The Oakdale Fire Department responded to 52 incidents between Dec. 1 and Dec. 7. 

Here are some incidents reported and responded to by the Oakdale Fire Department:

Dec. 1

• 8200 block of Hudson Boulevard, medical call.
• 6000 block of Upper 51st Street, medical call.
• 8100 block of Fourth Street, fire report.
• 3500 block of Genevieve Avenue, alarm.
• 6200 block of Seventh Street, medical call.
• 1000 block of Greystone Avenue, medical call.
• 7300 block of 33rd Street, medical call.
• 6000 block of Upper 51st Street, medical call.
• 5100 block of Granada Avenue, medical call.

Dec. 2

• 4100 block of Gershwin Avenue, medical call.
• 5600 block of Hadley Avenue, motor vehicle accident.
• Gershwin Avenue and 10th Street, medical call.
• 1700 block of Hale Avenue, medical call.
• 5600 block of Hadley Avenue, fire.
• 6000 block of Upper 51st Street, medical call.
• 1100 block of Hadley Avenue, medical call.

Dec. 3

• 6000 block of Upper 51st Street, medical call.
• 800 block of Glenbrook Avenue, fire alarm.
• 6600 block of 29th Street, medical call.

Dec. 4

• 6200 block of Upper 35th Street, medical call.
• 6200 block of Upper 35th Street, medical call.
• 1600 block of Granada Avenue, medical alarm.
• 6300 block of Seventh Street, medical call.
• 7500 block of 32nd Street, medical call involving a fall.
• 1000 block of Gershwin Avenue, medical call.

Dc. 5

• 1500 block of Goodview Avenue, medical call.
• 2900 block of Granada Lane, medical call.
• 10th Street and Heron Avenue, motor vehicle accident
• 6100 block of 24th Street, smoke report.
• 1800 block of Beam Avenue in maplewood, mutual aid medical call.
• 6900 block of Fourth Street, medical call.
• 10th Street and Hadley Avenue, motor vehicle accident.
• 4200 block of Hallmark Avenue, medical call.
• 6600 block of Hudson Boulevard, fire alarm.

Dec. 6

• 6800 block of 40th Street, medical call.
• 1000 block of Gershwin Avenue, medical alarm.
• 1000 block of Hadley Avenue, medical call.
• 7000 block of 24th Street, medical call.
• 2100 block of Gentry Avenue, medical call.
• 2100 block of Helmo Avenue, medical call.

Dec. 7

• 1000 block of Hillvale Avenue, medical call.
• 6800 block of 33rd Street, medical call.
• 1400 block of Granada Avenue, medical call.
• 1000 block of Hillvale Avenue, medical call.
• 2200 block of Helena AVenue, medical call.
• 700 block of Greenway Avenue, medical call.
• Fourth Street at I-694, motor vehicle accident.
• 7700 block of 66th Street, fire alarm.
• 1100 block of Hadley Avenue, medical call
• 1200 block of Geneva Avenue, medical call.
• 500 block of Hale Avenue, medical call.
• 1200 block of Gentry Avenue, medical call.

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1,000 is more than just a number for Hope Church.

Come January, Hope Church will have impacted at least 3,000 people through its blood drives. 

"Each pint can save up to three lives and it takes about an hour to do," said Barbie Atkins, one of the organizers of Hope Church blood drives. "It doesn’t take very long and you can save up to three lives. That's pretty amazing."

Atkins, along with three other members of Hope Church, first started organizing blood drives in 2005. The church works with the American Red Cross and hosts three blood drives per year — one in January, June and September. 

"For this upcoming blood drive we will reach the 1,000 milestone," Atkins said. 

The other three organizers — Dave and Sandy Pauly and June Rogers — either have ties to the Red Cross or the medical field, which is why Atkins teamed up with the group to start the blood drives. 

So what is the equivalent of 1,000 pints of blood? Precisely 125 gallons, which is the size of a large acquarium that can hold up to 1,400 pounds of water. 

An average of 60 people usually attend the blood drives. It's open to community members, but most of the donors are from the church, Atkins said.

Hope Church will continue to hold blood drives, inching their way toward higher milestones.

"We have always taken it one step at a time. We're just thankful for every successful one," Atkins said. 

For more information about the blood drives visit Hope Church's website here.

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Oakdale Update is a monthly cable program that airs on GTN 16 at various times throughout the week and throughout the metropolitan area on Metro Channel 6.

