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Gateway Fiber brings high-speed internet to Vadnais Heights BY ERIK SUCHY CONTRIBUTING WRITER
For those looking for better, more efficient internet speed in Vadnais Heights, they might not have to wait much longer. Gateway Fiber, an internet provider based in Fridley, has unveiled a plan to provide highspeed internet throughout Vadnais Heights. The company, whose mission is to provide communities with a “fairer, friendlier, faster internet experience,” aims to advance economic development through its services and improve broadband infrastructure. “During COVID, we all saw how necessary high-speed internet had become,” said Derek Leffert, head of government affairs for the company. “Unfortunately, it was a luxury before, and I think it’s been proven since that it’s no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity.” As part of the plan, Leffert said the process of setting up high-speed internet throughout the city is broken into four parts: planning, engineering, construction and installation. The company has completed the planning and engineering phases. During the construction phase, crews will inform residents of their intended work by posting door hangers. After that, mainline construction will begin in the city by laying fiber, which will run underground through orange conduit for protection. The fiber will then be connected to various drop points, ready for use in individual homes and businesses. Crews will then restore the areas where the fiber is installed to their original condition. “We realize that any utility process will
PHOTOS BY PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
Vadnais Heights celebrates Halloween Visitors who recently attended the annual family friendly Halloween party in Vadnais Heights were also able to tour and vote for their favorite entry along the Scarecrow Trail circling the athletic field at Community Park. Dozens of creative entries from local businesses and organizations, including the Gentry Academy hockey team and Vadnais Heights Lions Club, will be on display along the trail through Monday, Nov. 3.
SEE INTERNET, PAGE 11
New leaders tee off as KMan Open enters its next chapter BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
After 40 years of never missing a golf tournament, the founding trio is handing it off to the next generation and hopeful that it will continue for many more years to come. What began as a going-away party with 24 golfers in 1986 has now grown to an annual tradition — 80 golfers participated in the 40th annual KMan Open last month. In 1986, George Kimball and his family decided to relocate from White Bear Lake to Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, so George could take a teaching job.
George’s friends, Dennis Mork and Steve MiddletonKoller, organized a golf tournament at the golf course at the University of Minnesota for George to say farewell. They called it the KMan Open Golf Tournament Farewell to the Kimballs. The trio played fastpitch softball together for many years, where George’s nickname “Kman” came about. “For whatever reason, Steve and Dennis decided to continue doing the tournament, and they continued to use the name KMan,” George explained. “It was interesting, and kind of ironic, that they chose a golf tournament for the farewell
SEE KMAN OPEN, PAGE 20
CONTRIBUTED
A picture of George Kimball at the first KMan Open in 1986.
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