Recent content from Erin Adler
Several south metro cities tackling elevated radium levels
Inver Grove Heights, Savage and South St. Paul are dealing with high radium in their water supply, using a range of short-term fixes and expensive solutions.
South St. Paul considering 'one last hurrah' for its well-loved Northview Pool
The city eventually plans to close the pool, first opened in 1956, because of the cost of repairs -- but may keep it open for a final summer.
Bill to allow duplexes across Minnesota is likely doomed this session
Affordable housing advocates hope to find other roads to make it easier to build small apartment buildings across Minnesota.
Eden Prairie Schools plans to turn UNFI office into a school building
The Eden Prairie City Council must still approve a development agreement before plans are final; the district hopes to start using the building this fall.
Dakota County resumes planning for homeless shelter: 'We have an urgent need'
Six months after shelving a plan to convert a hotel amid pushback, officials say they're moving slowly and deliberately to ease concerns and find a location.
A 'serious, sobering report' prompts changes at Shakopee Fire Department
Outside consultants reported problems ranging from a lack of training to ethics violations, with one consultant labeling Shakopee the "worst department" they'd seen in 18 years of consulting.
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Scott County cities worry Met Council decision could prompt 'disorderly development'
The Met Council recently granted a change to a Scott County township that will allow a parcel to avoid hooking up to city water and sewer, effectively blocking Jordan's future development there.
Johnson Brothers withdraws application to redevelop Blue Cross Blue Shield site in Eagan
The company is looking at other options in the metro, including remaining at its St. Paul location.
Police investigating New Brighton shooting that injured one person
The victim was shot in the back by someone they knew, police said. The suspect was still at large.
Shakopee Teamsters approve agreement with city, averting strike
Teamsters Local 320 members will get 14.5% general wage increase over contract's three years.
As Twin Cities suburbs age, cities ponder the future of their community centers
While some cities are undertaking multimillion-dollar renovations, others worry that they can't fund pools, indoor parks and gathering spaces amid rising costs for other basic city services.
National homebuilder cancels purchase of Lakeville school district land
Students and residents had protested the sale of 14 acres of woods and wetlands.
Inver Hills gets new bee mascot to match its environmental pledge
The Inver Grove Heights community college is the first campus in Minnesota to get the special designation for its pledge to support pollinators.
Newest Dakota County Library branch opens in South St. Paul
The opening of the new Kaposia Library, which replaces a city-run library, was marked this week with song and celebration.
Adam Finseth didn't let fear get in his way
Finseth, the Burnsville firefighter and paramedic who died in the line of duty, always had a smile and a kind word for others, friends said.
New Prague will get new post office building
The existing building is cramped and has no parking for the public or people with disabilities.
Northfield decides it's content with most of its slogan, asks locals to fill in third blank
The city will keep the first two words of its previous slogan, "Cows, Colleges and Contentment" and switch out the third to a rotating range of options.
Coming to Eagan's Viking Lakes complex: $10 million 'connection center' for accounting firm CLA
Clifton Larson Allen (CLA) has signed a 16-year lease for a 40,000-square-foot space to be built over the next year.
Shakopee luxury apartment residents furious at forced move to new building next door
Hundreds of residents of the Triple Crown Residences must move to a neighboring building because of sprinkler problems.
West St. Paul City Council adds junior member
The city hopes adding a high school student to the council will broaden city leaders' perspectives.
Group tasked with reforming Met Council offers lawmakers six options
A task force convened by the Legislature couldn't agree on a single proposal for restructuring governance of the regional planning authority.
Farmington offers class to help online daters manage frustration
The parks and recreation department is branching out to offer classes on topics beyond athletics and crafts.
![Drive up customers dropped mail in mailboxes at the Apple Valley post office. ] GLEN STUBBE • glen.stubbe@startribune.com Tuesday, September 8, 2020](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/UZDLIWHYKHEQTZ3NBW3TIGER6M.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Federal agency announces statewide audit of mail delays, identifies 'deficiencies' at four Twin Cities postal locations
Four audits from Eagan, Apple Valley and New Brighton and the St. Paul distribution center were released Wednesday from the USPS office of Inspector General, revealing problems with delays, delivery and postal facilities.
After property owner's death — and battle over his will — Eagan green space will be preserved
A 134-acre property worth $10 million had been the subject of a legal battle involving multiple wills; it will now be preserved as farmland and wildlife habitat.
