Woodwinds Hospital has been named a "Best Hospital" in the Twin Cities region by U.S. News & World Report in its 2011-12 Best Hospital rankings.

The annual list of top hospitals has been published for 22 years and this year's list will be featured in the U.S. News Best Hospitals guidebook, which goes on sale Tuesday.

Each of the 720 hospitals included in the list was ranked among the country's best in at least one of 16 medical specialties, or it ranked among the top hospitals in a metro area. Woodwinds, at 1925 Woodwinds Drive in Woodbury, was lauded for its high performance in gynecology and orthopedic specialties. U.S. News looked at more than 7,000 hospitals in 94 metropolitan areas to determine its rankings.

The list is meant to serve patients who need a high level of specialty care due to a challenging condition, age or added risk.

"These are referral centers where other hospitals send their sickest patients," said Avery Comarow, U.S. News rankings editor. "Hospitals like these are ones you or those close to you should consider when stakes are high."

WOODBURY

Did you notice? Tinucci's is goneIn case you missed it, Tinucci's quietly left Woodbury over the July 4th weekend. The family-run business is still operating its flagship restaurant in Newport.

A spokeswoman said the closing of the diner at 2190 Eagle Creek Lane in Woodbury occurred because business had dropped off slightly and John Tinucci had retired.

The Tinucci family has been in the food business for 52 years and is known for its prime rib buffet and other theme buffets it serves at its Newport location, at 396 21st St. The restaurant gained some unintended publicity last year when former Minnesota Vikings receiver Randy Moss criticized Gus Tinucci over the buffet he set up at a team practice. Other Vikings players came to Tinucci's defense.

City approves plans for funeral homeThe Woodbury Planning Commission has approved a conditional use permit that will allow O'Halloran & Murphy Co. to build a funeral chapel on a vacant parcel of land behind Walgreens at the intersection of Valley Creek Road and Donegal Drive.

The 12,600-square-foot building in the Reliant City Center East will have a colonial look with a brown brick facade, and the parking lot will have room for 72 spaces, according to the plans. The permit does not allow for a crematorium.

OAKDALE

Denny's donates to veterans memorialDenny's Restaurant at Interstate 94 and Century Avenue is helping to raise money so that Oakdale can build a Veterans Memorial. The restaurant will donate 10 percent of its sales between 4 and 10 p.m. Monday and Tuesday.

TIM HARLOW

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