Group Honors Woodbury Rep. Kieffer for Work on Sex Offender Bill

The Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault recognized Kieffer at a ceremony Thursday.

For her work on a bill that would increase penalties for repeat sex offenders, Woodbury Rep. Andrea Kieffer was recognized Thursday by the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault. Kieffer, a Republican serving her second term in the state House, worked on a similar bill last session and is hopeful lawmakers will support House File 142 this year. “We’re really trying hard to get it passed,” said Kieffer. One sticking point with the previous version of the bill was the fiscal note attached to it, but she said the state Department of Corrections may absorb the costs and help the bill become law. The idea behind the legislation is to prevent those convicted of lesser sex crimes from committing more egregious offenses in the future, she said…

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Valerie Parkhurst

4:53 pm on Saturday, April 13, 2013

Another study found that over 90% of convicted pedophiles are arrested again for the same offense after their release from prison. More than half (77.9%) of all convicted sex offenders are sent back to prison within a year. A study of offenders in Washington reveals recidivism rates for child molesters range from 18-45%. The more violent the crime, the more likelihood the perpetrator will repeat …   more ›

Woodbury Author Brian Freeman’s Book Up for Award

“Spilled Blood” is one of five finalists for Best Hardcover Novel in the International Thriller Writers’ 2013 Thriller Awards.

For the second time in three years, a book from Woodbury author Brian Freeman is up for an award from the International Thriller Writers. Freeman’s seventh novel, Spilled Blood, has been named one of five finalists for Best Hardcover Novel in the International Thriller Writers’ 2013 Thriller Awards.  “Very cool,” Freeman told Patch. In 2011, his book The Burying Place was also named a finalist for the award. Related: Woodbury Author Up For International Book Award In an April 2012 interview with Patch, Freeman called Spilled Blood “possibly my favorite book.” In a departure from his earlier works, it does not feature the character Jonathan Stride. The novel is set in rural southwestern Minnesota, where two towns are feuding over a chemical…

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East Ridge Robotics Team Takes Home Excellence in Engineering Award

The regional competition was held March 28-30 at Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis.

The East Ridge High School robotics squad finished third out of 60 teams March 28-30 during the Northstar Regional at Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis. The ERRORs also received the Excellence in Engineering Award (sponsored by Delphi) as judged by a panel of professional engineers from the Midwest. The team in early March also notched a fifth-place finish at the 47-team, five-state, regional competition in Duluth.   Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Sign up for our newsletter

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Woodbury’s Woodwinds Again Named a Top 100 Hospital in U.S.

The Woodbury health facility also earned a 2013 Everest Award.

They did it again. Woodwinds Health Campus has been named one of the top 100 hospitals in the U.S. by Truven Health Analytics (formerly known as the health business of Thomson Reuters). This is the third time Woodwinds has earned the award, according to a release from HealthEast, whose hospitals include Woodwinds, St. John’s and St. Joseph’s. Woodwinds also reached benchmarks for highest rate of improvement over five years, meaning it also earned a 2013 Everest Award. “We’re honored once again to be recognized as a 100 Top Hospital and receive the Everest Award for the first time,” Scott North, senior vice president and president of acute-care hospitals at HealthEast, said in the release. “For us at Woodwinds, it started with connecting …

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Kris Janisch

9:52 am on Friday, March 1, 2013

Thanks for the link Beth-Ann.   more ›

WCCO’s Chris Shaffer on Awards, Weather and Woodbury

The meteorologist recently won the Upper Midwest Regional Emmy Award for best weather anchor.

It might have been doing the weather in a hot-air balloon. Or dropping Taylor Swift references during a newscast. Either way, Woodbury resident Chris Shaffer has a new award for his mantle. Shaffer on Saturday took home the Upper Midwest Regional Emmy Award for best weather anchor. It was the first time he entered the competition, after friend and WCCO reporter Jason DeRusha urged him to give it a shot. “I was never driven as an award kind of guy,” he told Patch during a wide-ranging interview Wednesday. “I liked the party. I should have gone to the parties over the years.” A former deejay at several Twin Cities radio stations, Shaffer often tries to work musical references into his broadcasts. “And I try to make them make sense,” he said…

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Group Recognizes Woodbury Science Teacher

Woodbury Middle School's Nicholas George was named a regional honoree in the WEM Foundation’s 2012 Outstanding Educator Awards program. What has he meant to your child?

