Cottage Grove Parks Superintendent Jim Fohrman carries a naloxone kit in the center console of his city-owned Ford Ranger pickup.

Fohrman, who has worked for the city for 27 years, hasn’t had to save someone from an opioid overdose yet, “but it’s nice to know I have it in case I come across something,” he said. He’s one of about 150 city employees who have been trained this year on how to use opioid-overdose prevention medication.

“I have it with me at all times,” Fohrman said. “I figure it would take about 30 to 45 seconds to rip it open and have (the syringe) ready to go. That’s really what it comes down to: You can help save someone’s life, or you can stand back and watch. I would prefer to do what I can.”

Cottage Grove has been a leader in the response to the opioid crisis, and city staff are poised to do even more as settlement funds from pharmaceutical companies that made and sold opioid painkillers are paid out.

The city of almost 40,000 people is one of more than a dozen east-metro communities that will benefit from the more than $50 billion in settlement funds that will be paid out over the next 18 years to state and local governments nationwide. In 2021, the three biggest pharmaceutical distributors — AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson — agreed to a $21 billion nationwide settlement alongside a $5 billion deal with opioid manufacturer Johnson & Johnson. The following year, major opioid manufacturers Teva Pharmaceuticals and Allergan, and three of the nation’s largest retail pharmacy chains — Walmart, CVS and Walgreens — agreed to multistate settlements worth $20.4 billion.

Minnesota is eligible to receive more than $540 million in opioid-settlement funds, according to the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office. The money must be used to combat the opioid crisis, including detailed programs and strategies focused on treatment, prevention and harm reduction. Counties and cities will receive 75 percent of the funds, and the state will receive 25 percent.

The $540 million figure does not include settlements with Purdue, Mallinckrodt and Endo — the final amounts for all of which are still unknown, according to the attorney general’s office. The figure also doesn’t include the settlement with McKinsey, which did not go to cities and counties. Tribal nations have negotiated their own separate settlements, which will bring additional money into Minnesota directly to tribes, the attorney general’s office notes.

“No amount of money can ever make up for the death and destruction these companies caused in every community of our state, but it’s still important to hold them accountable, and that’s what we’ve done,” Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said Friday. “In Minnesota, unlike some other states, we’ve made sure that the majority of the money will go directly to where the pain is — to the communities that have been hurt the most and know best how to use it on treatment, remediation, prevention and making their own communities whole.”

Who gets funds

Local government funds will be directly allocated to all 87 counties in the state and to cities that have populations of 30,000 or more, have filed lawsuits against the settling defendants, or have public-health departments. There are 143 cities in Minnesota that meet the criteria, according to the attorney general’s office.

Minnesotans can track how the money is being spent via the state’s Opioid Epidemic Response Spending dashboard, which allows the public to see which municipalities and organizations are receiving funding and how departments are planning to spend it. Ten counties and cities received settlement funding in 2022 and spent more than $515,000 on prevention, treatment, workforce development and other programs to address the opioid epidemic, according to the dashboard.

Cottage Grove has already received $147,000 in settlement money, and city officials expect to get another $437,000 over the next 18 years. The city plans to use the money “to attempt to make a difference in the lives of our citizens and those who visit Cottage Grove who are experiencing addiction or have family members or friends who need help with their addiction,” said Dan Schoen, community-engagement officer for the Cottage Grove Police Department.

Cottage Grove Public Safety Department employees since 2014 have been trained to administer naloxone, also known as Narcan, the medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. Last fall, city officials held a naloxone training session for city employees and members of the public. The session was so successful that Cottage Grove officials decided to work with Rise Up Recovery in Hastings and the St. Paul-based Steve Rummler HOPE Network to expand the training to all city employees, including those who work in public works, parks and recreation, at the Cottage Grove Ice Arena and at the city-owned River Oaks Golf Course and Event Center, Schoen said.

Schoen said he thinks Cottage Grove is the first community in the state putting “naloxone in the hands of staff from many different divisions.”

“We recognize that these folks are out in the community — every day — in our parks, on our streets, and having that opportunity for folks to be more aware and, possibly, if they have a kit with them, could help somebody that could be seconds away from dying,” he said. “If it were one of my family members, I would pray there was as little delay as humanly possible.”

Overdose deaths increasing

Opioid-involved overdose deaths among Minnesotans increased 43 percent from 2020 to 2021, and the number of deaths has more than doubled since 2019, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. There were 978 deaths in Minnesota in 2021, and fentanyl, a highly potent synthetic opioid, was involved in most of the deaths, according to the health department.

An overdose happens when the level of opioids — from prescription painkillers, fentanyl and/or heroin — in a person’s system gets too high, which slows or stops their breathing.

“The signs really start with the person being lethargic,” Schoen said. “It’s not uncommon where you’ll see someone all of a sudden, just in a snap of a finger, go from alert to unconscious. That is one of the scariest things that we deal with.”

Administering naloxone can restore normal breathing within minutes as it blocks opioid receptors in the brain, he said.

“We know that there is a long way to go, and we’re still learning, but now our part is: How do we face what’s in front of us, and how can we keep people alive long enough to go to treatment? People are dying of overdoses. We need to bring about awareness. We need to bring about intervention. And we need to bring about treatment. This just touches the surface of what we need to do. We’re just getting started.”

The Pioneer Press surveyed communities and counties in the east metro to learn more about how they plan to use the settlement funds.

Dakota County

Dakota County expects to receive $9,127,527.20 from the distributor and Johnson & Johnson settlements and an additional $7,429,374.49 from second-wave settlements, according to the attorney general’s office. To date, the county has received $1.9 million.

The county hired a Public Health Opioid Prevention Coordinator this spring to help coordinate the county’s response to the opioid epidemic and lead efforts to identify and respond to opioid misuse, according to the Dakota County Public Health Department. The county is also reviewing applications for community members, health care representatives and local government representatives to serve on its new Opioid Response Advisory Committee that will recommend funding for community efforts in addressing the opioid crisis.

Apple Valley

The city of Apple Valley has received $156,860 out of its anticipated $1.1 million by 2038, said Tom Lawell, city administrator.

To date, the city has spent nearly $23,251 on law enforcement expenditures related to the opioid epidemic through its participation in the Dakota County Drug Task Force, Lawell said.

Going forward, the city plans to work with the county and nearby cities to determine how future funds will be spent.

Burnsville

To date, the city of Burnsville has received $222,984 and anticipates annual installments through 2038 totaling around $1.1 million.

Burnsville operates its own ambulance and emergency medical services, and funds will be used to continue those efforts as well as expand education and outreach and the response and intervention to opioid-related instances.

According to the Burnsville Fire Department, with the help of the settlement funds, some of the city’s police officers have been equipped with Narcan and the rest received Narcan training. The funds will also be used to conduct in-home visits to work with those who have opioid addiction.

Eagan

The city of Eagan has received $191,849 so far out of the anticipated $812,000 to be doled out over 18 years from the Janssen settlement, said the city’s finance director, Josh Feldman. Eagan is also expecting additional funds as other settlements come through, he said.

The city council is working with the city’s police chief and fire chief on developing long-term programs around prevention and education, Feldman said, as the police department and the fire department will be the main recipients of the funding.

Inver Grove Heights

Inver Grove Heights has received $111,773 so far out of $412,019 from the state’s settlement with the three distributors and Johnson & Johnson, according to Amy Hove, the city’s finance director. The city also received an additional $3,265 from the National Opioid Abatement Trust II and is waiting to hear about any additional state settlements.

The city has not yet decided how its funds will be used, Hove said in an email, but is working with community partners including nearby cities, school districts and Dakota County.

Lakeville

From the Johnson & Johnson settlement, the city expects to receive roughly $627,000 over 18 years, according to documents from the city council’s May work session. So far, the city has received more than $41,000 from this settlement with an additional $21,272 expected by the end of this summer.

From the Janssen settlement, Lakeville has received $81,033 so far of an expected $116,000 over 11 years. The city also received an additional $4,201 from the National Opioid Abatement Trust II.

Lakeville’s settlement funds will be used in part to fund the city’s Drug Task Force, said Justin Miller, city administrator for Lakeville, in an email. The funds will be used to pay task force officers who work to treat people suffering from substance abuse, prevent over-prescribing and the misuse of opioids as well as bring community awareness to the opioid epidemic.

