Lake Minnetonka|News|
UPDATED: 60 Dead of Flu-related Complications, Almost 2,000 Hospitalized
The health department’s second weekly report on the flu outbreak more than doubles the number of reported deaths in the state.

E-mail: jay.corn@patch.com
Jay is formerly the Local Editor of the Lake Minnetonka Patch. Before coming to Patch, he spent five years as editor of the Kanabec County Times in Mora, MN.
Jay was born in New York City and raised in New Jersey, and he moved to Minnesota about eight years ago to attend St. Cloud State University.
He has a daughter entering the second grade and enjoys the outdoors, music and baseball. In recent years, Jay has taken up golf, and he never turns down a get-together with buddies for a game of poker.
Politics:
Jay views himself as a conservative liberal. He believes in the right to bear arms, free market enterprise, gay rights and the death penalty. He opposes off-shore drilling, abortion and prayer in public schools.
Religion:
While he has issues with the church, Jay is a born and raised Catholic. He spent two weeks in Israel when he was 21 and says he learned a lot about himself. That said, he enjoys learning about other religions and civilly discussing faith with believers and non-believers alike.
Local hot button issues:
Jay concedes he has a lot to learn about the issues you care about and understands those issues differ between Orono, Wayzata, Deephaven, Excelsior and Mound-Westonka, the core towns of Lake Minnetonka Patch. But already, you'll see a mix of stories about local government, business, sports, the arts, education and, through it all, the people who make this area special. Look soon for stories on everything from development projects to the environment and local economy.
Jay pledges the news you read on the Lake Minnetonka Patch will be timely, built on fact and delivered through a lens of balance and objectivity.
The health department’s second weekly report on the flu outbreak more than doubles the number of reported deaths in the state.

From "Come as you Are Day" to class competitions, each day during the last week of January will feature something fun for kids and the community.
Leah Pinault and Bryan Tierney chosen for going above and beyond both in and out of the classroom.
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office and Excelsior Fire District conducted a training exercise on Carsons Bay last night that simulated the rescue of a snowmobiler who had fallen through the ice.
Area rescue units will be in Excelsior tonight to conduct ice rescue training.
Representing Westonka were Leah Pinault, Zach Blume, Hannah Randklev, Grant Harrison, Kristen Holmberg, Timmy Levens, Rob Stokes, Elle Montgomery and Hanna Brustad.
Information provided by the Wayzata Police Department.
These tips from Hennepin County Rich Stanek just might save your life if you ever fall through the ice.
Two inches of rain fell Thursday, and by Friday morning it had frozen—creating an ideal surface for ice surfing on Lake Minnetonka.
The Sunshine Foundation is the original wish granting organization. They have granted over 36,000 dreams to children abused, physically challenged and chronically ill since 1976.
Western Communities Action Network's February breakfast includes build your own omelet, hash browns, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, milk, juice, coffee and dessert.
Have an achievement you would like to share with the community? Send submissions to jay.corn@patch.com for an upcoming posting on Patch.
Wayzata Mayor Ken Willcox talks long-range plans, lakefront enhancement, economic development and more in his preview for the year ahead.
The White Hawks will continue their tough schedule when they travel to Hutchinson on Thursday, Jan. 17 to take on the state-ranked Tigers, as well as the nationally ranked St. Michael-Albertville Knights.
Saturday accident near Cedar Point occurred while deputies were placing thin ice signs to warn residents of precarious conditions in the area.
District 33B consists of Chanhassen, Deephaven, Excelsior, Greenwood, Minnetonka Beach, Mound, Orono, Shorewood, Spring Park and Tonka Bay.
Ben, a student at Eden Prairie High School, sent in a letter explaining his thoughts on nuclear energy. Tracey in Bloomington e-mailed in this week with her thoughts on recent legislation to continue the Congressional pay freeze.
Both the Excelsior Fire District and the Long Lake Fire Department responded to Saturday fire in Tonka Bay.
Rates were higher in December, and only scattered faculty absences being blamed on flu.
The DNR recently issued a warning that when the temperature rises above freezing for six hours during a 24 hour period.