The following is a brief listing of things that happened in Osseo and Maple Grove in the year 2008:

JANUARY

The state legislature reconvened in early February and education finance was expected to be a priority topic of debate.

Stephen Richards Barker, 52, formerly of Wayzata and now of Maple Grove, former investment broker was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison on four counts of tax evasion.

Samuel Edward Berry, 52, of Brooklyn Park, was arrested and charged in connection with a robbery at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel under on construction in the Fountains at Arbor Lakes, 11871 Fountains Way, in Maple Grove. According to the criminal complaint, Berry entered the Courtyard of Marriott Hotel Dec. 27, around 10 a.m., without the consent of the owner and stole a television worth more than $500 within five years of being convicted of a felony theft.

The Osseo School Board, at its Jan. 22 work session, received its first look at several recommendations for school closings. The potential closings come as the district works on a $16 million budget reduction for the 2008-09 school year. Among those named for potential closure or repurposing are Osseo Elementary, Edgewood Elementary, Weaver Lake Elementary, Cedar Island Elementary, Fair Oaks Elementary, Willow Lane Early Education Center and the Timberland Site.

FEBRUARY

The elimination of 166 teachers and many of the junior high school activities could all face the chopping block in the Osseo School District. At its Jan. 22 work session, the Osseo School Board received a drafted plan for the upcoming Strategic Plan Budget Reductions.

Where will my child attend school next year? This was the question on the minds of many parents of elementary students within Dist. 279.

The school board, at its Feb. 6 work session, received an elementary boundary change recommendation from the district's hired consultant.

It's been five years that Maple Grove police and Jim Nelson have been searching and waiting for answers in the death of Rebecca Nelson. Rebecca died Feb. 20, 2003, as a result of injuries she sustained from the result of an unfortunate motor vehicle hit-and-run.

MARCH

The Maple Grove City Council honored two outstanding people - Sheila Gronemann and Maple Grove Finance Director Jim Knutson - for their part in saving the life of another individual March 3.

After being eliminated in the quarterfinals of last season's state tournament, the Osseo Senior High School girls basketball team has some unfinished business to attend to at this year's tournament. Fresh off their 62-56 upset win over previously undefeated and No. 1-ranked Centennial Thursday, March 6, in the Class 4A Section 5 championship game, the No. 4-seed Orioles (24-5) will try to make amends for last year's early tournament exit when they take on No. 5 Chaska (21-8) Wednesday, March 12, at noon at Target Center.

The Osseo City Council approved new ways to market the city March 10. The city was looking at a new design in the way its residents get city news and information.

The Maple Grove Crimson is the state's CI Division adapted floor hockey champs. The team scored the championship over Dakota United March 15, at Bloomington Jefferson.

APRIL

It was reported April 2, that a high-speed chase went through Maple Grove and the northwestern suburbs ended in Plymouth with a crash and gunshots, as a suspected bank robber tried to elude police. The chase began around 6:45 a.m. following the armed robbery of a TCF Bank in St. Anthony.

The city of Maple Grove has been through many changes and a lot of growth in the last 24 years. Community development director Bob Waibel can attest to that. He retired from the city after 24 years of service and employment. His last day was April 30.

The Osseo City Council set a town hall meeting to discuss Osseo Elementary School during its meeting April 14.

Dark smoke rolled across the skyline from the south end of Osseo's Central Avenue, near the intersection with County Rd. 81, as two of the city's businesses were struck by fire the afternoon of April 16. Advanced Home Improvement, a two-story building that sits at the intersection of Central Avenue and County Rd. 81, was significantly damaged if not destroyed. Next door, Heinen's suffered extensive loss, mostly to stored recreational vehicles.

Great River Energy kicked off dedication ceremonies for its new LEED-Platinum headquarters April 22, in Maple Grove. The new building is located off of Elm Creek Boulevard, near the Shoppes at Arbor Lakes. The GRE headquarters also has a wind turbine.

MAY

The Maple Grove City Council directed approval of the first plans for the new Hennepin County Library in Maple Grove May 5. The Hennepin County Library wanted to build a single-level, 40,00-square-foot public library with a parking ramp with 356 parking stalls.

More than $232,000 had been spent in the past three years defending an ongoing lawsuit filed against the Osseo School District 279 by two former members of Straights and Gays for Equality (SAGE). The figures were released by the district May 6.

The future Maple Grove Hospital recently completed another step closer to the finishing of construction. The final beam of steel was placed on the hospital Wednesday, May 14.

Osseo's Chiamaka Okonkwo had one the most outstanding days of her track and field career at the Northwest Suburban Conference Track and Field Championships held at Coon Rapids May 20 and 22. Okonkwo was voted the top female athlete of the meet by the head coaches from each of the conference teams.

JUNE

Under budget reductions for the upcoming school year, Osseo Elementary School will close and its students will be distributed among eight different elementary schools next fall; most will be going to Elm Creek Elementary. As one last opportunity to share and revisit memories spanning five decades, a Legacy Celebration was hosted May 29 at the school.

Osseo entered the Class 3A state softball tournament with little fanfare and not given any chance of doing anything. But the Orioles showed they belonged by playing three competitive games and coming very close to beating the eventual champion. OSH finished fourth.

