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‘BECOMING MEMORIES’: Tribute to longtime theater director PAGE 20
Mock crash illustrates that tragedy ‘does not discriminate’ BY SHANNON GRANHOLM EDITOR
In a scenario that felt all too real, Centennial High School (CHS) juniors and seniors found out what it would be like to lose one of their own in a simulated mock crash. Arrive Alive, which began in 2009, challenges students to think about distracted driving, the responsibility of making mature decisions, and the consequences of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In an effort to make an impact right before prom, the two-day event was held April 23-24. At the end of
the program, CHS Principal Tom Breuning told the students, “You have seen with this program how drinking and driving and distracted driving can affect your life, your family, friends, the community. If and when you are in that decisionmaking situation, what will you do?” As the program began, the Grim Reaper appeared in classrooms and pulled students out of class who later die in the crash. During the simulation, a 911 call triggers an emergency response from law enforcement including police officers, fi refighters, paramedics and a medical helicopter.
After the staged crash, which was caused by a combination of impaired and distracted driving, paramedics treated several injured students. A seriously injured student who was struck by a drunk driver while crossing the road was transported to the hospital by ambulance but was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital. A second student died on scene after being thrown through a windshield following a head-on collision caused SHANNON GRANHOLM | PRESS PUBLICATIONS by a driver who was distracted by Centennial High School Senior Ella Ruble gets a cell phone. The third student was checked out by an Allina Health paramedic after a arrested for drunk driving and SEE ARRIVE ALIVE, PAGE 12
crash. The mock crash is a part of the high school’s Arrive Alive program.
2019 will be worst year in I-35W project BY SHANNON GRANHOLM EDITOR
PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
Red carpet moment Becca Ackerson and Adam Cross stroll down the red carpet on the stage at the Centennial Performing Arts Center during the prom grand march Saturday, April 27. The dressed in clothing inspired by 1920s fashion to fit with the “A Night at Gatsby’s” prom theme this year. See more photos on page 19.
CIRCLE PINES — At its April 23 meeting, the City Council learned more about what lies ahead for the next three years for the I-35W corridor. MnDOT Construction Engineer Dan Penn and Engagement and Communications Manager Bre Grand addressed council members concerning the I-35W improvements, which began earlier this month and will continue through 2021. “I have been working on this project since I became mayor 13 1/2 years ago now, and it is so exciting to fi nally have it come to fruition. There is certainly going to be some inconvenience, but it is going to be a great project,” said Mayor Dave Bartholomay. The project, which runs from County Road C in Roseville to Sunset Avenue on the border between Blaine and Lino Lakes, will include concrete repairs, repairs/reconstruction of bridges and mobility improvements such as the addition of auxiliary and MnPASS lanes. “We are out there to repair the aging infrastructure and to improve mobility,” Penn explained. One of the improvements includes a concrete overlay over the 12-mile stretch. Penn explained that currently, there is about 8 or 9 inches of concrete pavement with about 4 inches of bituminous overlay. A third layer of concrete will be placed over the existing layers, which will raise the profile of the road up about 7 or 8 inches. SEE I-35W PROJECT, PAGE 9
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