A construction delay on a portion of the new St. Croix River bridge was resolved and the needed work finished Friday, according to the ­Minnesota Department of Transportation spokeswoman.

A small jack used to stretch cables inside bridge segments was fit into place, and work resumed after a few days' delay, said MNDOT spokeswoman Kristin Calliguri. The work was done at a pier on a small portion of the eastbound entrance ramp.

Meanwhile, work has begun on two of three pedestrian overlooks on the new bridge, which is expected to open in late 2017. The overlooks will have interpretive panels with information about Stillwater's history and the St. Croix Valley. The new bridge crosses the river at Oak Park Heights, 2 miles south of the Lift Bridge.

Kevin Giles

ST. PAUL

Winston named director for Knight Foundation

Jai Winston, a Chicago corporate strategic planner with a background in Democratic Party politics, has been named program director for the Knight Foundation.

Winston, who begins Sept. 30, will work with local leaders and residents on projects that draw talented people to St. Paul, boost opportunity and get more people involved in the area.

"His focus on diversity and inclusion will benefit the work of Knight in helping to create an even more successful St. Paul," said Alberto Ibarguen, Knight Foundation president.

Since 2014, Winston has worked in strategy and corporate development at Ariel Investments, a minority-owned money management firm in Chicago. He was Illinois deputy finance director for President Obama's 2012 campaign, and North Carolina deputy finance director for the 2012 Democratic National Convention Committee.

KEVIN DUCHSCHERE

Hastings

Ceremony to break ground for Artspace Lofts

The public is invited to the groundbreaking for the long-awaited Artspace Lofts, where a couple of dozen organizers will dig into the earth in style.

The celebration begins at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Rotary Pavilion in Levee Park. It will include live music by the band Banjo and the Bear, a display by local artist David Cook and decorative shovels provided by Hastings Prescott Area Arts Council.

The groundbreaking will take place on the site at the corner of Tyler and 2nd streets.

The 37-unit affordable housing complex is expected to support Hastings' creative arts community. The $11.7 million project, developed by the Minneapolis nonprofit Artspace, got final approval from the City Council in April after two years of public discussion.

Natalie Daher

FALCON HEIGHTS

St. Paul mayor will be taste tester at State Fair

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman will chat up fairgoers and chow down on fare from his city during Sunday's Minnesota Cooks Day at the State Fair, an event celebrating local food put on by the Minnesota Farmer's Union.

Chefs from Cook St. Paul and Urban Roots will cook onstage for the mayor and other celebrity taste testers from 3 to 3:45 p.m. at Carousel Park, south of the Grandstand.

STAFF REPORT