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.
Nearby Monticello is struggling to comprehend a decision by the New River Medical Center's board of directors as they shut down birth services at the hospital, for now.
Students from all grades were recognized last week at St. Michael-Albertville High School’s 19th annual Academic and Leadership Awards ceremony.
Stillwater resident Tammy Humphries helps reunite people with lost dogs as the administrator of the Lost Dogs-MN Facebook page. The site's popularity is growing rapidly, and now she's looking for a few volunteers to help out.
The following obituaries are for residents of the St. Michael area, or had ties to the community.
Hey High School Senior parents! Honor (or, generally embarrass) your graduate by participating in our Diapers to Diplomas feature. We've had a couple volunteers help us get started.
Two break-ins in shortly over a month have deputies working hard to catch a thief.
Kathryn Jesperson captured the hearts of many at the St. Michael-Albertville High School Grand March last month. But her life is a triumph over a heart that almost failed her.
District Judge Michael J. Thompson has filed an order asking the county attorney and the man accused of killing teacher Timothy Larson be prepared to discuss moving the case forward.
Summer-like weather has helped slow down police and fire calls recently across Wright County.
Rep. Mary Kiffmeyer, who is vying for a new Minnesota Senate Seat that would include St. Michael, Albertville and Otsego, has entered a war of words with popular Rep. John Kriesel.
One of the mall's anchors re-opened after shutting down for a remodeling project last weekend. Fans were greeted with new decor, and a shot at $500.
Centrally located with a great staff, the St. Michael shop was our "Mom's Day" best, but you can use it any time of year.
Students at the district's central elementary school earned free frozen treats and a visit from the Knights' mascot for good deeds done throughout the year.
St. Michael-Albertville youth football players got some one-on-one instruction from former Viking quarterback Tommy Kramer Saturday. The thrill was as big for parents in attendance as it was for the aspiring players.
Friday marks the end of Teacher Appreciation Week, sponsored by local Parent-Teacher Associations. Dr. James Behle weighs in on what makes our local staff so special.
In a new feature, St. Michael Patch is turning to our readers and seeing what they had to say about the week’s big news. This week, it’s that pink drink that was pouring from local faucets.
St. Michael City Hall will be home to the FYCC Annual Bike Rodeo Saturday morning. Don't miss it.
Patch is your one-stop-shop for everything you need to know before heading out this weekend.
This week’s obituaries are highlighted by the remembrance of Loren Schumm, who passed way May 3. He was 79.
The congresswoman issued a statement Wednesday, May 9, following President Obama's support of gay marriage.
