Chronology of 2011 From the closing of St. Benedict Catholic Church to the rising of the Minnesota River floodwaters, the first of a four-part series documents time well spent in and around Jordan
Pages 10-13
JORDAN
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2011
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www.jordannews.com
INDEPENDENT “I know families that have been here for three generations, and I think there’s a high probability that we have students in our school system that are descendents of the people in the photo.” Joanne Westphal | Media assistant at Jordan High School
It’s time for hitting the books – harder High school will increase its credit and social studies requirements BY DAVID SCHUELLER dschueller@swpub.com
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Recognize anything, or anyone, in this photo? While we may never know what the smiling soldier in the foreground was thinking, a Jordan High School staff member is hoping to find more local knowledge of who might be in the photo. Want to add your memories? See the photo online at jordannews.com.
SETTING SIGHTS ON
PATRIOTISM S If you’re standing there in
BY DAVID SCHUELLER dschueller@swpub.com
September and the timing is just
tand on the corner of
right, you’re looking at members
Broadway and Water
of the Fourth U.S. Calvary riding
streets. Subtract about 103
horses through downtown Jordan.
years.
You might be a child who goes
The streets are dirt. C.H. Casey
on to have a family, and your great
runs a general store. Nicolin
grandchildren might be students at
Mansion has ornate carpentry.
Jordan High School.
Brick facades rise nearby.
Jordan High School library buys a copy of photo from 1908
Joanne Westphal thinks so. Westphal, a media assistant at the high school, made a recent purchase that will let students stop by and ponder the question – without a time machine or even a walk outdoors in the cold. Westphal used a $50 donation from the New Prague American Legion Auxiliary Unit 45 to buy a print of a 1908 photo taken as the cavalry rides through town on the way to Fort Snelling in Minneapolis. The print cost $49. “I know families that have been here for three generations, and I think there’s a high probability that we have students in our school system that are descendents of the people in the photo,” Westphal said.
At least, it might be possible.
Lights, camera, action Caught on film, but still no resolution BY DAVID SCHUELLER dschueller@swpub.com
Longstanding issues with va nd a l s le d home ow ner s to try something new – a hidden camera outside the entrance of the Timberline neighborhood. Vandals have repeatedly broken lights that shine on the Ti mberline sig n, and each time, the fi x costs the association $125 to $250. It’s been going on for at least two years.
“One time, it took them three days after we fixed them to vandalize,” said Keith Morgan, president of the Timberline Homeowners Association. During the evening of Nov. 27, a camera near the sign caught the images of two people getting out of a car, walking up to the lights, then leaving. This week, police and the homeowners association are looking for help identifying those in the photo.
Vandalism to page 14 ®
INSIDE OPINION/4 OUR SCHOOLS/5-6 DAYBOOK/7 CALENDAR/9 PUBLIC SAFETY/14 SPORTS/15-16 TO REACH US SUBSCRIBE: (952) 345-6682 EDITOR: (952) 345-6571 OR E-MAIL EDITOR@JORDANNEWS.COM.
Photo to page 8 ®
An enlarged photo from a hidden camera caught the image of a person of interest in the alleged vandalism of lights at the Timberline neighborhood entrance. There is a $500 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
Jordan High School st udent s i n the future will need to take more credits to graduate, as well as spend more time in Barb social studies McNulty classes. Jordan School Board members approved two measures pro posed Dec. 12 by Principal Barb McNulty to require a full year of world history, and to require more credits to graduate. McNulty is working on initiatives to increase academic rigor at the high school. She and others are concerned that some students are leaving the district to fi nd challenges elsewhere. Teachers squeeze a year of world hi stor y i nto one semester.
Requirements to page 6 ®
CREMATORY
Judge orders mayor to sign city ordinance BY MATHIAS BADEN editor@jordannews.com
The court is t r yi ng to force Mayor Pete Ewa l s’ hand. Last week, a Scott County Dist rict Cour t judge issued an Pete order for the Ewals mayor to sign a zoning ordinance meant to pave the way for fu r ther operation of Reflections Crematory in downtown Jordan. By no later than Monday, Dec. 19, the city ordinance should be signed, according to t he a lter n ative w rit of mandamus obtained by the Jordan City Council, which voted on Oct. 17, 2011, to sue the mayor for not sig ning an ordinance favored by the council during the previous meeting.
Order to page 8 ®
SEE IT YOURSELF DOCUMENT OF THE WEEK IS ONLINE
SUBMITTED PHOTO
www.jordannews.com
VOL. 128, NO. 32 © SOUTHWEST NEWSPAPERS