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Mary Jane Smetanka

Reporter  |  Hennepin County

Phone: 612-673-7380

E-mail: smetan@startribune.com

Mary Jane Smetanka covers Hennepin County government and the cities of Bloomington, Edina and Richfield.

Recent content from Mary Jane Smetanka

• Delinquent utility bills spike in metro area
  Increases rose by more than 200 percent in some cities; economy is cited as a factor.
  Nov 5, 2009
• Empty desks, offices: Cities plan for H1N1
  Communities across the Twin Cities area are ready for a full-blown emergency, or anything short of it.
  Nov 1, 2009
• St. Louis Park lends a hand with repairs
  Condo and townhouse owners can get help from their city in financing major improvements to their common areas.
  Oct 21, 2009
• Gas man cometh, so let him in
  The inspector who just drops by to check the meter on your old house is there for legitimate safety reasons, CenterPoint Energy says.
  Oct 20, 2009
• Minnesota cities jumping on the bond wagon
  A great market for municipal bonds will mean lower debt for some cities. Minneapolis stands to save $8 million, city officials say.
  Oct 19, 2009
• St. Louis Park drafting rules for wind turbines
  As interest in wind power grows, St. Louis Park expects homeowners to want their own turbines.
  Oct 13, 2009
• Drought replenishes lake
  A dry summer emptied Long Meadow in the Minnesota Valley wildlife refuge, and the benefits to plants and waterfowl were almost immediate.
  Oct 12, 2009
• Nature shapes the course of storm drainage
  More cities are urging residents to use rain gardens to handle street runoff and keep pollutants out of lakes and streams.
  Oct 7, 2009
• Pharmacy plan riles up St. Louis Park
  CVS Caremark says it has negotiated purchase agreements for 7 houses in a residential area.
  Oct 3, 2009
• That new Twins ballpark flagpole will look familiar
  The old Met Stadium pole was retrieved for their new home -- thanks to Richfield's American Legion post.
  Oct 3, 2009

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