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Actor’s path to the silver screen began on an Apple Valley stage. See Thisweekend Page 14A.
NEWS OPINION SPORTS
Thisweek Farmington-Lakeville JUNE 24, 2011
VOLUME 32, NO. 17
www.thisweeklive.com
Messages/2A
Opinion/4A
Announcements/5A
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Sports/11A
Public Notices/12A
Local soldier receives honors for bravery Mayor Mark Bellows declares June 27 “Kyle Malin Day� by Aaron Vehling
ing. “Like so many of our soldiers, Kyle has proven himself June 27 will be a big to be resilient, meetday for Kyle Malin of ing his new challenges Lakeville. with the same strength Not only will he and courage that he raise the flag at the showed every day as a Twins game at Target member of the United Field, but he will be States Army.� doing so on a day that The organization Mayor Mark Bellows is offering ribbons for declared in his honor. free at certain spots in The community the city. A donation is is recognizing Malin accepted, but not refor his sacrifice as a quired. staff sergeant with the “We will be asking Army in Afghanistan. residents and busiLast July, Malin nesses to fly their flags encountered an imand to display yellow provised explosive Photo submitted ribbons on that same device (IED) while on assignment in that Kyle Malin was injured last year in an day (June 27) to say mountainous nation. IED explosion in Afghanistan. He lost welcome home to Kyle,� said Lakeville The device activated both of his legs. communications manand the ensuing exploof the Lakeville Yellow Ribager Sue Palm. sion left Malin legless. Malin’s father, Jon, told He had been in-country for bon organization. “I can’t imagine what it is the City Council on Monabout three months. The 2003 Farmington like to receive a call saying day, June 20, that his son High School graduate has your son has been severely “has a strong spirit. He been in Texas at Fort Sam injured in an IED explo- never looks back; he alHouston, where he has been sion, then to find out he has ways looks forward. This receiving medical treat- lost both legs,� Branham will help him in his recovment, said Terry Branham said at the council meet- See Kyle, 13A THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
Lakeville boy’s 911 call saved his grandmother
Farmington district has four superintendent candidates All are current superintendents in Minnesota by Tad Johnson
Four-year-old receives national honor for his command of an emergency situation by Aaron Vehling THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
Kieran O’Neill is only 4 years old, but he’s already saved a life. He was at home last September with his grandmother, Nancy, when he noticed she was struggling. It was a brief period of time during which his father had just left and his mother was almost home, but Kieran did not wait for them to seek help. Instead, he picked up the
phone, dialed 911 and implored the operator to send an EMT to his house. “My husband’s mom has had some health issues,� said Kieran’s mother, Kandace. “She had started feeling light-headed, nauseous and dizzy.� Kieran stayed with his grandmother for about five minutes before the Lakeville Police Department arrived, Kandace said. The grandmother was in the hospital for a few days,
Photos by Larry Werner; Hood photo submitted
Hot Sam’s owner Gladys Hood died in December 2010, but her spirit lives on in the store’s category-defying existence. An aging submarine, a replica of the Statue of Liberty, oversized chairs and scores of antiques, trinkets and mechanical contrivances abound at the store that has become equal parts amusement park, landmark and magical wonderland. Thisweek Editor Larry Werner writes about his own experience with Hood on Page 4A.
THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
Photo submitted
Four-year-old Kieran O’Neill dialed 911 when his grandmother needed emergency medical attention and received an award for his mastery of the situation. but came out of it OK. Kieran, for his valiant reaction in the face of emergency, was awarded a See 911, 3A
The Farmington School Board and a community advisory panel interviewed four superintendent finalist candidates June 22 and 23 after the field was announced Monday. The board was expected to refine the field this week and will invite those candidates for full-day interviews Tuesday, June 28, and Wednesday, June 29. An open public forum with the second-round finalists will be scheduled. As reported on ThisweekLive.com Mon-
Killebrew Field grand opening this Sunday Miracle League ballfield named after Twins great by Aaron Vehling THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
After months of fundraising, organizing and measurable excitement, the Harmon Killebrew Field at King Park is finally ready. The rubber-surfaced field is designed to allow disabled children to enjoy baseball without the challenges of grass and dirt. To top it off, the June 26 grand opening celebration will feature some special guests, including Nita Killebrew, wife of the late Twins star, for which the field is named. She will throw the first pitch. Brian Roseen, director of the Lakeville Baseball Association and the Miracle
Photo by Aaron Vehling
Killebrew Field in Lakeville is a Miracle League ballfield designed to allow disabled children to enjoy baseball without the challenges of grass and dirt. League, said it’s a great feeling that field is game-ready. “The field is beautiful,� Roseen said. “Kids on mobility devices get on the field and smile.� The field’s cost for the first phase was about $400,000. Roseen said the league did not receive funding for that amount in pure cash. There have also been
also allows the league to use seven other fields in Lakeville. Eventually, Roseen said the league would like to enter Phase 2, which would include an improved seating area behind the backstop for players, parents and spectators with disabilities. Schedule of events: • 3 - 4:15 p.m.: Music by Jim Anthony; opportunity to walk on the field. • 4:15 - 4:45 p.m.: Grand opening ceremony with sponsor introduction and recognition. • 4:45 - 5:30 p.m.: National anthem, ceremonial first pitch with Nita Killebrew; game starts. The event will be held rain or shine.
in-kind donations. The community has been involved in the creation and construction of the field. The Lakeville Rotary Club donated $10,000 toward the effort in February. The Lakeville City Council donated the field at King Park, located at Dodd Aaron Vehling is at aaron.vehRoad and 185th Street, to ling@ecm-inc.com and www. the league in 2006. The city facebook.com/thisweeklive.
day, a subcommittee of three board members reviewed the list of 29 candidates Saturday morning prior to the meeting and whittled the field to present to the board for consideration. The candidates are: • Jay Haugen, superintendent of the West-St. Paul-Mendota HeightsEagan School District; • Rick Linnell, superintendent of the Pequot Lakes School District; • Kelly Smith, superintendent of the Belle Plaine School District; and • Rod Thompson, super-
Don’t rain on my parade Photos by Laura Adelmann
Ava Cajune, 3, of Farmington, wore boots, a pink ballet skirt and knit winter hat as she waved at participants in the Farmington Dew Days Grand Parade on the cool and rainy Saturday afternoon. For more photos, go online at www. ThisweekLive. com.
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intendent of the St. Anthony-New Brighton School District. “It was pretty easy for us to narrow it down to those four,� Board Member Julie McKnight said of the subcommittee’s work. All board members approved the finalist list at the meeting with little discussion. Search consultant Kenneth LaCroix said he had personal phone conversations with some potential candidates to tell them about a list of positive attributes of the district he See Candidates, 13A
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