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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Human rights commissions are losing power, influence

Cities disagree on their role in the 21st century.

Updated: January 17, 2012, - 04:02 PM

Brown winter means more green for cities

Without snow to plow or streets to sand, west-metro cities are saving money and resources.

Updated: January 14, 2012, - 10:31 PM

Golden Valley mayor wants human rights task force

The city's Human Rights Commission was disbanded last month in a dispute with the City Council.

Updated: January 10, 2012, - 02:47 PM

Minnesota businesses are seeing red ink in brown winter

Ski shops, snowplowing businesses, contractors that remove ice dams and resorts are all suffering as the brown winter stretches on.

Updated: January 10, 2012, - 09:14 AM

Plants confused by balmy temps

Normally long dead or dormant, some plants hang in as winter struggles to get started

Updated: December 31, 2011, - 05:21 PM

New state law aims to increase organ donors

Option to give $2 for a donor awareness campaign is one of many laws taking effect Sunday.

Updated: December 30, 2011, - 11:29 PM

A grand plan for GrandView Heights District

A large steering committee has developed a plan to guide Edina's future redevelopment of the 38 acres.

Updated: December 27, 2011, - 02:19 PM

Cities raise rec fees to keep pace with costs

Most cities inch up their fees year by year to avoid steep hikes, and despite the economy, find residents keep their facilities hopping.

Updated: December 27, 2011, - 02:18 PM

Edina council revises order to clear trees at intersection

Petition signers said the trees pose a hazard by obstructing the view at an intersection. Now, they will be trimmed.

Updated: December 27, 2011, - 02:07 PM

Golden Valley human rights commission dismissed

The panel had sought a task force to address Golden Valley police conduct.

Updated: December 23, 2011, - 10:02 PM

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