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Farmington | Lakeville May 25, 2012 | Volume 33 | Number 13
Supreme Court reverses murder conviction
A ‘Taste’ to remember
Sun Thisweek wants to know the questions readers would like candidates for various elected offices to answer. Page 4A
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Backstrom’s conduct cited in ruling by Laura Adelmann Sun Thisweek
War comes to Farmington Dakota City Heritage Village becomes a battle zone during the third annual World War II re-enactment. Page 12A
Eagan girl in Pippi braids Eagan middle school student to star in Twin Cities stage version of Pippi Longstocking story. Page 12A
Photo by Rick Orndorf
The weather was perfect and the wine was flowing at the 10th annual Taste of Lakeville on May 17 at the Lakeville Area Arts Center. Wine and beer samplings, food booths, silent and live auctions and musical entertainment were enjoyed throughout the night. Taste of Lakeville was organized by The Lakeville Area Rotary Club as its primary fundraising event. Last year’s Taste event raised more than $65,000 to support programs and groups all over Lakeville. More photos are at SunThisweek.com.
Rigorous program prepares students for college
Sun Thisweek
Tiger lacrosse has playoff first The Farmington boys and girls lacrosse teams are having their best seasons, and the girls scored their first playoff win in school history. Page 14A
Online Check out more Lakeville and Farmington prom photos at sunthisweek.com. While on Facebook, “like” our page at facebook.com/ sunthisweek to discuss stories and to receive updates. Tweet with us at twitter. com/sunthisweek.
Index Opinion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Announcements . . . . . . . 8A Sports . . . . . . . . . . 14A-15A Classifieds. . . . . . . 16A-19A Public Notices. . . . . . . . 22A
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See Supreme court, 22A
First AVID class graduates in Lakeville by Aaron M. Vehling
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The Minnesota Supreme Court reversed on Wednesday a murder conviction because of interference by Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom and other “state actors.” In the May 23 ruling, the Supreme Court found “multiple state actors unquestionably interfered with the legislatively mandated independence of medical examiners” and put defendant Nicole Beecroft’s constitutional rights at risk. Beecroft, of Oakdale, was on trial for murder in 2008 in the death of her newborn baby, and Dr. Susan Roe, then a staff member with the Dakota County Medical Examiner’s Office, was prepared to testify to her findings that the child
Jorge Hernandez of Lakeville stood proudly as he talked with a teacher. His mother, Yudmil, and sister, Ana, sat nearby beaming. The Lakeville North High School senior and 13 classmates comprised the first AVID class to graduate in the Lakeville school district, an accomplishment celebrated by district staff, the School Board and the students’ families Tuesday night, May 22, at the Lakeville Holiday Inn and Suites. Superintendent Lisa Snyder said the district had “great pride” in the students. “We want to celebrate you and your children,” she told the audience.
Though they did take classes with others throughout their four years, the students always came together for their AVID class with the same teacher and core group of classmates. This served to give the evening the air of a family gathering, as opposed to a set of 60 people celebrating an impressive accomplishment. The college-readiness program is nationally notable for its ability to take capable students and teach them some of the finer points of college preparation: note-taking, organization and accountability. Hernandez admitted File photo by Aaron Vehling to goofing off too much In May 2011, internationally-renowned artist Ta-coumba Aiken (wearing the green polo in middle school. This left him in a bind when high shirt) instructed students of one of Lakeville North’s rigorous AVID classes on the finer points of mural painting, an artistic outlet that offered the students a chance to exercise their creative instincts. Lakeville celebrated the graduation of its first AVID class May 22 See AVID, 7A at the Lakeville Holiday Inn and Suites.
Local businesses have deep roots Many Farmington graduates are shop owners
by Laura Adelmann Sun Thisweek
If Farmington High School’s 2012 graduates are like those who have gone before, many may stretch their wings during college but return to build upon their established roots. At least 23 Farmington businesses are operated by Farmington High School graduates, said Lisa Carey, owner of Town’s Edge Barber and part of the school’s class of 1989. “So many graduates have stayed,” she said. “And, they not only stay, but their roots go deeper when they have a business, too.” Graduates who return and start businesses are “vitally important” to the community, said Farmington Business Association President Clyde
Farmington attorney: Mayor’s vote for his company not conflict City’s seed purchase raises questions
by Laura Adelmann Sun Thisweek
Photo submitted
Mike Bischel is one of many Farmington High School graduates who have opened businesses in Farmington. Rath. “If you’re not growing and going forward, you’re going backwards.” People who have been raised in the community and open businesses are more emotionally connected to the area and have the community’s best interest at heart, he
added. “Not to say someone from another place can’t be, but they have that history and … know all the people around town,” Rath said. “That’s important when you’re trying to See hometown, 20A
Farmington Mayor Todd Larson’s vote approving a city purchase of seed from the company Larson works for did not represent a conflict of interest, according to Farmington Todd Larson City Attorney Joel Jamnik. “He doesn’t receive a commission, and he has no personal interest in the contract,” Jamnik told Sun Thisweek. The city’s $2,458 purchase of 40 bags of grass seed from Ramy Turf Products occurred Feb. 23, and payment was approved by
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See Mayor, 22A
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the Farmington City Council at its April 2 meeting. Larson, a salesman for Ramy, said he inquired with Jamnik before voting to pay the bill. “I didn’t even know about it until I saw it in the bills,” Larson said. “I had absolutely nothing to do with it.” According to the invoice, the salesman was “TH,” identified by the company as sales representative Terry Harrington, whose sales territory includes Farmington. Larson’s sales territory is from Interstate 494 to Canada. Jamnik said City Council members may vote on
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