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It has already been two years since Oakdale Patch launched in this community and I have one thing to say: Thank you.

While I have personally only been covering Oakdale at Oakdale Patch for the past six months, I can see that this site is successful solely because of the support from YOU — the community. 

It is evident that Oakdale residents care very much for their community, whether it's through donating Christmas gifts to families in need or opening a homeless shelter at the local parish. 

Thank you for continuing to support Oakdale Patch for the last couple of years. We at Patch are looking forward to many, many years to come serving this community!

To celebrate this anniversary, I will be setting up a booth at the Winter Wonderland event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday (Dec. 15) at the Oakdale Discovery Center. 

We will be handing out Patch gear as well as offering a raffle where you can win local prizes donated from area businesses (let's just say both adults and children will love the prizes). 

And you haven't already, please sign up for our free e-newsletter, which sends you updates about stories, breaking news, announcements, events and blogs on our site.

Are you wondering how early you must post holiday gifts so they get to their destination in time for the holidays?

Here are some suggestions and mailing deadline dates from the U.S. Postal Service to ensure your gifts are delivered on time:

Packing Tips from the USPS:

• Double check addresses and write legibly
• Shake boxes to make sure they’re well packed
• Priority Mail is fast for last minute gifts
• Express Mail is even faster

The Oakdale Post Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and closes on Sunday.

Post Offices nationwide will be open on Christmas Eve, Monday, Dec. 24, and New Year’s Eve, Monday, Dec. 31, but will shorten retail lobby hours and close at noon. Regular mail delivery for Dec. 24 and 31 will be unaffected by the change. 

Post Offices will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 25 and Tuesday, Jan. 1. Only Express Mail will be delivered on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. All Post Offices will be open and regular mail delivery will resume on Wednesday, Dec. 26 and Wednesday, Jan. 2.

Holiday Dates for Domestic Mail

Calculated for December 25, 2012.

Holiday Dates for International Mail

Click here for send-by dates for military mail.

Marjan Hamidi knows how much an iPad can make a difference for a child with autism.

Her 5-year-old son, who attends Eagle Point Elementary, has been using his own iPad to help him learn and communicate more effectively. That's why Hamidi nominated Eagle Point Elementary to receive a grant through the Clorox "Power a Bright Future" program.

The program — which is in its fourth year — provides a chance for students to play, create and explore by awarding seven grants (four based on votes and three based on merit). The nomination with the most votes will win a $50,000 grant. The nominations with the most votes by category ("Play", "Create" and "Explore" categories) will receive a $25,000 grant each. 

Hamidi nominated Eagle Point Elementary for the "Explore" category. Here is her nomination:

Program Detail:
The Eagle Point Autism (CID) classrooms provide the best quality education for children with autism by having the most dedicated staff members in those classrooms. However, most children in the classroom are not able to communicate because of their disability but they are talented children who can bloom by using technology provided with the iPads. The students with Autism struggle to communicate and excel as their typically developing peers but just don't have the right tools. They are visually oriented and have short attention spans that would make it extremely difficult for the staff to work with them on their classroom curriculum.

How this Grant will Help:
Providing ipads for the students and using the apps such as Tap to Talk, Prologue to go, and other great technology apps would give voice to those students with autism and help them thrive and be the best they can be. They would be able to succeed as the typically developing students in regular classrooms and bring smiles to their precious faces. Please help make that reality. Thank you.

"We saw a need for the technology in the classroom because the district doesn't have the budget," Hamidi said. "They have wonderful teachers in the classroom, but they could use a little bit of technology." 

Eagle Point Principal Shawn Bromeland agreed.

"I think the school as a whole needs to look at how technology can support all classrooms," Bromeland said. "I think our schools in general need to work at getting technology implemented well." 

Hamidi said children with autism can struggle with talking if they are sad, stressed or upset. She said the iPad even has an app that helps the children communicate effectively. 

"I see how much my son has learned from the iPad apps. He has learned his alphabet, numbers and has talked a lot more."

Eagle Point Elementary's nomination is currently ranked #615.

People can vote once a day for their favorite nomination through Wednesday, Dec. 19. The winners will be announced in early January.

"I thought all the kids can use that in the class. Because it’s so expensive not everyone can afford to get it," Hamidi said. "It will help the teachers a lot."

People can text to vote by Texting 2297pbf to 95248. People can also vote online here.

