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.
Kevin Caron of St. Michael will receive a $1,000 scholarship and STMA High School will also receive a $1,000 prize for reaching the final five. The contest is run by No Name Brands, a division of J & B Group here in St. Michael.
About three dozen students from the high school made the trek west to visit major corporate players such as Starbucks and Costco.
St. Michael-Albertville's Jake Vanada is at it again, this time bringing in Jared Allen of the Minnesota Vikings for the West Metro Fellowship of Christian Athletes' annual banquet.
After waiting months to throw her name back into the presidential race, Rep. Michele Bachmann will get behind the presumptive nominee.
After catching stories about radon levels in Wright County homes–including a recent Patch article–one St. Michael family jumped into action.
Ritchie Elliot, who caused a crash Memorial Day weekend in Albertville, was sentenced last month.
Brian Schlenker, targeted in a sting operation last year, was sentenced to 57 months in prison in April for controlled substance crimes.
Rose Thelen and Pat Sawatzke, two sitting commissioners who would have to run against each other in the new plan, couldn't overcome the majority.
Shawn O'Neill fulfilled two dreams with one trip to Walnut Grove. Check out his amazing photo.
With Mother's Day around the corner, we thought we'd focus on a bit of pampering with our next category. So we ask: Where do you like to get your nails "did?"
The National Weather Service in Chanhassen has issued a second Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Wright County.
Irelandrose Langer will make her first-ever trip to her namesake country to take part in International Dance Competition.
The Central Minnesota Resource and Training Solutions center honored more than 170 seniors for their excellence in academics and performance outside of the classroom. Four from St. Michael-Albertville were recognized in the group.
With its hometown roots and array of plants and accessories, Schulte's Nursery is St. Michael's top Garden Center, according to Patch Nation.
About one year after a tornado dropped over St. Michae, the National Weather Service says strong storms will enter the region late this afternoon and last through the evening.
An overdose in the 4000 Block of St. Michael on April 20 drew a call from emergency crews. That and other calls featured in this week's blotter.
Less than six months after an Albertville man was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for fraud, another mortgage fraud case with local ties has hit federal courts.
Masquerade Ball welcomed more than 200 couples, and a few hundred more guests in friends and family, to the high school gym Saturday afternoon.
Students from St. Michael-Albertville participated in the 2012 Grand March, dubbed "Masquerade Ball," at the high school gym Saturday afternoon.
Weekend warriors can set that "junk" from spring cleaning aside for next weekend.
