Get Caught Up: Lakeville Week in Review Jan. 20-27

Here's a look back at what you may have missed from Lakeville Patch over the past week.

Last Saturday, Patch learned the body of Keoka, the 7-year-old golden retriever lost by a family last week, was found along Interstate 35. Kekoa apparently was struck by a vehicle and killed. It was a sad ending to a story that seemed to grip the community.

On Monday, Sen. Dave Thompson was the center of an ethics complaint filed by the DFL party. The complaint questions whether Thompson's $70,000 salary for consulting work for the Republican Party while he was a candidate for the state Senate was ethical. Thompson addressed the complaint, saying the money was disclosed byt he party in accordance with laws.

On Tuesday, Education Minnesota Lakeville, the local teachers union, and the Lakevilel School Board officially ratified a new contract which could save the district a lot of money in health care costs.

On Tuesday, Patch was pleased to report Lakeville native Jenna Privette, the St. Croix Lutheran High School senior who was paralyzed from the waist down in a hockey mishap, was out of the hospital. Doctors are also hopeful she'll make a full recovery.

Police say Holly Rae Brett, 56, of Lakeville was identified by police on Tuesday as the woman killed in single-vehicle crash along Holyoke Avenue on Jan. 20.

The 2012 legislative session kicked off on Tuesday, and Lakeville Patch spoke to State Sen. Dave Thompson (R-District 36) of Lakeville, State Rep. Pat Garofalo (R-District 36A) of Farmington, and State Rep. Mary Liz Holberg(R-District 36A), of Lakeville, about their priorities, thoughts, and areas of concern for this year's session.

On Wednesday, the long and winding case against Steven Cross, the Lakeville father accused of abandoning his son, made another stop. Cross was convicted of child neglect for his actions, and sentencing is scheduled for later in winter. It's unclear how the conviction will impact his chances to regain custody of his boy.

Starbucks will soon be selling wine and beer in select stores. So what does that mean for Lakeville? Patch investigated.

Patch sat had a chat with City Administrator Steve Mielke about Lakeville's controversial Heritage Center project, including what the cost changes may mean, and when construction should begin.