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Ridgeview golf event raises more than $1M for foundation
The Ridgeview Foundation revamped its popular Golf & Taste Celebration this year, turning the popular fundraising event to two days and raising more than $1 million to benefit local health care. With the new, two-day event, nearly 1,000 community members gathered at Sovereign Estate on Sunday, June 23 for food and beverage samplings from area restaurants, breweries, wineries and distilleries. Attendees danced to the tunes of an ABBA/Elton John Tribute Band, which was part of the Sovereign Vintage Concert Series. Fundraising continued throughout the event...
Capitol end to Big Black's season
The Waconia Marching Band closed out their 2024 season July 4 with a toasty performance at the National Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C. The marching band also performed at Six Flags America and toured the nation’s capital, including the National Mall, many memorials, the Smithsonian Museums and the White House. All in all, a capital end to the season. “We are so proud of our amazing students and their ability to represent Waconia everywhere we travel,” said Director Nick Hansberry. (Photos courtesy of Waconia Marching Band Facebook page)
Waconia reunion turns into family hoedown
It was three-generation family music making at the Gothmann family reunion June 30 at the Waconia American Legion. The reunion was planned, the music was a surprise to the 50 family members in attendance. Rosie (Gothmann) Ratigan grew up in Waconia and now lives in Lander, Wyo., where she plays in a six- person ukulele band. Uke Can Too performs at nursing homes and volunteers at community events. When she...
Commissioners talk insurance, trails, settlements
Yes, at least Carver County premiums for employee medical insurance coverage. After steady increases over the past several years, the county will actually see a reduction in premiums when its current multiyear health plan agreement with HealthPartners expires at the end of the year. Employee relations and benefits representatives shared that news at a county board meeting on Tuesday, July 9, and commissioners took action to approve new agreements covering 2025-2026 for fully insured group health insurance and 2025-2027 for self-funded group dental insurance. ...
Rails to Trails brings summer fun to Watertown
Rails to Trails, Watertown’s main event of the summer, is back for its 32nd year. The annual festival celebrates the city’s heritage, history, and community. The free event, coordinated by the Watertown Lions Club, the city, and many other community organizations, kicks off on Monday, July 22, with the hunt for the Golden Spike. The railroad spike is hidden on public property within the city limits, and clues will be posted each morning at 9 a.m. on the Rails to Trails website, Facebook page, and...
Cologne’s Glad Days to sprout for 23rd year
Just like the flower that comes up each year, Glad Days is coming up in Cologne this week, July 25-28, for its 23rd year. Glad Days started as a way to recognize the history of the Gladiolus flower that that was bred by the Lins family of Cologne who were recognized nationally with awards for their work, also to celebrate community and encourage residents to plant flowers, spruce up their yards, take pride in the community and make it more attractive. ...
Waconia council appoints Coleman to vacant seat
Jacob Coleman has been appointed to fill the council seat vacated by Steve Yetzer at the end of June. Coleman, state director for the policy group Americans for Prosperity and a former Chanhassen firefighter, was selected following interviews July 10 among 10 applicants for the position. He was sworn in at the July 15 city council meeting. Coleman said he was motivated to public service through his work and as...
NYA industrial park expansion offers businesses many options
Norwood Young America conducted a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday, June 25 on Tacoma Office West Industrial Park Phase 2. That’s a 61-acre shovel ready site located at the southwest corner of Highway 212 and Tacoma Avenue south of the current industrial park. The park has provided opportunities for new and existing businesses to expand and bring industry and jobs to Norwood Young America, according to Karen Hallquist, NYA community and economic development director. Phase 2 includes custom lots available at 2-acre minimum attractive for light industrial uses and benefits from railroad access. Among permitted uses are manufacturing, warehousing, office complexes, contractor operations, wholesale trade and showrooms, labs, garden and landscaping services, vocational and technical schools, and retail. Conditional uses include auto repair, mini storage, and veterinary clinic/animal care. Hallquist is available at 952-467-1810 or email economicdev@cityofnya.com to share more details about the expanded Tacoma West Industrial Park.
ISD 110, union reach tentative agreement
Waconia teachers could be working under a new contract just about the time the new school year begins. ISD 110 and the Waconia Education Association reached a tentative contract agreement at a June 17 meditation session after being in negotiations for over a year. Contract details were shared with the full teacher membership in person on July 11 and a vote on the contract is anticipated Aug. 21 during the first teacher workshops for the upcoming school year. Association bylaws do not allow for contract...
