Author: EPLN Staff Reports

Eden Prairie Schools’ employees will be asked later this week to submit proof of vaccination or submit to weekly testing, according to a notice sent to district employees on Jan. 11. The implementation date of the requirements was not specified in the notice. However, the district could face penalties for non-compliance beginning Feb. 9, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The notice, sent by the district’s human resources department, said the district is compelled to implement the requirements laid out in OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) now, despite an impending U.S. Supreme Court ruling. “The school district…

The Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District is seeking applicants to join its citizen advisory committee. The citizen advisory committee is a volunteer group comprised of community members whose role is to advise the watershed district’s board of managers. Applications are due by January 18. More information is available here.

Thomas F. Striker, 86, of Eden Prairie passed away Dec. 27, 2021 with family at his side. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Janet, parents, and brother, Dick. Tom was a leader in his profession and touched many lives in the painting industry in Minneapolis. He was active in his community in Eden Prairie and many other causes such as the Hobey Baker Award, Ducks Unlimited, District Hockey, and Eden Prairie Hockey. He left a lasting impact on many lives because of his kind heart, integrity, generosity, and humility.…

If you are planning to rent an Eden Prairie park facility for a gathering in 2022, online applications will be accepted beginning at 7 a.m., Monday, Jan. 3. Eden Prairie park facilities are available for rent by Eden Prairie residents or businesses only. Eden Prairie residents cannot make a reservation on behalf of a non-resident business, according to information on the city’s website. Reservation requests are being accepted now for the Riley-Jacques Barn. All others open for requests Jan. 3, according to the website. All reservation and permit requests must be submitted online. The city lists 12 park facilities – six considered…

Eden Prairie’s outdoor ice rinks and warming houses opened on Dec. 23. Here is a list of the nine locations: Crestwood Park, 9780 Dell Road. 4-8 p.m. Monday-Friday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday. (952-974-3906)Edenvale Park, 7200 Edenvale Blvd. 4-8 p.m. Monday-Friday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday. (952-937-3476)Forest Hills Park, 13708 Holly Road. 4-8 p.m. Monday-Friday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday. (952-937-0928)Homewood Hills Park, 12000 Silverwood Drive. 4-8 p.m. Monday-Friday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday. (952-942-8211)Miller Park, 8208 Eden Prairie Road. 4-8 p.m. Monday-Friday; noon-6 p.m. Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday. (952-975-1889)Nesbitt Preserve Park, 8641 Center Way. 4-8…

John Ryski, 80, of Chaska, received his wings on Dec. 17. John was born on July 6, 1941, to Pearl (Pagelkopf) and Tony Ryski. He was the second oldest of five children and grew up in Chaska. John is survived by his wife Linda, sons Randy (Connie) and Mike (Renee); daughter Lynn (Steve Severson); grandchildren Steven, Dylan and Lyndsey Severson; Emilyn Ryski; and Andrew (Alyssa) and Adam Ryski; brother Steve, sister Joanne Malkovich; brother-in-law Stan Lester, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his son Scott, granddaughter Alexa, parents Pearl and Tony, sister Peg,…

Eden Prairie Schools is providing a free at-home nasal swab COVID-19 test for every student enrolled in the district, according to the district’s Dec. 22 Parent Post. Pickup times are Wednesday, Dec. 22, until 4:30 p.m., and from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 27, through Thursday, Dec. 30. One test kit per student is available for pickup at the Welcome Center, 8100 School Road. Quantities are limited, according to the Parent Post. The tests are optional and are not required to return to school, according to the post. Be sure to bring your smartphone with you, because an…

Donald T. Tietz, age 91, of Bloomington, died Dec. 15, 2021. Preceded in death by wife, Anita, and son, Gregg. Survived by son Michael (Leah); grandchildren Nadine, Natalie, Kiel and Lauren.  The memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 14, at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 13600 Technology Drive, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Visitation is also from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13, at Washburn-McReavy Eden Prairie Chapel, 7625 Mitchell Road. (Info: 952-975-0400)

A long-standing former eatery in Eden Prairie is now a pile of rubble. Crews worked Wednesday, Dec. 6, to tear down the Bakers Square restaurant, 928 Prairie Center Drive, near the Lunds & Byerlys supermarket. The building is being torn down to make way for a new branch of Chase Bank. Chase Bank has 13 branches or ATMs in the Twin Cities, including branches in Richfield and St. Louis Park. The restaurant has been vacant since early last year, when American Blue Ribbon Holdings, the parent company of Bakers Square and Village Inn, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after…