Dinner Theatres expands range
Four Sabers head to state
Goal is to bring as many people as possible into building
Coleman first Saber freshman wrestler to qualify
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Heroin: Cheap and on the rise Cases have quadrupled since 2009 BY SHANNON FIECKE sfiecke@swpub.com
As 27-year-old Matthew Cooley stood before him, jittery while claiming he was no longer addicted to hero-
in, Judge Rex Stacey wasn’t buying it. Cooley, who tested positive for opiates during a random drug analysis on his visit home from work on the North Dakota oil fields, told the judge he obtained a prescription for oxyco-
done due to pain. Stacey was flabbergasted that a Minneapolis doctor provided drugs to a “heroin addict” and refused to let Cooley go, accusing him of doctor shopping. “I’m not going to let you hurt yourself if I can do something about it,” Stacey said. ... “You look terrible.
In my 33 years [as an attorney and judge], I’ve met a lot of junkies and you fit it to a tee.” “I just don’t understand,” Cooley objected, claiming he was no longer using and had quit prior to his May 25 arrest.
T
10
2010
16
2011
45*
*Eight cases from 2011 involved juveniles. SOURCE: Scott County
Buesgens is out; Beard, Robling in
If you go
he Scott County Historical Society’s latest exhibit explores the circle of life in “Marking Time: The Rituals of Life.” “It’s a little bit of everything from birth until death,” said museum curator Theresa Norman. Many of the traditions featured in the Stans Museum exhibit are steeped in the county’s rich Catholic history, said Norman, noting the artifacts centered on baptism, first communions and confirmation. There’s also a number photographs and artifacts from high school days. The exhibit moves onto include a large wedding section exploring the changing reason why people married. In the past, couples married for money and survival, but today it’s based more on love, she said. While Scott County has a strong European roots, “Marking Time” also has items from Hispanic rituals, such as a Quinceañera. Stephanie Sanchez of Shakopee loaned her ball dress, head piece and other memorabilia from her traditional 15th birthday celebration last August. Death also has its place in the exhibit thanks to a wake scene that includes a coffin, set up by McNearney Funeral Home. Next to the scene is a Day of the Dead altar arranged by Maria Espana and Mary Hernandez. “The idea of the exhibit is basically every society in the world practices some rituals in life that mark significant periods. These are the most common ones in Scott
2009
Heroin to A7 ®
Exhibit: Life to death, everything in between BY KRISTIN HOLTZ kholtz@swpub.com
Heroin cases in Scott County
County will now redraw its lines
What: In the “Marking Time: The Rituals of Life” exhibit, viewers will walk the through milestones of life from birth to death. Exhibit sponsored in part by the Shakopee Rotary Club. When: Through August 2013. Where: Scott County Historical Society, 235 Fuller St. S., Shakopee. Admission: Adults $4, Students $2, Scott County Historical Society members free. More information: (952) 445-0378 or scottcountyhistory.org
County,” Norman said. “It’s a life span of things that most people in our area have experienced.” About 80 people attended the Irish wake-themed opening in January. Sponsored in part by the Shakopee Rotary Club, the exhibit is on display through August 2013. Also new at SCHS is a collection of artwork of Scott County places. Three artists from the Savage Arts Council — Pat Duncan, Kathy Gates-Gilmore and Patricia Kness — have lent more than 30 oil paintings from scenes around the county. Images of Scott County runs through April. It will be replaced by a Civil War and Dakota Conflict exhibit set to open this summer, Norman said.
LEGACY GRANT The SCHS Research Library will also be unveiling a new tool this summer that will improve access to
Michael Beard
Claire Robling
BY SHANNON FIECKE sfiecke@swpub.com
PHOTO BY KRISTIN HOLTZ / REPRINTS AT PHOTOS.SHAKOPEENEWS.COM
School days — memorabilia from New Prague High School (letterman’s sweater), Jordan High School (megaphone) and Prior Lake High School (knit hat) are on display. its microfilm records. The $9,990 Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage (Legacy) Grant will move the historical
society into the modern era by purchasing a digital microfilm
Exhibit to A11 ®
After a 14-year r u n, state Rep. Mark Buesgens, R-Savage, has decided it’s time to wrap it up. His announceMark ment not to seek Buesgens re-election came t wo d ays a f ter redistricting split his new home of Savage from his hometown of Jordan, but Buesgens said his decision is not due to redistricting. “It’s time for new blood and thoughts, and for me and family to seek new adventures,” Buesgens said. This means an open seat and likely hotly contested GOP endorsement battle for the right-
Redistricting to A12 ®
SPU grant will lead to 6 ‘smart’ homes BY SHANNON FIECKE sfiecke@swpub.com
One of the drawbacks to wind and solar energy is the wind does not always blow, nor does the sun always shine. The Environmental Learning Center under construction at Shakopee High School is being equipped with solar panels and a small turbine, but it’ll also now have the ability to store
that energy, thanks to a state grant. Shakopee was one of four Minnesota cities (the only one in the metro) selected by the state Department of Commerce to test “smart grid” technologies that help consumers monitor and adjust power usage. Shakopee Public Utilities, which was awarded the $60,000 matching grant, is planning two projects: equipping the Learning Center with an energy storage system that is acces-
sible off-site and six Shakopee homes with high-tech appliances that can be controlled and monitored from a smart phone or tablet. “We will be working with state to apply technologies you hear about in magazines,” said Shakopee Public Utilities Director John Crooks. With the environmental learning center, SPU will learn how wind and solar energy generation can be applied to a “smart building.” The
high school will be able to monitor and control energy usage with the system to store power for use during peak times. “Wind typically blows at night,” explained Crooks. “When people go to sleep, the [power] demand is offpeak.” The equipment will show how much power is being generated and
SPU to A7 ®
INSIDE OPINION/A4 OBITUARIES/A6 HAPPENINGS/A9 CALENDAR/B3 SPORTS/B1-2 CLASSIFIEDS/B14-16 TO REACH US SUBSCRIBE: (952) 345-6682 EDITOR: (952) 345-6680 OR E-MAIL EDITOR@SHAKOPEENEWS.COM.
SUBMITTED ART
Solar and wind energy produced at the Shakopee Environmental Learning Center will be able to be stored and controlled thanks to a system to be purchased with a state grant.
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