2013-07-26 Friday NewsFriday News
Mendota Heights Weekly Report on City Activities
Operation Big Box
- The Dakota County
Public Health
Department
conducted an
e m e r g e n c y
preparedness
exercise on Friday,
July 26th. The
fictitious scenario for the exercise was the release
of anthrax in several locations in the metro region.
In response the Dakota County Public Health
Department set up a Point of Dispensing site to
provide antibiotics to residents. The event took
place at Henry Sibley High School with
approximately 150 volunteers acting as residents
who were coming to pick up medication (empty
medicine bottles) for their household. Mendota
Heights Police Department along with several
other agencies also participated in this exercise.
Funding from a federal emergency preparedness
grant provided financial support for this exercise.
Is your family ready for an emergency? Visit
www.readv.gov to learn how to prepare an
emergency plan and kit for your family.
f
i
Park Bench Donated
The Parks department
installed a new park
bench at Copperfield
Ponds Park located on
Huber Drive and
Cheyenne Lane.
Friends and neighbors
on Cheyenne Lane
donated the bench in memory of Carol Crewing.
Dates to Remember:
August 6 - 8, 2013
Safety Camp
for 3rd & 4th Graders
August 6, 2013
Night to Unite
City Council
August 13, 2013
Parks Commission
August 14, 2013
Airport Commission
Attachments:
Pipeline, Just the Facts
E663 00011
6:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
Mendota Heights City Hall
1101 Victoria Curve
www.mendota- heights.com
(651) 452 -1850
91 Facebook.com /MendotaHeightsMN
� Twitter.com / @mendota_ heights
NEWS The P'ipel'ine
LETTER n7i�
Public Works e
Engineering July 26, 2013 �
Code Enforcement
Public Works
The Parks weed whipped the weeds along the trails and the signs on the
trails. Overhanging tree limbs were trimmed along the pedways. The
concrete pads were cleaned at Mendakota Park around the baseball and
softball benches. They finished repairs on the groundsmaster mower which
had a broken arm U joint. They set up the baseball fields for the upcoming
tournaments this weekend. Bases were moved to the right lengths.
The Utilities Crew cleaned the sanitary sewer lines along Diane Road,
Barbara Court, Nina Court, Adeline Court, Rae Court, and North and South
Highview Circle.
The Streets Crew cleaned up 17 tree stumps. The tree stumps were ground
up, filled in with black dirt and grass seed was put down. The beaver dam
was cleaned out of the storm outlet pipe on Pond Circle East. They trimmed
trees because of sight distance problems at Bachelor Avenue and Dodd
Road and at Colshire Lane. A pump was fixed on the bobcat broom.
Engineering
City Projects (construction year)
Dodd Road /Highway 110 Intersection Pedestrian Improvements (2013) -
Construction is scheduled to begin next week, and is scheduled for
completion by September 3rd. A portion of Interstate Valley Creek Trail
northwest of the intersection will be relocated as part of the contract.
Hunter Lane /Orchard Place Neighborhood Improvements (2013) - Curbing
has been installed on Orchard Place through the curve to Hunter Lane.
Utility construction on Hunter has begun. Paving activity is expected to
begin on Orchard in the coming weeks. Rehabilitation work on Veronica,
Orchard Circle, Culligan, and Glenhill is expected in late July /early August.
Substantial completion is expected by the end of September with the
assessment hearing in October.
Crown Point &Overlook Neighborhood Rehabilitations (2013) -This project
is substantially complete. Staff has been preparing the project punch -list,
and the contractor will be repairing the punch list items in August. An
assessment hearing is scheduled for October.
Lexington Avenue Pedestrian Trail, Hwy 110 to Douglas Road (2013) -The
trail has been re- paved, and pedestrian ramps installed. Punch -list items
remain along with some minor landscape restoration. The trail has been re-
opened.
Sanitary Sewer Cleaning and Televising (2013) -This project is underway.
The contractor will be working in the area of the city west of I -35E and
north of Highway 110. Center Pointe Business Park is also included in the
project. Minor traffic impacts should be anticipated.
Mendota Heights Road Sanitary Sewer Force Main Replacement (2013) -
The design contract was awarded at the City Council's July 16t" meeting.
