Author: EPLN Staff Reports

The Eden Prairie Community Band is seeking percussion and bassoon players, as well as someone interested in video recording its Share the Warmth Holiday Concert on Dec. 4 at EP High School. If interested in playing in the band, email join.us@epcommunityband.com. If interested in video recording, contact Jes Schrom, City of Eden Prairie Arts and Events, at jschrom@edenprairie.org. The band is open to adult musicians from the Eden Prairie area and performs a wide variety of music year-round in the city and neighboring communities. It has two components: a Concert Band and the Jazz on the Prairie Big Band. Small subsets include the Prairie Ramblers…

Wolfgang Horst Penzel made his home-going on Oct. 7, 2022, after struggling with kidney and heart failure. He was 82 years old. Wolf served as mayor of Eden Prairie from 1976 to 1984. Wolf was born to Erika and Horst Penzel in Berlin, Germany, at the height of World War II. The family emigrated in 1959 to Minnesota, where Wolf attended the University of Minnesota. He met his beloved wife of 53 years, Alleene Elizabeth (né Sexton), who sat behind him in English class. Wolf went on to become a chemist for nearly 35 years. His utmost ambition in life…

If you or your neighbors are going all out with goblins and ghosts, pumpkins and potions, scarecrows and skeletons, we’re looking for you. Send an email to editor@eplocalnews.org by Tuesday, Oct. 25, with the address of your favorite, most creative Halloween display and a high-resolution photo if you have one. Include a brief description and any fun facts about the display. We’ll publish a list of the funniest, scariest, and most creative displays, along with as many photos as we can.

A former Eden Prairie High School (EPHS) teacher has been charged in Hennepin County District Court with one count of child endangerment in what experts in the field refer to as child grooming. Craig Lee Hollenbeck, 51, of Minneapolis, is not in custody but has been summoned to appear in court. According to the police complaint: Eden Prairie Police received a report in September 2021 from a mandatory reporter of an inappropriate relationship between a high school teacher and a former student that occurred during the 2020-21 school year. Mandatory reporters include healthcare professionals, law enforcement, teachers, and others who…

The Eden Prairie Lions and Lioness Lions clubs collected 2,343 pounds of food and about $1,700 in cash donations for the PROP Food Shelf during World Service Day on Oct. 8. The clubs did so at the Eden Prairie locations of Cub Foods, Lunds & Byerlys and Kowalski’s Market.  EP Lions men and women volunteer their time through various fund-raising projects and club organization roles to better Eden Prairie. All profits made during Lions Club fundraisers are donated to help such things as public safety, scholarships, social and community services, vision, hearing, diabetes and other foundations, and animal rescue and…

Although neither is on the ballot this fall, 5th District Commissioner Debbie Goettel and 6th District Commissioner Chris LaTondresse are on the job. Both co-hosted a coffee with commissioners meeting on Saturday, Oct. 8, where they discussed several county initiatives, ranging from affordable housing to health and human services. They also took questions from constituents. Goettel and LaTondresse’s districts share representation of Eden Prairie. “$246 million of federal funding for pandemic relief represents a monumental opportunity to strengthen safety nets and establish opportunity ladders with smart, long-term investments to build a better future,” LaTondresse said.  Some examples cited by the…

Plans to replace the restrooms and skating rink warming house at Round Lake Park are expected to be discussed Monday, Oct. 10, by the Eden Prairie Planning Commission en route to city council review on Nov. 15. Proposed to be built by the city is a 4,293-square-foot building, which would be much larger than the 1,800-square-foot building that has existed at Round Lake Park for about 40 years. According to a city staff report, that would allow the park building to be used for more than restrooms, warming house, and storage – including rental for community gatherings. Several sustainable features…

Volunteers are needed to help remove the invasive buckthorn plant from the Riley Creek Conservation Area from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, and from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 29.  The event is hosted by the Prairie Edge chapter of Wild Ones and co-sponsored by the City of Eden Prairie. According to a city posting on Oct. 4, buckthorn is considered by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to be one of the most invasive species in the state. Buckthorn out-competes native plants for nutrients, light and moisture, the city reported. The plant also degrades wildlife…

An 18-year-old man was arrested without incident on Monday night after using a machete to damage property while walking inside Jerry’s Foods, 9625 Anderson Lakes Parkway, Eden Prairie. According to a police statement, officers responded to the report at 6:45 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3. No injuries were reported, but there was damage done to shelving inside the grocery store. A police spokesperson stated in an email Tuesday morning that the man arrested in the incident is from Eden Prairie. He is still in custody and expected to be charged on Wednesday.

Mitchell Road between Cove Pointe Road and Pioneer Trail in Eden Prairie will be closed from Monday, Sept. 26, through Wednesday, Sept. 28, to allow crews to rebuild utilities infrastructure. According to an email sent to residents Friday afternoon, work is expected to occur from approximately 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Detour signage will redirect drivers around the closure. The project timeline is weather dependent and subject to change.