Author: EPLN Staff Reports

Allina Health will expand its services at Allina Health – Eden Prairie in mid-2024 to include primary care, orthopedics, women’s health, physical and occupational therapy through Courage Kenny Institute and cardiac rehab via Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute. The new services will be offered in the office building at 775 Prairie Center Drive, where Allina Health – Eden Prairie opened in 2022 to provide integrated primary and cardiovascular care through a collaboration between Minneapolis Heart Institute and Abbott Northwestern General Medicine Associates. This will be a 45,000-square-foot expansion for Allina Health – Eden Prairie.

SouthWest Transit transported 77,326 passengers to and from the Great Minnesota Get Together this year, marking a 13% increase from 2022, according to a press release. The addition of a new service day on Wednesday, Aug. 30, contributed to the rise. A recent survey conducted by the agency revealed that 91% of its riders rated their experience as good or excellent. Passengers commented on the convenience, mentioning the cost-saving benefits of avoiding parking fees. They also praised the condition and cleanliness of the buses, as well as the professionalism of the drivers. SouthWest Transit, which has shuttled attendees to the…

Relax — it’s just a drill. Prairie View Elementary School will be the site of important safety training for local first responders starting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sep. 6. Eden Prairie High School (EPHS) will also serve as a staging area for the training. Each year, the Eden Prairie police and fire departments conduct emergency response training in the community to develop their response skills across agencies. From 6 to 10 p.m. on Sept. 6, 13, and 18, the training will take place at Prairie View. In an email sent to district families last week, Eden Prairie Schools said that…

Vivian Ellenore (Parno/Paine) Ess passed away peacefully at 3:32 a.m. on Aug. 2, 2023. Ronald Kenneth Ess, the love of her life and father of her children, was at her side just three days before their 45th wedding anniversary. Vivian was predeceased by her parents, Oscar Parno Ivadell and Phillip Ott, brother Ken Parno and special friend Butch Blakstvedt. She is survived by her loving husband, Ron, and sister, Beverly Schroeder, and brother, LeRoy Parno; her four beloved children, Gregory, Jeffery (Shana), Timothy (Stacey), and Ryan (Kelsey); her grandchildren, Mackenzie, Joshua, Beckett, Everett Ess, and special friend, Debbie Trofholz. Born…

Sarah “June” Gilbert, age 86, of Eden Prairie, passed away peacefully on Aug. 19, 2023, from pancreatic cancer. She is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Gordon; her children Janelle Steinman (Peter) and Laurelle Clarke; two grandsons, Alexander Steinman and Andrew Steinman; sister Carol Royce of Concord, New Hampshire; brother William Willey of Minneapolis; several nieces and nephews and many wonderful friends. June was born in Concord, New Hampshire, on June 12, 1937, and graduated from Concord High School. Due to her desire to travel, she became a flight attendant for United Airlines and was based out of…

Purgatory Creek Park was alive with music and anticipation on Aug. 19, as seven vocalists, ages 13-20, showcased their talent at the seventh annual Eden Prairie Sings! competition, which was part of the city’s Arts in the Park event. The winners were all praised by the four judges for their vocal talent, stage presence, and overall performance. Lainey Donaghue, 20, emerged as the top performer, winning $200 for her rendition of Queen’s “Somebody to Love.” Sadie Maguire, 15, claimed the second place spot and $150 with her heartfelt performance of Demi Lovato’s “Anyone.” Ella Schumacher, 15, secured the title of…

Eden Prairie residents have been feeling the heat as temperatures reached a high of 98 degrees both Tuesday and Wednesday. Sweltering conditions have driven locals to seek ways to stay cool, from lakeside dips to enjoying frozen treats. Gillian Holte, one of EPLN’s photographers, captured images of residents cooling off in the waters of Lake Riley on Wednesday. However, the stifling heat eased slightly on Thursday. The weather forecast suggests more comfortable conditions in the coming days, ideal for a barbecue or an afternoon at the Minnesota State Fair.

The City of Eden Prairie is now accepting nominations for the annual Sustainable Eden Prairie Award, which recognizes significant and innovative investments that contribute to the overall vitality and sustainability of the community. Eligible entries include property improvements and organized programming or initiatives. The deadline for nominations is 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15. Persons can nominate either themselves or others, with no residency requirement for the nominators. And, the same property or program can be nominated in multiple categories. The Sustainability Commission will finalize the recipients, the number of which varies each year based on the strength of nominations. By…

With fewer than a third of Minnesota students achieving grade-level proficiency in literacy and math, one Reading Corps tutor, five Math Corps tutors, and two Early Learning Corps tutors are being sought to serve in Eden Prairie area schools beginning in August. According to a press release, Reading Corps, Math Corps and Early Learning Corps are evidence-based AmeriCorps programs dedicated to helping all children become strong learners. “Those numbers seem really daunting, but the good news is we have a solution that works,” said Christine Fankhanel, director of Minnesota programs with Reading Corps, Math Corps and Early Learning Corps. “When students work with a…

As the school year begins and families face increased expenses, PROP Food Shelf is stocking up to provide essential support to the community. Located at 14700 Martin Drive in Eden Prairie, the nonprofit PROP has launched its September Stock Up campaign to assist families struggling to make ends meet. During this campaign, PROP is seeking money or food donations from the community. Both types of contributions can greatly help families in need. According to PROP, the most needed items are boxed cereal, pancake mix with syrup, canned protein beans, peanut butter and jelly, canned chicken and tuna, pasta with pasta…