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Snow is on the ground and children and teens are ready for that bell to ring — for Christmas break. 

The North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale winter break begins on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, and runs through Jan. 1. Class resumes on Jan. 2. 

The next time students will have a day off from school after winter break will be on Jan. 18, followed by Jan. 21 (Martin Luther King Day) and Feb. 18 (President's Day). 

What are you planning to do during Christmas break? Share your activites in the comments!

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When Atare Agbamu went home to West Africa to bury his mother last summer, he didn't realize that he would be starting a movement when he returned home.

Due to Agbamu's efforts, a statewide literacy campaign has been launched in West Africa that will impact more people than he ever imagined.

Here's how it all started:

While he was in West Africa — or more specifically Ekpan in southern Nigeria —Agbamu, 55, of Oakdale, visited a school operated by his distant cousin. During the tour of the school, Agbamu saw the school library. 

"I was shocked. There were barely any books," Agbamu said. "We throw books away in America, so I thought I would send books to the school when I got home."

A week after he returned home Agbamu shipped 286 books from his personal library to Chinkelly Schools, which is a private Christian school that serves children in preschool to 12th grade. 

After Agbamu cleared out his personal library he and his 13-year-old daughter, Tejiri, would purchase books from Goodwill thrift store in Stillwater for 15 cents a piece. 

Last year Agbamu shipped more than 1,000 books from his personal library and books he picked from the Goodwill. In April, he shipped another 2,232 books. 

As word began to spread about Agbamu's efforts, he came in contact with a fellow church member at Hope Church in Oakdale who had similar passions as Agbamu.

Agbamu was introduced to a fellow church member and Woodbury residence, Dan Melin. Melin works for Follett Education Service, a group that buys and sells textbooks across the country.

Melin is also involved with the nonprofit group, Books For Africa — an organization that seeks to end the book famine in Africa. BFA ships donated books and texts all over Africa. It has shipped more than 27 million books since it first launched 25 years ago.

After Melin heard was Agbamu was trying to do, he invited Agbamu to a BFA fundraiser in the spring. After the fundraiser Melin had a surprise for Agbamu: He was going to donate one 40-foot container of books to go to Chinkelly Schools.

"I was so excited that my heart was as if my heart was lifted out of my chest," Agbamu said. "It was unbelievably generous."

How many books fit inside of a 40-foot container? 22,000.

"My wife and I give money to Books For Africa, but when we found out what Atare was doing we decided to do that instead of doing a check," Melin said. "We decided to make it more personal." 

At the BFA fundraiser, Henry Bromelkamp — an ambassado for BFA — said he would match anyone's donation that night. And he did.

That 22,000 books multiplied to 44,000 books going to Agbamu's cousin's school. 

"I decided to match any full container because a lot of times people will come in and say they can donate a check of $5,000, but if they know it will be matched then a lot of times they will write a bigger check," Bromelkamp said.

So Bromelkamp and Melin paid for the shipping and BFA shipped the books. Right now they are on the water heading to West Africa, said Patrick Plonski, the executive director of BFA.

"The work that Atare has done and Dan and Henry has been fantastic," Plonski said. "It's all about helping people help themselves. That is one benefit of books."

Now that 44,000 books are on their way to Chinkelly Schools, Agbamu said the school's library will be used to launch a literacy campaign that will benefit everyone in the Delta State.

"This story is about God’s awesome way of meeting needs through people. Meeting needs of people who knew all these people. People who know Dan [Melin] who don’t even know Minnesoa is on the map," Abgamu. "It is also a story about the extraordinary generosity of Minnesotans. This is my adopted home state. I love this place, and I love it because it has given me the greatest give a place can give person."

For more information about Books For Africa visit www.booksforafrica.org

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If you think you know where the photo was taken, enter your answer in the comment section.

If you've got an idea for an Oakdale scene that will stump your neighbors, e-mail it to hannah.gruber@patch.com.

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The following is a summary of incidents that occurred in Oakdale between Dec. 7 and Dec. 10 as provided by the Oakdale Police Department.