Ramsey County

Ramsey County expects to receive $15.8 million over 18 years from the first wave of payments from the distributor settlement and the Johnson & Johnson settlement. In addition, the county expects to receive an estimated $11.9 million as part of the second wave of payments over many years from the recent settlements with Teva, Allergan, Walgreens, Walmart and CVS. To date, the county has received $3.7 million and anticipates an additional $2.5 million this year from the Teva, Allergan, Walgreens, Walmart and CVS settlements.

So far, the funds have been used for a coordinator position in the Opioid Response team, consulting for the development of a priority-to-action plan that engages community members and partners, and building communications for greater awareness of the issue, according to St. Paul-Ramsey County Public Health Director Sara Hollie. In the future, Ramsey County will use funds to launch the pilot naloxone community-distribution program and provide grants through the Ramsey County Community Opioid Response and Prevention Grant Program.

Since 2022, the county has launched an Opioid Response website, trained county staff with naloxone and reopened the detox and withdrawal management facility to clients. Ramsey County also offers a Syringe Service Program in downtown St. Paul and a Medication-Assisted Treatment Program focusing on African Americans and American Indian communities who are overrepresented in the corrections system and chemical health facilities like the Ramsey County Detoxification Center.

Maplewood

From the distributor settlement agreement and the Janssen settlement agreement, Maplewood has received $95,553 of an expected $291,603 through 2038. The city received an additional $2,791 from the National Opioid Abatement Trust II in 2023, according to City Manager Melinda Coleman.

Maplewood’s settlement funds will be used toward embedded social workers and assisting the police and fire departments with their Unsheltered Outreach activities.

North St. Paul

From the distributor settlement agreement, North St. Paul received $12,810 and is anticipating an additional $83,864 through 2038, according to Daniel Winek, the city’s finance director. The city also received $16,533 from a another settlement and expects to receive an additional $5,686 through 2031. To date, the city also received a settlement of $857 from the National Opioid Abatement Trust II.

Winek said the funds have yet to be formally allocated.

Roseville

According to Corey Yunke, community relations manager for Roseville, the city has received $87,746 from the distributor settlement agreement and the Janssen settlement agreement, with an additional $2,563 from the National Opioid Abatement Trust II.

Funds have not yet been formally allocated.

St. Paul

Over 18 years, St. Paul expects to receive $14,091,376 from the opioid distributors and manufacturer settlements. Of that, the city has received $1,965,470, according to St. Paul Finance Director John McCarthy.

St. Paul has preliminary plans on using the funds toward staffing to support residents with substance use disorders, safety infrastructure such as cameras, and Narcan deployment.

Washington County

Washington County has received $1,618,146 to date, according to David Brummel, the director of the county’s public health and environment department. The county expects to get $11.5 million over the 18-year period, or $642,000 a year.

The county has not spent any opioid settlement funding yet. Staff are in the process of conducting a survey to gather input from community members and relevant professionals in Washington County to inform local planning for opioid settlement funds, Brummel said.

County staff have already been responding to the opioid crisis through initiatives such as Medications for Opioid Use Disorder in the Washington County Jail in Stillwater, medication drop-off locations and access to free naloxone kits and fentanyl test strips at the county’s public health department locations in Cottage Grove, Forest Lake and Stillwater, he said.

The county is partnering with the Steve Rummler HOPE Network to offer the naloxone kits and fentanyl test strips; residents can pick up the naloxone kits and fentanyl test strips anonymously and for free — no insurance or personal info is required. The program is intended for individual access to kits; county officials are not able to provide kits at an organizational level as the supply is limited, Brummel said.

County staff will be compiling survey results in the next month and plan to hold a workshop in October to present the findings to the county board and recommend a structure to help guide opioid settlement spending, he said.

Woodbury

Woodbury will be receiving $1,750,000 over 18 years; the city received its first payment of $33,545 in November, according to City Administrator Clint Gridley. The money will remain in a special fund until the city spends it, he said.

Woodbury officials plan to use $143,200 of the settlement funds in 2024, mostly to fund the local portion of an embedded Washington County social worker who will work with the city’s public safety department to address substance abuse, said Public Safety Director Jason Posel. The rest will be used to supply patrol vehicles with first-aid bags that contain medication used to reverse overdoses and other essential emergency-aid supplies, he said.

Other decisions about how the funds will be spent will be made after city officials learn more from Washington County regarding its survey results, Gridley said.

Radium levels in the drinking water continue to be a concern for the city of Inver Grove Heights.

Radium, a naturally occurring radioactive metal, can be found in small amounts in Minnesota’s groundwater, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. When levels exceed the standard set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, treatment is required.

Drinking water that has radium in it exposes people to “very low doses of radiation,” the Minnesota Department of Health reports in general data about radium in community water systems. “You have a higher risk of getting cancer if you drink water with radium in it every day for many years,” the health department states in the data report.

The Minnesota Department of Health first notified Inver Grove Heights on Jan. 30 that the radium levels in the city’s water were out of compliance. The problem is attributed to filters at the water treatment plant that are due for replacement.

More recent testing continues to document elevated levels.

“The latest tests of water at the Inver Grove Heights Water Treatment Plant show a modest increase in the recent radium levels over previous tests taken this spring,” the city reported in an update posted on its website on Monday.

The city reports that water samples taken on June 20 by the Minnesota Department of Health as part of the 2023 first quarter testing cycle resulted in a combined radium reading of 6.2 picoCuries per Liter (pCi/L).

The test brings the city’s “rolling annual average” for combined radium up to 5.4 pCi/L, which is the maximum level allowed by the EPA, according to the city.

Residents do not need to take any special precautions, the city says, unless individuals have been otherwise advised by their medical providers.

“The water is safe to drink and there isn’t any need for alarm,” says Amy Looze, communications manager for the city of Inver Grove Heights.

Due to issues including supply-side challenges as well as the need to work around community water usage peaks during the summer months, city officials say the planned upgrades and improvements to the city’s water treatment facility are not expected to begin until the fall of 2024, with completion by the spring of 2025.

In the meantime, tests will continue to be conducted every three months and shared with the public.

“The Minnesota Department of Health keeps testing, we share it when we get it to be transparent,” says Brian Connolly, public works director for the city of Inver Grove Heights. “We know there’s an issue, we’re trying some things in the interim while we move forward with an upgrade to our water treatment facility.”

For more information, go to ighmn.gov/1463/Water-Notice.

Nicole Ross and her family used to decorate their home and yard so extensively for Halloween that limousines would line up to drive past it, she said. As their four children got bigger, so did the home haunting display.

Now, Ross and her husband, Galen McKay, are part owners of Nowhere Haunted House in Inver Grove Heights along with Halloween enthusiasts Ian Knutson and Mike Reimer. Together, the four owners build sets, design costumes and — new this year — operate an eerie mini-golf course, arcade and unsettling escape rooms.

The 13,000-square-foot indoor haunted house sits in an open warehouse-like space that used to be a Pawn America. The haunted house, which officially opened last fall, runs through Nov. 4 this year. To keep business coming in over the last year, Ross said they hosted seasonal haunts like “Cupid’s Revenge” and “Yule Scream,” which was centered around dark, but true, Christmas folklore.

Their first season wasn’t as busy as they hoped, so this year to keep folks coming and cater to the horror-averse, Nowhere is now home to a custom-built 13-hole mini-golf course.

Putt putt or die trying

“I am not a horror person or a person that goes to haunted houses,” Ross said, which is why she and the other owners made sure to toe the line between creepy and downright terrifying at their business.

The mini-golf course costs $10 and, while exceptionally crafted, tops out at creepy, which Ross said was the goal.

The four owners worked together on themes, Ross said, which range from killer wasps to an abandoned New York City alleyway to a cemetery complete with an authentic coffin and a wrought-iron fence that once surrounded an actual cemetery.

Co-owner Knutson designed each of the 13 mini-golf holes. Every element of the course was meticulously hand-painted by Ross over the course of three months, she said. Ross, who was an avid painter before becoming a business owner, said learning how to paint props for Nowhere has been a welcomed challenge.

“It’s harder than you think to make things look gross,” Ross said, adding that she has a newfound appreciation for movies with stellar production design.

‘Truly unique’

Sievers, who runs a Minneapolis law firm by day, is one of the owners and founders of Haunted Soulz Paranormal, an investigation crew that travels across the country looking for spirits.

