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 looks to expand parking at 50th and France

City plans to tear down a building to make room for a parking ramp.

Updated: February 26, 2013, - 06:49 PM

After 14 years of uncertainty, Richfield couple sell their house

After 14 years in limbo, the Hartles are able to move on to the next chapter in their lives: They've sold their house on 17th Avenue in Richfield that long has been targeted for redevelopment.

Updated: February 19, 2013, - 02:45 PM

Bloomington wildlife refuge manager moves on to federal agency

Charlie Blair, the respected manager of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge for five years, has moved to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Updated: February 19, 2013, - 02:41 PM

Judge says Bloomington nursing home can expand

The city will appeal a judge's decision on adding 67 units at Martin Luther Campus.

Updated: February 12, 2013, - 01:55 PM

Dad who drove onto Minnetonka ice charged in daughter's death

Authorities say he was drunk when car plunged through lake ice.

Updated: February 07, 2013, - 09:47 PM

Bloomington will ask to raze, replace Old Cedar Avenue Bridge

The city's move could force federal authorities to order the historic 1920 bridge be saved.

Updated: February 06, 2013, - 11:19 PM

Edina hopes for new dome by November

Since the Braemar fire a year ago, the city has spent time wrangling with insurance and building code issues.

Updated: February 05, 2013, - 11:18 AM

Volunteer reserves fill gaps for suburban police forces

Though reserve officers' duties are restricted by law -- they can't carry a gun and don't have full powers of arrest -- suburbs are increasingly turning to reserves and other volunteers as a way to offset tightening city budgets.

Updated: January 29, 2013, - 06:34 AM