www.SunThisweek.com NEWS Protecting trafficking victims Legislation is proposed at the state Capitol to create a safety network for juvenile human trafficking victims. Page 2A
February 8, 2013 | Volume 33 | Number 50
Wing wolfing, well wishing Slain officer brought home for burial Apple Valley native remembered as kind-hearted cop, dedicated mom by Andrew Miller SUN THISWEEK
Heather Watkins Hirsch wants people to remember the kind and intensely driven person her sister was. Her sister, Kathryn “Michelle” Walters, knew she wanted to be a police officer even before her freshman year at Apple Valley High School, and when as an adult she signed on with the Metropolitan Police Department in Las Vegas, she brought a big heart to the job. Once, Watkins Hirsch recalled, Michelle was involved in the arrest of a woman accused of stealing milk. When the woman told her she needed the milk to feed her kids, Michelle drove off in her squad car, returning a short time later with a supply of milk for the woman she’d purchased with her own money. “That’s just who she was,” said Watkins Hirsch, of Savage. “She wore her heart on her sleeve. She was the most giving per-
OPINION Safe schools School and law enforcement officials say children are, indeed, safe in school. Page 4A Photos by Rick Orndorf
THISWEEKEND
Hollywood, abridged A century of Hollywood history is getting condensed in a major way in Burnsville-based Chameleon Theatre Circle’s new comedy.
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Burnsville firefighters Isaac Carrier and Maggie Archer, above, devoured chicken wings for a good cause Jan. 30. Burnsville firefighters and police officers held a benefit wingeating competition at the Hurricane Grill and Wings in Burnsville to raise funds for the families of Assistant Fire Chief Dan Hove, who is battling pancreatic cancer, and police officer Steve Adrian, whose wife has worsening multiple sclerosis. At right, Hove bumped fists with firefighter Brennan Palmer. The police won the wing-eating contest.
Former video store to house pet clinic Lexington Pet Clinic to move to 2,400 square-foot building in April by Jessica Harper SUN THISWEEK
After only six months on the market, the former Video Update property in Eagan will soon have a new tenant — one that will cater to residents’ fourlegged friends. Lexington Pet Clinic in Eagan plans to move in April to the 2,400 squarefoot building at 1095 Diffley Road. The building is twice the size of the clinic’s current facility on Lexington Avenue, which will allow the growing business to expand its services to include grooming and dogtraining classes. “Our clients have been asking about these ser-
SPORTS
Skiing away with championships Eagan’s boys and Burnsville’s girls teams won section Nordic titles this week.
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INDEX Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Announcements . . . . . . 7A Sports . . . . . . . . . 10A-11A Public Notices . . . . . . . 13A Classifieds . . . . . . 14A-15A
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Kathryn “Michelle” Walters, a 1984 Apple Valley High School graduate who went on to a career in law enforcement, was killed Jan. 21 in her Boulder City, Nev., home. son I’ve ever known.” Watkins Hirsch and her siblings celebrated Michelle’s life – and the life of Michelle’s 5-year-old son Max – at a memorial service Feb. 1 at Klecatsky’s Funeral Home in Eagan. The mother and son See MICHELLE, 8A
Glee in District 196 Dakota Valley Show Choir concludes season with Eastview concert
vices, and we want to meet the demand,” said co-owner and veterinarian Alysia Ferguson. Ferguson and fellow veterinarian Amy Kizer purchased the 20-year-old business in 2008. Despite the recession, the clinic has continued to grow each year and currently has the two veterinarians and five employees. Kizer credits their success, in part, to the staff’s personalized approach and the clinic’s wide array of veterinary services. “We strive to have a personalized view of people’s pets,” she said. The clinic is among the first in Eagan to provide veterinary services for exotic pets. In addition to caring for cats and dogs, Dr. Kiz-
For the first time, middle and elementary school students in the Rosemount-Apple ValleyEagan School District can learn to sing and dance much like their favorite stars from the television show “Glee.” A new program called Dakota Valley Show Choir was created earlier this year by three district choir teachers who were frustrated by recent cuts to arts in District 196 middle and elementary schools. “We wanted to give kids another opportunity to get them excited
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See CHOIR, 12A
by Jessica Harper SUN THISWEEK
Photo by Jessica Harper
Members of District 196’s Dakota Valley Show Choir performed excerpts from the Broadway musical “Newsies” on Feb. 3 at the Eastview High School Performing Arts Center. The show choir is a new glee-esque extracurricular program for students in fifth through seventh grade.
High Five is a new beginning Skateville will be ‘Danceville’ for the in former Primetime space Live-music venue ballroom crowd under new ownership
by John Gessner SUN THISWEEK
by John Gessner SUN THISWEEK
A foursome of regulars at the old Primetime Sports Bar and Grill in Burnsville liked it so much they – you guessed it – bought the place. Primetime closed a year ago this month, ending a run of more than six years as a live-music venue with a spacious stage and dance floor and its share of police calls. The bar, located in the Burnhill Plaza strip mall north of County Road 42
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Skateville isn’t strictly for skating. Starting Tuesday, Feb. 19, the venerable Burnsville roller rink will be strictly ballroom one night a month through May. Skateville and Burnsville singer Tim Patrick are teaming up to bring ballroom dancing to Photo by John Gessner Burnsville. From left are High Five co-owner Chad True, co-owner Patrick and his Blue Patrick Mooney, manager Dave Sperling and co-owner Eyes Band will provide the Brett Anderson. music. Skateville, a fixture and east of Irving Avenue, Bar and Grill. in the community since remained closed until midThey say they want to 1970, will provide the September, when the new dance floor and the ambiowners unveiled High Five See BAR, 12A ence.
“I’ve been wanting to do this for eons,” said Skateville manager Florance Adams, who’s worked there for 22 years. “It’s been in the back of my mind for many, many years because of this beautiful floor. We’ve got 14,000 square feet of hardwood maple floor. I think I was just waiting for the right person to come along, and it happened to be Tim.” Ballroom dancing will be held the third Tuesday of the month — Feb. 19, March 19, April 16 and See DANCE, 12A
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Free Sugar Foot Scrub Therapy with the purchase of $100 gift card* *See clinic for details, not valid for online purchases. Expires 3-31- 2013.