Hunting down the paranormal has been a hobby for Sievers for the last seven years, he said. He has plans to return to Nowhere with friends to try out the escape rooms and this year’s haunted house.

Although he runs a business traveling to haunted locations, Sievers said he has yet to see a one-stop scary shop like Nowhere. “I would say it’s truly unique,” he said.

Tailored frights

The haunted house, which employs some 45 actors, offers varying levels of “scare” for thrill seekers, said Emily Ludewig, one of the actor managers.

Visitors can buy tickets for about $24 for “no scare,” which has full overhead lights and no actors present; “low scare,” with low lighting and animatronics; or the “standard haunt,” with menacing lighting, animatronics and actors, said Ludewig, who also plays the role of Clacky the Clown.

This year, the haunted house will also feature a few 18-plus nights, Ludewig said, which offer elevated scares as the actors are allowed to touch attendees as they move throughout the house.

Elements for the haunted house are hand-built or found secondhand, Ross said, which is her husband’s specialty.

“He can find anything on Marketplace or at auctions,” including a 50-year-old taxidermy alligator, an authentic dinghy for a shipwrecked boat and a vintage dentist’s chair, she said.

McKay said he once drove over eight hours away for an animatronic piece for the haunted house.

Eternal unrest

Co-owner Reimer said he builds everything from walls to props for Nowhere, but his true passion lies with animatronics. Visitors to Nowhere will find animatronics throughout the haunted house as well as the two escape rooms.

The escape rooms, which are available when the haunted house is not in season, launched this year as a way to bring in more revenue throughout the year, Reimer said.

The Lucky Skull is a pirate-themed escape room where players are on a quest for the booty. An animatronic skeleton, affectionately named Handsome Hank, offers clues to the players. Built by Reimer with the help of YouTube, Handsome Hank’s jaw moves as he speaks.

The other escape room, Eternal Unrest, is essentially a supernaturally charged game of “Clue” where players have to figure out who killed the owner of a funeral home and how.

Ross and McKay said Nowhere has turned into somewhat of a family affair as Gertrude, the owner of the funeral home, is voiced by Ross’ mother, Cathy Ross, and the escape room puzzles are designed by Ross and McKay’s 19-year-old daughter, Riley.

Reimer said while neither escape room is easy, Eternal Unrest has one component that tends to trip players up — dialing on a rotary phone.

McKay said feedback from the community has been overwhelmingly positive since expanding.

While they don’t see other haunted houses as competition, McKay said the addition of mini-golf and an arcade has set their business apart and helped to fill an entertainment niche in the community.

When you step into Nowhere, it’s evident that each prop is built, painted and placed with intention. There is not a maggot, streak of blood or animal skull placed by accident — even the golf balls are ghoulish.

The owners get to let their imaginations run wild and work together to bring their ideas to fruition.

“It’s like building a treehouse every weekend,” McKay said.

Looking for a scare?

• What: Nowhere Haunted House
• When: Now through Nov. 4
• Where: 5300 S. Robert Trail, Suite 300, Inver Grove Heights

Voters in the Inver Grove Heights school district will elect four members for their school board on Nov. 7 from a field of four candidates.

General information about the Nov. 7 election is online at twincities.com/tag/elections. In addition, twincities.com/news/politics/elections will have a full voters guide with candidates for Ramsey, Dakota and Washington county races online this month. To find out where to vote, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s online polling place finder at pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us.

Liz Niemioja

• Age: 45
• What qualifies you to hold this position? My volunteer and work experiences in 199 provide me the connections with our community that will help our board get the feedback it needs. As a former attorney, I’ve got the skills for analyzing policy with thoughtfulness. I have an extensive history of working on challenges in 199, and I look forward to working toward positive outcomes.
• What would your top priorities be if elected? I prioritize fulfilling our mission to inspire our IGHMS students. I believe we should provide support and resources for our students struggling with substance abuse. Finally, we need to ensure our teachers are appreciated and heard so they remain Spartans for the entirety of their careers.
• What do you think is the primary role of government? The primary role of the school board is to respectfully and ethically, and with community input, work to set the vision, goals and course for the school district, and to monitor the performance and progress of the district and the superintendent, to ensure that all students are able to succeed at their highest level.
• Website or contact information: www.votelizfor199.wordpress.com

Sherry Warrick (Candidate information not available)

Jake Klingner (Candidate information not available)

Darcie Pierson (Candidate information not available)

A woman and her boyfriend are charged with child endangerment after prosecutors say her 7-year-old child was injured in an Inver Grove Heights shooting when they left a gun unattended.

Kamera Karmeasha Wright Ramsey, 31, gave officials varying accounts of what happened.

The Dakota County attorney’s office provided the following information in recently-filed criminal complaints:

Officers responded to a St. Paul hospital on Aug. 16 on a report of a child who’d been shot. He had injuries to his hand and thigh, which resulted in numerous fractures and surgery, and medical records noted it was unlikely he was shot once given the location of his injuries.

The boy’s mother, Wright Ramsey, told Inver Grove Heights police that her son was playing with other children at Salem Hills Park in Inver Grove Heights when she heard a boom and saw her son was shot. She said she took him to her residence in Inver Grove Heights and a neighbor drove them to the hospital.

Police went to the park and didn’t find evidence of a shooting. They confronted Wright Ramsey about the situation.

She then said she’d been in a small car crash outside her apartment in the 5300 block of Audobon Avenue. While she was outside her Chevrolet Cruze, she said her 3-year-old son got unbuckled, got her handgun from the trunk of the vehicle and shot his 7-year-old brother. She believed he accessed the trunk from inside the vehicle. She had a permit to carry a gun.

Officers talked to an apartment resident who said Wright Ramsey’s vehicle struck hers on Aug. 15.

Wright Ramsey and a man, later identified as Derrick Wayne Burkhalter Jr., exited the vehicle and exchanged information — the woman had a photo of Wright Ramsey’s insurance information. As the couple began to sit back down in their vehicle, the resident heard a loud bang followed by a child screaming in pain and she heard Wright Ramsey yell at a child.

County child protection workers interviewed the 7-year-old, who said he was on his tablet in the backseat of the car when his 3-year-old brother grabbed a gun and shot him. He said his mom was in the car at the time. “When asked if his mother told him what to say, he stopped answering questions,” according to the complaint.

Child protection staff also talked to Wright Ramsey, who said she hadn’t been truthful with police because Burkhalter was with her in violation of a domestic abuse no-contact order. She said she’d left the children in the vehicle with the firearm in her purse and, after the shooting, put the gun in a storage unit before going to the hospital. She said Burkhalter, 28, drove them.

Both children told police that the 7-year-old was shot with “daddy’s gun.” Burkhalter is the younger boy’s dad and the older boy refers to him as his father. The 3-year-old said his foot was burned after firing the gun, which was likely from a casing, a prosecutor wrote in another court document.

Prosecutors charged the couple with child endangerment involving access to a loaded firearm. Burkhalter is also charged with violation of a domestic abuse no-contact order.

Neither of their attorneys could be reached for comment Thursday.

Voters in the Inver Grove Heights school district will elect a school board member on Nov. 7 in a special election.

General information about the Nov. 7 election is online at twincities.com/tag/elections. In addition, twincities.com/news/politics/elections will have a full voters guide with candidates for Ramsey, Dakota and Washington county races online this month.

To find out where to vote, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s online polling place finder at pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us.

