. The report said the truck contained propane cooking burners, an electric water heater, a deep fat fryer, electrical refrigerators and two other propane tanks, which had their valves turned off. Investigators also found that no pilot light was lit inside the truck. Richie told investigators he never noticed any unusual odors or propane leaks during the drive home or while it was parked in the driveway. The blast had blown debris onto neighboring See TRUCK, 12A
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