South Metro Patch Roundup: Obermueller-vs.-Kline Race Among 'Most Competitive'

You can't be at your computer 24 hours a day, so we've compiled the top news of the previous week from neighboring Patches throughout Dakota County. Here are some of the recent stories that could impact, help or be of interest to you. Read each story by clicking on the headline link.

Dakota County 

Obermueller's Campaign Moves Higher on DCCC's Priority List

Minnesota's Second Congressional District race pitting Mike Obermueller against John Kline is among the 36 "most competitive" in the nation this year, according to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Apple Valley-Rosemount

Fabric Town to Close After Almost 30 Years in Business

Owner Patti Peltz announced Friday that she would be closing the store—located in the Time Square shopping center—and that a clearance sale begins Monday.

Grand Jury: Apple Valley Police Officer Was 'Legally Justified' in Fatal Shooting

Officer Tommie Booth used deadly force against Carl Anthony Tatum, age 48 of Apple Valley, while responding to a domestic-disturbance report April 29.

Burnsville

Battle royale over Burnsville billboards just beginning

On Tuesday night, City Hall was the scene of a heated discussion in which Mayor Elizabeth Kautz described a proposed change to the City Code as an attempt to turn Burnsville into a "billboard sign farm." Council Member Dan Kealey demanded that she retract her statement. She did not. And after two hours, the council was still at a stalemate.

Former Talk Radio Host Convicted for Part in Multi-million Dollar Ponzi Scheme

After a month-long trial, a federal jury found Burnsville resident Patrick Kiley and two co-defendants guilty of participating in a Ponzi scheme that bilked investors out of millions of dollars. The scam was orchestrated by Trevor Cook. Kiley acted as a "barker" for the operation, soliciting investors through the radio talk show he recorded each week at his Burnsville home. 

Cannon Falls

Sheriff: Lake Byllesby Closed Until Further Notice

Recent rains have led to high waters and threats to public safety.

Eagan

Warehouse Company Purchases 350,000-Square-Foot Building in Eagan

Minneapolis-based Murphy Warehouse Company plans to make $3 million in improvements to the building, which is located along Yankee Doodle Road.

New Eagan Restaurant Will Offer 'New Twist' on Classic Bar Bites

The Lone Oak Grill will likely open in Eagan at the end of July.

Eagan Man Charged with Punching Son Pleads Not Guilty

Steven Ohara Wilson, 52, was charged in December with one count of misdemeanor domestic assault after allegedly holding his son's head with one arm while using the other arm to punch him after the boy's eighth-grade team lost in a basketball tournament.

Longer Liquor Store Hours Coming to Eagan?

The city council is weighing an ordinance change that would permit off-sale liquor stores to remain open until 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday—two hours later than the current standard.

Inver Grove Heights

U.S. Marine and Simley Alum Cola Jensen Dies From Complications

Cola Jensen, who graduated from Simley High School in 2011, died from complications of an illness while serving at Camp Pendleton. Details of Jensen's Marine Corps service and untimely death are still unclear. 

Lakeville

16 Kids Suspended in Century Middle School Photo Scandal

The Lakeville Area Public School District revealed how many students were suspended for their roles in an inappropriate photo sharing scandal that rocked Century Middle School last month. Four students were charged with gross misdeameanors.

Search For Missing Pilot Continues

Authorities continued to search along the North Shore of Lake Superior for 67-year-old Michael Bratlie and his twin-engine Piper PA-31, which disappeared June 8. 

Mendota Heights

Klobuchar Makes Dakota County Stop to Support Domestic Violence Act

The U.S. Senator visited Mendota Heights City Hall on Friday afternoon to tout the reauthorization of the anti-violence bill.