Author: EPLN Staff Reports

Oak Point Elementary School in Eden Prairie has been recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School for 2023 by the U.S. Department of Education. In total, 353 schools received this distinction on Tuesday, with nine located in Minnesota. “The honorees for our 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award have set a national example for what it means to Raise the Bar in education,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona in a press release announcing this year’s recipients. “We take tremendous pride in the achievements of these schools and their commitment to empowering educators, serving students, and engaging families.” Oak…

A 29-year-old Litchfield man has been arrested and charged with second-degree aggravated robbery in connection with the July 27 incident at the Eden Prairie Walmart. Additionally, he faces charges of simple robbery for an Aug. 10 incident in Maple Grove. Nicolas Stephen Daczyk-Hansen was arrested following a multi-agency investigation that tracked him to his Litchfield home after receiving information that identified him as the robbery suspect. The complaint did not say how police obtained that information. According to the complaint: On July 17, police were called to Walmart on Singletree Lane after a man wearing an American flag face mask…

Eden Prairie has named Amy Markle its new parks and recreation director, effective Monday, Oct. 16. The city announced her hiring on Monday afternoon. “We are thrilled to welcome Amy to the community,” City Manager Rick Getschow said in a media release. “Her vast experience and exceptional leadership qualities will serve Eden Prairie well as she guides the stewardship of our highly regarded and diverse system of parks, open space, and recreational amenities.” Markle currently serves as the recreation services director for Richfield, where she has been employed for 20 years. She has been the recreation services director since 2019.…

A 29-year-old Eden Prairie woman died following a shooting at the Stock and Barrel Gun Club in Chanhassen on Thursday, Sept. 14. The Carver County Sheriff’s Department said it received a 911 call from the business, located west of Eden Prairie off Highway 5, at 12:18 p.m. Deputies, upon arrival, were directed to the gun range lanes. There, they found the woman with a gunshot wound to her head. The Chanhassen Fire Department and Ridgeview Ambulance Service provided medical aid on the scene. The victim was later transported to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, where she was pronounced dead.…

State Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (DFL-48, Eden Prairie) was one of 35 state lawmakers who received recognition as 2023 Legislators of Distinction from the League of Minnesota Cities. The League chooses legislators to honor based on specific actions that aided Minnesota cities during the past year’s state legislative session.The League of Minnesota Cities stated that “Sen. Cwodzinski authored a bill to repeal an antiquated law that capped salaries of local government employees. The repeal of this law enhances local control and allows Minnesota to compete for competent and talented employees.” Award winners received a letter of appreciation and a certificate. A…

A Twin Cities & Western Railroad contractor is installing a walkway and handrail on the bridge over Indian Chief Road. The Eden Prairie Public Works Department told Eden Prairie Local News that the work is expected to be completed by Thursday, Sept. 14. Although through traffic on Indian Chief Road is temporarily blocked, access remains open to the Birch Island Woods parking lot from Edenvale Boulevard and to Camp Eden Wood from the Highway 62 service road.

Ten seniors from schools in Eden Prairie have been announced as National Merit Semifinalists for the class of 2024, an annual award sponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The nine qualifiers from Eden Prairie High School (EPHS) are Alexandra (Sasha) Allen, Yash Dagade, Rohil Garg, Neha Karri, Nikhil Kori, Sophia Lin, Pranav Narayanan, Vineel Panyala, and Brian Shi. From the International School of Minnesota, Samuel Peterson qualified. About 16,000 students qualified for National Merit Semifinalist status this year from all 50 states plus overseas. In Minnesota, 274 students from 87 schools made the cut. To earn this distinction, Minnesota…

The Eden Prairie Police Department (EPPD) announced Wednesday the arrest of a man in connection with the death of a 7-year-old boy. Officers responded to a welfare check at a residence in the 9000 block of Lee Drive at about 10 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, after reports of an adult male in crisis. During their response, a 7-year-old boy was found unresponsive. He was taken to Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina, where he was later pronounced dead. Dalal Bayle Idd, 27, the boy’s brother, was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder following a medical evaluation. He has been booked into…

Lorinne Mikelson, age 90, of Eden Prairie, died on Sept. 5. A celebration of her life will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 16515 Luther Way, Eden Prairie, at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, with a visitation starting at 10 a.m. Lorinne was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Mikelson; son-in-law, Daniel Kloskowski; granddaughter, Heather Kloskowski Lindholm; and great-grandson, Oliver Kloskowski. She is survived by her daughters, Roxanne Kloskowski, Jamie Manning (Michael) and Kari Gabrielson (Dan); eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Lorinne is remembered as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, devoted and loyal to her many lifelong friends.…

Marilyn A. (Mortvedt) Terwilliger, age 88, of Eden Prairie, died Friday, Sept. 8, at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Clara Mortvedt; her husband, Richard Terwilliger; her daughter, Debra Terwilliger; sisters, Lucille Ramstad and Carole Petersen; brother, John Mortvedt; and sister-in-law, Mary Lou Terwilliger. She is survived by her son, Scott (Sandy) Terwilliger; sisters, Audrey Mortensen and Jeanne Steinharter; brother, Robert Mortvedt; brothers-in-law, Don (Carolyn) Terwilliger and Roy Terwilliger; sister-in-law, Marlene Mortvedt; grandchildren, Tara, Briana (Karen), Ben (Jordan), Sam, and Natalie; great-grandson, Layne; and numerous nieces and nephews. Marilyn was…