Ridgeview rolls out emergency virtual health care services
Ridgeview is expanding its virtual care offerings with the introduction this week of on-demand virtual urgent care services. Virtual care is a convenient alternative to an in-person visit for several visit types and conditions, including scheduled appointments. It uses technology to connect you to a Ridgeview care provider from the convenience of your home or anywhere you have internet access. All that you need is a computer, tablet or mobile device. With an on-demand virtual urgent care visit, you will be seen by a Ridgeview...
Group of friends visit Waconia for Fourth of July
Who doesn’t want to be in Waconia at this time of year? Chuck Bean was back to his hometown for the Fourth of July and brought a group of six friends with him for the festivities, including three from other countries. The group has traveled together to other places, Bean said, including a small town in Spain where friend Ricardo Esquer-Blasco is from. Others hail from Lebanon, Argentina and spots...
CenterPoint awards community safety grant to St. Boni
CenterPoint Energy, Minnesota’s largest natural gas utility, recently awarded a Community Safety Grant of $1,950 to the City of St. Bonifacius, Minnesota, to fund an automated external defibrillator, or AED, for the ball field concession stand at Missile Park. Steve Marsh, Home Service Plus Supervisor at CenterPoint, presented the Community Safety Grant check to Brenda Fisk, Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer at the City of St. Bonifacius. In Minnesota this year, CenterPoint awarded more...
AGLOW Theater gears up for double bill
Local community theater group, AGLOW Theater is bringing not one but two beloved classics to the stage later this month in the Little Theater at Hopkins High School in Minnetonka. The fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood” shows at 3 p.m. on July 18-21 and is for all ages. In addition, “12 Angry Jurors,” — based on the award-winning film “12 Angry Men” by Reginald Rose — shows at 7 p.m. on July 18-21. Recommended for ages 12 and up, this stage version by Sherman L. Sergel is a gritty, honest story about justice and the human spirit. ...
Theater camp cast, crew warm up for ‘Frozen JR’
Most musicals are in rehearsal at least four to six weeks. The one coming up locally this Saturday was just a week. It’s Waconia Community Education’s summer musical “Frozen JR.”, and the culmination of a week-long theater camp covering acting techniques, staging, sets and costuming, leading to a full production. The camp going on this week brings together over 100 kids, according directors Bailey Fields and Melissa Marohl. That includes...
Waconia city council affirms denial of sober house request
The Waconia City Council reaffirmed two recent decisions at a short meeting July 1. One was a decision to deny a zoning accommodation to Battlefield Ministries for a sober living arrangement for up to six persons at a residential property at 415 West First Street. In a lengthy resolution following a June 17 public hearing reported on earlier, the council indicated the applicant did not prove that the requested accommodation is necessary for the amelioration of a disability under provisions of the Americans with Disabilities...
Work continues on projects around county
Waconia’s downtown construction project has moved into Stage 2. As paving was underway recently on Stage 1 at Main, Pine and Spruce streets, crews had begun sanitary sewer work and utility construction on Stage 2 on Main Street between Olive and Elm. Elm Street was slated to remain fully open with pavement until this week when that too will be closed for construction, according to the latest project reports. ...
10 residents throw hats into ring for council appointment
Ten applicants have stepped forward to fill the Waconia City Council seat vacated by Steve Yetzer at the end of June. The application period closed last Friday, July 5, and the candidates were slated to be interviewed by the rest of the council this Wednesday, July 10. The open seat is for the term that expires at the end of the year and is up for election this fall. Applicants...
New Perspective celebrates Independence Day
New Perspective Senior Living residents and staff got into July Fourth spirit and their red, white and blue at a holiday event on Tuesday, July 2. There were a few Uncle Sams in the crowd, plenty of flags and streamers, ice cream and music, and some residents rolled out and marched in their own Fourth of July parade. (Al Lohman/The Patriot)
Area waterways recede as rainfall eases
High river levels persist in Carver County as rains continue to fall well above average for the year. After reaching historic levels not seen since 1965, the Minnesota River was in moderate flood stage at 31 feet just over a week ago and receding after the rains forecast for the Fourth of July weekend did not pour down like earlier showers. The river was expected remain in minor flood stage through most of last and this week with drier conditions anticipated. Many roads along the...
Housing study helps local leaders address needs
Housing availability and affordability have been a need expressed by most cities in Carver County. A recent housing study conducted by the Carver County Community Development Agency (CDA) with Maxfield Research and Consulting confirms the need and outlines in more detail the amount and types of housing that may be developed to meet the needs of current and future households in the county. The last time the CDA conducted a...
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Sun Patriot is comprised of Waconia Patriot and News & Times newspapers and serves the Cologne, Mayer, New Germany, Norwood Young America, Watertown and Waconia communities. Published Thursdays by APG of East Central Minnesota dating back to 1889. 24/7 local coverage found online at www.sunpatriot.com
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