Design is anticipated to be complete and ready for bid by October. This
force main has broken 5 times in the past 6 years and is in need of
replacement. Construction of the replacement could begin as early as this
fall.
Highway 13 Trail Connection (2013) -The City did not receive the DNR
grant money we had applied for, but the City will be moving forward with
this trail construction this summer anyway. The trail will connect Riverside
Lane to Lilydale Road along the south side of Highway 13. Construction is
expected in October.
County Projects (construction year
Lexington Avenue Crosswalk (2013) -The crosswalk and island at the
Victoria/ Lexington intersection is scheduled for installation in August.
Surveyors have marked the area and utilities have been located. Specific
schedules will be posted as they are planned.
Delaware Avenue Guardrails (2013) - Guardrails along both sides of
Delaware Avenue, between Highway 110 and Interstate 494 will be installed
this summer. Design of the guardrails has been completed. County
maintenance crews will be doing the installation and they are scheduled for
installation in August.
x
SUPPORT STAFF
o 0 0 0 mp@ 0
o O (flp
Kim Henning
We want to know about events in progress to respond as quickly as possible, and 911 is always
Susan Donovan
Non - emergency calls received at MHPD or the city are of a similar nature involving common laws,
Trista Miller
ordinances or situations of residents. Here are some of the questions we get and our best answers:
Becky Pentel
George Castillo
What is considered legal parking? Always follow the posted signage of the street or area.
POLICE OFFICERS
Vehicles may park in the street as long as signage allows it and you must follow basic statutory
Jerry Murphy
regulations regarding fire hydrants, distance to curb, etc. Consideration /courtesy should also be
Scott Patrick
Patric
given to neighbors and residents as far as parking in front of mailboxes, etc. Vehicles in MH must
John L
Bobby Lambert
move every 24 hours —year long. From Nov —March of any given year, vehicles must be off the
Tanner Spi
Spicer
street from 2 -6 am. Dumpsters and other inoperable equipment are not allowed on the street
Todd e
and must be parked according to code on private property.
Chad Willson
Does the city issue special panting permits? No. There may be some extenuating parking
Jeff Vonfeldt
circumstances where the city or police department will allow parking to occur outside of
Steven Meyer
ordinance, but that will only be determined on a case by case basis.
Denise Urmann
Paramedics make it to your event, plan your block party today!
Michael Shepard
Does Mendota Heights offer animal control? Yes, for dogs only, according to ordinance. One
Peyton Fleming
frequent issues we deal with is dogs off - leash. Ice & skate rinks and local parks are not dog parks!
SCHOOL RESOURCE OFC.
It is prohibited to allow your dog to run within the city limits off - leash! We ask that you respect
Jennifer Fordham
your fellow neighbors and citizens and keep your dog under proper control at all times. This
means the leash must be visible and when on private property, dogs must be restrained
INVESTIGATIONS
according to ordinance. Citations will be issued for this offense. We will also investigate issues
Mario Reyes
around animals if it becomes a code enforcement issue (too many in a household, abuse, etc).
Chad Willson
Otherwise, the city does not respond to reports of cats on the prowl, coyotes near neighborhoods,
SERGEANTS
or raccoon sightings unless there is an imminent threat to residents (e.g. rabid). However, if we
Neil Garlock
can help in finding your lost pet, we are here to record the animal's information in an effort to
Brian Convery
assist you in safely recovering your cat, dog or even pet turtle. Call the non - emergency line and
Eric Petersen
we'll make a note of the details.
RESERVES
Can 1 call 911 for police response? Yes! If your first instinct is to call 911, you are probably right!
Randy Pentel
We want to know about events in progress to respond as quickly as possible, and 911 is always
Jarrod Spicer
best. If you have a general question or need to follow -up on information, please call the non -
Jim Knox
emergency line.
Jeff Parker
George Castillo
If you have any other question's you would like answered, we are here for you!
Call us at 651.452.1366 or email us at: pdrecords @mendota - heights.com
CHAPLAINS
Frances Cuenca
Joel Detlefsen
Lynn Liberman
US TC.3 DAY TC.3 0
Butch Millett
C.3m
Sue Plucker
Snider
IGHT U iTrFJohn
DEADLINE IS TODAY 7/26/2013
David Wick
Get your neighborhood united; To ensure that Police Officers, Firefighters &
CHIEF
Mike Aschenbrener
Paramedics make it to your event, plan your block party today!
