Author: EPLN Staff Reports

Eden Prairie High School has chosen Joseph “Joe” Perkl as its new director of student activities, effective July 1. The announcement was made in an email EPHS Principal Nate Gibbs sent to families on Friday afternoon. Perkl, who currently serves as the activities director in Jordan Public Schools since 2017, will replace Russ Reetz, who is leaving the school at the end of June to become principal at White Bear Lake Area High School. Perkl’s career in education began in 2007 as a special education geography teacher and paraprofessional in Hopkins Public Schools. Afterward, he assumed multiple roles within the…

In 2019, the Eagles softball team lost its first game in the Section AAAA tournament to Minnetonka, leaving them one loss away from the end of their season. They went on to win six straight games, including back-to-back wins in the championship round over Shakopee to advance to their first State Tournament appearance since 2007. On the first day of the 2023 tournament, the Eagles repeated the first part of that history, losing 8-7 to Waconia. Once again, the Eagles were a loss away from the end of their season. Last Thursday, as the Eagles packed up their gear after…

Eden Prairie High School (EPHS) seniors are wrapping up their high school careers with some impressive awards. National Merit Finalists Fourteen EPHS seniors have been named National Merit Finalists. Several of these students have been awarded scholarships through the National Merit Scholarship Program, and additional award offers may be made in June. The EPHS National Merit Finalists are: Coca-Cola Scholars Seniors Lucas Wagner and Mohit Agarwal have been named Coca-Cola Scholars. Each year, Coca-Cola honors 150 young people making positive changes in their communities and worldwide. Agarwal and Wagner will each receive a $20,000 college scholarship to pursue further education…

The gym floor at the Eden Prairie Community Center is currently being replaced. According to an update this week on the City of Eden Prairie website, line painting on the new flooring in the gym began Thursday and is scheduled to continue throughout the Memorial Day weekend. During this time, residents should be aware that there may be a strong odor from the line painting process. However, city officials have implemented measures to minimize the impact by keeping the doors closed and adjusting the HVAC system to improve ventilation within the facility. The renovation project was initially expected to take…

Sophomore Lily Liu gave up a triple in the first inning against Chanhassen Thursday and didn’t give up another hit en route to a 5-2 Eagles win in the 2AAAA softball tournament. Both runs were unearned. Senior Kari Welter drove in two runs, while junior Rose Neuman, senior Cierra Creager, and junior Ava Kizewski each drove in one run, leading to Chanhassen’s elimination from the tournament. The victory set up a matchup between the Eagles and their nemesis, Minnetonka. The Eagles fell behind 4-1 through four innings before sophomore Maya Miller drove in two runs with a single in the…

The Eden Prairie girls softball team came from behind and then lost a heartbreaker 8-7 to Waconia on Tuesday, May 23, at Miller Park. The Eagles fell behind 6-0 after five innings and then came to life in the 6th inning, starting with singles by sophomore Rose Weber and junior Rose Neuman. Senior Jenna Fryar reached base on a fielder’s choice to load the bases. Sophomore Lily Liu then drove a double to the gap in left-center, scoring two runs. With two outs and the bases re-loaded, senior Kari Welter ripped a single up the middle that got past Waconia’s…

Eden Prairie Schools will host a Partnership Breakfast next week to preview the future of education in the district and how community partnerships can help it carry out its vision. Attendees will hear from district leadership and have a chance to connect with students, teachers, and other partners in the community. The event will take place from 7:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 1, at Eden Prairie High School’s East Commons at 17185 Valley View Road. Attendees are requested to RSVP by Sunday, May 28. Event schedule 7:15 a.m.: Doors open, pastries and coffee, networking. 7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m.: Program.…

Riverview Road in Eden Prairie has reopened to through traffic, the City of Eden Prairie reported on social media on Tuesday.  Rising water levels from the Minnesota River caused the road’s closure, between Hennepin Town Road and Parker Drive, on Friday, May 19. It was closed on April 24 for the same reason and reopened on May 1. The city stated last week that the road would remain closed until the water subsided, and inspectors had assessed any damage to the pavement.

Eden Prairie Local News is proud to periodically recognize Eden Prairie post-secondary students who are honored by the colleges and universities they attend. 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 the subject “On Campus.” Dean’s List Belmont University, Nashville, Tenn. Allie Pemantell Paola Reyes-Torres University of Ohio, Miami, Fla. Lydia Humphrey, sophomore, Farmer School of Business Minnesota State University, Mankato Matthew Sheppard, junior, accounting finance Moir performs at Gustavus recital…

Riverview Road in Eden Prairie has been closed between Hennepin Town Road and Parker Drive due to rising water levels in the Minnesota River. It was closed on April 24 for the same reason and reopened on May 1. The City of Eden Prairie announced the latest closure on social media Friday morning. Detour signs are posted at Hennepin Town Road and Homeward Hills Road at Pioneer Trail. According to the city, the road will reopen when the water subsides, and the pavement has been inspected for damage.