Author: EPLN Staff Reports

Harry Peter “Bud” Grant Jr., age 95, of Bloomington, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, March 11. Bud was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia; son, Bruce; and brother, Jim. He is survived by children, Kathy (Steve) Fritz, Laurie (Brian Asleson) Tangert, Peter (Jennifer), Mike (Colleen), Daniel (Melissa); brother, Jack; partner, Patricia Smith; grandchildren, Kelly, Ben (Jenniffer), Rick (Mary), Jen (Gibran), Gretchen (Jeff), Chris (Sarah), Ryan (Claire), Taylor, Alaina, Rosie, Kiera, Harry, Preston, Alex, Sophia, Natalie, Sydney, Kendal, Dominick; great-grandchildren, Makena, Mady, Bella, Drake, Hudson, Nala, Cambell, Lofton, Wilson, Weston, Penn, Brooke, McLaren, Max, Martina, Theodore, and many…

The Eden Prairie police and fire departments responded to a report of a plane crash west of Spring Road near Flying Cloud Airport at about 9:40 p.m. Saturday, March 11. According to social media posts by the Eden Prairie Police Department, the plane was engulfed in flames when the authorities arrived. The three occupants on board were able to escape and were transported to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. They sustained no apparent life-threatening injuries. There were no additional injuries or property damage resulting from the crash, according to the post on social media. However, Spring Road has been…

Garry Bjorklund, a well-known Minnesota distance runner who won the first Grandma’s Marathon in 1977 and again in 1980, pleaded guilty this week to a gross misdemeanor count of drunken driving following a wrong-way collision last summer in Eden Prairie. Hennepin County District Court Judge Leslie Metzen sentenced Bjorklund, 71, of Fort Collins, Colo., to three years of probation, 40 hours of community service, random substance use testing, a drunken driving assessment, no consumption of alcohol or illicit drugs, and payment of $778 in fines and fees. Although Bjorklund was charged with two other counts, one for careless driving and…

Get your neighbors and friends to subscribe to Eden Prairie Local News’ email newsletter, and you might win $100. Without more people signing up for its free newsletters, the nonprofit news organization won’t grow. So, EPLN has decided to hold a two-week contest, hoping current subscribers will tap their networks and recruit new readers. The three people who recruit the most new email newsletter subscribers during the March 15-31 contest will win the top prizes: first place is a $100 Visa gift card; second place is a $50 gift card, and third place is a $25 gift card. There’s no…

The Eden Prairie Noon Rotary Club will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a special event from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, March 20, at Fat Pants Brewery in Eden Prairie. For two decades, the club has dedicated itself to serving the community by supporting local charities and organizations, funding international water and sanitation projects, organizing community events, and providing scholarships to local students. According to a press release, the celebration is open to the public. The club invites all current and past members, as well as community partners and supporters, to join them in celebrating the milestone. The event…

An apartment plan that has failed to get an endorsement from the city or many neighbors is in front of the Eden Prairie City Council again on Tuesday, March 7, when the council will consider a formal denial of the project. The original plan by Ryan Companies – 211 apartments in a five-story building along Valley View Road, west of the Topview Road/Plaza Drive intersection – was rejected 4-0 on a preliminary vote by the council last August. Issues raised at the time included parking, traffic and road access, building height, and stormwater drainage. Ryan later revised the plan to…

Several colleges and universities have named Eden Prairie students to their respective dean’s list. Others have announced graduations. EPLN relies on schools to send us this information. If you don’t see your student’s school listed, please send your student’s name, the school’s name and location, award (e.g., dean’s list), year in school, and major, to editor@eplocalnews.org with subject “Student Recognition.” Dean’s List University of Oregon, Eugene Avery Hackenberg, freshman, environmental science Carthage College, Kenosha, Wisc. Emily Van Dishom Hamline University, St. Paul Andrea Cuenca De Leon, CLA Jason Elyea-Wheeler, CLA Devyn Stanton, School of Business Maddie Swanson, CLA Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY…

The City of Eden Prairie is taking action as a historic winter storm approaches. It has declared a snow emergency effective from Tuesday, Feb. 21, to Friday, Feb. 24, as soon as snow accumulation reaches 2 inches, with parking on city streets prohibited until noon on Friday. The City of Eden Prairie has declared a snow emergency from Tuesday, Feb. 21, to Feb. 24, effective as soon as snow accumulation reaches 2 inches. During this time, parking on city streets is prohibited until noon on Friday. According to a city posting, snowplowing will occur throughout Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with…

Linda R. Soderlund, age 78, Apple Valley, passed away on Feb. 9, 2023. Preceded in death by husband of 32 years, Dennis Soderlund, and parents Raymond and Margaret. Survived by sons Carl (Joy) and Bjorn (Kelli) Soderlund; grandchildren Lars, Annika, Liam, and Nolan; and sisters Andrea (Dennis) Behrendt and Carol (Dean) Marth. Linda was a graduate of Patrick Henry High School and a long-time Eden Prairie High School science teacher prior to retirement. She enjoyed knitting, crosswords, and spending time with her family. Linda was surrounded with love and support from her family.  The visitation (10 a.m.) and funeral service…

A 60-year-old man is facing felony charges for allegedly breaking into an Eden Prairie convenience store and stealing over $3,000 worth of cigarettes in 2020. Jerome Franklin Moot has been charged with three counts of burglary, theft, and possession of burglary or theft tools, according to a criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County District Court. A warrant has been issued for his arrest. The complaint revealed that Moot broke into the Speedway store located at 6355 Point Chase Road in October 2020. He reportedly stole 31 cartons of cigarettes worth $3,441.75. The store manager identified Moot as the suspect, who…