Sponsored & Supported By:
Office Registrations Forms are online: _
www.mendota- heights.com=
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••� Fire A Thursday 0311 hours
0 Caller reported seeing a flame thrown Into the air landing on Hwy 110 near the intersection at
Crown Pointe. It was still burning when Officer Steve Meyer arrived on the scene. The burning
Molotov cocktail was put out and gathered as evidence. This fire, tied in with the burning foot
Officer bridge north of Marie Avenue and the burned tip playground equipment, would lead one to
Bobby Lambert believe the arsonists likely live in very close proximity to the area. Suspect information pending;
received a heartfelt investigation is ongoing.
thank you card from
a mother whose Dogs Off Leash Thursday 1101 hours
daughter was found Caller reported that they were in Ivy Falls Park when a man let two dogs run free. The caller
by Lambert. The asked the dog owner to leash his dogs. The dog owner became agitated and rude. The caller
woman was waited at the park for Officer Jen Fordham to arrive they pointed out where the man went.
wandering aimlessly Officer Fordham made contact with the man who had an excuse as to why the dogs were
around local running. He was advised if he could be more civil police intervention would not have been
businesses, required.
appearing paranoid
and anxious. Threats Thursday 1622 hours
Lambert, along with A local business called Officer Bobby Lambert for help with an applicant who's job interview
Officer Patrick, didn't go as smoothly as they had anticipated. The applicant closed the interview by yelling and
comforted the swearing at his potential employers. Then, after he left, the man called the business making
woman, ensured her repeated threats. Officer Lambert called the man and was also lambasted by the man, who
safety and called eventually hung up on him. Officer Lambert then made contact with the man a few minutes
medics to arrange a later who told informed Officer Lambert he was just having a bad day. You think? Man advised
safe transport to to stop all communications or charges would follow.
Regions Hospital.
. Found Prescription Medication Friday 1516 hours
Mothers worry I Caller stopped at MHPD with prescription medications they found in a local park. Officer
about their children J Bobby Lambert tracked down the owner and determined the items were likely taken from their
no matter what mailbox within the past few days. No suspects, not witnesses to the theft. Medications were left
this mother was with the owner.
grateful for the care
given to her child. AOA Social Services Friday 1950 hours
Sergeant Eric Petersen checked a residence looking for a pregnant suicidal woman. According
to Social Services the woman was intoxicated yesterday and was making suicidal comments.
Please send us your Sergeant Petersen checked the home and met the woman's mother who refused to let him check
positive feedback the house, advising that her daughter lives in St. Paul. Social Services was advised of our
on our staff to: findings. On Monday, Officer Fordham had contact with the 21 YOA pregnant female who was
at mom's house drunk. The woman advised that she is bi -polar and wanted to go see her
pdrecords@ boyfriend. Transported to St. Paul.
mendota- heights.com
Your feedback is greatly Fireworks Friday 2025 hours
appreciated and helps boost Officer Todd Rosse responded to a loud explosion. Upon arrival he found a party going on.
the morale of our staff. After speaking with the homeowner, the party resumed, but there were no further explosions.
i
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e
Sot ulmtR" GOOO
Party Bus Saturday 0107 hours
Officer Jeff VonFeldt checked on a renovated school bus parked in the high school parking lot
sift very late in the evening and discovered it was a rented out party bus. The situation became
more suspicious when he approached the bus, as there was a mass exodus of partiers who
sprinted off into the darkness. The bus driver, when asked, insisted all was legit and the renters
were all at least 21, as he had the renter sign a contract stating everyone would be of age.
(Oh, and by the way, the renter was only 19.) Three were caught, all were underage and all were
very intoxicated, .14, .17 and .22 BAC. The most intoxicated, a young female could hardly
stand tip. However, detox was full so a 72 Health and Welfare Hold was filled out for
Sorry! We were just too HealthEast ambulance to transport her to the hospital.
busy this week to have any
funnies! Even with a full Illegal Recreational Fire Saturday 1416 hours
moon this week, nothing.