After property owner's death — and battle over his will — Eagan green space will be preserved
A 134-acre property worth $10 million had been the subject of a legal battle involving multiple wills; it will now be preserved as farmland and wildlife habitat.
Hastings City Council approves resolution calling for ceasefire in Gaza
The Hastings Progressives group brought forward the resolution that also calls for the United States to send humanitarian aid to the region.
Fast food beef laid to rest after Taco Chon in Burnsville and St. Cloud changes name
The owner of Taco Chon Mexican Grill has agreed to change his business' name to Don Chon Mexican Grill after a lawsuit was filed by Taco John's.
Dakota, Scott counties to vote on new, $24 million Lakeville recycling facility
Both counties' boards will vote this week on the proposed Recycling Zone Plus facility, which officials say is needed as demand outpaces capacity at current facilities.
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Five ice rinks will take place of canceled ice maze at Eagan's Viking Lakes
Warm weather nixed plans for an ice maze this year, but the five rinks featuring 45,000 square feet of ice will instead open Monday at the south metro headquarters of the Minnesota Vikings.
Dakota County eliminates library late fees
Patrons with overdue fees will no longer be blocked from checking out books, but materials out for more than six weeks will come with a fee.
Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan superintendent to retire at school year's end
Mary Kreger will have led the district of 30,000 for six years when she leaves this June.
Bison herd makes a powerful return to Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux land in the south metro
Ten female bison arrived Nov. 29 and now graze on land owned by the tribe.
Lakeville schools sold 14 acres to a developer, and neighbors and students are unhappy
Many say they weren't told about the sale of 14 acres north of Kenwood Middle School, which is used by multiple athletic teams for practice.
Coming to Farmington city parks: Free Wi-Fi
Hiawatha Broadband is building a new fiber optic network in the city, and once it is complete there will be free Wi-Fi access in 20 of the city's 29 parks.
Woman's body found by Ford Lock and Dam in Mississippi River
Authorities do not suspect foul play, a spokesman for the Ramsey County water patrol said.
Vigil set to remember St. Paul activist Tou Ger Xiong
The life of Tou Ger Xiong will be celebrated on Dec. 23 at East Ridge High School in Woodbury.
Roseville church will add to tiny home community for formerly homeless
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Roseville will add a unit under a new state law allowing "sacred settlements" on faith communities' land.
Some Twin Cities residents are fed up with mail delays — and now the USPS is investigating
The United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General is reviewing postal facilities in Apple Valley, Eagan, New Brighton and St. Paul after reports of problems — and complaints from at least one member of Congress.
Minnesota's largest landfill is set to get bigger even as the state tries to cut waste
Pine Bend landfill in Inver Grove Heights has been targeted for expansion; public comment on a permit is open through Dec. 15.
Meta data center wins planning approval; Rosemount council vote is next
Meta Platforms wants to build a data center on 280 acres in UMore Park along County Road 42 in Rosemount.
2nd data center could come to Rosemount, stirring concern, excitement
A $700 million Meta data center is in the works, and now a second data center plan, dubbed "Project Mercury" is under review in the south metro suburb.
Apple Valley prepares for $73 million in park improvements, following referendum approval
Parks and trails across the city will get improvements over the next several years, and the city will construct a new pool.
You voted — here's the name of the Como Zoo's new baby giraffe
The zoo asked people to vote for their favorite of three names for the baby giraffe, born Nov. 6.
You voted, and now St. Paul's Como Zoo will tally the results to name its new baby giraffe
The 6-foot, 132-pound calf was born Nov. 6, and joins three other giraffes at the zoo.
Savage reinstalls basketball hoops removed after shootings — and makes new plans for River Bend Park
The hoops, which had been down since shootings this spring, went back up in October.
South St. Paul will cover full cost of sidewalk repairs
The new policy approved by the city should make the process less cumbersome for both the city and residents, officials said.
Reports of bullet casings found in Inver Grove Heights dog park prompt closure by city
The Heritage Village dog park is closed "in an abundance of caution," Mayor Brenda Dietrich said.
Is Rosemount the new Maple Grove? South metro suburb is booming — and there are hundreds of acres left
The fast pace of growth has some residents excited, and others concerned about traffic, affordability and maintaining a "hometown feel."
Minnesota Zoo takes in orphaned sea otters from Alaska
The pups are expected to make their first public appearance in December or January.
