Author: EPLN Staff Reports

Eden Prairie Schools will limit or cancel many afternoon activities and services on Wednesday, Dec. 21, and school will be closed on Thursday, Dec. 22, due to snow and anticipated blizzard conditions. In an email to families on Wednesday afternoon, EP Schools said, “Due to the winter storm, we are making several changes to our school and activity schedules today, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, and tomorrow, Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022. In short, activities and athletics will be decided by individual instructors this evening, and in-person schools will be closed tomorrow.” Today, Wednesday, Dec. 21 EP schools will dismiss as normal…

The City of Eden Prairie has declared a Snow Emergency effective Dec. 21–22. Do not park on city streets until noon, Thursday, Dec. 22. Crews will begin curb-to-curb cleanup at 3 a.m. Thursday. The city offered these reminders:

William Oliver Holte, age 97, of Eden Prairie, died on Dec. 17, 2022. He is survived by wife Carol, children Timothy (Debra Vest), Mark (Pat Harty), Joyce Conley (John), Jeff (Ellie), Jill Weldin (Hal) and Daniel (Laura); 11 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, sister Barbara Bragg, and many friends. Preceded in death by wife Beverly and brothers Richard, Leonard and Wayne. Bill served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II and graduated from Augsburg College in 1950. He was a long-time teacher and coach, including 23 years at Eden Prairie High School before he retired in 1985. Bill demonstrated…

The City of Eden Prairie has declared a snow emergency effective Dec. 15-16 after a new blanket of snow fell on the Twin Cities. According to a city alert, residents are asked not to park on streets until noon on Friday, Dec. 16. A winter storm warning remains in effect by the National Weather Service for the Twin Cities until 6 p.m. tonight (Wednesday). During the snow emergency, which goes into effect once a snow accumulation reaches 2 inches, residents are reminded to place trash containers behind the curb line, not in the street. Basketball hoops, landscaping, and other objects…

Douglas Matthew Keddie, 48, of Eden Prairie, left us on Dec. 7, 2022, to be with our Heavenly Father. He was surrounded by family. He fought a short and difficult battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; children Kayla, Cooper, and Kenzie; parents David and Carol; and siblings David Jr., Deborah, and Curtis. He was a faithful, devoted and loving husband, father, son, brother, friend, and teacher to so many. He was loving, kind, patient and willing to help anyone in need. When he learned of his diagnosis, he wanted to be a light of hope to…

A final 2023 city budget and tax levy, the same as reviewed in September, are expected to be approved by the Eden Prairie City Council at its Tuesday, Dec. 6, meeting. The tax levy accompanying the $57,395,407 city budget would increase by 4.5% over this year. In September, the city estimated that this would increase the city portion of property taxes on a $513,200 home by $106. The city is only one portion of the property-tax bill received annually by homeowners; the schools and Hennepin County are also major parts. The council meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Council…

Mikkal Henry Gust, age 84, of Eden Prairie, was born on April 3, 1938, and passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Nov. 30, 2022.  After graduating from St. Louis Park High School in 1956, he started working at Northwestern Bell Telephone Company, where he spent the next four decades until retirement.  At 21, he married Karen, the love of his life. They settled in Eden Prairie, where they raised daughter Kathi and sons Mikkal and Jason.  Mikkal saw his friends, neighbors and entire community as family. He was a fixture at Schooner Days, the Corn Feed and…

Eden Prairie is being recognized for its groundbreaking addition of battery-powered police cars to its fleet. Eden Prairie joins Dakota County and St. Cloud in receiving the Conservation Minnesota Blazing Star Award for implementing initiatives that advance conservation, climate, or the environment. The award will be presented by Conservation Minnesota at the Dec. 6 Eden Prairie City Council meeting. The award is named after the perennial flower native to U.S. prairies, known for its hardiness and adaptable characteristics. The city is being honored for improving fuel efficiency for city vehicles by adding a Tesla Model Y to its fleet in…

The City of Eden Prairie will mark ash trees infected with Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) with orange rings this winter. According to a city news release sent to residents on Thursday, trees on public and private property will be marked.  Property owners will be notified by mail about the need to remove any marked trees on their property. The city may provide free hauling and disposal if tree removal is required. Criteria to qualify for this service is included in the written notice. Due to the prevalence of EAB in the metro area, the city recommends treating healthy ash trees…

The season’s first significant snowfall on Tuesday means the Staring Lake sledding hill is open for business. According to a posting on the city website, the sledding hill and warming house at Staring Lake Park will open beginning at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30. People can bring their own plastic sled or inner tubes, though there are a limited amount available to check out for free at the facility. No sleds with runners or toboggans are allowed on the hill. All other warming house locations remain closed but are anticipated to open Monday, Dec. 19, depending on weather conditions.