Sunday, May 20, 2012
This week's selection includes talk of another Human Rights Commission in Golden Valley and tough financial talks in Shakopee.
Editor’s Note: Every week we will bring you a sampling of stories from Patch sites in the west metro: Edina, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Richfield, Shakopee, St. Louis Park and St. Michael. (Click on the headline to read the full story.) UPDATED: Joshua Fuchs Resigns As High School Principal He will finish out the school year. Joshua Fuchs Releases Statement on Resignation He said his resignation was to ensure his employment and professional direction were "aligned." St. Michael-Albertville Senior Defines Determination Kathryn Jesperson captured the hearts of many at the St. Michael-Albertville High School Grand March last month. But her life is a triumph over a heart that almost failed her. Parents Express …
The Hennepin County Library, which is part of Metropolitan Library Service Agency, will close the Museum Adventure Pass program Sept. 3, 2012.
Everyone who has spent time gazing at the Museum Adventure Pass kiosks their local Hennepin County Library, but never followed through on their curiosity, now is your last chance. The program and the opportunity to visit area museums and other Twin Cities destinations for free goes through Sept. 3, 2012. It is the sixth final year for the Museum Adventure Pass program, which has been a partnership between Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA) and Macy's. During the past five years, the participating cultural organizations have donated 1.3 million worth of free admissions to library patrons in the metro area, according to a MELSA press release when the program started its final year in the fall of 2011. A program, MELSA said, which …
Thursday, May 17, 2012
County Board Chair Mike Opat delivered the 2012 address today in Plymouth.
Hennepin County Board Chair Mike Opat gave the State of the County address today at the Plymouth Creek Center in Plymouth. The TwinWest Chamber of Commerce hosted the event. A State of the County address hasn't been given since 2009. The reason? "There have been no speeches because given the state of the economy and federal and state budgets there wasn’t much I could say that was interesting enough to warrant an event like this," Opat said. "Like the rest of public-sector America…we have been hunkered down and focused on the basics." During his speech, Opat touched on changes to several areas of the County, that were also highlighted in a county press release: Budget/Finances "The State of Hennepin County is one of flat budgets and …
45.019802
-93.468407
Plymouth Creek Center (PCC)
14800 34th Ave N, Plymouth, MN
/articles/state-of-hennepin-county-looks-promising
2067665
/locations/7050196
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Sheriff Rich Stanek is learning about homeland security and countering violent extremism that impacts both the U.S. and Israel.
Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek of Maple Grove is currently overseas in Israel, attending an international counterterrorism program. Dubbed "2012 Law Enforcement Mission to Israel," the program is intended to provide attendees with a better understanding of homeland security and countering violent extremism that impacts both Israel and the U.S. The program includes discussions with Israeli government officials, military officers and leading academics, in addition to discussions regarding emergency preparedness from Israeli first responders including police, rescue and bomb disposal. "I appreciate the opportunity to build partnerships and learn best practices from first responders who are experienced in national security challenges,” …
Sunday, May 13, 2012
This week's selection includes lots of school news, including state Teacher of the Year and Robbinsdale's top educator for 2013.
City Council Lifts Edina's Happy Hour Ban The amendment removes part of the city ordinance governing prices of alcoholic beverages at Edina's restaurants. Pink Water Draws Concerns in St. Michael, Albertville The Joint Powers Water officials that oversee the area's tap water supply are aware of the situation. The colored water is harmless in normal doses. On Gay Marriage, Richfield Catholic Parishes of One Mind Three Catholic churches in Richfield recently affirmed they will be following the lead of the Archdiocese of Minneapolis and St. Paul, urging members and others to vote yes on the anti-gay marriage amendment. Edina's Jackie Roehl Named Minnesota Teacher of the Year The 10th-grade English teacher at Edina High School is first-…
Thursday, May 10, 2012
The plan was approved by the Senate on Thursday.
