South metro briefs: Scholarship fund honors Lakeville South crash victim

Scholarship fund honors Lakeville South crash victim

Organizers of a scholarship fund created to honor Jake Flynn, a Lakeville South junior who was killed in a car accident in December, have selected the first of two district seniors to receive a $5,000 award to put toward college.

William Kuhn, a senior at Lakeville North, is the first scholarship recipient. He plans to attend the University of Missouri to study broadcast journalism or special education.

Another $5,000 scholarship winner will be announced at a Lakeville South awards ceremony on Thursday.

"Jake was determined to make a big impact in this world, and he continues to do that," said Michelle Flynn, Jake's mother, in a statement.

The Jake Flynn Memorial Scholarship Fund was established by family and friends of Flynn, a multisport student athlete who hoped to play football in college. The fund will give $5,000 to a student-athlete at each high school annually.

More than $76,000 has been raised for the fund. Contributions can be made at any U.S. Bank location or through the fund's Facebook page.

The site of Eagan's Sperry water tower will soon be home to a new telecommunications tower.

The nondescript white tower, emblazoned with the city's name, was demolished this month. Built in 1967 near what was then Sperry Corp. near Pilot Knob Road, it hadn't held water since 2009, instead serving as a cellular and emergency system antenna base.

In March, the antennas were relocated temporarily.

City notices have described the new structure as a "stealth" communications tower that'll hide the equipment it houses. It'll also be outfitted with lighting that can change at random or for special occasions.

The new tower is expected to be operational in October.

Hy-Vee is looking to open a supermarket in Shakopee, its second in Scott County.

Shakopee's Planning Commission will review on June 9 the Iowa-based chain's application for rezoning a roughly 24-acre plot in the city's west end. The proposal includes a convenience store and gas station. The City Council will then vote.

The grocery chain's application marks a turnaround for Shakopee, whose bid to attract the chain in 2014 failed. The city's residents have long grumbled about a lack of upscale retailers such as Trader Joe's. Shakopee's current options include Cub Foods, Aldi and Wal-Mart.

Hy-Vee entered the Twin Cities market last fall with two stores. Three more are expected to open this summer, including in Eagan and Lakeville. Hy-Vee is also developing a store in Savage, which will include a Caribou Coffee, a dining area, a medical clinic and dry cleaning services.

Natalie Daher

The Minnesota Historical Society handed over management of the site, which includes the historic home of Henry Hastings Sibley, a 19th century fur trader and the first governor of Minnesota.

Over the years, the Minnesota Historical Society has partnered with historical organizations to take over some historic sites, said Matt Carter, Dakota County Historical Society executive director, in an e-mail.

The open house on May 28 will include tours, a raffle and refreshments from 1 to 4 p.m.

"This site with its proximity to Fort Snelling was such an important location," Carter said. "It's another way to bring Dakota County history to the public."

Beatrice Dupuy

She was chosen by the White House from a national pool of workers for her "leadership and tireless work to ensure that students in our nation's schools receive the support and motivation they need," according to a release from SEIU Local 284, the union to which Angeles-Farris belongs.

Angeles-Farris, who lives in Apple Valley, was picked because of her involvement in the Lakeville district's early childhood education programs and other civic efforts. She has been a member of the Lakeville district's Early Childhood Family Education Advisory Council and the Lakeville Art Festival committee, according to a release from the White House.