VIDEO: Rosemount's Ben Kopp Honored at Indianapolis 500

Corporal Ben Kopp, a Rosemount native and Army Ranger who died in Afghanistan in 2009, was honored on ABC's national broadcast of the Indianapolis 500.

Corporal Ben Kopp, a Rosemount native and Army Ranger who died in Afghanistan in 2009, was honored on ABC's national broadcast of the Indianapolis 500. KSTP-TV carried the video tribute locally. It features a heartfelt remembrance by Kopp's mother, Jill Stephenson, as she visited her son's grave at Arlington National Cemetary. Kopp died as a result of a sniper-shot to his leg in July of 2009 after already serving two tours of duty in Iraq according to KSTP's accompanying report to the above video. He was 21.

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Memorial Day Weekend Historically Deadly on MN Roadways

Authorities are urging caution for travelers on Minnesota roadways this Memorial Day weekend, typically one of the most deadliest for motorists.

Authorities are urging travelers to drive safely this Memorial Day weekend. Extra seat belt enforcement is currently underway on Minnesota roads. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety says traffic fatalaties are down slightly so far in 2012, though that number is still just shy of 100. Memorial Day weekend is traditionally one of the most hazardous weekends on Minnesota roadways. But 2011 was the safest on record dating back to 1975. The departement is also touting a new crash victime memorial website to put the raw fatality numbers in to a more human perspective. A press release from the DPS is below: Minnesota is approaching the 100-traffic fatality milestone for the year, just prior to the historically deadly Memorial Day weekend, a…

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Remember Fallen Military Members This Memorial Day

A ceremony will take place Monday at the Apple Valley American Legion.

Apple Valley Fuel Prices, June 3

Find out the cheapest places to fill your gas tank in Apple Valley before you hit the road this weekend.

Each Friday, Apple Valley Patch will compile a list of gas and diesel fuel prices for Apple Valley stations, and will provide a sampling from a few stations in neighboring cities. Scroll down to check out today's chart. Editor's note: Gas prices can change several times throughout the day, therefore there may be discrepancies between what is shown here and what the price is when you stop at a station. Kwik Trip, Florence/Foliage Information obtained from TwinCitiesGasPrices.com.

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Photos: Memorial Day Ceremony in Apple Valley

A Memorial Day service was held at Veteran's Park in Apple Valley on Monday.

Apple Valley residents gathered Monday morning for a Memorial Day ceremony at Veterans Park; the event featured groups from Apple Valley's American Legion Post 1776, Sons of the American Legion, Legion Auxiliary, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Civil Air Patrol. The Scott Highlands Middle School band and the Velvet Tones contributed music to the ceremony to honor fallen soldiers.

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Photos: Rosemount Observes Memorial Day

Rain holds off for annual ceremony at Central Park Monday morning.

Gray skies could not dampen pride in the red, white and blue, nor could it quell the remembrance of veterans who fought and died for America as Rosemount remembered its fallen in a Memorial Day ceremony under the threat of rain at Central Park on Monday morning. "It is a somber occasion, so perhaps this is fitting," Master of Ceremonies David Gary said.  Gary emceed a 45-minute tribute that included performances of patriotic music by the 34th Infantry "Red Bull" Division Band that was in Iraq this time last year. After a posting of the Colors, a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner and the Pledge of Allegiance by PFC. Mitch Belhke of the 32nd Infantry Division, Reverend Chuck Tindell of the United States Marine Core Reserves gave the …

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Patch Picks: Memorial Day/Barbecue Recipes

Searching for the perfect Memorial Day dish? Try one of these recipes.

1. Appetizer Tomato Basil Pizza Snacks (see picture) Pack of whole wheat pocket pitas Basil pesto Cottage cheese tomatoes fresh basil 1. Turn oven to 400. Spray pitas with olive oil and heat for 8 minutes. 2. Spread basil pesto for first layer. 3. Spread cottage cheese. 4. Sprinkle tomato slices and basil 2. Main dish for the crock pot Pulled BBQ in the slow cooker (see picture) 1 pork shoulder roast (about 2.5 lbs) 1 bottle (14 ounces) BBQ sauce – (A favorite is Famous Dave's Rich and Sassy) 1 TBS fresh lemon juice (I use about two lemons cuz I loooove lemon) 1 tsp brown sugar 1 medium onion, chopped 8 hamburger buns (whole wheat) 1. Place roast in Crock-Pot slow cooker. Cover; cook on LOW 10 to 12 hours or on HIGH 5 to 6 hours. 2. Remove…

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Foundation, Fundraiser Honor Legacy of Fallen Apple Valley Soldier

The memory of U.S. Army 1st Lt. Chris Goeke, who was killed last July in action in Afghanistan, will live on this weekend through several events.

The people who knew Apple Valley High School graduate Chris Goeke knew him as a leader, and as someone who always embodied “leading by example.”  With that in mind, leadership is what Goeke's parents, Pam Shultz and Randy Goeke, hoped to foster in other high school students when they created the Christopher Goeke Leadership Foundation in his memory, after U.S. Army 1st Lt. Goeke, 23, was killed in action in Afghanistan last July while leading a platoon of the 4th Brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division. This Memorial Day weekend will mark the foundation's inaugural fundraiser, to raise money for college scholarships and introduce the foundation’s mission to the community. Its first scholarship was presented to Apple Valley High School …

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