With Senate approval coming on Thursday by a 36-30 vote, a new Minnesota Vikings stadium is on its way. After plenty of twists and turns throughout the legislative session, debate intensified this week, as the House and Senate both held several late-night sessions to discuss the bill. All that remains now is a signature from Gov. Mark Dayton, who has been an ardent stadium supporter. Dayton is holding a press conference at 5:45 p.m. today with stadium bill authors, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and team owner Zygi Wilf, and Dayton could sign the bill then. The new stadium will cost roughly $975 million, with the team slated to pay a little less than half. The state will pay about $348 million by expanding gambling. The city of Minneapolis …
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Speaker of the House Kurt Zellers, Rep. Joyce Peppin and Sen. Warren Limmer all decided not to support legislation for a new Vikings stadium. The legislation passed through both the Minnesota State Senate and House.
Late Tuesday, May 8, the Minnesota State Senate approved the Vikings stadium bill on a 38-28 vote. After 10 hours of discussion, senators advanced the $975 million plan after including extra fees for parking and items sold at the stadium and other amendments. The vote followed the Minnesota House's approval on Monday of its version of a Vikings stadium bill with a 73-58 vote. A conference committee made up of members of the House and Senate will negotiate a final bill and get approval from their respective bodies. If approved, the final bill could be on Gov. Dayton's desk by May 13. Maple Grove Legislators said: In the House Speaker of the House Rep. Kurt Zellers (R-Maple Grove) and Rep. Joyce Peppin (R-Maple Grove) voted against the …
Two 50-unit apartment buildings could be constructed near Arbor Lakes as early as next spring.
At their May 7 meeting, the Maple Grove City Council approved PUD concept stage plans for the construction of two apartment buildings located at the intersection of Arbor Lakes Parkway and Hemlock Lane. If city council members approve final plans, Hemlock Apartments will consist of two 50-unit buildings and will be built on a 7.7 acre piece of land. The apartment complex will serve residents with income ranges between $24,000 and $54,000 per year and offer one, two and three bedroom units, a concept that Councilmember Karen Jaeger applauded. “I think it’s wonderful that you put in affordable housing,” Jaeger said to John Duffy, the President of Duffy Development Company. "There’s certainly a need.” While the addition of the apartment …
45.098251
-93.443586
Maple Grove Government Center - City Offices
12800 Arbor Lakes Pkwy N, Maple Grove, MN
/articles/initial-plans-approved-for-hemlock-apartments
969602
/locations/6972581
Maple Grove residents will have the chance to ask questions and voice concerns about the proposed Bottineau Transitway at three upcoming meetings, including on May 10.
Residents have the opportunity to weigh in on the future of the Bottineau Transitway during three upcoming meetings. The Bottineau Transitway is a proposed high-frequency transit corridor that connects the northwest Twin Cities area to the regional system of transitways, according to a Hennepin County fact sheet. If built, it would run about 13 miles northwest from downtown Minneapolis, serving north Minneapolis neighborhoods, and follow Bottineau Boulevard (County Road 81), ending in either Maple Grove or Brooklyn Park. Light rail transit (LRT) and bus rapid transit (BRT) are currently still being considered for the Bottineau Transitway. Commuter rail was considered and ruled out in the Alternatives Analysis phase of study, according to a…
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
At their May 7 meeting, Maple Grove City Council members agreed to allow the public charter school to expand and extend their term of occupancy.
Last August, Maple Grove’s Zachary Square Center became home to Parnassus Preparatory School—a public charter school. Now, thanks to a unanimous motion from the Maple Grove City Council, the school will expand and increase their term of occupancy. By approving the amendment to the PUD concept stage plan, council members agreed that Parnassus Preparatory School can expand by 13,000 square feet, relocate the playground to the north-central portion of the parking lot and extend the term of occupancy from 10 to 15 years. Before playground construction begins, the Council said they want to approve playground design plans. The expansion will help to accommodate an increase in attendance, according to city council documents. But Zachary Square …
45.098251
-93.443586
Maple Grove Government Center - City Offices
12800 Arbor Lakes Pkwy N, Maple Grove, MN
/articles/parnassus-preparatory-school-will-expand
969602
/locations/6955746
James Warden
9:41 am on Monday, May 14, 2012
I'm wondering if we need to rethink our belief that the Minnesota Constitution really is harder to change than state laws. We're seeing constitutional amendments precisely because the proposals couldn't make it through the law-making process. In other words, amendment supporters see it as an easier process than one that forces them to go through the governor. So I think it's more accurate to say … more ›