Shana Dukes

• Age: 26
• What qualifies you to hold this position? With my experience as a Program Coordinator, Program Director, and 8 years in the military, I have developed valuable leadership, program management, and educational initiative implementation skills. Effective communication, collaboration, and organization are crucial for achieving program objectives.
• What would your top priorities be if elected? As a school board candidate, I am dedicated to supporting teachers and staff, closing the opportunity gap, and creating a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students. By investing in educators, supporting students, and promoting diversity and inclusivity, we can ensure equal opportunities for success.
• What do you think is the primary role of government? The school board also plays a crucial role in representing the interests of the community, making policy decisions, and promoting the overall welfare and development of the schools it serves.
• Website or contact information: https://www.shanadukes.com/

Aaron Brooksby

• Age: 32
• What qualifies you to hold this position? My unique combination of legal expertise, hands-on experience in youth development, and commitment to rebuilding community trust, reemphasizing academics, and empowering parents uniquely qualifies me for the 199 School Board.
• What would your top priorities be if elected? 1. Elevate academic standards. 2. Rebuild community trust. 3. Empower parents. As a taxpayer-elected school board member, I’ll make informed and accountable decisions for our public schools.
• What do you think is the primary role of government? The primary role of government is to safeguard citizens’ well-being, uphold the rule of law, provide essential services, protect rights, and ensure societal stability, reflecting the needs and values of the society it serves.
• Website or contact information: https://64e8148fb7ecb.site123.me/

Matt Schaefer (incumbent)

• Age: 46
• After thoughtful consideration, I have suspended my campaign for the ISD 199 Special Election for School Board. Due to recent developments in my personal life, I am unable to give the time and dedication ISD 199 deserves past my current term ending in December. I encourage the voters in the district to support Shana Dukes in the special election.
• Website or contact information: 

Many Dakota County voters will be asked on Nov. 7 to consider giving more money to public schools.

The Farmington, Hastings, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville and West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan school districts are asking for additional funding.

Here’s a rundown of what will be on the ballot next month, why the funds are needed and, if passed, how the levy referendums could impact homeowners.

Farmington

Farmington Area Public Schools is proposing to revoke the district’s existing operating levy and replace it with a new one following a budget reduction for the 2023-24 school year and a projected deficit of $3.5 million for the 2024-25 school year.

The district will ask voters to consider replacing the current operating levy of $677 per student to $1,239.92 per student for taxes payable in 2024, which will provide $9 million annually for the first three years, with $5 million coming from the current levy and $4 million from the new levy. The question then asks voters to approve an additional $562.95 per student for taxes payable in 2027, which will provide an additional $4 million annually for the remaining seven years of the new levy, according to the district.

The funds from the new levy would help the district to maintain its programs and services, offset the costs of new literacy and learner support initiatives required by the state and stabilize funding.

If approved, property taxes for district residents with an average-priced home of $350,000 will increase by about $13.25 a month for the first three years, according to the district, and then be reduced by about $14.83 per month for the remaining seven years of the new levy because of previous building bonds that will be paid off in 2024-25 and 2027-28.

For more information, go to https://www.farmington.k12.mn.us/referendum.

Hastings

Hastings Public Schools is asking voters to consider a 10-year capital project levy, also known as the technology levy.

The technology levy would raise $2 million annually for student and staff devices, reliable internet access, technology infrastructure, software and licenses, building and grounds security and cybersecurity.

If approved, the levy will cost homeowners with an average-priced home of $275,000 about $100 annually, or $8 a month, according to the district.

For more information, voters can attend an informational session at 6 p.m. Oct. 23 at Hastings Middle School or visit http://pipr.es/ZGijpvD.

Inver Grove Heights

Voters in the Inver Grove Heights Schools district will be asked two questions on the ballot next month.

Question 1 asks voters to consider an operating levy that would provide an increase of $410 per student to maintain class sizes, offer K-8 world language and add courses that would allow students to explore career opportunities.

Question 2, which is contingent on the passage of Question 1, asks voters to consider providing an additional $110 per student for safety and mental health support including training for teachers.

If both operating levies are passed, property taxes will increase by about $11.67 per month based on the area’s average home price of $313,000, according to the district.

For more information, go to http://pipr.es/Pww1gQt.

Lakeville

Voters in the Lakeville Area Schools district will be asked about two operating levies on this year’s ballot.

Question 1 asks voters to increase the general education revenue by $100 per student in order to staff and operate the district’s new elementary school, Highview Elementary, which is projected to open next fall at 18601 Highview Ave.

According to the district, K-12 enrollment is projected to grow more than 30 percent in the next decade with elementary enrollment projected to grow more than 17 percent, around 900 students, over the next five years.

If approved, the levy posed in Question 1 would add roughly $50 annually in property taxes based on an average home value of $465,000 for the area.

Question 2, which is contingent on the passage of Question 1, asks voters to approve a general education increase of $250 per student to expand K-12 mental health, behavioral and academic support and attract and retain highly qualified staff.

If both questions are approved, voters can expect a property tax increase of about $174 annually, or around $15 a month, for the average home value of $465,000, according to the district.

For more information, voters can attend a Referendum Community Meeting at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Lakeville Area Schools District Office or go to https://www.isd194.org/Page/3986.

West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan

Voters in the West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan Area school district will be asked two questions on the November ballot.

Question 1 asks voters to approve an operating levy increase of $731 per student to maintain class sizes and avoid budget cuts to programming and staff.

For elementary school, class sizes currently are about 23.5 students on average per classroom. For middle school, they are 28 on average per classroom and for high school, they are 34.5 on average per classroom, the Pioneer Press elections team reported.

If approved, the additional levy would increase annual property taxes by $153, or $12.75 a month, for the average-priced house of $350,000 in the district, according to district officials.

Question 2 asks voters to renew the school district’s existing capital levy, which is set to expire in 2025. The levy is used to fund student and staff devices, internet access and fiber connectivity, telecommunications, technology infrastructure, software licenses, training and the salaries of technology staff.

The current capital project levy, which was approved in 2014, raises some $2.3 million a year for the district’s technology needs and adds $75 in taxes to an average-priced house of $350,000 in the district. If Question 2 is approved, it would not increase taxes, according to the district.

For more information about the ballot questions, voters can attend a community information meeting at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at Two Rivers High School or go to https://www.isd197.org/vote2023.

Like a craft beer or tasty cocktail with your burger? These 10 places are for you.

New or updated entries are marked with an asterisk.

If you have other suggestions, please email them to us at eat@pioneerpress.com.

Other categories from our 2023 guide:

• Cult burgers: These are the burgers for which people are willing to wait — sometimes as long as an hour or two. And these 4 burgers match the hype.
• Destination burgers: City dwellers, these 10 places are worth the drive.
• Dive bar burgers: They may not all have a website, but they have regulars, pull tabs, and griddles that have been around long enough to give their burgers a little extra seasoning. Here are 6 dive bars to check out.
• Neighborhood burgers: These 8 spots close to home serve a crave-worthy burger.
• Cheffy burgers: When some of the city’s best chefs put their minds to making a burger, the results are nothing short of amazing — so amazing that we have 26 options to consider.

1. * Dark Horse Bar and Eatery

One of our favorite bars, period, Dark Horse offers a great tap selection, and of course, a delicious burger, which got an update this year. The Drive Thru burger features patties that are coated in mustard before hitting the grill (a la the In-N-Out Animal Burger), which gives them a little tang and crisp. American cheese blends in, without overwhelming, and there is caramelized onion for sweetness, shredded lettuce and pickle for freshness and lots of special sauce on a good, squishy, buttery brioche bun. Four napkins, five stars. And the chip-like fries that accompany it are worth the calories to boot.

• Dark Horse Bar and Eatery: 250 E. Seventh St., St. Paul; 651-313-7960; darkhorsebarandeatery.com

2. * Animales Burger Co.

Chef Jon Wipfli’s burger truck is back at Bauhaus Brew Labs, and it’s as good as ever. The Burger is a Peterson Meats grind, smashed and cooked until perfectly crisp and juicy, topped with American cheese and slightly sweet pickles. The sturdy milk bun is made in house. It goes great with any of Bauhaus’ beers — or a low-dose THC beverage.

• Animales Burger Co. (at Bauhaus Brew Labs): 1315 Tyler St. N.E., Minneapolis; animalesbarbeque.com/burgers

3. * Bricksworth Beer Co.

The Burnsville brewpub, run by BlackStack Brewing founders’ son, opened its second location in Minneapolis’ North Loop this year. The food menu is nearly identical to the wings and Detroit-style pizzas on offer in Burnsville, with one addition — a “handhelds” section — that contains precisely one item: The Bricksworth Smash Burger. And honestly, it’s fine. The two patties were smaller than expected but tasty, although they got lost under the cheese. The bright spot was the pickles, which are made in-house and have a spicy zing. It’s solid beer food, but the rest of the menu is a little more on-point.

• Bricksworth Beer Co.: 305 N 5th Ave Suite 105, Minneapolis; 612-886-1848; bricksworthbeer.co

4. Inver Grove Brewing

I love this busy brewpub, which is really just what this south metro suburb needed. Everything, including the beer, is made from scratch, here, and the house burger, made from a brisket/chuck blend, is straightforwardly delicious. A single juicy patty, American, lettuce, tomato, house-made dill pickles and a zippy little house sauce make everything I need to make a tough day brighter.