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Dec. 7

• Police were dispatched to Skyview Elementary regarding a 13-year-old boy who brought a knife to school. The boy was sent to the principal’s office for bringing the knife to school and was suspended for 10 days pending expulsion. The boy then fled the school Eagle Point Elementary was locked down as a precautionary measure, but no one was threatened or in danger. Police found the boy at the Hope Church parking lot and brought him back to school.
• Police responded to a theft report at Groom Construction. Someone stole a construction trailer on Dec. 6. The complainant said the trailer was empty.
• Police responded to a theft report on the 4500 block of Helena Road. A home garage door was left open and someone entered an unlocked vehicle and took a canvas tote bag containing two silver iPods and a Sony portable stereo and ear buds. The theft value is $485.

Dec. 8

• Police responded to a report of an out-of-control woman at the 6100 block of 15th Street. The woman allegedly assaulted her mother and her 17-year-old brother. The Oakdale woman was arrested and booked in Washington County Jail for domestic assault.

Dec. 9

• Police were dispatched to a domestic disturbance report at the 1500 block of Hallmark Avenue. The complainant said she confronted her 22-year-old son about not hitting women since he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend the same day at Riley’s Pub and Grill. The girlfriend confronted the man about flirting with other women when he allegedly punched the woman in the face two to three times. The woman received a bloody nose and minor swelling to her face. When the mother confronted her son about the incident he then hit the mother in the right ear and her right cheek. The man was arrested and brought to Washington County Jail. 

Dec. 10 

• A man left Menards with two Polaroid Tablets worth $199 each without paying. 

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Flu season is coming early in parts of the United States, including Minnesota, and some of the cases have involved severe illnesses.

This time last year, flu cases were lower in Minnesota than they are now, according to data on Google's Flu Trends. (Oakdale-specific data is not available on Flu Trends, but flu cases in the Twin Cities metro are in line with the state as a whole.)

Overall in Minnesota, activity is categorized as "high," while it was categorized as "low" at this time in 2011, according to Flu Trends.

And not only is the flu season starting earlier than usual, some of the illnesses in Minnesota are severe.

The Minnesota Department of Public Health reports that for this 2012-2013 season, 30 people have been hospitalized with laboratory confirmed influenza. Eight people were put into care last week alone, with four cases of Influenza A, and a single confirmed case of the B virus. 

If you're considering getting a flu shot, here are some places in Oakdale that offer the vaccine:

HealthEast Oakdale Clinic

Walgreens

Target pharmacy

According to this week's CDC Flu activity report, influenza levels are on the increase not just in Minnesota but across the country. 

Five states – Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee – are reporting flu rates not normally seen until January, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The flu season normally peaks in January and February.

Holiday travel and more time spent indoors due to soggy weather will contribute to the spread of the flu virus, so now is the time to get vaccinated.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers the following information:

• Who should get vaccinated
• When to get vaccinated
• Selecting a flu vaccine
• Symptoms, complications and severity
• Treatment if you get the flu
• How flu spreads

Considering the addition of a pet to your home? This weekly column features a few of the pets Oakdale-based Coco's Heart Dog Rescue has available for adoption. For more pets, and information on volunteering or providing a foster home for animals, visit http://cocosheartdogrescue.org/.

About this column: Coco's Heart Dog Rescue, an Oakdale-based organization that places dogs scheduled to be euthanized and cats in foster homes until they can be adopted, lists some of their available pets.

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The following is a collection of articles that appeared on Stillwater Patch, Woodbury Patch and Oakdale Patch the week of Dec. 10 through Dec. 15. Click on the headline to read the full article.

Oakdale

President Pimpin Charged with Allegedly Whipping Toddler, Assaulting Mother

President Pimpin Austin, 21, was arrested on domestic assault and malicious punishment of a child charges.

'Person of Interest' Named in Missing Oakdale Woman Case, Search Continues

News outlets are reporting that Aaron Schnagl, a friend of Danielle Jelinek, has been named as a person of interest in her disappearance.

Day Two: Search Continues for Missing Oakdale Woman Thursday Afternoon

A search team will be heading out for the second day in a row to find Danielle Jelinek, who has been missing since Saturday, Dec. 8.

Stillwater Nonprofit Speaks Out to Family of Missing Oakdale Woman

The Jon Francis Foundation in Stillwater seeks to improve the public response to missing adults. Danielle Jelinek of Oakdale has been missing since Saturday, Dec. 8.

Search Launched Wednesday to Find Missing Oakdale Woman

The search for Danielle Jelinek, an Oakdale who has been missing since Saturday, was launched Wednesday afternoon.

Sheriff's Deputies, Other Agencies Search for Missing Oakdale Woman

The Chisago County Sheriff's Office is searching for an Oakdale woman who has been missing since Saturday.

