Top Stories of 2013: Tragic Losses, Tournament Runs and Brand New Roads

With 2014 just on the horizon, it’s time to recap some of the stories that drew St. Michael Patch users to action.

Whether it was the click of a mouse, a comment or a “like,” these are the stories that hit home in St. Michael, Albertville and the surrounding areas this year.

As the Economy Rebounds in Minnesota, St. Michael, Albertville Sees Revolving Door for Businesses

Establishments like Second Time’s a Charm, Heidi’s and Pubhouse 19 called it a day, while Kremer Toy and Hobby and McCoy’s took a shot at success.

Senior housing also made a splash, as Guardian Angels broke ground on a new, large facility in Albertville, and The Legacy at St. Michael also kicked off an expansion project.

St. Michael-Albertville Students Gone Too Soon

Tyler Purohit, known by so many simply as “T-Sizzle” lost his battle with a terminal brain cancer that never really stopped him from changing the world around him. From pizza to his public school, Purohit made a positive impact to almost everyone who had the chance to meet him.

Meanwhile, shortly after Tyler’s tragic death, another family lost a child, as fourth-grader Derrek Rowe suffered complications from an asthma attack.

The community rallied in November, raising money for the Rowe family through a kickball tournament in the wind, snow and cold.

Meanwhile, Monticello was shaken after an accomplished teen was struck and killed while jogging north of the Albertville outlet mall.

Legislation Leads to Gay Marriage in Minnesota

With a Democratic majority in the Minnesota House, Senate and Gov. Mark Dayton, the DFL jumped on the opportunity to become the 12th state in the United States to legalize gay marriage, passing bills through both chambers and getting the governor’s signature shortly before the end of the 2013 session.

An amendment to the bill, penned by Albertville’s own Rep. David Fitzsimmons, sought to protect churches and organizations that did not want to endorse gay unions by adding the term “civil” to the language of the bill.

“When you know you’re going to be on the wrong side, what can you do to protect the people who have a difference of opinion?” asked Fitzsimmons. “That’s what I was seeking to do.”

Political scholars credited Fitzsimmons for protecting several entities, including churches, which still view homosexuality as a sin.

All-Day Kindergarten Comes to Minnesota, STMA

The 2013 legislature also increased taxes on the top 1 percent of income earners in the state, paving the way for funding for all-day kindergarten classes across Minnesota, beginning in 2014-2015.

STMA’s District 885, which immediately voiced its support of the bill as the session began, has already reached out to future parents for 2014 plans.

Rep. Michele Bachmann to hang it up

Michele Bachmann, Sixth District Congresswoman, called the 2013-14 term her last in Congress.

That led challenger Jim Graves, who took her into the wee hours of election night in 2012, to also pull out of the race.

Former St. Michael-Albertville Rep. Tom Emmer, of Delano, has tossed his hat into the ring.

Interstate 94 Gets 11th-hour Expansion

Just when it seemed all was lost for the I-94 Coalition and a possible expansion of the road from Rogers to St. Michael, Gov. Mark Dayton and MnDOT included the project on its Corridors of Commerce inititative for 2014.

That means both directions will have three lanes from St. Michael’s Highway 241 exit all the way to the Fish Lake interchange when construction ends in 2015.

“It’s a huge lift for businesses here,” Steve Bot, St. Michael city administrator, said. “Hard work by a lot of people paid off.”

Sports Success: Knights shine on, off the field

Wrestling tied for its first-ever share of the Class 4A championship, thanks to Mikey Kessler’s win in the final match. Meanwhile, girls’ hockey, basketball and football all made appearances in the state tournament in 2013, with current senior Dallas Freeman providing us with a play for the ages.

 Other top stories from 2013:

Cowboy Larry Bermel takes a final ride

Albertville family launches new product that might change the world

Raccoon-eating bald eagle captured on video outside STMA High

Kolles Family Survives, Thrives after July Accident