Ring in 2013 with an Icy Swim in Lake Minnetonka

More than 900 jumpers—many of which have made the jump an annual tradition—took the plunge last year.

Hundreds of brave Minnesotans will ring in 2013 with a Jan. 1 dip in the icy waters of Lake Minnetonka. The annual ALARC Ice Dive will once again take place at the Bayview Event Center in Excelsior and give jumpers an option to help raise money for a variety of local charities and nonprofits—including Minnetonka High School students and both boy’s and girl’s hockey teams from Benilde St. Margaret’s. The major beneficiary of this year’s jump will be “The Semper Fi Fund,” which provides immediate financial support for injured and critically ill members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families.  Registration for this year's ice jump must be completed by Dec. 31. Cost to jump is $25 plus tax, and $30 for those registering on jump day. …

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Dead Man Elected, Yoga Pants Rejected and Movember Protected: Pick of Our Patches

This week's selections from around the West Metro also include a new interchange in Albertville, Popeyes popping up in Richfield and a story that turns the lens on a popular photographer. Plus, a Jack Jablonski update.

Editor’s Note: Every week we will bring you a sampling of stories from Patch sites in the west metro: Eden Prairie, Edina, Fridley, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Lake Minnetonka, Maple Grove, Plymouth, Richfield, Southwest Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, and St. Michael.  'He Makes High Schoolers Feel Like Pro Athletes' If you've been to more than a couple Minneapolis high school sporting events,you've probably seen photographer Steve Kotvis before. You just wouldn't recognize him on the street, unless he held a giant camera lens in front of his face. Edina Police Ditching Razors for Worthwhile Cause More than 30 members of the Edina Police Department are taking part in Movember—an annual, month-long event that sees men all over the world grow …

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Wendy Erlien

12:25 pm on Monday, November 19, 2012

I'll be updating the story later today, Lisa, with some details from the Osseo School District. In short, the nearby school (Rush Creek Elementary) nor ISD 279 were not notified of the controlled burn before it happened.   more ›

Lake Minnetonka Water Level Drops to Lowest of 2012

State calls drought situation "dire" going into the 2013 growing season; lack of precipitation has led to a sharp drop in lake and stream levels throughout Minnesota.

Drought conditions that have gone from moderate to severe in recent weeks have led to Lake Minnetonka's water level dropping to the lowest of 2012. The most recent measurements, recorded Oct. 17, indicate Lake Minnetonka's water level is 927.74 feet above sea level—down more than a foot since the beginning of August and more than 18 inches off the summer's peak. Lake Minnetonka is the headwaters of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed, which includes eight major creeks, 129 lakes, thousands of wetlands and stretches to the Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis. The watershed ultimately drains into the Mississippi River. This week the Minnehaha Falls have been reduced to a trickle, and creeks throughout the watershed have seen sharp drops in water levels…

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Twin Cities Residents React to Mitt Romney's Visit to Lake Minnetonka

The presumed Republican nominee made his way to the Twin Cities Thursday night.

Next week, Mitt Romney will be oceanside in Tampa, FL as he attempts to earn the Republican nomination for President of the United States.  Today, however, he was lakeside at the Lafayette Club as he visited the Twin Cities for a Republican fundraiser.  His motorcade was greeted by protesters, including a busload of supporters of President Barack Obama with signs and chants.  Here's some local reaction from social media users around the Twin Cities. 

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Benefit Planned for Kennedy Maddox

Benefit takes place Sunday afternoon at Lord Fletcher's in Spring Park.

Kennedy Maddox drowned while swimming near Big Island on Lake Minnetonka earlier this week.

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Sheriff Says Water Patrol Will Be Out in Force During Memorial Day Weekend

As usual, Hennepin County's most popular lake is expected to see high traffic this weekend.

Memorial Day brings with it Minnesota's first big boating weekend of the year, and 2012 will be no different. While forecasts call for less than ideal weather for water recreation, Hennepin County Rich Stanek made clear Friday morning that water patrol units would be out in force during the holiday. "There will be a small window for good boating weather," Sheriff Stanek said standing on the shores of Lake Minnetonka in Spring Park. "It will mean crowded lakes, accesses and launches, so boaters need to be courteous." The state's bass fishing season opens this weekend, which Sheriff Stanek said will add to traffic and access demand. The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office responds to and investigates all water-related incidents and emergencies …

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Hockey Community Gathers on Lake Minnetonka to Skate for Jabs

The Jack Jablonski Junior Bronze Pond Tournament was held Sunday as part of the annual Hockey Blast weekend.

Max Jablonski rides shotgun in a dune buggy filled to its five-person capacity with kids from Benilde-St. Margaret’s. He wears a white hockey jersey tattooed with dozens of signatures as he and his pals putter around Excelsior Bay. On rinks nearby pond hockey games are being played in honor of his older brother, Jack—who was paralyzed last month during a junior varsity hockey game. “My brother is doing alright,” Max said. “He’s really touched and motivated by all the support.” In the driver’s seat next to Max is 15-year-old Mario Zattoni—one of the organizers of Sunday’s Jack Jablonski Junior Bronze Pond Tournament on Lake Minnetonka. Planning for the fundraiser began soon after Jablonski was injured Dec. 30 during a game against Wayzata, …

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Gray’s Bay Boat Slips Up For Grabs in Lottery

The city of Minnetonka will host a lottery drawing Feb. 16 for 2012 Gray’s Bay Marina boat slip vacancies and for the waiting list.

The city of Minnetonka will host a lottery drawing on Feb. 16 for 2012 Gray’s Bay Marina boat slip vacancies and for the waiting list. Only Minnetonka residents are eligible for these slips. Slips are approximately 10½ feet wide and can accommodate boats up to a maximum of 24 feet in total length. Cost per slip for the 2012 boating season is $3,900. Applications must be received at Minnetonka City Hall no later than 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15. The lottery will take place at Minnetonka City Hall Thursday, Feb. 16, at 2:30 p.m. Applicants do not need to be present. To receive a lottery application form call 952-939-8390, e-mail mweseloh@eminnetonka.com, or download information from the city's Lottery for Boat Slips page.

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Late Freeze on Lake Minnetonka

It looks like those little ice villages that pop up on Minnesota lakes will have to wait a while this year. There was open water on Lake Minnetonka and most lakes in southern Minnesota on Dec. 9.