Pair Found Guilty of Stealing Car, Deputies Also Find Drugs During Search

An Oakdale man and a Maplewood woman were found guilty of stealing a car from a Target parking lot.

Burglary, Domestic Assault, Weapons Possession: Jail Bookings

Jail bookings information from Dec. 4 to Dec. 10 provided by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

Fires, Accidents, Smoke: Oakdale Fire Blotter

A report of some of the incidents responded to by the Oakdale Fire Department.

Woodbury

Urine Trouble, Leaf Him Alone, State Farm Signal: Woodbury Police Blotter

Selected calls to the Woodbury Public Safety Department from Nov. 27 through Dec. 3.

Woman Reportedly Threatened With Hammer at Woodbury Home

A Lake St. Croix Beach man faces two felony charges.

Stillwater

Police: Oak Park Heights Woman Charged after Locking Boy Outside in T-Shirt and Diaper

When police arrived, neighbors told the officer that they found the child standing at the sidewalk at the bottom of the stairs, crying and shivering, according to a complaint filed by the Washington County Attorney's Office. The temperature was 34 degrees

Driver of School Bus Carrying Stillwater Nordic Ski Team Blacks Out, Crashes into Ditch

It is suspected the bus driver blacked out while driving the bus out of the Oak-Land Junior High parking lot, according to a spokesperson from the Stillwater Area School District. No students were injured.

Man Pulled Over for Grubbing on McDonald's While Driving

It’s unclear from the police report exactly what was so tasty the 19-year-old Oakdale man couldn’t keep his eyes on the prize.

Washington County District Court

According to the Washington County Attorney's Office, the following people made their first appearance recently on felony or gross misdemeanor charges:

• Melissa Esther Winther, 33, charged with theft by check.
• Parker James Yanisch,26, of St. Paul, charged with aiding and abetting theft.
• Carrie Rose Carter, 24, of St. Paul, charged with aiding and abetting theft.
• Tom Matthew Och, 45, of Stillwater, charged with theft.
• Jeffrey Richard Schwab, 29, of St. Paul, charged with fifth degree drug possession.
• Guido Joseph Tuccitto, 22, of Maplewood, charged with domestic assault by strangulation.
• Edward Howard Rieck, 46, of Oakdale, charged with terroristic threats, emergency telephone call interference and domestic assault.
• Amber Lynn Viellieux, 26, of Oak Park Heights, charged with neglect of a child and endangering a child.
• Marshall Eugene Bullis, 27, of Lake St. Croix Beach, charged with second degree dangerous weapon and terroristic threats.
• Ryan William Schrobilgen, 25, of Cottage Grove, charged with second degree dangerous weapon and domestic assault.

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In case you missed it, here are some highlights of Oakdale news that occurred between Monday, Dec. 10, and Friday, Dec. 14. 

Don't miss any news by signing up for our free e-newsletter.

Monday

PHOTOS: City Kicks Off Second Indoor Market

The second annual Indoor Market kicked off on Saturday.

PHOTOS: Santa, Elves Delivered Gifts to Oakdale Children Through Holiday Helping Hands

Community members and Tartan High School students delivered gifts to children and families in the area on Saturday.

Sold! What $289K Buys You in Oakdale and More

Oakdale Patch reports recent home sale prices in and around Oakdale.

'Major Snow Storm' in Oakdale; Share Your Photos on Patch!

A winter storm warning remains in effect for the Oakdale area until midnight. Oakdale could receive up to 10 inches of snow and travel is not being recommended unless absolutely necessary.

Snowstorm Update: Oakdale Receives Nearly 12 Inches of Snow, Schools Not Canceled

Snow fell heavily across Oakdale and much of the Twin Cities Sunday.

STORM AFTERMATH: Motorists Seek a Quicker Afternoon Commute

Monday morning’s rush hour was a commuter’s headache, as traffic crawled on slick highways.

Tuesday

Oakdale's Free 'Winter Wonderland' is Back

The Winter Wonderland will be at the Oakdale Discovery Center on Saturday.

Patch Pro: How to Eat Healthy During the Holidays

How can a person eat healthy during the holidays? We don't know either. That's why we invited some experts for you to ask.

Enter Patch's 'Deck the House' Contest For a Chance to Win $100,000 for Oakdale Schools

Did you decorate your house for the holidays this year? Enter our "Deck the House" contest and you could win $100,000 for your local school district and $500 to pay your electric bills!

