The Eden Prairie School Board discussed how to move schools to a K-6 alignment during a work session Thursday.

Superintendent Melissa Krull said that two early decisions had been made.

Today’s fourth-graders will not be sent to Oak Point in the fall, then back to their elementary schools the next year.

The fourth-graders are to go to Oak Point in the fall and stay there for sixth grade, Krull said.

Prepare to use the Bloomington Ferry Bridge.

According to an update from Chaska Superintendent Tim Wiebe, Highway 101 and Highway 41 will both close between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. today.

"Things are changing by the minute," said Wiebe, who just estimated earlier this morning that 101 would close on Saturday, and Highway 41 would close on Sunday or Monday.

With the Jordan crossing closed, that leaves the Bloomington Ferry Bridge as the closest alternative.

- Mollee Francisco

By Forrest Adams

During a morning interview from Tucson, Ariz., where he was signing books at the Tucson Book Festival, Scott Simon came across every bit as relaxed as his radio personality.

“I was told the interview would be at 9 a.m.,” said the reporter, who waited dutifully until 10 a.m. (Center Standard Time) before calling the award-winning journalist’s cell phone number for a 9 a.m. interview, as instructed by Simon’s agent.

“So was I. The time here is 8 a.m.,” replied Simon.

The Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce’s eighth annual Home, Landscape and Garden Everything Spring Expo is set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 20, at Grace Church. The show is set to include more than 100 booths.

“This show is totally free to attend and has free parking,” according to a news release. “Kids activities will be provided by KidCreate Studios, Underwater World, Kid’s Potting with The Mustard Seed Landscaping and Garden Center, and The Home Depot.”

Nominations for this year’s Eden Prairie Schools Legacy Awards are due March 19. The awards were established in 2008 by the Foundation for Eden Prairie Schools (FEPS) to honor outstanding employees, students, volunteers and alumni.

“The Legacy Awards will honor individuals who have contributed to the success and reputation of Eden Prairie Schools,” according to a news release.

Awards will be presented for:

* Teacher of the Year
* Staff Employee of the Year
* Alumnus of the Year
* Volunteer of the Year

Tony Szczepaniak’s charity cribbage tournament will benefit the ABC Foundation this year. In addition, the event is accepting donations of food items for PROP.

Join Szczepaniak for men’s night at Eden Wood Center, 6350 Indian Chief Road in Eden Prairie, from 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Friday, March 19. The tournament starts promptly at 7 p.m.

The cost benefits the foundation. Cost at the door is $30. Dinner will be served and a cash bar will be available.

For more information, contact Szczepaniak at 952-250-6937 or e-mail tony.szczepaniak@gmail.com.

The Eden Prairie Boy Scout Troop 342 Pancake Breakfast at Eden Prairie High School Sunday drew a crowd. Click below for a slide show.

Brindisi, Kangas among new ownership group

By Forrest Adams

Chanhassen Dinner Theatres is now under new ownership, though some of the owners have familiar faces.

Long-time Resident Artistic Director Michael Brindisi and Choreographer Tamara Kangas Erickson are among a large cast now charting a path forward for the 41-year-old theater.

Quick turnaround of suspect information in a Richfield robbery led to an arrest in Eden Prairie on March 12. The same day that a robbery occurred at a Bremer Bank in Richfield, Eden Prairie police were able to arrest the suspect, Reginald Dewayne Jackson, 31, of Eden Prairie.

Jackson has been charged with aggravated robbery in the first degree.