• Inver Grove Brewing: 9051 Buchanan Trail, Inver Grove Heights; 651-370-1565; igbrewing.com

5. Tipsy Steer at High Pines Brewing

East metro brewery High Pines wisely partnered with kitchen outfit Tipsy Steer, which serves a pretty giant menu of scratch-made bar food. We had a few burgers here, but are partial to the Fairibault Pride, a juicy, beefy patty made from Swanson Reserve beef and topped with aged cheddar and Gorgonzola as well as sweet caramelized onion and thick-cut bacon and nestled in a well-buttered bun. It’s greasy — but in the best way — and pairs perfectly with a crisp beer.

High Pines/Tipsy Steer: 2704 N. Snelling Ave., Roseville; 651-200-3581; highpinesbrewing.com; tipsysteer.com/roseville

6. A-Side Public House

This brewpub in St. Paul’s West Seventh neighborhood has everything it needs to make it a must-visit for us: House-brewed beer, but also wine or cocktails, and a super tasty double-smash burger. The Station 10 burger is two juicy patties, gilded with melty muenster cheese and a few pickles. The house sauce has a sweetness to it that’s appealing — ask for some on the side so you can dip the tasty, thin-cut fries in it.

• A-Side Public House: 754 Randolph Ave., St. Paul; 651-756-1351; asidepublichouse.com

7. Brunson’s Pub

I love the beer list (and the affordable craft cocktails) at this east-side pub, which has a whole menu of craveable, upscale bar food at very downscale prices. There are three burgers, but we are partial to the classic double, which consists of two juicy patties, lots of melty American cheese and enough classic toppings that getting our mouth around the thing is a challenge. This is one of the only spots where we skip the fries and go for the house-made potato chips instead. Order a side of the restaurant’s onion-dill dip to go with them — you won’t be sorry.

• Brunson’s Pub: 956 Payne Ave., St. Paul; 651-447-2483; brunsonspub.com

8. Red Cow

This burger-centric restaurant has wisely also taken up the flag for craft beer, and its list is something to behold. Cocktails here are great, too, and wine-nerd owner Luke Shimp has curated a fun and very global selection. The burgers here are all decent, but we’re partial to the mushroom swiss. The fungus here is cooked in a glug of merlot for extra richness, and melty swiss and a swipe of garlic mayo are the perfect accompaniments.

• Red Cow: 393 Selby Ave., St. Paul (and three Minneapolis locations); 651-789-0545; redcowmn.com

9. Pat’s Tap:

Much has been written about the Bacon Burger, in which bacon is ground into the (admittedly delicious) thick patty, which is topped with Swiss cheese and fried onions. But the burger that has this Wisconsin native’s heart is the Big Cheese Burger, topped with a fat slab of tangy cheddar that is flipped and griddled so the cheese is caramelized on top. The burger comes with house-made pickles and luscious, acidic heirloom tomatoes that serve as the anti-ketchup. Just thinking about that burger still makes me swoon. And the full-page beer list isn’t too shabby, either.

• Pat’s Tap: 3510 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis; 612-822-8216; patstap.com

10. Surly

The destination brewery knows that burgers and beer belong together. Two smashed patties, plenty of melty American cheese, crisp pickles, just enough red onion for bite and a swipe of “fancy sauce” keep things interesting. The brewery recommends pairing it with Furious, its flagship IPA, but you can’t go wrong with just about any of the brewery’s well-made, tasty beers.

• Surly Brewing Company: 520 Malcolm Ave. S.E., Minneapolis; 763-999-4040; surlybrewing.com

City dwellers, these 10 places are worth the drive.

New or updated entries are marked with an asterisk.

If you have other suggestions, please email them to us at eat@pioneerpress.com.

Other categories from our 2023 guide:

• Burgers to pair with beer (or cocktails): Like a craft beer or tasty cocktail with your burger? These 10 choices are for you.
• Cult burgers: These are the burgers for which people are willing to wait — sometimes as long as an hour or two. And these 4 burgers match the hype.
• Dive bar burgers: They may not all have a website, but they have regulars, pull tabs, and griddles that have been around long enough to give their burgers a little extra seasoning. Here are 6 dive bars to check out.
• Neighborhood burgers: These 8 spots close to home serve a crave-worthy burger.

1. * LoLo American Kitchen

We recently tried to get another trendy burger in Hudson and struck out. But since my teenage son had his heart set on burgers, we decided to check out this riverside spot. The burgers here are all one good, loosely pattied puck of juicy beef served on a fresh bun and topped with Boston lettuce and an heirloom tomato if you want it. It’s like your neighbor who is a good cook invited you over for burgers. The thin-cut fries are deep golden and salty in the best way, too.

• Lolo American Kitchen: 175 S. Second St., Hudson, Wis., 715-808-8025 or 233 S. Main St., Stillwater, 715-808-8025; loloamericankitchen.com

2. Churchill St.

We love this bright, airy suburban restaurant for a million reasons, including its killer coffee and cocktails, its simple, well-executed menu, its perfect old-fashioned doughnut and its cute little market, which has tempted us on every visit. And the burger here? It’s great. Two well-seasoned patties, fully cooked for the squeamish among us, but still plenty juicy. There’s caramelized onion for sweetness, an aggressive (but welcome) amount of tasty house-made pickles, melty, high-quality Cooper American cheese, and a malted fry sauce, which is awesome for dipping, though the fries are probably my second choice here, as the simple side salad, with a good vinaigrette and some crystally sea salt, is the perfect foil to all the fatty richness of the burger.

• Churchill St.: 4606 Churchill St., Shoreview; 612-466-2596; churchillst.com

3. The Better Half

This hip finer diner in downtown Lakeville was hopping when we visited for dinner, so much so that it was tough to find a parking spot and there was an hour wait for a table (they don’t take reservations, but you can join the waitlist from their website). Still, it was worth the trouble to score a burly, juicy double-smash burger. We went with the classic, which is smothered in melty American cheese and topped with house-made pickles for crunch and acid, diced caramelized onions for sweetness and a “fancy sauce,” which is basically spiced mayo, and encased in squishy bun that somehow holds everything together. The on-tap, house-made old-fashioned here is definitely the move, especially as the temperatures drop.

• The Better Half: 20851 Holyoke Ave., Lakeville; 952-214-7402; thebetterhalfmn.com

4. Feller:

Fall is the best time to visit scenic Stillwater, and if you need a break from browsing one of the town’s many cute boutiques, a burger at Feller is just the thing. Two patties, a baked-in-house brioche bun, house-made American cheese, everything on this plate is cheffed up in just the right way. We also love the addictive little shoestring fries, served in a cute bag, that come with the burger.

• Feller: 402 S. Main St., Stillwater (in the Lora Hotel); 651-571-3501; fellerrestaurant.com

5. B-52 Burgers and Brew

The rooftop patio at this Inver Grove Heights mainstay is one of the most hopping places in the south suburbs. Live music, a full outdoor bar and cushy furniture make it a great place to hang out, especially with one of the restaurant’s awesome burgers. The mushroom gouda, with charred bacon and a scallion aioli, is our current crush. Now there’s a second location in Lakeville, too.

• B-52 Burgers and Brew: 5639 Bishop Ave., Inver Grove Heights, 651-451-3838; 20751 Holyoke Ave. Lakeville, 952-213-4150; b52burgersandbrew.com

6. Burgers and Bottles

There’s a burger for every taste at this suburban strip-mall storefront, and all of them are nicely flame-grilled outside and juicy in. The bacon cheeseburger, with plenty of thick-cut bacon, suits us just fine. The hand-cut fries are delicious, too.

• Burgers and Bottles: 1278 Lone Oak Road, Eagan; 651-340-7175; burgersbottles.com

7. Dick’s Bar:

This lovable dive just off the main drag in downtown Hudson has a dark, day-drinking friendly bar, a lighter, appropriately care-worn dining room and a cute little patio. The burgers here are just the way we like them, with a squishy bun and nice griddle char. The Ricky, with American cheese, griddled (not caramelized, there is a difference) onion, lettuce, tomato, and special sauce, is a winner, but we were surprised by just how much we loved the French onion burger, which is an oniony take on a patty melt, made with a nice, tangy sourdough bread and served with au jus for beefy, salty dipping.