Wednesday

City County Adopts 2013 Budget, Tax Levy

The Oakdale city council adopted the 2013 General Fund Budget and tax levy.

Thursday

POLL: Vote for Oakdale Patch's Person of the Year

Who did you vote for? Share why in our comments section.

Craigslist: The Best of Oakdale — Dec. 13

What's selling on the web in Oakdale?

Washington County Announces 2013 Hours for Libraries

After a year of Sunday and Monday closures, the Woodbury library will be open seven days a week (except summer months) starting in 2013.

Punch Pizza Locating Near Oakdale

The wood-fire pizza shop made the announcement on its Facebook page.

Parent’s Talk: Finding Activities for Kids During Winter Break

The winter break hiatus from school is coming up soon for kids. How will you embrace the break?

Friday

It's Not Just 1,000 Pints of Blood

Hope Church in Oakdale will have donated more than 1,000 pints of blood in January.

Statewide Literacy Program Launches in Africa Due to Oakdale Man's Efforts

An Oakdale resident has started a movement that is sending several thousands of books to Africa.

Elementary School Needs Votes to Win Grant for Classroom with Autistic Students

Eagle Point Elementary has been nominated to receive a grant to provide technology to its classrooms that teach children on the autism spectrum. Eagle Point is currently ranked #615 in votes.

When Does School Close for Christmas Break?

Are you wondering when your child's winter break starts in the North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District?

Oakdale Update: Business Moves, Food Shelf, Mayor Recaps 2012

Longtime Oakdale resident and businessman Frank Orsello gives updates on a business that has moved in town, a local food shelf and 2012 in Oakdale.

Oakdale Patch Celebrates Two-Year Anniversary at Winter Wonderland Event

It's been two years since Oakdale Patch was launched. Stop by our booth at the city's Winter Wonderland event on Saturday to win prizes while we thank our readers for their support.

What Are USPS Deadlines for Mailing Holiday Packages?

The U.S. Postal Service offers tips and suggestions so holiday packages arrive in time for the holidays.

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Patch reports recent sale prices of area homes and buildings, with information provided by Washington County, Zillow.com and Trulia.com. Homes listed are those most recently filed with the Washington County Property Records Division.

Oakdale

3675 Gershwin Lane N., 1,578 square feet, two bedrooms/one and a half bathrooms, $90,000, sold Oct. 31

6381 6th St. N., 2,545 square feet, three bedrooms/two bathrooms, $154,800, sold Nov. 28

3630 Gershwin Circle N., 1,428 square feet, two bedrooms/one and three quarters bathrooms, $138,000, sold Nov. 28

4608 Granada Ave. N., 1,684 square feet, three bedrooms/one bathroom, $164,000, sold Nov 28

Stillwater

3109 Norcrest Ave. N., $651,126, sold Nov. 14

3084 Lowell Court, $347,990, sold Nov. 29

44231 Osgood Ave. N., $175,000, sold Aug. 13

Lake Elmo

10114 Tapestry Bend N., $564,900, sold Nov. 28

West Lakeland

810 Novak Ave. N., $620,000, sold Nov. 19

Woodbury

8628 Savanna Oaks Bay, Unit 1, $110,000, sold Nov. 16

9853 Wynstone Court, $250,000, sold Nov. 20

3644 Windmill Curve, $401,717, sold Nov. 28

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A candle light vigil is planned for an Oakdale woman who has been missing for over a week. 

The candle light vigil will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Five Oaks Church in Woodbury, according to a post on the Danielle Mary Jelinek Search Team Facebook page. 

Danielle Jelinek, 27, has not been seen or heard of since Dec. 8. Family called the Chisago County Sheriff's Office on Dec. 9 to check on her at a residence in Chisago Lake Township. 

Deputies found her shoes, purse and cell phone at the residence as well as her car in the driveway. 

Authorities have named Aaron Schnagl, an on-again/off-again boyfriend, as a person of interest in the case. Schnagl was arrested on Dec. 9 for possessing 12 pounds of marijuana, which deputies found at the residence after retrieving a search warrant. 

Several search parties were sent out last week, but Jelinek has yet to be found.

