Home | Staff Directory

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

• Pillsbury Estate: Auction will mark end of grand era
  The Pillsbury estate on Lake Minnetonka could be carved up for new development.
  Nov 15, 2009
• Flu's latest victims in Hennepin County
  Hand puppets and plush toys at Hennepin County libraries will no longer be available for checkout.
  Nov 15, 2009
• Edina offers a one-stop online shop
  From parks and rec registration to special Edina-centric gifts, the city's website offers more than most.
  Nov 11, 2009
• Bloomington schools, Legion part ways over prayers at flag
  A spat over whether prayers should be uttered during Veterans Day commemorations at public schools has prompted the Bloomington School District to drop the American Legion as a partner for today's flag-raising ceremonies.
  Nov 10, 2009
• Republicans working to re-establish grass roots in Bloomington
  The City Council of the state's fifth-largest city had taken a turn to the left. The more conservative wing of the GOP said enough.
  Nov 7, 2009
• Sandwiches from a savior
  A retired Minneapolis teacher who saw need in his classroom retired to volunteer full time handing out sandwiches to the hungry every night.
  Nov 7, 2009
• 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

Next page