Last year, Woodbury Middle School teacher Nicholas George’s students had the highest average MCA science scores of any school in Minnesota. The year prior, they had the second highest scores. Now, the Metro ECSU and Synergy & Leadership Exchange have announced that George has been named as a regional honoree in the WEM Foundation’s 2012 Outstanding Educator Awards program. George is being honored in the Teacher Achievement category, which “recognizes exemplary teachers who support, inspire and assist students to attain greater learning, as evidenced by student achievement,” according to a release from the group. George has been teaching for seven years, and currently teaches eighth grade earth and space science at Woodbury Middle School. “…

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‘That Could Have Been His Head’

Woodbury couple to be honored with “Saved by the Helmet” award Tuesday. Should the state require motorcycle riders to wear a helmet?

His wife’s face “looked like hamburger.” Woodbury residents Rick and Beth Jones will be recognized with a “Saved by the Helmet” award from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety as part of the Toward Zero Deaths program today, June 12. They were riding a motorcycle on Highway 63 in Fillmore County last June when they hit a deer, sending Beth tumbling through the air and Rick skidding beneath the bike. The State Patrol officer who contacted Beth about the award said that if they hadn’t been wearing their helmets, they could have died. “Absolutely 100 percent true,” said Beth, 41, who suffered broken bones in both hands and had to have plates and screws inserted following the crash. She had a fractured vertebra, her jawbone was dislocated…

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Angela's Angle

A Champion of Comfort and Care at Woodbury Senior Living

Basil Owen to be awarded 2011 Champion Award from Care Providers of Minnesota.

Care Providers of Minnesota, a statewide nonprofit trade association, will award Chaplain Basil Owen the 2011 Champion Award at their convention this month. Basil is campus chaplain for Woodbury Senior Living, which is comprised of Woodbury Healthcare Center, Woodbury Estates and Woodbury Villa. I have the pleasure of working with Basil every Thursday during Woodbury Healthcare Center’s midweek ecumenical church service. My job is to gather residents who wish to attend church and wheel them to the chapel. I tell my kids that I volunteer to push old people around. While there, I witness something special. Basil greets each person by name. He knows exactly where everyone prefers to sit. He smiles, sings and shares encouraging messages and …

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Woodbury's Alberts Nominated For Mr. Lacrosse Award

As of Wednesday, the senior midfielder had 35 goals and 37 assists this season for the Royals, which began section play on Wednesday.

Woodbury senior Ben Alberts was selected as one of seven finalists for the 2011 Minnesota Mr. Lacrosse Award. The Mr. Lacrosse Award winner will be announced Sunday, June 5, at the Grand Ballroom at River Centre in St. Paul, two days before the state lacrosse tournament kicks off. As of Wednesday, Alberts helped Woodbury to a 5-8 record this season and the sixth seed in the Section 5 playoffs. The Royals began section play on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at home against Roseville Area. In 13 games this season, Alberts scored 35 goals and added a team-high 37 assists. He led the team with 72 points in the regular season, which is the second highest point total in the state behind Blake's George Ordway's 74, according to mnlaxhub.com.

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Woodbury Man Honored For Efforts During Fire Rescue

The Public Safety Department on Tuesday recognized Charles Krinke with the Kargel Memorial Award.

Woodbury resident Charles Krinke was driving down Woodbury Drive on April 2, 2010, when he saw a lightning strike and flames coming from a home in the city’s Wedgewood neighborhood. He said he kicked the door in, told a woman that her home was on fire, and helped her disabled son evacuate the home. On Tuesday, May 17, the Woodbury Public Safety Department honored Krinke with the Kargel Memorial Award, which “recognizes citizens who perform extraordinary acts in the area of public safety within the city of Woodbury,” according to a release from the city. Krinke, a 67-year-old who has to be on oxygen 24-7, said he was surprised when the city called about the award. “It was no biggie,” he said. “Anybody would have done it.” At the time of the…

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