• Dick’s Bar: 111 Walnut St., Hudson; 715-386-5222; dicksbarhudson.com

8. King’s Bar and Grill:

It’s best to leave for remote Miesville, located about 32 miles southwest of St. Paul, when there’s plenty of daylight, and preferably when there are some fall colors to enjoy. This roadside eatery attracts lots of motorcyclists, because the drive is a pretty one. The restaurant is worth the trek, too, with relatively small, tasty burgers that are topped with all manner of craziness, from peanut butter to giardiniera to sauerkraut to pineapple. Though there are more than 90 varieties, we are fans of the relatively simple Knight: sauteed mushrooms, onions, lettuce, tomato and mayo. You should also upgrade to the thin, crisp, skin-on fries to go with that burger (they are usually served with chips).

• King’s Bar and Grill: 14460 240th St. E., Miesville, Minn.; 651-437-1418; kingsplacebar.com

9. Tavern Grill

If you look around the sprawling dining room at this suburban outpost, probably half the diners are chowing down on thick, juicy burgers served on fresh buns. We’re often put off by barbecue sauce on a burger, but the house bourbon red sauce on the Tavern Style Burger here is less sweet than most, and pairs beautifully with smoked gouda and crispy bacon.

• Tavern Grill: Multiple locations, including 772 Bielenberg Drive, Woodbury, 651-578-3000; 10950 Club West Parkway Suite 280, Blaine, 763-398-8100; 3561 Lexington Ave., Arden Hills, 651-478-4450; 15435 Founders Lane, Apple Valley, 952-683-1222; 6740 France Ave. S., Edina, 952-358-6100; thetaverngrill.com

10. Wild Bill’s Sports Saloon

This local chain has a ginormous menu, but the thick, fresh burgers are really where it’s at. We’re partial to the “Feelin’ Gouda,” which features plenty of gouda cheese, some garlicky aioli and crisp bacon on a griddled egg bun, preferably while watching a football game, because the place is lousy with televisions and has special events every Sunday. The outfit took over the former Liffey space in the Holiday Inn in downtown St. Paul last year, too.

• Wild Bill’s Sports Saloon: Six locations, including 175 W. Seventh St., St. Paul, 651-556-1420; 546 Commons Drive, Woodbury; 651-357-1050 and 15020 Glazier Ave., Apple Valley; 952-432-2455; wildbillssportssaloon.com

Many Dakota County voters were asked to consider giving more money to public schools at the polls on Tuesday.

Here’s a look at what voters were asked, what passed and how homeowners will be affected.

Farmington

Farmington Area Public Schools asked voters to consider revoking the district’s existing operating levy of $677 per student and replace it with a new one following a budget reduction for the 2023-24 school year and a projected deficit of $3.5 million for the 2024-25 school year.

The referendum failed Tuesday with nearly 53% of voters against the new operating levy. The district requested $1,239.92 per student for taxes payable in 2024, which would have provided $9 million annually for the first three years, and then an additional $562.95 per student for taxes payable in 2027, which would have provided an additional $4 million annually for the remaining seven years of the new levy, according to the district.

Hastings

Hastings Public Schools asked voters to consider a 10-year capital project levy, also known as the technology levy.

The referendum passed with more than 53% of voters in favor of the levy, which will raise $2 million annually for student and staff devices, reliable internet access, technology infrastructure, software licenses, building and grounds security and cybersecurity.

The new levy will cost homeowners with an average-priced home of $275,000 about $100 annually, or $8 a month, according to the district.

Inver Grove Heights

Question 1 failed with roughly 53% of voters against the proposed operating levy of $410 per student to maintain class sizes, offer K-8 world language and add courses to allow students to explore career opportunities.

Question 2, which was contingent on the first, also failed with 54% of voters against the additional request of $110 per student for safety and mental health support including training for teachers.

If both questions had passed, property taxes would have increased by about $11.67 per month based on the area’s average-priced home of $313,000, according to the district.

Lakeville

The levy posed in Question 1 passed with more than 55% of the vote, which asked voters to increase the general education revenue by $100 per student to staff and operate the district’s new elementary school, Highview Elementary, which is planned to open next fall in order to keep pace with growing enrollment.

The new levy will add $50 annually in property taxes to the district’s average-priced home value of $465,000.

Question 2, which asked for a general education increase of $250 per student to expand K-12 mental health, behavioral and academic support, did not pass with nearly 51% of voters against the increase.

West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan

Question 1 passed with 60% of the vote, approving an operating levy increase of $731 per student to maintain class sizes and avoid budget cuts to programming and staff.

The levy will increase property taxes by $12.75 a month for the area’s average-priced house of $350,000, according to district officials.

Question 2, which passed with more than 66% of the vote, asked to renew the district’s existing capital levy. The levy, which was set to expire in 2025, will be used to fund student and staff devices, internet access and fiber connectivity, telecommunications, technology infrastructure, software licenses, training and the salaries of technology staff.

There will be no additional increase to property taxes from Question 2 as the current capital levy adds $75 in taxes to the area’s average-priced house of $350,000.

In recognition of Veteran’s Day on Saturday, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs will be hosting a program honoring veterans.

The event, held at the Veterans Memorial Community Center in Inver Grove Heights, will have a free community breakfast for veterans and their family members from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. The program featuring a keynote and guest speakers will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., according to an announcement from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The keynote address will be given by Disabled American Veterans of Minnesota Adjutant and CEO Stephen Whitehead. Brad Lindsay, temporary commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, also will speak along with local military leaders and members of the Minnesota congressional delegation.

The 34th Infantry Division Red Bull Band will provide music.

The event, which will be livestreamed at MinnesotaVeteran.org, has been designated the official state of Minnesota Veterans Day program by the Veterans Day National Committee.

The Dakota County Library system will no longer charge patrons who return items past their due date.

As of Jan. 2, there are no overdue fees on items for any age group and those who were previously blocked from checking out items can use the library once again, the county said in a news release.

The county is currently home to nine libraries, said Scott Wente, Dakota County communications specialist, and will add a 10th next month with the opening of the new Kaposia Library in South St. Paul.

In 2022, the county removed youth fines and as a result, “more items were checked out, more youth received library cards and items were returned at a similar rate,” according to the county.

Items should still be returned to the library by their due date and most items overdue by 42 days or more will be considered lost and billed to the account. Accounts with charges of $50 or more cannot check out items.

“Everyone, no matter their circumstances, should have access to library resources,” the release said.

The St. Paul Public Library canceled all late fines and unblocked 42,000 library cards in 2019, joining what was then a small number of library systems around the country doing so. The change resulted in the first circulation boost for the St. Paul Public Library system in years while the number of overdue days held fairly steady.

Read more on the Dakota County Library policies at co.dakota.mn.us/libraries/Using/FineFree.

After eight years overseeing county operations, Dakota County Manager Matt Smith announced he will be retiring in May.

During his time with the county, Smith managed a team of more than 2,000 employees as the county earned state and national recognition for its services, improved mental health crisis programs, enhanced park and library amenities and helped to facilitate the county’s COVID-19 response, according to a county news release.

Smith said Wednesday that projects he is especially proud of include bringing bison to Spring Lake Park Reserve, the new Kaposia Library in South St. Paul that opens later this month and the nearly-completed Mississippi River Greenway, a 27-mile trail that runs along the river from St. Paul to Hastings.

Before joining Dakota County in 2008, Smith was the finance director for the city of St. Paul and spent more than 14 years with the Minnesota Department of Revenue. Smith’s first role with Dakota County was as its financial services director. He then went on to serve as deputy county manager before taking over as manager in 2016.

“This has been a great opportunity,” Smith said, “but at some point, you need to step back and let someone else take over, and this is the time.”

After his last day as manager, May 23, Smith said he looks forward to being a more active member on the boards of the Marine Mills Folk School and the Christ Lutheran Church in Marine on St. Croix. Smith said he also plans to continue teaching fiscal management courses part time at Hamline University and is looking forward to traveling with his wife and spending time with his grandchildren.

