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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Cities find the glut of condo rentals better than foreclosures

Rentals are viewed as better than foreclosure, but not as good as owners who have vested interest.

Updated: March 10, 2012, - 12:08 AM

Golden Valley police explaining use of force to public

After some officer-involved shootings, the city is offering a special class to help residents understand how and why it uses force on occasion.

Updated: March 06, 2012, - 04:02 PM

1 dead, 2 hurt in linked Richfield, Minneapolis stabbings

Police said the three victims are related and that the stabbings appear to be linked, despite the two locations.

Updated: March 02, 2012, - 09:16 PM

Ralph's Shoe Service: Have shoes, will travel

Displaced from Southdale, Ralph's Shoe Service has a new Richfield home.

Updated: February 28, 2012, - 10:16 PM

$2 million grant might not save old Bloomington bridge

A $2 million grant to rehab the Old Cedar Avenue Bridge is in limbo because Bloomington wants the span taken off its hands.

Updated: February 26, 2012, - 09:11 PM

Coyotes in your yard? Haze away!

Yell, wave arms and chase them, Edina residents told.

Updated: February 25, 2012, - 09:45 AM

Richfield's 'downtown' begins to take shape

Development near the former Lyndale Garden Center is getting underway.

Updated: February 21, 2012, - 04:27 PM

Seniors rise up to save their pool

They're taking their case to the city of Edina following a consultant's suggestion that the pool they use at Edinborough Park be filled in to make more room for kids.

Updated: February 14, 2012, - 02:34 PM

Cities' sewers are flush with junk

The mess you flush or toss down the sink doesn't just disappear. Sanitation crews grapple with our grimy messes every day. Just because something's disposable doesn't mean it's flushable.

Updated: February 10, 2012, - 11:46 PM