Author: EPLN Staff Reports

Motorists can expect a smoother ride on Highway 101 in Chanhassen and Eden Prairie in 2024. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has announced a pavement resurfacing project covering a two-mile stretch of the highway between Highway 5 in Chanhassen and Townline Road (County Road 62) in Eden Prairie. The project is scheduled to begin in late spring 2024 and will include resurfacing the pavement, reconstructing the trail on the west side of the road, and adding or upgrading pedestrian ramps and crossings. MnDOT anticipates completing the project in the fall of 2024.

A lawsuit against the City of Eden Prairie over the potential construction of homes near Fredrick-Miller Spring and the Minnesota River Valley has been dismissed, with plaintiffs now pinning their hopes on government or nonprofit purchase and preservation of the property as open space. The city and the plaintiffs – Rebecca Prochaska and Spring Valley Friends, LLC – agreed March 22 to dismiss the lawsuit with prejudice, provided the city doesn’t oppose efforts in the Minnesota Legislature or elsewhere to fund acquisition of the land for permanent open space. The development was called Noble Hill. It called for 50 homes…

A 21-year-old Eden Prairie man was critically injured in a two-vehicle collision on Interstate 94 in Stearns County at about 12:15 a.m. Wednesday, March 22. According to the State Patrol, Mattinen George Edward Goergen was driving a 2009 Infinity G37 when he lost control of the vehicle and collided with a semi-truck. Both vehicles were traveling westbound on the highway near St. Wendel Township when the accident occurred. The road was reportedly wet at the time. Goergen was transported to St. Cloud Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The airbag in Goergen’s car had deployed, and he was wearing his seatbelt at…

The City of Eden Prairie is now accepting 2023 Heritage Preservation Award nominations. The annual award program recognizes individuals, families, or businesses that have contributed significantly to preserving, rehabilitating, restoring, and using the city’s heritage resources. According to a statement by the city, the Heritage Preservation Commission will select the award recipient in April and notify them. The winner will be recognized at a city council meeting in May, which coincides with National Historic Preservation Month. The deadline for nominations is 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 14, and interested parties can visit the city’s website for more information about the…

Russ Reetz, the associate principal of student activities at Eden Prairie High School, has been appointed as the new principal of White Bear Lake Area High School. According to an email EPHS Principal Nate Gibbs sent to families on March 22, Reetz will take on his new role effective July 1. In his email, Gibbs lauded Reetz’s commitment to ensuring every student felt a sense of belonging and support. “During my time in Eden Prairie, I have seen Mr. Reetz dedicate himself to making sure each student feels a sense of belonging, connection and support at school,” Gibbs wrote. “It…

Approval of a $138,032 bid to replace the flooring of the Eden Prairie Community Center gymnasium is among items on the Tuesday, March 21, agenda of the Eden Prairie City Council. The current floor is cracking and failing in multiple locations, according to a city staff report. Replacement is part of the city’s 2023 capital improvement plan (CIP). The $138,032 bid has been submitted by FieldTurf USA Inc. Tuesday’s meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Eden Prairie City Center, 8080 Mitchell Road.

Winter in the Twin Cities has been a real doozy, and a recent photo snapped in Eden Prairie perfectly sums it up. Taken Sunday morning by EPLN contributor Mark Weber, the photo shows a Target shopping cart perched on top of a mountain of snow in the Eden Prairie Center parking lot. Many comments have been generated by an earlier photo circulating on social media featuring a Target cart on the mound. Since the cart wasn’t there on Saturday night, it’s likely not the same one. According to KARE 11, as of Twin Cities’ total snowfall has reached a whopping…

The City of Eden Prairie is conducting its Quality of Life Survey and inviting all residents to participate. According to the city, this online survey, designed to gather feedback on the quality of life in the community, ratings of local government services, and resident use of services, will be available until March 28. The data collected will provide a baseline of resident opinions on safety, services, and overall quality of life in Eden Prairie. The city will also use the results to compare with other cities across Minnesota and the United States. During the past few weeks, 2,000 Eden Prairie…

The Eden Prairie Optimist Club has recognized 13 students for their outstanding submissions in its annual essay contest, which asked participants to write about “Who is an Everyday Hero that Brings Out the Optimism in You?” Winners were presented with official certificates, medallions, and gift cards at a reception held on Feb. 27 at Star Bank in Eden Prairie. The essays are categorized into three age groups: Elementary, Middle School, and High School. The first-place winners in each category are: The second-place winners are: The runners-up are: According to the Eden Prairie Optimist Club, the essay contest offers young people…

Third-degree murder charges against a woman accused of providing drugs that killed a woman in an Eden Prairie home in 2021 have been dropped after a key witness died from a drug overdose, according to a KARE-11 report. Monica Jo Gould, 34, of South St. Paul, was accused of felony selling, giving or distributing a Schedule 1 and 2 controlled substance resulting in the Aug. 31, 2021, death of Amy Portillo, 23, of Edina. Portillo was visiting the resident of a home on Kara Drive in Eden Prairie when she died, the criminal complaint said. Natalie Hersch, who had driven Gould…