“Matt Smith is the rarest kind of leader,” said Board Chair Joe Atkins, who represents South St. Paul, West St. Paul and Inver Grove Heights, in the release. “Always first to lend a hand and last to take credit, Matt constantly strives to build consensus and collaboration among all involved. He is the consummate public servant, and we deeply appreciate his service.”

The Dakota County board is working to get a search firm under contract to help in finding a new county manager, Smith said.

Inver Grove Heights is considering joining the majority of Minnesota cities by adopting a four-year mayoral term, rather than the current two-year term.

The City Council approved the first reading of the four-year term ordinance earlier this week, with all but one council member voting in favor. Before the ordinance can be adopted, it must be read and approved three separate times by the city council.

Mayor Brenda Dietrich and Councilmembers Sue Gliva, John Murphy and Tony Scales made up the ayes with Councilmember Mary T’Kach voting no.

A four-year mayoral term would match city council seats, provide more consistency for city projects, which can take years to complete, said City Administrator Kris Wilson during Monday’s presentation. A four-year term also would allow the mayor more time to settle into the role before planning for reelection.

On the other hand, with a two-year mayoral term, the majority is in the voters’ hands as every two years three of the five city council seats – mayor and two councilmembers – are up for reelection, Wilson said.

In Minnesota, 75 cities have four-year mayoral terms, according to Inver Grove Heights staff, and 27 cities have two-year terms.

Mendota Heights and West St. Paul are the only other Dakota County cities that have a two-year mayoral term, Wilson said, adding that Inver Grove Heights is the largest city in the state with a two-year term.

According to city records, a four-year mayoral term was discussed in 2010, but no action was taken. It may have been discussed informally at other times, Wilson said, but 2010 was the last time the topic was listed on a city council agenda.

Opposing council members

T’Kach expressed concern about the timeline, which, if approved, would require the ordinance to be adopted and published four weeks prior to June 4, when the election filing period closes.

“It feels odd for us to be making such a big decision in the community and for the community during an election year,” T’Kach said Monday, adding that she wished it had come up last year.

Scales disagreed, saying, “As long as we hit our standard practices, our first, second and third readings without trying to squeeze them together, I don’t feel like it’s rushing.”

Murphy, who is serving as acting mayor while Dietrich is away, said Monday that he had spoken with residents about a four-year mayoral term in recent years and ”without fail, they are all supportive of a four-year term for mayor,” he said.

The city plans to inform residents about the potential change through its website, social media accounts and the spring edition of the city’s INSIGHTS newsletter, which is expected to hit mailboxes early April.

The second reading of the ordinance is scheduled for the March 18 city council meeting and the third on April 22. Both meetings will be open to the public for comment and residents are also able to submit comments to cityclerk@ighmn.gov.

A bank robber who authorities say zip-tied bank employees and made off with nearly $80,000 in cash from an Inver Grove Heights bank was sentenced to 10 years in prison, the U.S. attorney’s office said Monday.

Deundrick Damon McIntosh, 45, of Indiana was sentenced to prison for illegal possession of a firearm after authorities said he used a gun to rob Vermillion State Bank on 80th Street East with another man on Dec. 22, 2022, according to court documents.

In January 2023, investigators tracked McIntosh to a home where he had stored some of his belongings. Using a search warrant, investigators found money with serial numbers that matched the cash from the bank robbery and bait bills stolen from the bank. In addition, they found a gun with an extended magazine belonging to McIntosh. Because he has felony prior convictions, including bank robbery and domestic assault, McIntosh is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.

He pleaded guilty in November to possessing a firearm as a felon. He was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge John R. Tunheim.

A new, centralized records system for Dakota County law enforcement agencies took another step forward Wednesday afternoon, as officials announced the deployment of nearly $1 million in federal funding for the program.

The new version of the county’s Criminal Justice Network will allow agencies to integrate information more easily and modernize how law enforcement groups share, view and record information with each other.

The funding was jointly announced Wednesday by U.S. Rep. Angie Craig and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar at the Safety and Mental Health Alternative Response Training (SMART) Center in Inver Grove Heights, with several law enforcement officials from participating Dakota County agencies also on hand.

Of the 12 total law enforcement agencies in Dakota County, nine have signed on to the records system: the Dakota County sheriff’s office plus the Burnsville, Farmington, Hastings, Inver Grove Heights, Mendota Heights, Rosemount, South St. Paul and West St. Paul police departments.

The system is expected to go live in early 2026.

Currently, police departments can have different and sometimes outdated record systems from one another, causing difficulty when researching a possible emergency call in the field. It can allow agencies to be unaware of a person’s background or history when responding to a call.

In the office, it can cause situations where data is entered twice or in hard to find fields.

Rosemount Police Chief Mikael Dahlstrom said officers want to have as much information as possible when responding to an emergency call. Having the background of the people involved can be vital to the officer’s response.

“This is a game changer,” Criminal Justice Network executive director Mary Cerkvenik said.

All of the county’s police departments were part of the network when it was established about 20 years ago, but several shifted to a different system around 2012, Cerkvenik said.

“Our hope is that the new system we are building will encourage not only the three remaining Dakota County law enforcement agencies to join again but others as well.”

A Hugo man has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $1.3 million from his employer and spending it on gambling trips to Las Vegas, luxury cars and a boat, officials said Thursday.

Leon Keener, 55, knowingly devised and participated in a scheme to embezzle $1,314,633 from I-State Truck Centers in Inver Grove Heights from 2015 through 2022. In his role as service manager, Keener had managerial oversight for the financial operations at I-State.

Keener’s scheme involved misappropriating insurance reimbursement checks for supplemental repairs by writing off the supplemental repair work as a loss, indicating in the accounts payable system that the insurance company had refused to reimburse the supplemental repair, according to court documents. Keener then deposited the insurance reimbursement checks – $562,000 in all – into a personal bank account under his control, officials said.

Keener concealed the embezzlement “by directing his employees to provide him directly with any checks received from insurance companies, cutting out the administrative and accounting employees on staff,” officials said.

Keener embezzled another $751,000 from I-State by generating and submitting false vendor-payment requests, which he diverted for his own use and benefit, officials said. Many of the bogus requests for payments were for a shell company that Keener created and controlled called “CR Services,” which he added to I-State’s accounts-payable system in 2012, before the system required verified vendor identification, officials said.

All of the vendor and insurance reimbursement payments were facilitated using the mail, officials said.

Keener used a bank account opened in the name of CR Services to pay personal expenses, officials said. He also transferred funds from the CR Services account into his personal bank account.

Keener pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of mail fraud in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis before Judge Ann Montgomery. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later time.

When Mark Brown wrote to a prolific Twin Cities bank robber locked up in a federal prison in Minnesota, he wasn’t surprised to hear back.

The documentary filmmaker thought: “If I were in prison and really bored and I got a letter from someone who was interested in my story, I’d probably write back.”

Brown wanted to make a short film about John Whitrock but he didn’t imagine that it would become his first full-length documentary, unfolding over nearly a decade, and the twists and turns he’d encounter along the way.

“The Fishing Hat Bandit” premieres at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival on Friday, April 19.

It’s not just a true crime documentary, but a story about the power of restorative justice and taking a different approach to forgiveness, Brown says. He arranged a meeting with Whitrock and one of the bank tellers he’d robbed, who remained traumatized 20 years later.

“I think a lot of times, in the current environment, these films are whodunits,” Brown said. “But I wanted to figure out what John’s motivations were and figure out how it affected the people that were victims of these crimes.”

Photographer becomes filmmaker

Brown took up photography when he was a child. He followed his passion and became a photojournalist at the Santa Maria Times in California before he took a job at West Virginia University as a multimedia producer.

“Leaving the news business made me even more hungry to tell these kinds of stories,” Brown said, and, outside of work, he planned to work on a photo essay about a Pentecostal, snake-handling family he met. The family ran a small church, but when Brown went to their sermons, he realized “still photos could not capture what was going on.”

He’d always been interested in documentary filmmaking and he made his first short documentary about the family and their church. “Sermon of the Serpent” won best short documentary in 2014 at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival.

Brown, originally from Long Prairie, Minn., moved back to Minnesota and started working at the University of St. Thomas in 2014. He’s now director of photography for the university’s marketing department. He’s teaching at the university for the first time this semester, an introductory photo and video course.

Brown, 47, calls documentary filmmaking his “passion project.” When he started, he was single and living on his own. In the time that he’s been working on “The Fishing Hat Bandit,” he got married; he and his wife now have two children and live in Roseville.