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Authorities canceled community search parties for Saturday, Dec. 15, stating they needed to further evaluate their reserach on the case. Professional search parties consisting of fire fighters, search and rescue and other law enforcement agencies searched for Jelinek on Saturday, according to the Danielle Mary Jelinek Search Team.

In addition to the upcoming candle light vigil tonight, the family also held a group prayer for Jelinek on Sunday morning at Crossroads Church in Woodbury. 

A time has not been set yet for the next search for Jelinek. 

Related:

'Person of Interest' Named in Missing Oakdale Woman Case, Search Continues

Day Two: Search Continues for Missing Oakdale Woman Thursday Afternoon

Local Nonprofit Speaks Out to Family of Missing Oakdale Woman

Search Launched Wednesday to Find Missing Oakdale Woman

Sheriff's Deputies, Other Agencies Search for Missing Oakdale Woman

Sheriff's Office Investigates Oakdale Woman's Disappearance

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Judges see a number of people who come to court “pro se.”  Pro se means without an attorney.  Judges hear some interesting reasons as to why people aren’t represented by lawyers: “I’ve seen it on TV,” or “My cousin did his own case and did fine,” or “How hard could it be?”

The main reason given is that it can be quite expensive to hire a lawyer. Is it worth spending money to hire a lawyer to represent you?

Lawyers are highly educated and trained professionals whose job it is to look out for the interests of their clients. In addition to completing college, lawyers also graduated from law school. Law school involves three years of intensive study. Before being allowed to practice, lawyers must also pass the bar exam. The bar exam takes two full days to complete. It tests a person’s knowledge in numerous areas of the law. It is such a difficult test that many lawyers have nightmares about it for years afterwards.

In addition to their formal training, lawyers gain a deeper understanding of the law as they handle cases. This knowledge is not just of the law itself, but also knowledge and experience with different courts, judges, types of cases, and different clients. They learn over time how to avoid areas of difficulty and how to resolve cases in ways that are favorable to their clients. They also understand the various Rules of Procedure that apply in court including the Rules of Evidence. Some lawyers limit their practices so that they become highly knowledgeable in specific areas.

Many times people think of lawyers as mere advocates. However, one of the most valuable services that a lawyer provides is as a detached and neutral counselor.  Some people become so emotionally drawn into their case that they can’t see it clearly. A lawyer is able – through training and experience - to evaluate the matter and put it into perspective. They are able to see a bigger picture, and many times, suggest ways to resolve the dispute that a pro se person may not have even considered.

Lawyers do cost money. However, many also offer free initial consultations to discuss what the law is, what they can do to help, and what their fees would be.

Sometimes, pro se litigants become overwhelmed by the complicated rules and procedures of court and they ask the judge to help them with their case. However, in order to remain neutral, there is very little that a judge can do. They are not to help one side or the other. It would be a little like asking the referee in a basketball game to shoot free throws for the side that is not doing well.

Perhaps it is for all of these reasons that Abraham Lincoln is known to have remarked, “He who represents himself has a fool for a client.”

Do you need a lawyer? Lawyers are not free but the counsel and service they provide can be invaluable.

Judge Galler is chambered in Washington County.

Hi friends! I'm the Patch Elf on the Shelf. Call me Patchy. I've heard about more of my friends hanging around the area lately, and I wondered what they were up to.

Could their families post pictures here on Patch to show me? I'd love to catch up with them. We all go back to Santa on Christmas Eve, but in the meantime, we'll be watching you!

Cheers,

Patchy the Elf

Add your photo by clicking on the green "Upload Photos and Videos" icon.

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Santa Claus came to Oakdale on Saturday and brought along Mrs. Claus and a few other surprises.

The city of Oakdale held its Winter Wonderland event, which featured a petting zoo, sledding hill, hayrides, free breakfast and lunch, bonfire and smores, face painting and visits with Santa. 

The free event was sponsored by Platinum Bank, the Oakdale Business and Professional Association and the Maplewood-Oakdale Lions Club. 

Did you take photos of the event? Upload them to our photo gallery above!

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Fourth District Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D) issued the following statement regarding the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

"Today’s elementary school shooting is heartbreaking. As a mother, the mass murder of young school children and educators is incomprehensible. My prayers are with all families of the victims.

"The time has come for President Obama, Congress and the American people to come together to act immediately to end the epidemic of gun violence and the proliferation of guns designed to be weapons of mass murder. Inaction and obstruction by the National Rifle Association (NRA) to common sense gun laws is not tolerable.”

 

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