Author: EPLN Staff Reports

Though most of the heavy construction on the METRO Green Line Extension portion in Eden Prairie has been complete, motorists can still expect a few traffic disruptions. An April 29 project bulletin listed where light rail construction will impact traffic along the route in Eden Prairie.  Crews will be pouring concrete for the upcoming LRT bridge over Nine Mile Creek. That will cause delays for motorists traveling along Flying Cloud Drive between Shady Oak and Valley View roads. Flaggers will be on-site to direct traffic.Expect outside shoulder closures on westbound Highway 62 near Shady Oak Road for the next week. The entrance ramp…

Six finalists will compete for a chance to win thousands of dollars in cash and prize packages at the first Entrepreneurs Challenge. The “Shark Tank”-inspired showcase will occur at Center Court of Eden Prairie Center mall from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 21. Hosted by Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce, it’s free to attend. Finalists are Carol Giuliana of Senior Travel Companion Service; Cheri Monson of CLM Creations; Lesley Fahey of Food Safety MN; Matt Rosen of Sergeant Shortbread; Michele Krauss of J. Etta Couture; and Seher Kaplan of Coccinella. Competitors will pitch their ideas/inventions/products/services to a panel of four…

Eden Prairie residents can recycle at the curb this month appliances, tires, power equipment, electronics, propane tanks, exercise equipment, furniture, mattresses, and box springs. According to a city news release, light bulbs and batteries are not accepted. Only Eden Prairie residents are eligible, and all items must be free from hazardous substances. The pickup fee is $35, plus the price of the item being recycled. The city covers recycling fees up to the first $10 per household (no cash value).  Pickups are not available on Saturday or Sunday. To schedule a pickup through May 31, call Certified Recycling at 952-894-1448. Residents are asked to…

The eighth annual Farmhouse Market and Vintage Sale will occur from noon to 7 p.m. Friday, May 6, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at the Cummins-Phipps-Grill House, 13600 Pioneer Trail, Eden Prairie. Featured are antiques and vintage finds from The PROP Shop of Eden Prairie. Admission is free. The Eden Prairie Historical Society invites people to shop and tour the historic house, including the newly restored upstairs.

Picha Heritage Farm, 6649 Birch Island Road, Eden Prairie, will host its 22nd annual plant sale from May 5 through May 15. Hours are noon to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Shoppers will be offered a wide selection of annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, patio plants, and vegetables at nearly wholesale prices. A list of available plants can be found on the farm’s website. A portion of the proceeds from the sale will benefit children and adults with disabilities at True Friends Camp Eden Wood in Eden Prairie. True Friends is a nonprofit agency…

Two Eden Prairie High School seniors are among the first group of 2022 winners announced Wednesday, April 27, in the National Merit Scholarship Program.  Sreya Patri, whose probable career field is listed as political science, won a National Merit Eaton Scholarship. The Eaton Charitable Fund sponsors awards for children of employees of Eaton Corp.  Samir Sarma, whose probable career field is listed as materials engineering, won a National Merit Emerson Electric Co. Scholarship. Emerson’s Merit Scholarship awards recognize outstanding children of Emerson employees. The first group of winners announced consists of about 1,000 high school seniors, 15 from Minnesota, recognized…

The Eden Prairie Police Department (EPPD) and National Drug Enforcement Administration will host a Drug Take-Back Event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at the Senior Center, 8950 Eden Prairie Road. Residents can drop off unused or expired prescriptions or over-the-counter medication for free, and the EPPD will safely dispose of them. A staff person will grab the bags while residents stay in their vehicles. No sharps (such as needles and syringes), inhalers or illicit substances will be accepted. For residents who can’t make it to the drop-off, the EPPD has free home medication disposal bags that…

The Hennepin County Board is recruiting volunteers for two vacancies on the Riley Purgatory Bluff-Creek Watershed District Board. Portions of Eden Prairie, Bloomington, Deephaven, Minnetonka, and Shorewood lie within the district. Members serve three-year terms, and must be district residents. They cannot be a public officer with the county, state or federal government. Applications are scheduled to open on Friday, April 29, and close on May 31, with interview statements scheduled to be played during a County Administration, Libraries and Budget Committee meeting in June.

Leonard Hlavacek, 91, a lifelong Minnetonka resident and proud Korean War veteran, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 14. Lenny will be dearly missed by Rita, his loving wife of 63 years, daughters Jean Waldo (Brach), Linda Divinski (Rob) of Eden Prairie, Laura Arndt (Todd), and son Jeff (Brian VanderWaal). He was the proud grandfather of seven and great-grandfather of seven.  He was preceded in death by parents Leonard and Agnes, brother Greg and sister Dorothy Burns. Lenny was a charter member of Immaculate Heart of Mary church and the community bond he and Rita shared there runs deep. Lenny retired…

Evelyn (Wahl) Carlson, originally of Paynesville, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on April 21 in Eden Prairie, at age 95 and three days. She was preceded in death by her husband (Dick), sister (Shirley Keller) and son (Doug). She is survived by sons Dave (Karen), Ken (Heidi), and Jeff (Toni), grandchildren Jill, Mike, Pam, Kelley and Rachael, and five great-grandchildren. A celebration of life is anticipated at a later time, with details to come. The first of three daughters to Harvey and Ethel Wahl, she spent much of her childhood playing outside and waiting with anticipation for letters from her father. He…