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Voters in South Washington County approve bond referendums and tech levy; elect Dols, Patnaik and Clarke to board

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:35:50 GMT

What a difference a year makes.Last year, voters in the South Washington County School District decisively rejected a historic $462 million bond request by a nearly two-to-one ratio.On Tuesday, voters in the district approved a $200 million, two-question bond referendum to fund improvements at the schools and approved a request to revoke the district’s current $2.8 million technology levy and replace it with a $5 million one.“We know this was a big ask for voters in hard economic times,” said Superintendent Julie Nielsen. “We are extremely grateful for our community’s support to address safety, security, growth and technology projects in our schools.”In a tight race for school board, incumbents Melinda Dols and Simi Patnaik and newcomer Ryan Clarke prevailed. Dols and Patnaik each received 16 percent of the vote; Clarke got 14 percent.The first question, which passed by a 57 percent margin, asked voters to support a $160 million bond referendum for safety and security enhancements, ...

St. Anthony-New Brighton school voters approve levy referendums

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:35:50 GMT

Two levy referendums before voters in the St. Anthony-New Brighton school district passed by solid margins Tuesday.The first referendum, approved by roughly 66 percent of voters, proposed to increase the the operating levy of the district by $890 per student. Beginning in 2025, this levy would generate $1.7 million in funding every year for 10 years. According to the district, this funding would be used to “recruit and retain staff and support high levels of academic achievement for our students.”The other referendum, which had a roughly 71 percent yes vote, sought to continue an existing levy passed in 2014. The capital projects levy funds classroom supplies and resources for teachers and students, including books and computers. According to the 2023 referendum website, this levy would not impose a further tax burden, but is simply renewing the levy already approved in 2014.The levy is expected to lead to a property tax increase of $36 per month for average St. Anthony ...

Incumbent Roseville school board members hold leads late Tuesday

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:35:50 GMT

Three incumbent Roseville school board members held leads against four challengers late Tuesday night.With 14 of 19 precincts reporting, Rose Wan-Mui Chu had 27% of the vote, Todd Anderson had 26% and Mike Boguszewski had 26%. A total of seven candidates ran for three seats.Challengers Karl Crump had 8%, Alan Holasek had 8%, Vaughn Klingenberg garnered 1% and Adam Maier had 4% as of Tuesday night.Results are incomplete and unofficial, and many absentee votes may not be counted until after Election Day.If they hold onto their leads, the three incumbents will return to their positions on the six-member board of Roseville Area Public Schools. Terms officially begin in January.Holasek and Crump said they were concerned about levels of academic achievement in Roseville schools. In a candidate questionnaire with the Pioneer Press, incumbent Chu said one of her priorities if reelected is “being fiscally responsible to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and that school funding is adeq...

Dakota County education levy referendums: Several pass, two rejected

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:35:50 GMT

Many Dakota County voters were asked to consider giving more money to public schools at the polls on Tuesday.Here’s a look at what voters were asked, what passed and how homeowners will be affected.FarmingtonFarmington Area Public Schools asked voters to consider revoking the district’s existing operating levy of $677 per student and replace it with a new one following a budget reduction for the 2023-24 school year and a projected deficit of $3.5 million for the 2024-25 school year.The referendum failed Tuesday with nearly 53% of voters against the new operating levy. The district requested $1,239.92 per student for taxes payable in 2024, which would have provided $9 million annually for the first three years, and then an additional $562.95 per student for taxes payable in 2027, which would have provided an additional $4 million annually for the remaining seven years of the new levy, according to the district.HastingsHastings Public Schools asked voters to consider a 10-year capital...

Stillwater Area Public School District voters approve referendum; elect Lauer to school board

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:35:50 GMT

New elementary schools will be built in Bayport and Lake Elmo and a host of safety and security improvements will be made at other schools in the Stillwater Area School District following passage of Tuesday’s bond referendum.Voters approved the $175 million bond referendum by a 57-43% margin. The money will be used to fund construction projects to address growth in the southern and central parts of the district and the addition of safety and security improvements at all district schools, including a secured front entrance addition and remodel at Stillwater Area High School in Oak Park Heights.Chris Lauer (Courtesy of the candidate)Voters in the district also elected Chris Lauer to the school board.Passage of the bond means the district can add capacity in the communities served by Andersen Elementary in Bayport and Lake Elmo Elementary, the two oldest schools in the district, and construct additional classroom space and a new gymnasium at Oak-Land Middle School in Lake Elmo.About 1,...

