Author: Stuart Sudak

Strong thunderstorms overnight caused widespread power outages in the Twin Cities, including Eden Prairie. As of noon Wednesday, Xcel Energy reported that more than 16,000 residences were still without power, some in Eden Prairie. However, that number was gradually dwindling as crews worked to fix issues.  According to an Xcel Energy press release, about 135,000 customers were impacted overnight in Minnesota and Wisconsin. More than 70 percent have been restored this morning. An Eden Prairie spokesperson said the city was unaware of any significant damage to property in town. Crews are cleaning up tree debris in parks, but that seems to be…

PeopleFest!, the annual celebration of the many cultures represented by Eden Prairie residents, is underway. The series of free community events and programs sponsored by the city and school district runs from July 26 through Aug. 9. One of the many highlights of the festivities is the PeopleFest! Party, which occurs from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 31, at Staring Lake Park, 14800 Pioneer Trail. It will be the first time the party will be held in person since the pandemic began. The last party happened in 2019. “There will be lots of opportunities to experience the many cultures…

When Terry Eggan took over as Eden Prairie Lions Club president this month, he did so with an objective. “Part of my mission with being president is also to focus on getting younger membership (in the club),” he said. “The golf tournament is one step toward that.” Eggan has been working since January on resurrecting the Lions Club Charity Golf Tournament, which hits the links on Monday, Aug. 1, at Dahlgreen Golf Club in Chaska. It will be the first time the tournament has happened since 2006. His late father, Willard, a founding Lions Club member, enjoyed playing in the…

Eden Prairie crews are busy working on park projects all over town this summer. Some add amenities, others spruce up existing ones. The work includes installing a splash pad at Nesbitt Preserve Park, 8641 Center Way, and installing new play structures at Prairie East, 10379 Balsam Way, and Wyndham Knoll, 6525 Dell Road, parks. Jay Lotthammer, the city’s parks and recreation director, said construction on the new Nesbitt Park splash pad will begin next week. He said it might be finished by the end of the summer, but most likely, the new splash pad will open for business next summer. The…

Round Lake Park Beach is closed until Wednesday, July 20, while the city does its annual treatment for algae, submerged plant growth and the tiny invertebrates that can cause an allergic reaction known as “swimmer’s itch.” Eden Prairie officials say the treatment aims to make the water clearer and more pleasant for swimming. The Round Lake splash pad and Riley Lake beach will remain open. “This is more about the amount of vegetation and the type that makes it uncomfortable for people than it is with the condition of the water,” said Jay Lotthammer, the city’s parks and recreation director,…

A left-knee injury will keep Eden Prairie’s Niamya Holloway sidelined for the upcoming University of Minnesota women’s basketball season. The injury to Holloway, who graduated from Eden Prairie High School in June, was announced by Gophers’ coach Lindsay Whalen in a Tuesday news release. A Star Tribune story reported that Holloway injured the anterior cruciate ligament in the left knee and will have surgery in the coming weeks. She will need a year to recover.  “Unfortunately Niamya suffered a knee injury last week, and we are saddened to learn this week that it is season ending,” Whalen said in the news release.…

A fare increase is proposed to go into effect on Sept. 6 for the SW Prime transit service. SouthWest Transit provides the on-demand ride service for Eden Prairie, Chaska, Chaska, Carver, Victoria and Normandale Community College in Bloomington. Other prime services are available, including rides to Mall of America and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Residents can provide feedback on the proposal at two public forums. Those take place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, at SouthWest Station, 13500 Technology Drive, Eden Prairie, and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, at East Creek Station, 2120 N. Chestnut Blvd., Chaska. Public…

It takes much to plan a hometown celebration. But, after booking the bands, selecting the food trucks, and finalizing the schedule, organizers still need a little help from Mother Nature. Jay Lotthammer, the City of Eden Prairie’s parks and recreation director, has his fingers crossed that the weather will cooperate for the city’s 4th of July Hometown Celebration spread over three days and two locations this holiday weekend. The early weather forecast looks promising. “That’s what they’re telling us now,” Lotthammer said. “Hopefully, it doesn’t change.” There is good reason for all in Eden Prairie to glance hopefully at the…

Artist Jerry Carlson hopes a blend of curiosity and delight stops people in their tracks as they come across his Elf House along the Purgatory Creek Park trail in Eden Prairie. There is something whimsical about Carlson’s tiny structure that crouches low to the ground across the water from the park. Amid the wetlands and the trees, this is the perfect natural setting for an immersive art exhibit. Carlson has a simple motive for its creation. “I hope it gives people something to smile about,” he said. The Elf House Carlson’s traditional Icelandic-style Elf House has taken up residence along the…

For his many contributions to the community over 40 years, Mark Weber will be honored with his own day in Eden Prairie. During Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Ron Case proclaimed June 21 as Mark Weber Day in Eden Prairie. Weber is retiring at the end of the month after serving as the Eden Prairie Community Foundation executive director since 2013. His Eden Prairie ties go back to 1979 when he began his long affiliation with the Eden Prairie News. Case and other council members praised Weber, who was in attendance, for his contributions to the city. “Mark Weber, you…