Angie Craig asks U.S. Postal Service for new Lakeville-Farmington post office
Craig, who represents south metro cities that have experienced problems with mail service, says a new location is needed to serve growing suburban communities.
Vernetta Benton, mother of music producer Terry Lewis, dies at 87; 'Momma B' served as mother to whole neighborhood
Benton, 87, the mother of noted producer and songwriter Terry Lewis, was both firm and gentle with her own kids — and everyone else's children, too.
South Minneapolis council candidates talk public safety, rent control and where to put the Third Precinct
The council-elect in the open 12th Ward race will get to work soon, replacing Council Member Andrew Johnson when he steps down in November.
Dozens of stumbling, slumping raccoons sighted in Burnsville since summer
Residents have reported 39 sick raccoons since July; Distemper, salmonella poisoning are possible causes.
Battle of (two) wills: Eagan property owner's death sets off legal battle for one of the city's last big green spaces
Two people — with two different wills— say they are the rightful heirs to a $10 million, 134-acre property; a judge is considering the case.
Minnesota Zoo earns accreditation
The zoo is one of three in Minnesota accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums through a process requiring an on-site inspection and interviews with zoo officials.
$12.2 million settlement for man who lost limbs after 'deliberate indifference' by Scott County jail
The bacterial infection resulted in catastrophic injuries to Terrance Winborn.
Inver Grove Heights vetoes rezoning that would have allowed washer fluid maker to move into city
Move by Bulk Fluid Systems would have required changing the city's comprehensive plan.
Dakota County reverses direction on applying for grant to turn Eagan hotel into homeless shelter
More than 100 people showed up at a Dakota County Board meeting Tuesday, most opposing the shelter idea.
South St. Paul, not developer, will handle apartment streetscape updates
The Yards and Backyards developer the Beard Group said streetscape improvements were more work than they typically complete with a project.
Weeks after Hastings Creamery closed, facility is lost in an overnight fire
Officials have not determined a cause for the fire, but have opened an investigation. Dakota County commissioner calls timing of blaze "oddly coincidental."
Dakota County leaders want to buy Eagan hotel and transform it into a homeless shelter
Most of the Dakota County Board expressed support for applying for $10 million state grant to help fund the purchase and renovation of the Norwood Inn & Suites; the full project would cost an estimated $24 million.
Construction of affordable apartments will proceed after Shakopee withdraws rezoning request
Construction will begin in spring 2024 on apartments meant for low-income residents and people emerging from homelessness.
Under plan, Burnsville property owners would be able to choose where some tax dollars go
The city is working to implement "participatory budgeting," which allows residents to vote on spending for some public projects.
Secede from Hennepin County? Champlin is considering it.
City officials say they are not getting enough county support for city road and infrastructure projects, and would like to join Anoka County instead.
New Minnesota Renaissance Festival transportation plan eases traffic, parking headaches
The real test will come in the final weeks of the festival, when attendance is highest.
Superior National Forest decision nixes Lutsen Mountains' expansion plans
The Forest Service issued a "no action" draft decision due to the expansion's potential effects on tribal resources, the Superior Hiking Trail and the environment.
Improvements complete at former Thompson Oaks golf course
Thompson Oaks, West St. Paul's only municipal golf course, closed in 2018.
Exotic petting zoo set for former Old Navy in Burnsville, worrying animal rights groups
Sustainable Safari, which also has a Maplewood location, will open at Burnsville Center.
Gustavus athlete who died in crash known for work ethic, character
Jori Jones, 19, of Little Canada was a goalie for the Gustavus hockey team that won a national title this year. She was part of a group of players who had spent the weekend in South Dakota.
Former demolition landfill will transform into environmentally friendly neighborhood in South St. Paul plan
The Bryant's Ridge development, which received City Council approval last week, still has several hurdles to clear before apartments and townhomes go up.
Dakota County breaks ground on Veteran's Memorial Greenway
The five-mile path starts in Inver Grove Heights.
Carver County Fair tiger show brings concerns about safety, animal welfare from Humane Society
Demand for such shows has declined over the last five years since the Ringling Brothers Circus stopped using exotic animals in its performances in 2017, and smaller outlets followed suit, an advocate said.
Brawl breaks out at Washington County Fair
More than 50 juveniles and young adults were involved; two were cited.
