Jordan_112411

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Light up the tree

Lots of laughter

You’re invited to the annual Christmas tree lighting in Pekarna Park

“Completely Hollywood (abridged)” drew a crowd – and lots of giggles

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JORDAN

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2011

$1

www.jordannews.com

INDEPENDENT BRIDGE TO THE MINI-MET

Jordan snares 2-for-1 deal

Q&A WITH ED CHAPMAN

While council acts to block gravel truck traffic, MnDOT offers to fully fund $1 million bridge BY MATHIAS BADEN editor@jordannews.com

PHOTO BY DAVID SCHUELLER

If you wave at the balloon, chances are the passengers can see you, if they’re looking. Ed Chapman, chief aeronaut and operator of Balloon Ascensions Unlimited, flies in the winter, but generally stays grounded during the turbulent spring. His balloon was seen here on Oct. 27.

Ballooning into the cold Local aeronaut returns to the sky (by the way, flying in winter isn’t as cold as you might think) The business is based out of St. Lawrence Township, near Jordan, hose out and gives people the chance and about to see the area from the sky. in Jordan Chapman responded during to questions about recent early ballooning posed by the mornings might have Jordan Independent, looked up to see the including about his return majestic sight of a hot to the skies after a freak Ed air balloon drifting over accident early this summer, Chapman town. ballooning in winter, and Chances are the balloon was whether he can spot you from the piloted by Ed Chapman, chief sky if you wave at the balloon. aeronaut and operator of Balloon Ascensions Unlimited. Balloon to page 2 ®

BY DAVID SCHUELLER dschueller@swpub.com

T

Balloon Ascensions by the numbers 80 Feet high for Balloon Ascensions Unlimited’s largest balloon. It also has a diameter of 63 feet and holds 120,000 cubic feet of air when inflated.

750

Pounds of balloon and basket can carry five passengers plus the pilot.

6 to 10

Miles is a typical distance for a one-hour flight, but it all depends on the wind conditions.

19 Hours without refueling was one world record set by Balloon Ascensions.

20 to 2,000 Feet above ground level is normally where the balloons fly, but another world record of 38,900 feet has been set by Balloon Ascensions Source: Balloonridesminnesota.com

Jordan’s threat to keep state money away from Valley View Drive couldn’t have turned out better. “I guess I consider this good news,” City Engineer Tim Loose told the Jordan City Council on Monday. “There may be differing opinions on that.” Two weeks after the council’s seemingly unorthodox move to direct Loose to relook at the city’s Municipal State Aid-designated streets, Loose produced a Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) offer to fully fund the Rice Street bridge replacement. With a plan that will cost more than a $1 million, councilmembers and the mayor have been sometimes at odds, other times at a loss, for years about how to pay for the bridge over Sand Creek to the historic MiniMet ballpark. But this week, Loose said he secured an agreement with two MnDOT decision makers who suggested that if Rice Street were added to the MSA collector-street system, the state could afford to cover the cost of the bridge replacement. The state is committed to paying $610,000 for the proposed bridge deck and railings, and the city already has more than $112,000 spent on the project. The city will cover the cost of demolition, architectural upgrades, decorative options, approaches, coordination with the adjacent Feedmill restaurant and Union Pacific Railroad, or any “soft costs,” Loose said.

Bridge to page 10 ®

Area motor sports facility proposed

Liquor coupon website will ‘click’ with you

Plans to be disclosed in Elko New Market BY SHANNON FIECKE sfiecke@swpub.com

A Minnesota company hopes to bring a major motor sports complex that could draw tens of thousands of fans to Elko New Market, a city that already boasts a popular speedway. The project is estimated to cost around $500 million and include a paved 7/8-mile oval track, 2-1/2-mile

road course, as well as a 1/4-mile drag racing strip. The proposal has a long way to go before becoming solid, but representatives from the International Motorsports Entertainment Development Co. have been meeting informally with Scott County staff and elected officials for several months.

Motor sports to page 9 ®

hops and surprisingly sturdy malt backbone.” Thus, SHARE YOUR Score one for he became the COMMENTS Tallgrass Oasis. chief executive ofwww.jordannews.com It’s the beer ficer and founder of behind an online Cliquorstore.com. coupon service The website that could save you a ton of money seems simple, but it solves a on liquor, just in time for the classic difficulty for local liquor holidays. stores, like Jordan Wine & Spirits Duane Birchem, a five-year and Valley Liquors in Shakopee, Jordan resident, said that the name and their potential customers – for his new business was conceived how to meet up. after a couple Oasis beers, which Cliquorstore to page 21 ® are advertised to have “over-the-top BY MATHIAS BADEN editor@jordannews.com

With so many alcohol-related messages bombarding customers, how will people know about this expansive craft beer section? Duane Birchem wondered as he stood at Valley Liquors in Shakopee.

INSIDE OPINION/4 OUR SCHOOLS/5-7, 26 DAYBOOK/9 PUBLIC SAFETY/10 SPORTS/11-12 CALENDAR/13 TO REACH US SUBSCRIBE: (952) 345-6682 EDITOR: (952) 345-6571 OR E-MAIL EDITOR@JORDANNEWS.COM.

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VOL. 128, NO. 29 © SOUTHWEST NEWSPAPERS


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