ABOUT MIKE SCHOEMER
Email: mike.schoemer@patch.com
Phone: 763-218-0827
Hometown: Sioux Falls, S.D.
Current residence: Albertville, Minn.
Birthday: Jan. 5, 1974
Mike Schoemer is a 13-year veteran of community journalism, having worked in cities including West Fargo, N.D., Edina and most recently, Monticello, where he was managing editor of the Monticello Times. He has won multiple awards for his writing, including a first place award from the Suburban Newspapers of America for a team-edited piece on homelessness in the Twin Cities suburbs.
Schoemer and his wife, Jenn (a St. Michael native) live in Albertville with their three children, who are all under the age of 5.
An avid golfer, Schoemer has recently taken up fishing with his family on Knife Lake near Mora, Minn. He also enjoys basketball and skating in the winter months.
My Beliefs
At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible and human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal certain key beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable.
This disclosure is not a license for our editors to inject these beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that our beliefs are on the record will force us to be ever mindful to write, report, and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you, the user, ever think you see evidence that we failed in this mission, we wholeheartedly invite you to let us know.
A self-proclaimed political mind, Schoemer is a registered Democrat, but has tended to lean more conservative now in his "old age."
As a child in Sioux Falls, Schoemer was part of the first kindergaren class at St. Mary's Catholic Elementary School, and graduated from Sioux Falls O'Gorman Catholic High School. He is still a practicing Catholic, and his family attends St. Michael Catholic Church.
Schoemer feels some of the key issues confronting St. Michael and Albertville are sustaining commercial growth while waiting for the housing market to recover from the collapse of 2008; maintaining and increasing the quality of School District 885, which is one of the "newest" in terms of facilities in the state; the aging population of Wright County; and, of course, traffic issues in downtown St. Michael and Albertville near Interstate 94.
As quickly as it came and went, residents should know Christmas trees can now be placed curbside in Albertville, or composted in St. Michael.
Adam Zimny and co-owner Dave Hanson announced the move to shutter the restaurant today.
Dangerous wind chills, snow and more cold are set for this entire week ahead.
Pets will look for shelter in bitter cold, so Albertville area residents should check outbuildings, sheds and garages for this pup.
The community suffered setbacks late in the year, but celebrated success in schools, government and business as well.
A 1 percent salary increase over each of the next two years is included for teachers and professional staff.
As state agencies stepped up patrols to enforce DWI laws, several arrests resulted in Wright County over the holiday week.
The longtime farmer and engineer was married to his wife, Mary, for more than 55 years.
Emergency shelter needs are high, and the county is seeking local help.
She is survived by her husband of 44 years, as well as a son, daughter-in-law, granddaughter and her mother. Services are next Monday in Plymouth.
Calls have slowed with some better road conditions in northern Wright County.
Take a few minutes and shovel out a route to the hydrant in your neighborhood. You might be very glad you did.
Andrew "Pete" Merges was known throughout the STMA area.
There is a full slate of activities set for the celebrations, which is limited to 600 people.
For most, meeting your great-great-grandmothers isn't in the cards. But the holiday season meant something a bit more special to five generations of one family, captured in this WCCO report.
Their lives ended similarly, losing a long fight with a dreaded disease. Their impacts on our community can also be felt today, months after they left us, in similar fashion.
Holiday lights can be hard to find if you're searching on your own. Here's a handy guide to help with some local scenic spots.
Also this week: A bomb threat in Wright County and a longtime coach has charges against him dropped in court.
Also this week: A bomb threat in Wright County and a longtime coach has charges against him dropped in court.
