Mary Jane Smetanka

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Mary Jane Smetanka

Reporter | Hennepin County

Phone: 612-673-7380

Mary Jane Smetanka covers trends in Hennepin County and the cities of Bloomington, Edina, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Richfield and St. Louis Park. She also blogs for Greengirls.
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Edina's historical mystery: Black flight

At the turn of the 20th century, Edina had a vibrant black population with leaders in key positions. Where did they go and why?

Updated: January 01, 2013, - 11:09 PM

Mpls. Mayor Rybak won't run again for his 'dream job'

R.T. Rybak, 57, who's served three terms as mayor, pledged a vigorous final year in office and said he isn't sure what his next job will be.

Updated: December 28, 2012, - 06:22 AM

Edina City Council gives itself a pay hike

The increase won't kick in until 2015. It is the first council pay raise since 2008, and the action means future raises will happen automatically.

Updated: December 26, 2012, - 11:09 AM

VEAP will leap to a larger space

The Bloomington food shelf and aid group has Hennepin County as a partner in its new building.

Updated: December 25, 2012, - 10:01 PM

Golden Valley vote keeps Bottineau LRT alive

Golden Valley support was critical if light-rail plans were to proceed.

Updated: December 18, 2012, - 09:20 PM

Edina teardowns: When the new dwarfs the old

Neighborhoods are changing rapidly, raising concerns about how to maintain their charm.

Updated: December 13, 2012, - 11:32 PM

Cities warn residents to beware water-filter scam

People in Richfield, St. Louis Park, Edina and Falcon Heights have been asked for personal information in pitches that included no company name.

Updated: December 05, 2012, - 08:47 PM

Richfield drops its Fourth of July carnival

Safety became a concern when street gangs from outside the city caused police to have to respond.

Updated: December 04, 2012, - 12:39 PM

Feds allege bias against kids at Edina condo building

HUD says an Edina condominium complex violated the Fair Housing Act in attempting to ban children from living there.

Updated: November 30, 2012, - 08:31 PM

Beautiful gardens: A storybook garden

Starting with a patch of Irish moss, an Edina couple created a fanciful garden worthy of any Hobbit's house.

Updated: November 27, 2012, - 01:41 PM

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