Recent content from Kelly Smith
St. Cloud opens new police community outpost, first-of-its-kind program in Minnesota
Community policing seen as a way to transform a troubled neighborhood.
Starry stonewort found in third Stearns County lake
The finding follows two other infestations of Stearns County lakes by the invasive.
St. Cloud classes teach sex buyers human cost of prostitution
Courts order men caught in sex stings to learn about victimization
Minnesota fights sex trafficking by cracking down on customers
As the Super Bowl gets closer, law enforcement officials and nonprofits across Minnesota are taking aggressive new action to crack down on customers of prostitution and boosting programs aimed at keeping teens out of the sex trade.
Hennepin County focuses on infants to break child protection cycle
Pilot program with "Infant Court" aims to keep children from returning to foster care.
First-ever U study analyzes the patterns of sex buyers in Minnesota
They tend to be middle-class, married white men from all over the state.
Excelsior beach on Lake Minnetonka reopens after temporary shutdown due to E. coli
It was shut down just a day earlier.
Excelsior beach closed due to high E. coli levels
The Excelsior public beach closure comes a week after Wayzata's was shut down.
Hennepin County Sheriff's Office to add some body cameras this year
Up to 40 devices could be rolled out by December.
Fatal police encounters in Minnesota since 2000
More than 160 people have died in forceful encounters with law enforcement in Minnesota since 2000.
Hennepin County is first in Minnesota to fund new drug test
After clearing a backlog that held up court cases for months, it could go statewide this year.
Charley McCrossan, the man behind one of the Twin Cities' largest construction companies, dies at 91
He turned $1,000 in savings and two used dump trucks into C.S. McCrossan.
Hennepin County leaders say new approach needed to address gaps — from housing to income
Officials estimated that eliminating the racial and ethnic income and employment disparities would mean $4.6 billion in income growth
Cities adapt to citizens' hunger for info, add communication jobs
Few metro cities had communications teams when Helen LaFave started her job in Plymouth 30 years ago. Now almost every suburb has staff members running…
Boaters heeded safety messages on Lake Minnetonka over July 4th
It appeared after Wednesday's annual cleanup near Big Island that there also was less trash littering the lake.
New cellphone technology going up in advance of Super Bowl
New wave of cell tech goes up in high-demand areas.
Boating season in Minnesota is shaping up to be a deadly one
At this point in the year, 2017 boater fatalities are at the highest level in 12 years.
Hunt to ID dead man ends with quiet funeral in Inver Grove Heights
Strangers ensure that a rare "John Doe" is buried with care, three years after his body was found in a Rosemount railroad shed.
Hennepin County adds staff to confront soaring child protection reports
It's one of many reforms to help prevent child abuse.
Three Rivers Park District's camp for autistic kids grows in popularity
It's part of the district's increasing efforts to reach people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, expanding its reach to people who may not traditionally use its parks.
Lake Minnetonka sailing center launches $4 million campaign to build new center
State's only accredited sailing school wants to replace outdated building.
Therapeutic horseback riding program leaves Minnetonka after 35 years
Program found a 'good match' in Medina after losing its land after nearly four decades.
New Lake Street building marks end to five-year, $80 million plan to decentralize Hennepin County services
Hennepin County opens last in a series of new human services centers
Group unveils $1M campaign to fight Super Bowl sex trafficking
The effort brings together public and private sector, with input from survivors.
Maple-Grove-run gun range finds itself 'at capacity'
Some cities have municipal liquor stores, others own community centers. In Maple Grove, it's a city-owned gun range that draws crowds. The city hopes an $8 million investment will keep up with growing demand.
Wayzata hotel opens Saturday, the first on Lake Minnetonka in more than 50 years
The opening of a Wayzata hotel recalls an era when the lake was a lodging hub.
Graduation marks major milestone for youth who overcame challenges
Some of these teens and young adults have been homeless. Many are poor. What they share, statistically, is the unlikelihood of ever earning a high school diploma.
Hennepin County ramps up the hunt for foster families
Urgent needs prompt Hennepin County to go digital with heart-tugging ads.
New Minnesota rule requiring carbon monoxide detectors on boats pushed to 2018
Availability of marine carbon monoxide detectors is an issue.
Chaska to pay family $1.75M for fatal police shooting on Hwy. 212
Dawn Pfister's family sued the city and officer after the 2014 shooting.
Minnesota boaters face a new regulation, speed rules for Memorial Day
New law this year requires carbon monoxide detectors on boats with enclosed cabins.
Plymouth explores setting earlier bar close, penalizing Cowboy Jack's
The city says five DWI arrests so far this year involved people who drank at Cowboy Jack's.
Developer pitches turning Century Plaza on the edge of downtown Minneapolis into new offices
Downtown Mpls. building slated to be sold for $9.4M and renovated into offices.
Target asks Minnetonka to delay vote on liquor store, mulls existing one
Target officials said they will look to buy an existing liquor store rather than add a new one.
After 5 years and $342M, Wayzata ending largest redevelopment project
Construction on the five-block project will end in June.
Bridge demolitions on Midtown Greenway to cause rerouting on Portland, Cedar avenues
Hennepin County will shut down sections of Portland and Cedar avenues on Monday to demolish the century-old bridges on those streets that cross the Midtown…
Crisis line could get cut without state funding
The operator of a statewide mental health phone service is preparing to cut back or shut down entirely unless the Legislature approves new funding.
