Apple Valley/Rosemount: Thisweek Newspapers

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Art and All That Jazz in Burnsville hits a high note. See Thisweekend Page 14A.

Thisweek Apple Valley-Rosemount AUGUST 26, 2011

VOLUME 32, NO. 26

NEWS OPINION SPORTS

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Opinion/5A

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Two measles cases confirmed in Dakota County Child first reported suffering with disease still hospitalized by Laura Adelmann THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS

Two confirmed cases of measles in Dakota County are under investigation by the Minnesota Department of Health. Both cases were found in babies who were not vaccinated against measles. The first child, a Dakota

County 1-year-old, became sick in early August after a trip to Kenya, where an outbreak of the disease is occurring. A second case was found in a 15-month-old child who came down with the disease after visiting the family of the first child. Both children were hospitalized, but only the first one re-

mains there and was last reported in critical condition, according to the Minnesota Health Department. “The first baby was diagnosed quite early,� said Claudia Miller, MDH manager for Immunizations, Tuberculosis and International Health. “We don’t know why some babies are more severely ill if there are not other underlying conditions.� Two health care facilities in

Dakota County are part of the state’s investigation, and Miller, noting that workers and others who may have been exposed are being tested, but none has shown positive for the disease. Doctors are on alert and testing more patients for exposure to the disease. “Every day our lab is running two or three tests just because everyone has a high index of

suspicion for measles right now,� Miller said. People who may have been exposed to the measles, which is highly contagious and can be life-threatening, are notified and offered a vaccine or immune globulin to decrease the chance of coming down with the disease. The MDH is emphasizing the need for immunizations and especially encouraged for See Measles, 9A

District 196 beats state, Job training under the microscope national averages on ACT by Jessica Harper THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS

For the fifth consecutive year, students in the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District exceeded the state and national averages on the ACT. A total of 1,672 high school graduates in the district – which is 83 percent – took the college entrance exam. This is higher than the state average of 72 percent. Those who took the ACT this year in District 196 on average received a score of 24, which is 1.1 point higher than the state average of 22.9. The ACT has scores that range between 1 and 36. Steve Troen, director of teaching and learning, said he believes the district’s teachers play a large part in the ACT scores. “The biggest thing is that many teachers incorporate ACT standards into course work in addition to state standards,� he said. The district also offers ACT preparatory classes to help students ready themselves for the test, Troen said. The Minnesota average

IN BRIEF Rosemount-Apple ValleyEagan School District and Minnesota students have improved the ACT average composite score from 20062011 while the national average has remained relatively flat. Year Dist. 196 2011 24.0 2010 24.0 2009 23.9 2008 23.8 2007 23.8 2006 23.3

State National 22.9 21.1 22.9 21.0 22.7 21.1 22.6 21.1 22.5 21.2 22.3 21.1

Source: District 196

is the highest in the nation among states where half of all graduates took the ACT. Iowa was second this year with 22.3 and Wisconsin third with 21.1. The national average is 21.1, which is 0.1 point higher than last year. Students in District 196 have scored above the state See ACT, 8A

Photo by Rick Orndorf

U.S. Sen. Al Franken talks with Larry Raddatz, director of Manufacturing and Railroad of Dakota County Technical College’s Customized Training Division, on Friday, Aug. 19, about the college’s nationally known nanotechnology center, which provides training for advanced manufacturing jobs, which often go unfilled due to a lack of skilled workers. Following the tour, he met with college President Ronald Thomas, leaders of the nanotechnology program and representatives from leading businesses that have hired program graduates. In the coming months, Franken said he will work with the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee to reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act, which funds job training programs like those at DCTC’s nanotechnology center.

Baby Ronan defies the odds

by Tad Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS

Photo submitted

The Packard family of Rosemount are from front left Nicole; Erik; Wolfgang; Desiree, Erik’s sister; Nadira; Denise, Erik’s mother; Justin, Erik’s brother, and Ronan. went had a 2 percent survival rate – and he has continued to overcome battles related to an undiagnosed congenital diaphragmatic hernia. The hernia in his diaphragm al-

lowed his liver and intestines to fill his right chest cavity, shifting his stomach, and compressing his heart and one lung. The hole closed with a Gortex See Ronan, 16A

New, virtual chamber serves area Group offers inexpensive service to small business leaders by Jessica Harper THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS

A new business chamber in the south metro that offers free membership has traditional chamber leaders scratching their heads. MainstreetChamber, a national for-profit group that offers free membership and networking services to small to mid-sized business owners,

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opened a south metro chapter earlier this summer. Leaders of traditional chambers are questioning the group’s authenticity as a chamber of commerce. “They are not a traditional chamber of commerce,� said Ed Kearney, president of the Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce. “They’re a networking See Chamber, 16A

A group of community members has organized an Italian Dinner on Saturday, Aug. 27 to raise money to help pay medical bills needed to treat Ronan, the 10-month-old twin son of Erik and Nicole Packard of Rosemount. Despite having insurance, the Packards are left with thousands of dollars in medical bills, according to event organizers. The event from 4-7 p.m. at the Rosemount VFW will include dinner, raffles, bake sale, and a few surprises, organizers say. Volunteers are being sought to help serve the dinner and help with other aspects of the event. An RSVP is requested but not required by emailing Sherri DeBettignies at sdebett@gmail.com to reserve at the pre-sale ticket price. At the door, the price is $10 per adult and $7 per child 10 and under. Pre-sale price is $8 per adult and $5 per child 10 and under. More information about the family is available at: www.babyronanpackard.weebly.com. “We are just so grateful and appreciative,� Nicole said. “It is the

beautiful side of humanity that we have been so blessed to receive.� This is the last in a series of fundraisers for the family. The group’s first benefit – Rollin’ for Ronan – raised over $2,000. The event being organized by members from the Rosemount VFW, the Yellow Ribbon Committee, and other Rosemount residents. The VFW and Yellow Ribbon groups are involved because Erik Packard served 13-plus years in the military. He was part of the 79th Military Police, the Rochester Red Bull Division of National Guard Rosemount, and the Minnesota 13th Psychological Operations Special Forces Detachment, Arden Hills. He has been deployed to Germany and Iraq twice and once to Korea. Erik has been awarded many medals due to his proficiency and exemplary behavior, including a Meritorious Service Medal for his selflessness during a car bomb explosion that claimed the life of his friend, Jeffrey Nichols, and saved the lives of others. – Tad Johnson

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Benefit planned to help family pay infant’s medical expenses

After newborn has surgery, he is making baby steps of progress

Erik and Nicole Packard felt helpless as they waited for their son born Nov. 15, 2010, to emerge from surgery to repair several of his vital organs. After they were told Ronan survived the work to give his heart and lung room to function, the Rosemount parents’ wait was not over. Ronan was on life support and a ventilator until Dec. 6 when doctors said his lung had started to grow and he was breathing. “That day wasn’t just relief, it was the first time we knew that Ronan would live, because he was functioning on his own,� Nicole said. Ronan defied the odds on the day he was born – the surgery he under-

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