A Hennepin County judge ordered June 3, Osseo School Dist. 279 to provide documents related to recent school closures and repurposing to a parent who requested them three months ago. Joe Shoults requested the data under Minnesota's Government Data Practices Act. Among other concerns, he believes the district may have violated open meetings laws in the process to close two schools and repurpose four others within the district, said his attorney, Erick Kaardal.

The Dist. 279 School Board mulled new legislation, a possible levy referendum and the budget at a work session in the end of June.

JULY

Zachary Wiley Mann, a 21-year-old Maple Grove man, pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft in connection with a scheme to steal credit card account information and use it to add value to gift cards that he purchased.

Two levy questions will be on the Nov. 4 ballot for voters in the Osseo School District. The Dist. 279 School Board approved resolutions at a special meeting to ask voters for $13 million this fall.

The Osseo City Council approved Lynde's redevelopment final plat July 14. The project would include the demolition of the existing structures on its current property between County Rd. 81 and Jefferson Highway, construct a 5,800-square-foot, one-story, full service bar/restaurant and construct a 6,900-square-foot, one-story office/office showroom facility within the proposed 1.7 acre parcel.

Reconstruction of the Hwy. 169 Triangle area in Brooklyn Park and Osseo began July 21. The long-awaited project will rebuild the triangle-shaped areas created by Hwy. 169, County Rd. 81 and 85th Avenue (County Rd. 109).

AUGUST

Once again, the Osseo Concert in the Parks series was graced by a concert of area musician Lorie Line. On Aug. 14, in Boerboom Park along Central Avenue in Osseo, Line performed for two hours.

The Maple Grove City Council thoroughly discussed and then tabled a developer's request to amend the Shingle Creek Cove-Four Seasons at Rush Creek planned unit development (PUD) Aug. 18. The council was uneasy with the developer's request to change age-restriction sites.

Three candidates vying to become the next Third Congressional District 3 representative recently took to a stage for their first face-to-face debate. The field included state Rep. Erik Paulsen, a Republican from Eden Prairie, DFLer Ashwin Madia of Plymouth and David Dillon, the Independence Party-endorsed hopeful. The Third District seat was held by Rep. Jim Ramstad of Minnetonka, who served nine terms.

SEPTEMBER

It was reported Sept. 10, another court ruling against the Osseo School District in an ongoing lawsuit involving Straights and Gays for Equality (SAGE) and two of its former members leaves the district with a decision on if - and how - they will continue the legal battle.

It was reported Sept. 17, a pair of 2-1 wins over Centennial and Anoka last week put Osseo in a tie for first place with Coon Rapids in the Northwest Suburban Conference boys' soccer standing.

The city council recently approved an agreement with Allied Waste Services for single sort with cart recycling collection services, along with a RecycleBank Program.

OCTOBER

Hennepin County Administrator Richard Johnson calls the county's 2009 budget "one of the most difficult budgets we've had to develop." At a Budget and Capital Investment Committee meeting, the county was proposing a budget of $1.7 billion next year, including a net property tax levy of $644 million. That reflects a 6.98% net general tax levy increase over last year - less than the maximum increase of 7% the county board set last month.

When it was least expected, Maple Grove played its best game of the football season, according to coach Craig Hansen about the 23-6 loss to Blaine.

Claire Baglien, a junior at Osseo Senior High (OSH), is passionate about saving energy and cleaning up our planet. Her enthusiasm has fueled the rebirth of the Environmental Club at OSH. The club got off to a modest start last year, but Claire's drive, coupled with her friendly, outgoing personality drew a core group of 15 students to the newly named Green Club's first meeting Oct. 6.

For the first time in five years, all three Osseo cheerleading squads were going to the Minnesota Cheerleading Coaches Association (MCCA) state competition.

NOVEMBER

The Osseo Orioles defeated St. Louis Park in the Class AA soccer championship game 4-1 at the Metrodome. The Orioles captured the first ever-state title without the service of Mr. Soccer Whitney Browne, who severely sprained his ankle in the semifinal win over Coon Rapids.

In the Nov. 4 election, residents of Maple Grove reelected Leann Sargent to the city council. Joining her will be Erik Johnson. The city of Osseo also saw a 96 percent voter turnout, the highest percentage in last 11 years.

The Dist. 279 Pirates CI adapted soccer team wins first state soccer title.

A recount began Nov. 18 in the race for the final Osseo School Dist. 279 school board seat between Laura Cottington and Teresa Lunt. Just 10 votes currently separate the two, with initial election results awarding the seat to Cottington.

DECEMBER

Some artists don't get their breaks till late in life; others never get them at all. For Half Demon Doll, a rock band comprised of four teenage girls, including one from Maple Grove, the road to fame is short and sweet. The foursome won the Teen Vogue Rock Meets the Runway contest.

The Osseo City Council appointed Mark Lynde as the Osseo Fire Chief for an indefinite term, and he continued to be paid as a "paid-on-call" firefighter and receive an additional monthly stipend. Lynde owns Lynde's Restaurant and Catering in Osseo. He recently served as fire chief in his hometown of Hanover.

A "green" school saves money and is good for the environment. That's the message the Crimson Cabinet, made up of 18 elected students and two faculty advisors, is relaying to Maple Grove Senior High students for the first time this year. The group focuses on one environmental issue each month, according to Cabinet member and senior Megan Giesen, who is in charge of public relations.

The city of Osseo will soon say goodbye to its top cop in charge. Osseo Police Chief Mike Haller will be retiring from his position with the city at the end of the year after 19 years and seven months of service in Osseo.