Juliet Linder, Minneapolis nursing leader who consulted nationally on cardiac pacemakers, dies
It was her optimism amid a 25-year battle with multiple sclerosis that her friends and family say they'll remember most. She was 66.
Super Bowl group quietly plans sex trafficking prevention efforts
A group is studying how to prevent abuse, raise awareness and help any victims.
Affordable housing crisis is hitting Eden Prairie families hard
In increasingly diverse Eden Prairie, Section 8 housing is in short supply.
Eden Prairie confronts affordable housing shortage as Somali families are squeezed out
Somali leaders estimate a third of East African residents have left the city.
Minnetonka Beach removes city's Planning Commission member who sued city
Planning Commission member is suing over city fee and neighbor's patio.
Minnesota could mandate officer training for mental-illness calls
State could mandate crisis training as police see more mental-illness-related calls.
Wayzata restaurant openings show a hunger to dine out in the suburbs
So far this year, an estimated 700 new restaurant seats are coming in, and the boom shows no signs of slowing.
Hennepin County readies for $13 million child protection overhaul
A year after stepping into the county's top human services role, Jennifer DeCubellis is leading the most dramatic reform of the child protection system in Minnesota.
Hennepin County puts 1930s-era Century Plaza up for sale with no price
The county is moving out of the former vocational high school by May.
Minnesota boosts state grants for law enforcement to fight sex trafficking
Nearly $800,000 given out ahead of Super Bowl.
Wayzata to move cellphone equipment from neighborhood park to middle school, pitting neighborhoods against each other
The City Council recently approved the move from a water tower in Klapprich Park to a new monopole tower by a ballfield at West Middle School.
Hennepin County fund dwindles to lowest level in recent history
Some leaders concerned about the amount in the rainy day fund; others see it as a positive.
New Hennepin County pilot program boosts staff investigating, prosecuting youth sex trafficking
A new prosecutor and investigator are expected to start work in the spring.
Orono debates tightening rules for special events after Lorie Line shows
The proposal would require a special event permit for a home that hosts four or more such events a year.
SWLRT critics say Minnehaha watershed had conflict of interest in permit approval
Minnehaha Creek agency is accused of conflict of interest over land sale.
Spring is almost here: Mississippi opens for navigation; area lakes ice-out
Early ice-outs across metro are setting records after warm winter
Indian families in Minnesota are on edge after U.S. attacks
About 200 residents last weekend held a peace vigil in Eden Prairie to remember two Indian computer engineers shot last month in a Kansas bar.
San Diego draws beer tourism as 'beercations' grow in popularity
With 130 breweries and growing, San Diego draws ever more beer tourists.
Hennepin County medical examiner's office pursues relocating from downtown Minneapolis to Minnetonka
A proposed $58 million facility, also serving Dakota and Scott counties, could be built east of the county's Home School.
$2.3 million sought at Legislature for young sex trafficking victims
Bill would continue to add services, including outreach workers, shelter beds.
After uproar from veterans, Orono keeps docks at Big Island
Veterans still want to see a long-term solution to accessibility to the island.
HCMC, Nice Ride partner on new program to help people with mental illness by providing free bikes
The innovative effort starts its second year on April 1.
New Hennepin County pilot program uses small businesses to renovate tax-forfeited homes
The program, estimated to cost $1.2 million, aims to give small businesses experience on larger projects, and put women- and minority-owned companies to work.
Minnesota veterans want Orono to keep the Big Island docks
Veterans, disability advocates asking city leaders to reverse decision.
So long, surface lots: Parking areas redeveloped in Twin Cities suburbs
Driven by high land prices, they're being turned into retail, offices and housing.
Hennepin County jury pool goes from basement to new 'penthouse'
Hennepin County wanted a more inviting, comfortable place for potential jurors to wait.
Major Mpls. routes to be shut down for bridge work on Portland, Cedar Avs.
West metro commuters will have to endure yet another major disruption this year, when sections of two busy roads in south Minneapolis — Portland and Cedar avenues — close this spring to allow Hennepin County to replace aging bridges across the Midtown Greenway.
Minnesota State picks none of the above for new chancellor, continuing search for permanent top leader
Board turns to interim Metro State president while it seeks "the right individual."
Hennepin County Library posts messages that 'all are welcome here'
Hennepin director says libraries have a history of responding to events.
Hennepin County looks to increase staff to prosecute, investigate sex trafficking
Funds sought to beef up county attorney's, sheriff's offices.
Hennepin County sees drop in 'repeat users' of shelters after boosting services
Pilot program to break cycle of homelessness showing promise in Hennepin County.
New study shows that fight against invasive plant is more complicated
Researchers hope the study results Wednesday will help Minnesota lakes better combat spread of milfoil.
From farmers markets to Surly Brewery, baker turns bread into dough
Joachim Berndt turned a hobby into a booming business in northeast Mpls.
Eden Prairie museum showcases aviation history year-round
The location, which will celebrate its second year, already has expanded.
Hennepin County leads state in 24/7 child protection response
Following a state mandate, Hennepin social workers now respond quickly to abuse calls.
New hotels coming to Plymouth as part of 'urban-type village'
Project will be built on the old Four Seasons Mall site.
After criticism, Orono starts videotaping planning meetings
New members discard privacy concerns for transparency at city planning meetings.
From St. Paul to Excelsior, more cities rely on conservancies to fund public parks
According to a 2015 report, nearly half the nation's top 100 cities now have conservancies that are often driven by financial need.
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