Amber Kispert-Smith
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Amber Kispert-Smith has been the schools and Afton reporter at the Woodbury Bulletin since 2008. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota. She previously worked as a reporter for Press Publications in White Bear Lake.
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Walking down the halls of the still unfinished East Ridge High School, it's hard to imagine that in just a few short months they'll be alive with students running to class, teachers offering an encouraging smile and the morning bells marking the first chapter in a new story. "Everything is so detail-oriented that it's hard to focus on the big things right now like the first day of school," East Ridge principal Aaron Harper said.
Spc. Dan Drevnick, of Woodbury, was laid to rest on Saturday July 25 when friends and family came out to say their goodbyes at the fallen soldiers' funeral at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Woodbury. "We come here today with humble and grateful hearts," Pastor Timothy Hackbarth said. "Dan faced his life head on and fearless -- and he will forever be remembered." Drevnick, 22, died on July 16 in Basra, Iraq, while serving as part of the National Guard Red Bull 34th Infantry Division, when there unit was attacked by indirect fire. Two other soldiers from Minnesota, Carlos E.
Afton already has a controversial tower in their midst, but could another structure beginning with a 'T' be added into the mix? At the July 6 meeting of the Afton Planning Commission, commissioners heard a presentation from Ralph Jacobson, from Innovative Power Systems, about wind turbines. The issue of wind turbines was looked into by the planning commission, because a new property owner, Alida Messinger, is requesting to install a wind turbine on the property located at 536 Stagecoach Trail South. "We're kind of stuck, because you have no ordinances dealing with wind turbines," Jacobson s
A summer camp in Afton and beyond for youth ages 6 to 12 is aiming to dispel misconceptions about American Indians. School District 833, in cooperation with the South St. Paul School District, the Indian Youth Enrichment Program and St.
A Woodbury man, along with 17 other defendants, have been charged in federal court in connection with an indoor marijuana growing operation. Dat Thai Tran, 27, of Woodbury was charged on Wednesday, July 2 with one count of conspiracy to manufacturer at least 1,000 marijuana plants. The criminal complaint alleges that Tran, and 17 other defendants, conspired to manufacture marijuana plants from February through June. Search warrants were executed on June 30 for various locations throughout the Twin Cities.
The lawsuit against an Afton resident and his allegedly illegal airstrip will be stuck on the runway for a bit longer. A jury trial was set to begin this morning, but prior to the trial the attorney for Afton resident Jeffrey Walker made a motion to be removed from the case. The motion was granted. It's been almost five years since Walker installed an airstrip on his property at 1022 Indian Trail South in Afton -- a move Afton officials contend is not permitted by city ordinance.
Summer has officially started for the students of New Life Academy who had their last day of school on June 4, and for the seniors it was the last day before they embark on their futures. What better way to celebrate the end of the year than by celebrating the students who have achieved so much over the year. This year's secondary awards ceremony awarded numerous awards to New Life students grades eight through 12.
Denise Minea grew up around music, as her family was a very musical one. Ever since she was a young girl, she has been singing in church choirs, too. Now Minea, a Woodbury resident, is hoping to reach others with her debut album of Christian folk music, "In This Life: Reflections on Birch Point." "It won't be everybody's cup of tea, but it will definitely speak to some people," Minea said.
Afton city attorney Fritz Knaak may have his work cut out for him in Afton, but there is another case currently commanding his attention -- Minnesota's U.S. Senate recount. Knaak, of the law firm Knaak and Kantrud PA, and a Vadnais Heights resident, is one of several attorneys working on Republican Sen. Norm Coleman's case against Democratic contender Al Franken. Both Coleman's and Franken's points of view are scheduled to be heard in the Minnesota Supreme Court on Monday, June 1. "It's about as important of a case that will be heard in the Supreme Court," Knaak said.
May is almost coming to a close and that means only one thing for Afton residents -- May Fair is almost here. Every year, hundreds of people come out for the annual event that celebrates everything great about spring and summer. The 17th Annual Afton May Fair will be May 30 and 31 in Afton's Town Square. A variety of events and activities will be taking place. You can stop by the May Fair to peruse the many art vendors on display, or you can enter your family's pie recipe into the pie contest and listen to live music.