/JordanIndependent

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Reading-related magician

Jordan Brewers on parade

At the library, kids got a kick out of a magician’s performance.

You’ve got to get out to the Mini-Met ballpark for free townball games next month.

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JORDAN

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

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www.jordannews.com

INDEPENDENT UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Zipping over Sand Creek

A concept plan for the challenge course shows this aerial bridge over Sand Creek, along with three other log bridges, leading to a part of the challenge course grounds referred to as “the island.”

Taking advantage of dramatic topography and pristine woods, challenge course opens in August BY MATHIAS BADEN editor@jordannews.com

Imagine yourself basking in a classic Minnesota Valley vista on the hundred-foot-high bluffs over Sand Creek. Take a deep breath. You’re about to plummet across the creek on a zip line.

Duane La rson of New Prague is constructing the fi rst challenge course in Scott County, and that’s not even close to where his business plan ends. Parts of a 20-acre property in Helena Township will soon feature a zip-line drop from a

platform on a pole about 120 foot up on the bluffs, three other zip lines, high and low rop e s, a sm a l l te a m ch a llenge climbing wall, a rope swing element and suspension bridges.

PHOTO BY MATHIAS BADEN

Sand Creek to page 3 ®

SUMMER WEEKEND FUN

PROPOSED GRAVEL PIT

Hentges’ study of groundwater moves forward

Jordan drew thousands of residents and out-of-towners to last weekend’s attractions, including Baseball Day, the Jordan Valley Bike Tour, Pork in the Park and the Jordan Art Festival.

BY MATHIAS BADEN editor@jordannews.com

Chapman, who’s been piloting hot air balloons for 35 years, said that wind had increased after takeoff. In such situations, the balloon lands at a gradual angle by touching down briefly, having the balloon pendulum forward as it lifts off again, and then landing for good as the balloon deflates.

S.M. Hentges & Sons Inc. of Jordan agreed to move forward with the next environmental study on its way to a new gravel pit in Sand Creek Township. Owner Steve Hentges “stated that he will be moving forward with the EIS scoping process for his proposed mining operation,” said an e-mail from Kate Sedlacek of Scott County Environmental Health. A n envi ron ment a l i mpact st atement ( EIS) could cost an estimated $ 75,000, county officials have said. The city of Jordan, which submitted a myriad of comments related to the proposed gravel pit in Sand Creek Township and officially opposes the use of Valley View Drive as a gravel truck route, was notified of Hentges’ application on June 21. The proposed sand and gravel mine would be located on 98 acres in eastern Sand Creek Township. It would extend 120 feet below the water table, which serves as a local aquifer for several private and noncommunity public water supply wells. As the environmental assessment worksheet (EAW) process concluded earlier this year, one of the major issues became the possible contamination of Sand Creek and groundwater in the area. This spring, the city council began playing watchdog. Then, Sand Creek Town Board Chairman Cy Wolf expressed skepticism about the project, saying, “The issue is who is going to be watching the chicken coop.”

Balloon to page 6 ®

Gravel pit to page 21 ®

Top left – Chaska artist April Wichterman painted flowers during her artist demonstration Saturday at the Jordan Art Festival. Top right – Isaiah Stadler, 2, of Jordan gets a chance to make bubbles, near self-proclaimed bubble man Henry Feller, of Shelby, Wis. Left – Ian Greenwood of Victoria completed the 35-mile ride during the Jordan Valley Bike Tour, finishing as the rain started to fall a bit harder. Right – Tim Bendzick of Jordan and his border collie Buddy showed their skills at the Minnesota Disc Dog Club Competition on Saturday. PHOTOS BY DAVID SCHUELLER

MORE PHOTOS INSIDE ON PAGES 8-9

Hot air balloon pilot cracks vertebrae in freak accident “I’m looking forward to returning to the friendly skies.” Ed Chapman Owner of Balloon Ascensions Unlimited

BY DAVID SCHUELLER dschueller@swpub.com

Hot air balloon pilot Ed Chapman is recovering after a hot air balloon accident left him with road rash and a hairline fracture to his C6 vertebrae. “I expect to be back in the air shortly,” said Chapman, a St. Lawrence Township resident

who owns of Balloon Ascensions Unlimited. “I’ll have a follow-up Xray done in about two weeks to be certain everything is on track.” The accident happened as the balloon was in the landing process, on the evening of June 16 in Lexington Township in Le Sueur County. “It was a freak combination of circumstances. A one-in-a

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million type of situation. In 35 years, I (had) never had a hard landing,” Chapman said.

INSIDE OPINION/4 PUBLIC SAFETY/5-6 OUR SCHOOLS/10-11 SPORTS/12-13 CALENDAR/14 DAYBOOK/25 TO REACH US SUBSCRIBE: (952) 345-6683 EDITOR: (952) 345-6571 OR E-MAIL EDITOR@JORDANNEWS.COM.

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Belle Plaine Clinic

VOL. 128, NO. 8 © SOUTHWEST NEWSPAPERS


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