Author: EPLN Staff Reports

Construction has begun on another major apartment complex in Eden Prairie: The Ellie, a four-story development off County Road 4, north of Smith Coffee & Cafe. At 239 studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, the United Properties project is one of Eden Prairie’s largest multi-family residential developments in recent years. It is surpassed only by the seven-story, 246-unit Paravel project that Timberland Partners is building along Prairie Center Drive, west of Flying Cloud Drive, and rivaled by the 225-unit Elevate at SouthWest Station apartment complex built in 2019. Twenty-five percent of the apartments in The Ellie will have rents that meet…

New and emerging artists can display their work on the Community Art Display located in the Eden Prairie Library, 565 Prairie Center Drive. This ongoing exhibit features artwork from local artists. Two-dimensional works of art include photography, painting and murals. Featured artwork will be displayed on the public floor of the library on a wall track system. Exhibits are up for one month. Artists interested in exhibiting their artwork at the Eden Prairie Library can email Miao Yu at myu@hclib.org or Bridget Harff at bharff@hclib.org.

Fifteen Eden Prairie High School seniors are among the 16,000 semifinalists in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program announced last week. The EPHS semifinalists are Maanav V. Basnet, Srijani Datta, Amelia E. Dewberry, Avik Garg, Aniketh Hanagavadi, Adhiraiyan Kartheesan, Hinano E. Kazama, Aditya M. Kshirsagar, Shruthi R. Kundoor, Madison E. Lin, Erik Richard Lundeen, Akhil Perla, Suchita Sah, Darren S. Tanubrata, and Vivian Wang. These high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,250 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered next spring. Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to…

Elizabeth Ann Rustad passed away peacefully on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, after a well-fought battle against dementia. Liz was born on July 21, 1933, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, to Harry and Norma Lurndal. Raised in the beautiful Norwegian valleys of Modena, Wisconsin, Liz was baptized into the Christian faith at the Modena Lutheran Church, where she met a boy named Gordy during her early Sunday school years. They remained childhood friends throughout their youth and dated during their years together at Mondovi High School. Gordy left to serve in the Navy, while Liz attended the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire to…

Paula M. (Urban) Elvecrog (1945-2022), a longtime Eden Prairie resident, was a kind and gracious person — cheerful and friendly to everyone, quick to smile and always willing to help others. She could light up a room with her energy and laughter. Her positive and loving presence will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her. Paula grew up in South Minneapolis with her parents and younger sister, Sandi. She was a well-liked honor student and leader at Washburn High School, very involved in the community and school activities. Paula was on Power’s Teen Board, where she…

Construction in Eden Prairie to the Metro Green Line Extension (also known as the Southwest light rail project) will cause traffic impacts around town. There will be a ramp closure from Valley View Road to eastbound Highway 212 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 13 and 14. Lane closures are expected on Flying Cloud and Prairie Center drives from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 13. The Minnesota Department of Transportation will complete road work on Highway 212 between Highway 62 and Valley View Road. Eastbound Highway 212 will be impacted the week of Sept. 12, while westbound…

The League of Women Voters of Minnetonka-Eden Prairie-Hopkins (LWV MEPH) is hosting an Eden Prairie School Board candidate forum starting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 14. It takes place in the council chambers of Eden Prairie City Center, 8080 Mitchell Road, and is open to the public. But, because there is limited seating, it will be streamed live. The live broadcast can be viewed on EPTV, the city’s cable government access channel, at edenprairie.org/CityTV, and on the city’s Facebook channel. The forum will be rebroadcast on EPTV several times weekly and available on-demand on the city’s website leading up to Election Day on…

Eden Prairie city government offices, including the Community Center, will be closed Monday, Sept. 5, for Labor Day. The same goes for most federal, state and county government offices and services.  What else is closed in or around Eden Prairie on this federal holiday that pays tribute to U.S. workers? Here’s a list:  Eden Prairie Library and other Hennepin County libraries.The Eden Prairie Post Office. The United States Postal Service will not be open, nor will there be regular delivery.Most banks.There is no garbage or recycling pickup on Monday. Curbside collection normally scheduled for Monday will occur Tuesday.  Police and…

Eden Prairie Local News (EPLN) and Game Time Media are teaming up this year to cover the home games of 13 sports at Eden Prairie High School. Game Time will stream the action to view football, volleyball and soccer streams this fall at EPEagles.Live starting on Sept. 6 and 8, with volleyball games against Lakeville South and Southwest Christian at 6:45 pm. The Eagles’ football home opener vs. Farmington will follow on Sept. 9, at 6:45 pm. Regular fall season streaming will run through Oct. 20. Game Time’s Ace Sauerwein will cover the play-by-play, with EPLN sports editor Ryan Williamson…

“Stop for the stop arm!” With Eden Prairie children readying themselves to go back to school next week, the title of an Aug. 30 EPPD blog post was a reminder to drivers of the importance of stopping for school bus arms.  According to the city’s police blog, the state law requires drivers in both directions to stop at least 20 feet away when they see a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended. The fine for failing to stop is $500.  In 2021, the EPPD received 38 reports of stop-arm violations.  “It is important to note that…