Mayor signs ordinance, gets election challenger
Enormous group effort
Dan Elke emerges as a mayoral candidate during the same week as courts order Pete Ewals to sign crematory-related ordinance
Jordan schoolchildren of all ages work to support Jordan Area Food Shelf
Page 2
Page 11 Dan Elke
JORDAN
Pete Ewals
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2011
$1
www.jordannews.com
INDEPENDENT How to save thousands by attending high school College in schools push continues BY DAVID SCHUELLER dschueller@swpub.com
College and high school credit at the same time? It’s a bonus for students who can handle the workload, and could save money for a school district. Next year, Jordan High School students might be able to take University of Minnesota courses from their own high school teachers, in their own high school. “We have the kids here who are capable of the work,” said Principal Barb McNulty. “Let’s give them the opportunity.” The idea of offering college courses in Jordan isn’t new at the high school. Spanish teacher Amy Peters already is certified to teach Spanish courses through Minnesota State University (MSU) in Mankato. But the push to offer a range of college classes picked up steam last February when the high school entered into a partnership with MSU. At that time, administrators hoped to have students in the classes this year. However, much like a college student looking for direction, the process was delayed. The high school basically decided to switch schools – from MSU to the University of Minnesota. The reason for the change: course offerings. Curriculum Director Carol Lagergren said the rigor and application standards are similar, as is the ability to transfer the credits. However, MSU doesn’t offer as many class choices – like calculus, for example.
PHOTO BY MATHIAS BADEN
“How is that not a sex act?” Jordan Police Chief Bob Malz said, as Craig Marte defends himself in front of the Jordan City Council on Monday. A folder full of photographs, as well as videos taken by an undercover agent, will be used against the owner of Jack’s Bar and Grill, who has been charged with operating a sexually oriented business without a license.
More than just a bar Jack’s Bar and Grill gets $500 fine for putting on adult event BY MATHIAS BADEN editor@jordannews.com
For more than a year, Jack’s Bar and Grill has advertised male strippers and held oil wrestling events with paid female performers. On Monday, the Jordan City Council found that the downtown Jordan business had been operating a sexually oriented business without a license and issued a fi ne of $500. “I couldn’t believe that this happened in Jordan,” Councilmember Mike Shaw said. “Maybe I’m naïve, living a sheltered life.”
FINE, PLUS CHARGES There are civil and criminal sides to Jack’s case. This week, the Scott County Attorney’s Office came down with identical charges against both Craig Marte, owner, and Darlene Annen, manager, in regard to a performance Nov. 15. According to
the complaints, they were charged with two counts each of: I producing, presenting, participating or directing an obscene performance; I operating a sexually oriented business without a license; I and permitting nudity on the premises of a licensed bar. Groups known as the Hunks, and Hollywood Knockouts performed at the bar, according to the business’ Facebook page and police and court records. Jordan Police Chief Bob Malz presented a three-ring binder of evidence, including photos, and an undercover agent shot video during a recent show. “Tell me that isn’t sexual contact,” Malz said in an interview, calling what happened “inappropriate sexual touching that you wouldn’t even see in a strip joint.
“We obviously just can’t have that going on. … I don’t believe that the (alleged) touching of intimate parts would be legal.”
CIVIL PENALTY The issue “has not been to a court,” City Attorney Annette Margarit told the city council. “You’re it.” The council held a hearing, listening to evidence and rebuttals, and found the bar committed two violations of its city liquor license – operation of a sexually oriented business without a license, and nudity at a liquor establishment. City staff recommended a $1,000 fi ne and a three- to five-day liquor license suspension. “It’s a fi rst-time violation for the bar, so we feel this is appropriate,” City Administrator Ed Shukle said.
Bar to page 6 ®
College to page 5 ®
IDEA FACTORY: MUSEUM
Group of residents work to help preserve history
SANTA WON’T BITE!
BY MATHIAS BADEN editor@jordannews.com
Join us
For years, Ron Jabs has wanted a museum in Jordan. “We do have a proud history, and there are some very, very interesting things that happened in out community,” Jabs said. The city has received many valuable donations, but not all of them can be displayed. And the fact is that he and fellow aspiring preservationists Cathy Isles and Ed Shukle admittedly don’t have the wherewithal to take care of historical artifacts. So they sought to create a Jordan historical society. They inquired with the Scott County Historical Society, only to receive surprising advice and fi nd a wholly willing partner.
They are looking for willing volunteers, artifacts, interviewers to find stories behind the artifacts, suggestions for potential exhibits, and ideas. “It’s a brainstorming effort,” group member Ron Jabs said. “The potential is quite large,” Jordan City Administrator Ed Shukle said. For more information, call Shukle at Jordan’s city hall, (952) 492-2535.
LIKELY PARTNER
PHOTO BY DAVID SCHUELLER / REPRINTS AT PHOTOS.JORDANNEWS.COM
Santa arrived at the Schule Haus Dec. 14 and drew Jordan students and families in the Early Childhood and Family Education program. Gary Beise helped make the event possible. Here, Santa may be a stranger to tearful Sadie Bowring, but he handed out candy canes to Luka Bowring and Landon Pedersen while Cassie Bowring takes a photo. For additional photos, turn to Page 16.
A small group of local historic preservationists is inviting others to join.
Kathleen Klehr, historical society director, spoke frankly during a meeting with the three representatives from Jordan.
MORE ONLINE FIND RELATED STORIES
www.jordannews.com
History to page 3 ®
INSIDE OPINION/4 OUR SCHOOLS/5,28 PUBLIC SAFETY/6 SPORTS/13-14 CALENDAR/15 DAYBOOK/17 TO REACH US SUBSCRIBE: (952) 345-6682 EDITOR: (952) 345-6571 OR E-MAIL EDITOR@JORDANNEWS.COM.
VOL. 128, NO. 33 © SOUTHWEST NEWSPAPERS