Author: EPLN Staff Reports

Trails on the west side of Round Lake will be temporarily closed beginning Jan. 24 for ash tree removal, according to a posting on the city’s website. Crews will be removing ash trees infected with emerald ash borer. The popular trail is expected to reopen the following week. The tree removals are part of the Round Lake Park Ash Tree Replacement Project. Each removed tree will be replaced with one of a variety of tree species. New trees are scheduled to be planted later this year. The project is funded by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The project’s…

EPLN photographer Juliana Allen captured a sun dog over Staring Lake Wednesday morning Jan. 19. Also known as a mock sun or parhelion, sun dogs are an atmospheric optical phenomenon appearing in the sky as luminous spots 22° on each side of and at the same elevation as the sun. Sun dogs occur when the sun shines through a thin cirrus cloud composed of hexagonal ice crystals.

The following Eden Prairie residents were named to the dean’s list at their respective college or university for fall semester 2021: Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL Lilliana Coyle Isabella Girthofer Sydney Jones Natalie Nichols James Ocenasek David Solfelt Michael Walmer Eleanor Watson Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester Shane Flaten Michael Altieri College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, MN Shelby Benkofske Bradley University, Peoria, IL Alexander Kutscher Coastal Carolina University, Conway Aaron Peterson

Both Eden Prairie High School varsity hockey teams posted shutout wins this week. The Eden Prairie boys’ hockey team beat Hopkins 9-0 on Thursday, Jan. 13, at the community center. They next play an away game at 7 p.m. (tonight) on Jan. 15 against St. Michael-Albertville. The Eden Prairie girls’ hockey team beat Prior Lake 3-0 on Tuesday, Jan. 11, at the community center. They next play at home against Buffalo at 3 p.m. (this afternoon) on Jan. 15. Story update: Both hockey teams won Saturday. The girls beat Buffalo 4-2, while the boys beat St. Michael-Albertville 7-2.

Eden Prairie Schools’ staff members do not need to report their vaccination status following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Jan. 13 that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) had overstepped its authority by seeking a vaccine-or-test rule for large employers. “As a result, Eden Prairie Schools is not expected to collect proof of employees’ vaccination status,” according to an email sent to employees Jan. 13 by the district’s human resources department. The email said the system will remain open, and employees may submit proof of vaccination but are not required to do so. “Eden Prairie Schools also will…

After more than eight years as the executive director for the Eden Prairie Community Foundation, Mark Weber has decided to retire. The announcement was made in a Thursday, Jan. 13, press release. According to that release, Weber was the first full-time executive director for the foundation and has guided the organization through years of record growth and expanded impact on the community. He is known as a trusted leader who excels at bringing people together to solve a problem or address a need. “Mark’s leadership has helped the foundation support and address so many people and organizations in our community,”…

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…