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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2017 VOL. 35 NO. 47 www.presspubs.com $1.00
RESIDENTS OPPOSE: New 5-story apartment building PAGE 3
Lexington Fire department increases community outreach BY SHANNON GRANHOLM EDITOR
The construction was made possible through the approval of a $49,935,000 capital levy by voters in 2014. Maintenance upgrades and enhancements to learning spaces have already been completed at the high school west building, Centennial Middle School and all of the elementary schools.
LEXINGTON — For more than 50 years the Lexington Fire Department (LFD) has served its community. One thing it prides itself on is community outreach, but its members realize the department can do more. That's one reason firefighters are really stepping up this year for the second annual Fall Festival Sept. 22-24. “We are such a small community. There is no reason we can't be more involved with the community,” said Chief Gary Grote. “(The Fall Festival) is a nice camaraderie for the community. It brings people together. Hopefully we can continue to add and make it a real big and popular event so that people look forward to it every year.” For the first time this year, the fire department will host its annual Flash and Dash 5K Run/Walk and Kid's Race in conjunction with the Festival Saturday morning. Registration/ check-in will begin at 7 a.m., the 5K at 8 a.m. and Kids' Race at 9 a.m. In addition, the department will also host its annual open house Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m. along with the Circle-Lexington Lions Booya. The Lions will begin serving booya around 8:30 a.m. until the food is gone. The open house is essential, Grote says, to not only introduce the firefighters to the community, but also to dispel some common misconceptions about the profession. “Believe it or not, a lot of people don't know where their fire stations in their community are or how they operate, because they are so used to what they see on TV. They always ask
SEE CENTENNIAL CONSTRUCTIONS, PAGE 11
SEE LEXINGTON FIRE, PAGE 9
SUBMITTED
Students enjoy one of the three brand new flexible learning spaces put into Centennial High School's east building, as part of the construction project this summer. The space features soft seating and breakout rooms for students to work in small groups or with a teacher in a quieter setting.
Centennial finishes up 3-year project in time for school year BY SHANNON GRANHOLM EDITOR
CIRCLE PINES — This year students will likely want to spend time not only in Centennial's west building, but also in the east building. The east building construction marks the completion of a three-year project.
Mississippi Queen to entertain crowd at Fall Festival BY SHANNON GRANHOLM EDITOR
LEXINGTON — At this year's Fall Festival, attendees can expect to dance to some southern rock, blues and country. The band Mississippi Queen is slated to perform during the Street Dance at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23 at Cowboy's Saloon. “This community has been huge followers to us when we
play in this region. Last time we performed here it was a packed house. We are very fortunate to have fans that come out,” said Rachael Anderson, lead vocalist in the band. “We all love it and I think it shows. We do it for the love of the music and our fans.” Anderson, a resident of Circle Pines, is known by many of the locals as the DJ who does karaoke at Cowboy's on Thursday nights. She started her own DJ
company, Rachael Sings, around 26 years ago, but her love of music started way before that. “Music was born in me,” she said. Growing up, Anderson's mother played the banjo and guitar in church, so Anderson grew up singing in the church. She also played clarinet for 13 years. Two of the original band SEE MISSISSIPPI QUEEN, PAGE 9
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Local band Mississippi Queen will headline this year's Street Dance at the Lexington Fall Festival at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30TH
BOOYA ON THE PATIO
Booya on the Patio 11 am until gone Featuring
Kona Big Wave pint beer
Live Music on the patio 4pm – 7pm featuring
4 ft 2
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