Officer Bobby Lambert responded to a complaint of an illegal fire. He found a homeowner
It's serious business burning a brush pile in the yard. Advised on requirements for a legal recreational fire and he
around here.
had homeowner get the fire size down and to cease burning leaves.
Seriously.
Welfare Check Saturday 1525 hours
Check with us next week —
maybe things Officer Scott Patrick responded to check the welfare of a man calling for help from inside of his
will lighten up! home. The caller reported that they heard that man yelling for help and when asked what he
needed he said, "he is stuck and it is hard to explain." Officer Patrick arrived and found the
man stuck in the bathroom with help from HealthEast Paramedics and MHFD the man was
freed.
Disturbance Sunday 1128 hours
Officer Bobby Lambert was dispatched to a local park where the caller reported a soccer player
hit a referee. The soccer player is a 20 YOA male. Officer Lambert arrived and met with the
caller and the referee who advised nothing criminal happened and that both parties were kicked
out of the league and left.
AOA Sunday 1948 hours
Multiple squads from EPD, MSP and MHFD headed to the Dodd Road overpass on 1494 on a
reported man on the outside rail. While en route, officers learned there may be two parties on
the rail. Officer Mike Shepard arrived and quickly assessed the situation as not to be a jumper.
The man was apparently upset and keeping an eye on his "baby mama" who was stalled on the
freeway below, making sure no one messed with her.
Burglary Sunday 2205 hours
Caller reported a burglary in progress. The caller was waiting to pick tip a friend when a man
described as darker skinned, unknown race, heavy set, light colored t -shirt and possibly maroon
gym shorts; the burglar fled in an older Dodge Neon style car that was gray in color. The witness
reported the car drove past the business, then stopped. The driver got out, grabbed something
from the trunk and then drove up to the front of the shop. The man then got out of the car
with a towel over his head and smashed the window. He crawled through the hole and emerged
a few minutes later carrying a TV. The car fled N/B on Dodd. Investigator Chad Willson
arrived a short time later to process the scene. Evidence, including DNA, was recovered. On
Tuesday, Officer Willson attended a scheduled sentencing hearing for a likely suspect who has
been charged by our city in the past for other burglaries. However, after a discussion with him,
he was ruled out as a suspect. Investigation is ongoing.
4
Don't
FORGET!
If you are a Mendota
Heights resident and
you are going out of
town /vacation, you
can notify MHPD of
your outing and we
will be more than
happy to keep a
watchful eye on your
home while you are
away. The House
Check Request online
form is available on
our website, we
have similar forms in
the MHPD lobby and
we will take your info
over the phone.
� � M
C011t111l1e 1,,,
AOA/District Court Monday 1402 hours
Officer Jen Fordham received a request from the District to check a home just off of Delaware
Avenue for a person who ran from court. The man had failed a UA (urine analysis) and decided
they didn't want to stick around to see what the consequences would be. Unfortunately for the
young man, by the time Officer Fordham had checked the residence the Judge had faxed over an
arrest warrant.
Domestic Monday 1831 hours
Call received of a 21 YOA out of control Sgt Brian Convery along with Officer Jen Fordham
responded to the home. The suspect has been a regular customer since he was a teenager.
Upon arrival, the young man was sitting on the garage steps. He informed officers he no longer
lives with his parents, but mom and dad still pay for his motorcycle insurance. This 21 YOA
with emotional control issues crashed his motorcycle but the parents' insurance agent advised
against filing a claim. The immature man became enraged, yet again, because it was going to
cost him to fix his motorcycle. Fortunately no one was physically assaulted today, only verbally
abused, and so once again the parents simply agreed it was time for the young man to leave.
Suspicious Activity
Tuesday
1004 hours
Officer Bobby Lambert responded to five men arguing in the street delivering phone books,
pushing and swearing at each other. Officer Lambert spoke with the crew leader about the
behavior of his employees and then cleared.
Suspicious Activity
Wednesday
0447 hours
MHPD offers monthly aller reported that 10 minutes ago a white sedan pulled tip in front of their house and then
y
car seat safety checks. left abruptly. In checking, they found their car door was open. There was nothing missing yet
To schedule an things had been shuffled through.
appointment, call
651.452.1366 to
contact Officer
Jennifer Fordham.
