Orono fires fire chief in ongoing merger efforts

One month after the Orono City Council began the merger of its fire department with Long Lake and began termination of its paid on-call work force, the council moved forward with firing Orono Fire Chief James Van Eyll, at its May 12 meeting.

“We are very appreciative of the service Mr. Van Eyll has performed for the community,” said Mayor Bob Tunheim. “We asked him to stand up a fire department out of scratch, and that’s not an easy task but he did it well.”

continue https://www.hometownsource.com/laker_pioneer/community/orono-fires-fire-chief-in-ongoing-merger-efforts/article_710b1a6c-193e-431e-a756-6c16f8ba3827.html

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From tragedy to triumph: Orono basketball players, parents, coaches look back on seasons

Most mornings, the sound of basketballs hitting the floor echo through the Orono High School gym. Before heading to class, some boys basketball players use the space to work out kinks, hone their craft, and spend time doing what they love.

Around 5 a.m. one mid-November morning, it was here Nolan Groves wanted to be.

His dad, John, woke him up to share news his old coaching partner, Renae Knudson, told him late last night when she stopped at the Groves’ house while he was asleep. After hearing the news, Groves insisted on heading to that gym. He just had to.

continue https://www.hometownsource.com/laker_pioneer/community/from-tragedy-to-triumph-orono-basketball-players-parents-coaches-look-back-on-seasons/article_b5054768-9eee-4674-979a-c7cda1f38080.html

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Orono elects Schwingler to City Council

Orono voters picked Jon Schwingler as their new City Council member in a special election Tuesday. 

Schwingler will replace Claire Berrett, who was controversially appointed by former Mayor Dennis Walsh to finish the term of a council member who resigned after November’s election shook up city leadership.

Walsh unsuccessfully sued after the city passed an ordinance and called the special election for Berrett’s seat. He argued her term should have ended in November 2026.

Last week, the Supreme Court affirmed a lower-court opinion, allowing Tuesday’s election to take place. Continue https://archive.ph/7Yb17

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Orono OKs reduction in fire department staffing

The City of Orono took another step towards consolidating its fire department with the Long Lake Fire Department.

The Orono Council on April 28 approved a resolution terminating all Orono Fire Department paid on-call members.

The move was expected, and will allow for just one paid on-call force, Long Lake’s, to serve the entire fire response area. Continue https://www.hometownsource.com/laker_pioneer/community/orono-oks-reduction-in-fire-department-staffing/article_22226914-d575-4191-a922-3f348a297a7d.html

#LongLake #Orono

Focus on community at annual Wellness Expo

The fourth Community Wellness Expo was held on May 1 at the Orono Activities Center. The annual event invites students , families, and community members to learn about community and wellness resources, discover volunteering opportunities, and help with hands-on service projects. The Wellness Expo is intentionally held during Mental Health Awareness Month.

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Orono voters head to polls Today for special City Council election

The race for an Orono City Council seat on Tuesday is on.

The special election was in doubt until the Minnesota Supreme Court said Friday that the contest for the seat currently held by Claire Berrett could proceed.

The court’s order affirmed a lower court decision against former Orono Mayor Dennis Walsh, who had sought to stop the election. He had argued the contest would prematurely end the term of Berrett, whom he had appointed to fill a vacancy while he was still in office.

The special election Tuesday is the latest twist in the political drama that has rocked Orono in recent months. The city of about 8,000 on Lake Minnetonka has seen controversy over the fire department, rancor on the council, debate over a nearly $17 million public works facility and, recently, the lawsuit. Continue https://archive.ph/QtJy8

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Orono schools bid out sidewalk, other work

The Orono school board approved going out for bids to finance $5.1 million of bonds that would fund parking lot, sidewalk, sports field, and other structural improvements throughout the district.

“We have well over $200 million in facility investments alone from our community on our campus,” said Superintendent Dr. Kristine Flesher of the financing plans. “We continue our long-term planning and maintenance of our campus with prudent decisions and managing any tax impact.” Continue https://www.hometownsource.com/laker_pioneer/community/orono-schools-bid-out-sidewalk-other-work/article_a07e39ef-6ea2-4eda-a73f-c01a571d3387.html

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Orono, Long Lake fire departments hold joint training

With the two departments headed toward a merger after a pivotal contract amendment earlier this month, members the Orono and Long Lake Fire Departments congregated at Orono Fire Station on April 23 for joint training.

Each department brought its “first out” engine with pumps and hoses. Each rig features different layouts, and each department uses a different hose style. Orono utilizes a smooth-bore hose while Long Lake uses a nozzle style, with each having its own strategy and benefits.

The group spent time in the station’s classroom ahead of the hands on training, in which members worked together in holding and operating the hose and pump apparatus.

#LongLake #Orono

Historical society program focuses on 1965 tornadoes

The Lake Minnetonka Historical Society (LMHS) will present “Remembering the Lake Minnetonka Tornadoes of 1965” with meteorologist Paul Huttner on Tuesday, May 6, 7 p.m. at the Gillespie Center, Lost Lake Room 1, 2590 Commerce Blvd, Mound. Tickets are $10 for LMHS Members, $15 for the general public and may be purchased online at 1965tornadoes.eventbrite.com.

Sixty years ago, the Lake Minnetonka area was hit hard by two F4 tornadoes, with the cities of Deephaven, Greenwood, Shorewood, Spring Park, Mound, Orono and Minnetonka Beach bearing the brunt of the storms. This catastrophic weather event killed three people, caused millions of dollars of damage, and destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses in the lake area alone, forever changing the face of the lake and the lives of its residents. Former Deephaven resident and Former Deephaven resident and chief meteorologist for MPR News, Paul Huttner, will discuss the science behind that fateful day and its influence on his career path. Continue https://www.hometownsource.com/laker_pioneer/community/historical-society-program-focuses-on-1965-tornadoes/article_83b3ab5f-0c0c-444d-bbe9-249db9488104.html

#Deephaven #LakeMinnetonka #Mound #Navarre #Orono #Shorewood #SpringPark

Proposal for Orono Watercraft Garage Condo

Situated between sprawling Lake Minnetonka and Long Lake, numerous Orono residents keep boats and other lake toys for summer recreation.

Developers say a vacant lot at 430 Old Crystal Bay Road in Orono’s small industrial area could fill a storage need for those vessels plus RVs, cars, and other vehicles, with Orono Garage Condos LLC proposing an 85-unit garage condo at the site.

The Orono City Council has not yet approved development, but did direct staff on April 14 to draft the necessary permits and plans for approval at a later meeting. Continue https://www.hometownsource.com/laker_pioneer/community/orono-mulls-garage-condo-for-watercrafts-proposal/article_d53cc2eb-e952-4e60-ad68-a09b25a7a618.html

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