One of the leading causes of death amongst teenagers is suicide. The Centers for Disease control claims it is the third leading cause of death, behind accidents and homicide, of people age 15 to 24. The issue has hit close to home in the Anoka-Hennepin School District.

The district has been labeled a “suicide contagion,” by state health and education departments. Five student suicides this school year have officials seeking causes and cures. “We’ve never had anything like this before and I’ve talked to people that have been here over 30 years,” said Barry Scanlan, the district’s Teaching and Learning Specialist for Prevention. Scanlan has read the national statistics. “We’re not the only ones facing this, all schools are having tougher times,” Scanlan said. More….

Various sources cited bullying and GLBT or gay issues as underlying causes of some of the suicides. The Minnesota Department of Human Rights alleged that two teachers had harassed a student they thought was gay. Controversy followed with protests and appearances at school board by people supporting stronger anti-bullying efforts.

Apparently the controversy isn’t over.

The Parents Action League, an allegedly anti-gay group, organized in the district and launched a website which appears to have recently been taken down with an “site under construction” notice in its place. The position of the group had been that schools should strictly focus on academics but should also respect family values, teach abstinence, and promote a program that seeks to turn gay into straight.

On the other end of the spectrum, several individuals formed the Gay Equity Team that seeks to have a ‘welcoming and affirming for all regardless of sexual orientation”.

The school district policy is officially neutral. However, efforts have been made by the district and teachers unions toward training of teachers. School year 2010-2011 is about to begin. Hopefully “suicide contagion” will not revisit the Anoka-Hennipen School District or other Minnesota school districts for that matter. More…

Katie Humphrey - Hunger On the Rise Across County

Now attention is focused on the possibility of a new football stadium. One issue m,any cite is that the regular season for football is just eight games. With the Vikings’ Metrodome lease expiring in 2011, the stadium debate will intensify. Expect a stadium financing bill’s introduction during the 2011 state legislative session. In the past, public sports facility investment has provoked spirited discussion, intense opposition and equally intense advocacy. One should expect no less this time because stadium construction proposals raise critical questions about public investment in state and local economic development strategies.

Does a new, publicly-financed football stadium move Minnesota forward?

THE EVENT

The wacipi is a social gathering where friends and relatives come together to celebrate their way of life. The word wacipi (wah-CHEE-pee) in the Dakota language translates as “they dance.”

THE INVITATION

“We invite the public to attend our annual powwow and see for themselves the beauty of our culture,” said SMSC Vice Chairman Glynn Crooks in a statement.

Grand entries will be at 7 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, and 1 p.m. Sunday.

Fireworks will be at 10 p.m. Saturday.

An interdenominational church service will be at 10 a.m. Sunday at nearby Tiowakan Spiritual Center.

MORE INFO

Call 952-445-8900 or go to www.shakopeedakota.org.

Information may also be found at www.facebook.com/smscwacipi2010.

IF YOU GO

The SMSC Pow Wow Grounds are located at 3212 Dakotah Pkwy., Prior Lake, just south of County Road 42 between County Road 83 and County Road 17.

Mary has been a long time board member, DFL State Central Committee member, and often a delegate to state conventions including the 2010 April State Convention in Duluth. An avid golfer, Mary shared her sharp wit and brought wisdom with a bright smile.  Mary was an award winning artist.

Mary received her BA from the College of St. Catherine and her Masters Degree from the University of Minnesota. She taught art and the gifted for thirty five years at Highland Park High School in St. Paul. Mary was preceeded in death by her beloved husband Jerry.

We are grateful for all Mary did for us and we will miss her greatly. Our prayers reach out for her family and friends.

Mary Salek’s funeral will take place on Tuesday, August 24, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will held before the funeral at 10:00 a.m. at The Church of St. Michael (16311 Duluth Street Southeast, Prior Lake).

Ole’s 2010 bid for endorsement fell short at the April convention in Duluth. Actually he may not have received even one delegate vote. Many expected Savior to resurface in two years for the 2012 convention. More than a few observers wondered if Savior would challenge incumbent Senator Amy Klobuchar.

In April no one suspected Ole Savior would be changing parties and would be running with an Elvis impersonator against the  GOP endorsed candidate for governor Tom Emmer. But there he was on the August 2010 GOP primary ballot. Two parties in one year. His move paid off as the Savior/”Elvis” ticket garnered 4,398 votes or 3.37% of the GOP vote.  Some observers believe Savior’s GOP success was owed to his devotion to his beloved Minnesota Vikings (he gave his speech to the DFL convention in a Vikings jersey) and his promise for a new Viking stadium.

What ever the party du jour, Ole Savior will be back. For now, he is Ole “the Republican” Savior.

Judicial elections are supposed to be non-partisan and usually they are just that.  Three candidates for Judicial District #1 judge are vying for two spots in the August 10th primary election.

• Incumbent Judge Timothy Blakely sports a strong pedigree but got himself into ethical issues that caused the Minnesota Board on Judicial Standards to recommend his dismissal from the bench. This was onkly the fourth time in forty years the Board made such a recommendation.
• Criminal defense attorney Stephen Baker ran for a Hennipen County judge position before moving to Lakeville.  Hardworking, Baker has been active supporting moderate and conservative causes. His literature supports Second Amendment rights and speaks against “activist judges”. Baker testified in favor of capital punishment.
• Larry Clark is an Assistant Dakota County Attorney is presented as the most home grown of the candidates. He has been a prosecutor for 21 years and completed two terms on the Red Wing Human Rights Commission. Clark has criticized opponent Blakely for his compromised ethics and has questioned Baker’s ability to provide an unbiased judiciary considering his past political ties.

Vote informed!

For more complete information follow this link to Frederick Melo’s Pioneer Press article on twincities.com.

The DFL has endorsed the following candidates:

Matt Christianson - State Rep 35A

Jannaya Styrlund - State Rep 35B

Travis Burton - State Senate 35

Dan Powers - Congress 2nd District

Margaret Anderson-Kelliher - Governor

Lori  Swanson - Attorney General

Mark Ritchie - Secretary of State

Rebecca Otto - State Auditor

Every vote counts. Exercise your rights!