MHPD has a
Medication Disposal
Box in the lobby of
the PD where Dakota
County residents can
safely and
anonymously dispose
of their prescription
drugs and over -the-
counter medication.
Missing Kid ... or not
Wednesday
1048 hours I
The DCC had a mom on the phone relaying from a hysterical atint that her 12 YOA niece was
not at soccer cam when she went to pick her u . The mom was pretty sure the dad picked the
p p p p tY p
daughter up but cannot get a hold of him. Within a few minutes, the dad and daughter were
located. Sergeant Garlock was thankful that everyone was headed to South Saint Paul to work
out the "who wasn't listening" details.
Warrant Arrest Wednesday 1341 hours
Officer Fordham responded to assist a probation officer with a client check. The client had an
active arrest warrant for domestic assault. Officer Fordham quickly resolved the warrant and
transported the man to the Dakota County Jail.
Smoke Scare
Thursday
0829 hours
Sergeant Neil Garlock responded to a home on a report of smoke in the basement. The
homeowners evacuated. Upon arrival there was an apparent light haze and light odor inside the
home. Turns out the well pump motor bearings were going out which emancipated smoke.
All is well.
I
Fri
-lv- -n- DD - L -f
07/19 - 07/26 2013 YTD �
� I
I Calls for Service 181 5,004
Citations Issued i.e., DUI, I
�
I Domestic Assault, Etc. 22 934
� Warnings 16 792 I
I
Police Reports 21 617 �
I Response Time Average 5.91 5.10 • �-
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
S�bml tte �
Vou Koo poll �e 8y'
Pe�oh F�fficer
�C�QG� m�ng
Identity theft is the stealing of someone's identity by using their personal information usually to obtain credit or
other benefits. It continues to be one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States. The process to repair your
credit and good name can take an average of seven years! PLEASE, take preventative measures!
Here are some simple and effective steps recommended by the Federal Trade Commission to prevent Identity
Theft:
* Read your credit card statements carefully and often. Report fraudulent activity immediately and close any
compromised accounts.
* Know your payment due dates. If you receive statements by mail and it does not show up on time look into it.
When possible, set up online accounts to eliminate the chance of your mail being stolen. Make sure to use
strong passwords to prevent online identity theft. Changing your passwords often will also help.
* Read the statements from your health insurance plan; make sure any claims that were paid match the care that
was given.
* Shred documents any with personal information; this can be done with a home shredder or a service which will
do it for a nominal fee.
* Review your credit report at least once a year. You can obtain your credit report once a year for free from one of
the three credit bureaus; they are TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. You can also place a "Fraud Alert" on
your personal information for free. This will make it very difficult for a thief because they would have to know
information about you not found in your basic information. You only need to do a "Fraud Alert" with one of the
credit bureaus and it will then go to all three. Should someone try to open an account in your name you should
be notified.
BE AWARE, DO YOUR PART IN PREVENTING IDENTITY THEFT!
es
40 DAKOTA COUNTY SHERIFF
9aE�F�s
--� The Front Row
:4 front row seat to theqr eatest show on Farth&0*11
Volume 9, Week 8 Dave Bellows, Sheriff
July 15, through Tim Leslie, Chief Deputy
July zY, 2013
Featuring Sheriff's
Administrative,
Communications,
Support, and Parks,
Lakes, and Trails
Staff:
Administration
Steve Anderson
Annette Baker
Julie Ecker
Detention Services
Support Staff
Sandy Burke
Desiree Chartrand
Kim Erlandsen
Melanie Heltne
Kathy Karnick
Casey King
Kim Lechner
Mary McPhetres
Holly Ruiz
Andrea Strenke
Molu Thachil
Betsy Winter
Jessica Witschen
Emergency
Preparedness
Dan Carlson
Operations Supper
Staff
Joanna Anderson
Hilary Christie
Ana Estrada
Julie Fischer
Lynda Jirak
Janelle Mayer
Linda Mischke
Shona Murphy
Jesse Monahan
William Pope
Parks Lakes and
Trails
Mark Albrecht
Scott Blehm
Andrew Burt
Christopher Jensen
I've Been Working on the Railroad...
