Lakeville
www.SunThisweek.com
April 26, 2013 | Volume 34 | Number 9
Lakeville Schools apply to offer all-online option
NEWS An eventful weekend of meaning An annual fundraising event next weekend honors an Apple Valley soldier. Page 2A
District seeking state approval for plan by Laura Adelmann SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
The Lakeville Area School District is seeking state approval to break through its physical boundaries next year. After nearly four years of preparation, the district has applied to debut “Link12” a comprehensive, full-time K-12 online learning program this fall. The request for the district to become an online learning provider was submitted to the state this
OPINION Refusing to be intimidated Those who commit acts of terrorism have a history of failing in their attempts to intimidate. Page 4A
THISWEEKEND
A Civil War uniform, complete with boots and a cap, are among the artifacts included in the LakevilleArea Historical Society Civil War display. (Photo by Laura Adelmann)
Lakevillearea soldier’s letters bring Civil War home Showdown on the stage Children’s theater group The Play’s The Thing is presenting the Old West melodrama “Wagon Wheels a-Rollin” in Farmington. Page 21A
SPORTS
Blazing Cats one of few teams able to play Adapted softball teams off to quick start. Page 12A
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Lakeville residents Kathy Neutz and Tolly Swan are in front of the new Civil War display at the Lakeville Area Historical Society. Neutz is a descendent of Benjamin Pool, a Eureka Township resident who enlisted at 22. Letters he wrote to Neutz’s great-great-grandfather are on display. Swan designed the display that includes a Civil War uniform and artifacts. (Photo by Laura Adelmann)
History on display at Lakeville Area Historical Society
role in the Civil War. Like many at that time, Benjamin likely thought the war would be over within months, but instead the bloody battles, often pitting family members against each other, stretched from 1861-65. “Many of the boys were enlisting,” Neutz said. “They thought it would be a wonderful adventure and they’d be home in about three months.” During the year he served, Benjamin’s letters, rife with misspellings, show his expressions change from exuding singular pride and confidence in overcoming the enemy to
by Laura Adelmann SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Benjamin Pool of Eureka Township was 22 when he died, killed by friendly fire in the Civil War. His relatives can find no grave by which to honor him, his tale possibly forgotten if not for the letters. Discovered at the Dakota County Historical Society by descendent Kathy Neutz of Lakeville, Benjamin’s story told through the letters has been recovered, remembered and is now part of a new three-pane Lakeville Area Historical Society window display that focuses on Lakeville’s
Thieves target two Lakeville salons by Laura Adelmann SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Thieves broke into two Lakeville beauty salons, stealing equipment, products and computers last week. Jacquelyn LeMonnier, manager at Salon Onyx, said she arrived to work Saturday morning and found the door pried open and items missing. Among the stolen equipment from the Lakeville salon at Cedar Avenue and Dodd Boulevard was a computer, shears worth $200$500 each, professional flat irons and hair products. As in most salons, the tools are the property of each stylist. “These are all items they purchased themselves,” LeMonnier said. The salon’s computer included the salon’s appointment calendar for the year, but it did not have any client credit card information on it, LeMonnier said.
Information about clients stored on the computer was limited to past and future appointment dates, color formulas, products purchased, discounts they may qualify for and if they are members of the salon’s loyalty program. LeMonnier said stylists continued providing service by sharing equipment. Salon owner Amy Sullivan immediately replaced the computer. The store is adding more security. Lakeville police Chief Tom Vonhof said a similar break-in happened at A-NuU Salon, located at the mall at County Road 70 and I-35. He said that break-in was discovered Monday. Gwindle Aryeetey, owner of A-Nu-U Salon, said her business computer and $174 in cash was stolen. She also said there was no client credit card information on the computer, but the theft forced her to See THIEVES, 16A
a soldier enduring bonechilling cold, illness, battles and loneliness. He discusses his faith, dispenses fatherly advice and pleas for his family to write back as soon as they can. While at Fort Ripley in January of 1862, Benjamin declared he was “born got be a solger, by thunder or die,” and dared any challengers, saying there was talk of “old Ingland” coming over to “try us a rip.” “Well I say let her come” he wrote. “She will git to smell powder and then she will go back satesfied. Well See HISTORY, 16A
week, and a response must be received within 90 days. Lakeville Schools Superintendent Lisa Snyder said if the state approves the plan, Lakeville will be the first district in the metro to offer a full-time virtual education option. “It’s part of our vision of personalized learning for all students,” Snyder See ONLINE, 16A
After years of booming growth and expansion in Lakeville and its schools, development has dramatically slowed and enrollment has dropped, taking with it per-pupil funding. Declining enrollment is one of the factors prompting the Lakeville School Board to seek a levy referendum this fall. (Graphic: Lakeville-Area School District)
District commissions second survey before levy Answers will help craft question, levy amount by Laura Adelmann SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Lakeville Schools has commissioned a telephone survey of 400 district households in preparation for a fall levy. Survey answers will help the district ascertain the community’s educational priorities and test residents’ tax tolerance, Lakeville-Area Schools Superintendent Lisa Sny-
der said at an April 9 School Board workshop, She said data collected from the $15,000 survey will also help the district craft the fall levy referendum question and determine the amount the district will seek from voters. If voters do not approve the levy referendum this fall, the district expects it will have to cut See SURVEY, 16A
‘Testing, Testing’ at Lakeville North
Lakeville North High School presents “Testing, Testing” at the Lakeville North High School Auditorium. “Testing, Testing” is a dramatic comedy in a school setting. Each act explores different aspects of school testing. Act One is called “High Stakes,” which is a comedy about a student surrounded by chaos during a major test. Act Two is called “Honor Bright,” a drama that deals with the complexities of test cheating. Act Three is called “Wendy’s Tale,” which is another comedy about a brilliant student who doesn’t test well and her imagination runs wild. The show runs 7:30 p.m. April 26-27 and 2 p.m. April 27. (Photo Rick Orndorf)
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