Author: EPLN Staff Reports

Final approval of ordinances that increase street-maintenance fees is expected at the Tuesday, Jan. 17 meeting of the Eden Prairie City Council. The city fees appear on monthly utility bills that go to customers of Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy, and a small number of EP customers that are served by Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative. The so-called “franchise fees” have been charged since 2012 as a way to finance the maintenance of city streets, rather than relying on the city’s general fund or large special assessments levied against benefiting properties. Tuesday’s action would increase the monthly fees charged to residents…

The Eden Prairie Police Department (EPPD) has received the FBI-LEEDA (Law Enforcement Executive Development Association) Trilogy Award given to law enforcement agencies whose command staff have completed training in supervision, command, and executive leadership. Eight EPPD supervisors have completed the series and others are in process, according to a press release. “Sending supervisors to the FBI-LEEDA courses is a way to invest in our staff and provide them with the tools they need to perform at the highest possible level,” the release said. The award was presented to the department Jan. 10 by Anne Kirkpatrick, an LEEDA instructor.

Eden Prairie Schools notified families that there will be a two-hour late start on Wednesday, Jan. 11 due to unexpectedly icy roads. The following programs have a two-hour late start: The following programs are closed or canceled: The following programs are continuing as scheduled:

What do a homeless family with three kids, a Ukrainian student who escaped a war, and an elderly man whose vehicle ran out of gas have in common? First, they were “caught” by one of the Eden Prairie Police Department’s 75 staff members. Second, they were given $50 in cash to help them out during the holidays. The lucky recipients were part of the Eden Prairie Police Department’s (EPPD) Cops and Cash for the Holidays program. The money was handed out throughout the month of December. This is the third year in a row that EPPD staff got to brighten…

The Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District (RPBCWD) is hosting a photography contest to celebrate the beautiful natural resources within the district and is seeking submissions from residents. According to a press release, the contest aims to celebrate the district’s lakes, streams, parks, recreation areas, wildlife, plants, and other outdoor features. Photos can be taken during any season and must be taken within the district’s boundaries in 2022 or 2023. The winning photographs will be featured in the district’s 2024 calendar and shared on its website, as well as its Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts. Submissions are due by Sept.…

One of the men involved in the Feb. 1, 2022, fatal shooting at the District 287 South Education Center in Richfield has been sentenced to three years in prison. Thirty-one Eden Prairie students were enrolled in programs at the center at that time. Not all were at the center that day, and those there were evacuated safely. Alfredo Rosario Solis, 20, was convicted of second-degree assault in December for the shooting that killed 15-year-old Jahmari Kei’Fee Rice and injured another student outside the center, according to a Star Tribune report. Solis was found not guilty on five of the six…

Eden Prairie Schools notified families Wednesday morning that it would move to distance learning from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 4 due to inclement weather. It had originally planned to have a two-hour late start. PiM Arts High School (PiM), the International School of Minnesota (ISM), and Eagle Ridge Academy (ERA) announced they will be fully closed on Jan. 4 due to the weather. In an email to families, EP Schools said students should check their Schoology pages or watch for additional communication from teachers about lessons. The school day will be 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for…

Christine Caroline Mulder, born June 27, 1976, passed on Dec. 20, 2022.  She is survived by her parents, Ken and Sharon Mulder, brother, Reyer Mulder, sister-in-law Kelly Mulder, and niece Mackenzie Caroline Mulder, as well as the Theobald and Mulder cousins, aunts, and uncles. She is preceded in death by her grandma Matilda (Tillie) Mulder, grandma Caroline (Carol) Theobald, uncle Ronald (Ron) Theobald, cousin Andrew (Andy) Burnett, and uncle Richard Mulder. She graduated from Eden Prairie High School and attended the University of Wisconsin – Superior, where she met and made a group of lifelong friends. She worked diligently for…

James John Skranka, age 79, of Eden Prairie, died unexpectedly on Dec. 21, 2022, at his home. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dawn, mother, Helen, father, Albert, and sister, Helen Heitz. Survived by daughters, Michele (Lynwood) Elliott, Wendi Greeman, and Kristin (Hernan) Cortes, eight grandchildren, brother, John (Darlene) Skranka, nieces and nephews. A traditional funeral service occurred at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3, at the Huber Funeral and Cremation Services Eden Prairie Chapel, 16394 Glory Lane.

Lavern G. “Vern” Johnson, age 90, of Annandale, died Saturday, Dec. 24, at English Rose Suites in Edina.  Vern was born Oct. 12, 1932, in Eagle Bend, Minnesota, to George and Florence (Carlson) Johnson. He grew up in Eagle Bend with his two brothers, Bob and Willy. Vern graduated in 1950 from Eagle Bend High School and in 1954 from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter. One week later, he married his high school sweetheart, Phyllis L. Broberg. He then began his 42-year career as a portfolio manager with IDS/American Express and served two years in the U.S. Army.  After…