An investigation involving on -going thefts of metal plates used to secure railroad ties
resulted in the arrest of two men this past week. As part of rail maintenance, the
plates are left along the railway and workers attach them afterward. The DCSO was
advised the metal plates, weighing several pounds, were stolen before workers
arrived at the location to secure them. A camera was set up in the area, which
revealed two men taking the plates and included the license plate of the vehicle used
to transport the material. A search warrant executed at the residence of the suspects
led detectives to a scrap metal dealer in southern Minnesota. It was determined the
pair had sold over 10,000 pounds of metal plates taken in a number of thefts over
time. The case was investigated by Captain Jim Rogers, Sergeant Rick Schroder,
Detectives Rob Hosking, Thomas Jacobson, Dawanna Witt, Mike
k Fendrick, and Ryan Olson, and Patrol Sergeant Bruce Kammen.
The two suspects have been charged with felony theft.
Investigations...
Investigators following up on
:ba h e assault of a man with a
s e b a l l bat made an arrest this
t week. A juvenile male was taken
i nto custody after a search warrant
found the bat and a BB gun both believed to
have been used in the incident. Detective
Rob Hosking is heading the investigation.
A Real Fixer Up -er...
Deputies responded to a report of a man living
in a vacant home that was for sale. When they
arrived at the Empire Township residence, they
did find a man that had " Amoved in" and was
claiming squatters rights to the home. Not
only had he moved in, but he was also making
improvements to the home with painting and
a few other changes. Just so things would be
proper, he also placed the utilities in his name.
Deputies Ryan Fitzgerald, Ryan Olson, and
Bruce Lohmann explained to the man his
method of home acquisition fell a little short of
the legal requirement of home ownership. He
was escorted off the premises and provided
with a citation for trespassing as a reminder
for the future.
"Mark" Your Calendar...
. 1
1
1
1 �}M1y L
L WPM'
1
' While the work on the jail's 8100 Unit '
fell slightly behind schedule due to
'
last w k' humidity,
'
as ee s high g
Correctional Lieutenant Lawrence
' Hart (foreman) has maintained a '
diligent eye on the project's work and
completion date.
The cake and coffee for retiring Deputy Mark McKnight is scheduled for Friday,
August 16th, at 2:00 p.m. in the Grand Jury Room of the Law Enforcement Center.
es
40 DAKOTA COUNTY SHERIFF
9NERIpF�
The Front Row
°r CIO :4 front row seat to theareatest show on Earth&..'
Volume 9, Week 8 Dave Bellows, Sheriff
July 15, through Tim Leslie, Chief Deputy
July 21, 2013
Andrew Kempe
Jordan Klug
Andrew Knutson
Matthew Lohmann
Jo din e Pfaff
Joshua Schauer
Michele Sell
Kurtis Syvertsen
Matthew Thaden
Ryan Van Gundy
Nicole Young
Chaplains
Jim Bzoskie
Vern Hildebrandt
Clayton McDougall
Eddie Nestingen
Cory Voll
Don Voll
Questions?
Comments?
Please contact the
Dakota County
Sheriff's Office at
651.437.4700 or any
of the following by
email:
dave.bellows@
co.dakota.mn.us
julie.ecker@
co.dakota.mn.us
"Patriotism is
supporting your
country all the
time, and your
government
when it deserves
t. ii
- -Mark Twain
Behind the Bars...
The jail experienced a slight increase in our
inmate population this past week. We averaged
264 inmates in custody each day, compared to
259 per day the prior week. We continue to
board a large number of inmates during the
reconstruction in the 8100 Unit. That work is
scheduled to be completed in the next few
weeks.
Reminder...
The 7th Annual Jerry Cotton Golf Tournament for the Metropolitan State University
Foundation is scheduled for Sunday, September 15th, at the Emerald Greens Golf
Course in Hastings. Jerry was a Sergeant with the DCSO, who passed away in 2006
(four years after his retirement). More information can be found at
www..jerrycottongolf.com.
k0oo
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ARTWORK 13Y
CORRECTION/al
DEPUTYJOE
ENGiESSER
IVE BEEN ON � r�
VACATION Too
I FOR&OT MY IO& (N
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