Kyle Bourgault elected as Rensselaer County Sheriff

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:35:50 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The race for Rensselaer County Sheriff has come to an end. Republican candidate Kyle Bourgault defeated Brian Owens with 52.15% of the votes. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Bourgault spoke with NEWS10 before election night and stated that his number one priority is the opioid epidemic. "The epidemic is not only here in this county but all over the state."Additionally, Rensselaer County Jail works directly with the federal government to help enforce immigration laws. Outgoing Sheriff Patrick Russo fought hard for that partnership. Bourgault says he feels it is a perfect fit. “It’s commonsense law enforcement. You can equate it to somebody having a warrant out of a different jurisdiction in the state and then calling that jurisdiction as they’re being released from the jail to see if they want them.”

Nina Nichols concedes in Troy Mayoral race

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:35:50 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Nina Nichols, Democratic candidate for Troy Mayor, conceded the race. Nichols ran on a platform for a safer, greener Troy. Nichols thanked her supporters and said she is looking forward to working with Mayor-Elect Carmella Mantello in her current role as a county legislator. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! “I would like to congratulate my opponent," Nichols said. "Who ran a formidable race that reminded us everyday about how passionate we all are about making Troy a better place to live. It was clear from the beginning that voters had a choice between two candidates who share a deep love for this city as well as a deep desire to do everything they can to improve it.” 

Carmella Mantello becomes first female mayor in Troy

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:35:50 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The City of Troy has a new mayor. Republican Carmella Mantello, who has served as the Troy City Council president for eight years, declared her victory over democratic candidate Nina Nichols. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! "We couldn't celebrate this victory without you," said Mantello. "This victory is as much yours as mine. It is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together, and that is what we are going to bring beginning on January 1, 2024. We are going to be together."Mantello says her two top priorities include quality of life and crime and claims that state mandates are making fighting crime more difficult, but local governments still have options. “Park, walk, and talk program is a huge priority of mine,” said Mantello. She adds the program is very intensive community policing. “This isn’t just a stop at a ball game or a stop at a barbeque. This is like the days of my dad. He walked t...

House censures Tlaib for Israel criticism

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:35:50 GMT

The House voted to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib Tuesday night, rebuking the Michigan Democrat for her criticism of Israel following Hamas’s unprecedented attack on the U.S. ally.The chamber approved the reprimand in a 234-188-4 vote, with 22 Democrats bucking party leadership to support the resolution and four Republicans voting against it.The vote is the culmination of a week-plus effort by Republicans to punish Tlaib — the only Palestinian American serving in Congress — for comments critical of Israel that have drawn condemnation from both sides of the aisle.And it marks the pinnacle of the current controversy surrounding Tlaib. The congresswoman posted a video on X over the weekend that said President Biden “supported the genocide of the Palestinian people” and included clips of protesters changing “from the river to the sea,” which the Anti-Defamation Leagues characterizes as antisemitic. In a subsequent social media post, Tlaib defended her use of the controversial phrase.The rem...

Dog adopted after 7 years in Pennsylvania shelter—and a shocking discovery

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:35:50 GMT

BLOOMSBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — A woman in Pennsylvania gave a longtime rescue dog named Ella a new home in what a Bloomsburg shelter called "an extremely special adoption." Saying "you might want to grab a tissue real quick for this one," the Animal Resource Center posted on social media. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Ella had been at the shelter for the last seven years, making her the adoption center's longest resident. Recently, a woman identified only as Kaitlyn emailed the adoption center about her interest in adopting Ella. She told the center that her own dog, Jo, had died a few months before, and that she was ready for another dog. According to the center, when Ella saw Kaitlyn, the staff knew Ella had found her "person." Ella, who had a history of fear and aggression, usually needed multiple visits for her to get comfortable with strangers. That was not the case with Kaitlyn. "She immediately walked over to Kaitlyn with n...