The film is “something I’ve chipped away at,” Brown said of his working on it between his full-time job and family life. “It literally just finished in time” for the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival.

Related: A look at six Minnesota films and events at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival

‘Wonder where that guy is now?’

When Brown settled back in Minnesota, he started looking for his next film project. He especially enjoys watching true crime documentaries and set out to make his own.

Brown was living out of state in 2005 when Whitrock was arrested in the bank robberies, but he remembered reading about the case in the news. The FBI said at the time that they believed the Fishing Hat Bandit set a record for the most bank robberies in Minnesota; since then, a man pleaded guilty in 2013 to holding up 31 banks in less than a year.

A federal grand jury indicted Whitrock, then 56, in 2005. He pleaded guilty to 21 bank robberies between July 2003 and January 2005 in St. Paul, West St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights, Roseville and beyond. Often seen wearing a bucket-style hat on video surveillance footage, Whitrock walked into banks, threatened to pull out a gun and demanded cash.

Brown thought, “I wonder where that guy is now?” It was 2015 when Brown sent his first letter to Whitrock in prison, introducing himself as a documentary filmmaker who was curious about his story. They corresponded by letters and phone calls in 15-minute increments until 2018, when Whitrock was released from prison and he moved to Iowa to live with a relative.

Brown started taking road trips to interview Whitrock, thinking he would make a short documentary.

“If you didn’t know his history, you would think he’s a very typical guy in his 70s,” Brown said of Whitrock.

Whitrock realizes it wasn’t ‘victimless crime’

As Brown planned his film, he didn’t want the victims to be an afterthought.

“I was genuinely curious about what it was like to be on the other end of these robberies,” Brown said. “I wasn’t going to make just a profile piece about John. … I wanted to see how it really impacted people.”

Brown was able to track down nearly all the tellers who’d been robbed. Most wanted to leave it in the past, but four agreed to let Brown interview them for the documentary.

Meanwhile, Whitrock had told Brown “he had always kind of convinced himself that this was a victimless crime.” That was until he took a mandated victim-impact class in prison and “he really had come to this epiphany” that he’d been wrong, Brown said.

From prison, Whitrock wrote letters and mailed them to each bank he targeted, addressing them, “To the teller I robbed,” and apologizing, but he was never sure if the victims received them, Brown said.

Teller thought demand note was a joke

One of the tellers who took part in the documentary is Brent Haupt, who worked at Highgrove Community Federal Credit Union in St. Paul’s Highland Park at the time. It was the first robbery in the string of cases to which Whitrock pleaded guilty.

“(Whitrock) walked in and looked a little odd because he had a coat and leather gloves on and it’s the end of July and 90 degrees outside,” Haupt said recently of the 2003 robbery.

The man approached Haupt and handed him a demand note. It was Haupt’s ninth day working for the credit union and his first day at that location.

Haupt thought at first it was a joke and he was being put to the test at his new job. But the man patted his waistband, as though he had a weapon, and told Haupt, “I’m serious.”

Haupt, then 27, talked to the FBI and was ready to get back to work for the day, but the credit union sent him home and told him to relax. He returned to work the next day with co-workers expressing amazement, asking “You came back?”

“I said, ‘Yeah, why wouldn’t I? This is just part of the job, I guess,'” he said. He said he’s told people over the years about the robbery as an interesting story that happened to him, but he knows other tellers were deeply changed by the experience.

Left traumatized

Whitrock says he never had a gun during the robberies, though the demand notes he passed to tellers threatened that he did. Another teller who is in the documentary, Dawn Jewkes, remained “really traumatized” by the robbery, Brown said.

“John had mentioned that he wanted to find a way to express how sorry he was for doing this to people,” Brown said.

Brown traveled to North Dakota to interview Jewkes, where she now lives, about the robbery in Richfield. She told him she remembered receiving Whitrock’s apology letter and Brown asked if she’d be interested in meeting Whitrock. She said “yes,” but Brown said he knew he wasn’t qualified to “bring someone who is traumatized face-to-face with their perpetrator without possibly doing more harm.”

Brown enlisted the help of Brenda Burnside, CEO of Let’s Circle Up Restorative Services in St. Paul. “That’s the culmination of the movie — I don’t want to give too much away,” Brown said recently. “It’s the third act and it’s what brings the story into the present.”

Kelly Nathe, a documentary programmer at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival, said they watch hundreds of films before deciding which ones will be in the festival. They pay close attention to Minnesota-made films and, because Brown worked on his for years, “it was on our radar” and they were looking forward to him completing it, Nathe said.

“He assembled a film that is entertaining and riveting and really brings people on a ride that also tells the side of the story that people don’t often think about when they think about bank robbers — the effect on the bank tellers and the residual effects of that trauma.”

The films from Minnesota filmmakers always sell out at the festival, Nathe said, and she suggests people who are interested get tickets as soon as possible.

What’s next for filmmaker

Brown is a member of Docuclub MN, an informal group of Minnesota documentary filmmakers, and he said he talked to people there about his approaches to the film. Chris Newberry, who became producer of “The Fishing Hat Bandit,” met Brown through Docuclub.

“The biggest draw for me was Mark himself,” Newberry said of why he wanted to work on the project. “I really admire Mark as a filmmaker, a storyteller.” And the premise of the film was compelling to him — that a bank robber was prolific enough to get a nickname, and his journey after prison of “trying to figure out what his life was all about,” Newberry said.

Also contributing to the film is composer Charlie McCarron of St. Paul, who wrote 60 minutes of original music for the 81-minute film.

Brown said he made “The Fishing Hat Bandit” on a shoestring budget. “It’s a $200,000 film, but we did it out of pocket for maybe $50,000 over nine years,” he said.

He received a $10,000 grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, and raised $25,000 through Kickstarter to pay the editor, sound mixer, composer and colorist. Other friends in the local filmmaking community donated their time and equipment to help him. The rest was self-funded.

The experience of working on “The Fishing Hat Bandit” changed how Brown views his work and he only wants to focus on criminal justice stories going forward.

He’s already begun working on his next project: He’s filming inside the Stillwater prison’s new tattoo shop, which is providing apprenticeships to people who are incarcerated and want to pursue a career in the tattoo industry when they’re out of prison. He doesn’t yet know when it will be finished.

“Hopefully sooner than a decade,” he said.

How to watch ‘The Fishing Hat Bandit’

“The Fishing Hat Bandit” will be screened April 19 and 20 at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival and April 21 in Rochester, Minn. There will be a question-and-answer session with Mark Brown, John Whitrock and other collaborators after each of the three screenings. Tickets can be purchased at mspfilm.org.

The documentary also will be shown at the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival in Iowa on April 25 and 27.

Brown has submitted his documentary to other film festivals around Minnesota and the U.S., but he doesn’t know yet which ones may accept it. Upcoming screenings will be listed at thefishinghatbandit.com/screenings.

With water usage at an all-time high, Dakota County is inviting its cities to a friendly competition.

The competition, coined the Water Wise Challenge, encourages residents to reduce their water usage at home from May through August, when water usage is generally two to three times higher than in winter months, according to the county.

Those interested in entering the competition can pledge to take action like turning off the tap while brushing your teeth, taking shorter showers, running the dishwasher only when full, harvesting rainwater and more.

Cities with the most participation will be recognized by the Dakota County Board of Commissioners.

More than 90 percent of the county’s water supply comes from groundwater. Population growth, continued development and unpredictable climate patterns impact the county’s groundwater resources, the county said in a news release.

Dakota County used more than 30 billion gallons of groundwater in 2022, which, according to the county, is enough to fill the Empire State Building 108 times.

To take the pledge, go to http://pipr.es/ThZ6SxK.

An 18-year-old St. Paul man died after crashing his car Sunday in Inver Grove Heights, authorities say.

Eh Lee crashed near 80th Street East and Concord Boulevard just before 3 a.m., the Hennepin County medical’s office said. He died at the scene of blunt-force trauma.

Police and medics called to the single-car crash in the 7800 block of Dempsey Way just east of Concord found Lee unresponsive in his vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene, Inver Grove police Lt. John Daniels said Monday.

A preliminary cause of the crash has not been determined, Daniels said, adding they are working with Minnesota State Patrol.