Tribune Dakota County
Farmington | Rosemount www.dakotacountytribune.com
SPECIAL EDITION
and the surrounding areas January 26, 2017 • Volume 131 • Number 48
Hearing set in hit-and-run death Farmington man may face trial in Lakeville soldier’s death
Tribune Dakota County
by Laura Adelmann SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Readers Choice awards named Inside this edition, Sun Thisweek and the Dakota County Tribune reveal the winners of the Readers Choice awards for 2017. See inside
OPINION Looking ahead to progress Though there is a deep rift between Republicans and Democrats at the Capitol, columnist holds out hope for progress. Page 4A
THISWEEKEND
Dinner and a mystery Eagan Theater Company presents the comedic audienceparticipation whodunit “Spontaneous Human Deduction.� Page 17A
SPORTS Rosemount advances The Rosemount High School boys swimming and diving team advanced to True Team state as an at-large team. Page 9A
PUBLIC NOTICE The Dakota County Tribune is an official newspaper of the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District. Page 12A
INDEX Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9A Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 11A Calendars . . . . . . . . . 16A Announcements . . . . 16A
News 952-846-2033 Display Advertising 952-846-2019 Classified Advertising 952-392-6862 Delivery 763-712-3544
A Farmington man with a long history of criminal convictions will appear in Scott County court Jan. 31 to face charges in the hit-and-run death of a 24-year-old Lakeville soldier last year. Matthew Keely Hartley, 33, has been held in the Scott County Jail on $500,000 bail since his
arrest last year on three felony counts of criminal vehicular homicide. At Monday’s hearing, Hartley could accept a plea offer or choose to go to trial, which would start Feb. 6, according to court records. Mollie Mahowald of Lakeville died Sept. 25 in Elko New Market after being struck by a motorcyclist that witnesses reported was one of two who
were racing while Mahowald and friends were walking down the street. Elko New Market Police records state the driver did not stop at the scene, and continued racing after another motorcyclist who had a female passenger. The motorcyclists reportedly passed police on the way to assist Mahowald, 24. Life-saving measures were unsuccessful and
Mahowald died on the scene, where she was with friends and her youngest sister. After the incident, one of Hartley’s friends told police Hartley had called him asking for help bringing a motorcycle home because he had crashed it, according to police records. Elko New Market police reported they found the dirty and damaged
Downtown development in the air Rosemount’s open house scheduled for Feb. 9 by Andy Rogers
SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Rosemount is reviving and revising a downtown redevelopment plan from 2004, and officials are looking for resident input. The Development Framework for Downtown Rosemount, which was created nearly 13 years ago, focuses on the area along Highway 3 (South Robert Trail) between 143rd Street and County Road 42. The city is having an open house from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 9, in Room 200 of the Steeple Center, 14375 South Robert Trail, to show current concepts and gather input on how to proceed. “Nothing is set yet, so we’re really interested in people’s ideas,� said Kim Lindquist, Rosemount community development director. It will provide a blueprint to guide the city into the future. “The goal is to present the concepts that’s been developed so far and get feedback,� Rosemount
motorcycle on property where Hartley was living hidden under a canoe. A Scott County criminal complaint stated Hartley’s driver’s license had been revoked at the time of the crash. It stated he had been convicted of a DWI in July 2016 and had another DWI charge pending. Court records show See TRIAL, 6A
Supreme Court says sheriff can collect DNA Dakota County to resume its process for serious crimes by Tad Johnson SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
ed to stay on track with what’s going on in the market,� Lindquist said. “Development within the whole city is starting to pick up.� City staff has been working with business owners, residents and elected officials monthly since April of last year to update the concepts. The 2004 draft led to the development of Wa-
The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled on Jan. 11 in favor of the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office when it determined that the department could resume its practice of taking DNA samples from individuals arrested for certain serious crimes. The court issued a writ of prohibition that overturned a district court action in January 2016 that prevented Dakota County from collecting DNA samples — a practice the department started in 2015. “This is a good development for public safety in Dakota County,� Sheriff Tim Leslie said in a press release. “We were the first and only sheriff’s office in Minnesota to once again begin the collection of DNA samples. We
See DOWNTOWN, 5A
See DNA, 6A
The Robert Trail Library and Steeple Center were key additions to downtown Rosemount in the last 13 years. The city is revising a downtown redevelopment document. An open house is planned from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Steeple Center. (Photo by Andy Rogers) Planner Anthony Nemcek said. “They’re just ideas. The goal is to give developers an idea of what could happen downtown rather than prescribing a specific development. We’d be happy to consider any development for the city that would fit the goals of downtown.� The city is not looking to purchase any property at this time or force any businesses to change. “There are business
owners who are thriving downtown who don’t necessarily fit the appearance of downtown,� Nemcek said. “But the goal is not to move any businesses out or moving them out of downtown. The goal is to have a plan if a developer comes to town.� The market has changed dramatically since 2004, prompting the review. “We wanted to regroup and make sure we want-
Halfway to Leprechaun Days features chili contest, bingo by Tad Johnson SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Those who like chili, having fun and supporting the community should mark Saturday, Feb. 25, on their calendar. That’s when the Halfway to Leprechaun Days 2017 party will start at 4:30 p.m. at the Rosemount American Legion. The fundraiser for the Rosemount Leprechaun Days Committee allows people to get involved in two different ways. People can enter the Chili Cook-off Contest or attend the event to sample the chili and play bingo. There is a $5 cover charge for adults, which will allow those 21 and older free beer while it lasts. Youths are allowed in free. Bingo will run from 5-6:30 p.m. with prizes for the winners along with door prizes. The cost to play is $5 for eight games.
People will have a chance to purchase Leprechaun Days T-shirts that range in price from $14$16. Chili contest entrants age 18 and older are asked have their chili ready for sampling at 6:30 p.m. with winners to be announced during judging at 7 p.m. Contest participants can prepare their chili from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Legion. The chili will be judged in the categories of Mild, Spicy and People’s Choice with the winners to earn prizes. For information or to register for the contest, contact Steve Ball at 651492-9411 or balldome@ me.com. Sponsors of the event are the Legion, Cub Foods and Alpha Group. The legion is located at 14590 Burma Ave. More information about Rosemount Leprechaun Days is at RosemountEvents.com.
Rosemount Leprechaun Days will be held July 21-30 this year at various locations throughout the city. The event typically has more than 60 different events, including a Kiddie Parade that last year went from Rosemount United Methodist Church to Camfield Park. (File photo by Tad Johnson)
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