Recent content from Erin Adler
Metro briefs: Police Multicultural Advisory Committee member to fill St. Louis Park Council seat
St. Louis ParkPolice Multicultural Advisory Committee member to fill Council seatThe St. Louis Park City Council voted Jan. 31 to appoint Yolanda Farris to a…
Twin Cities libraries embrace new self-service library hours — without librarians present
In Dakota and Scott counties, patrons can access the library during extended hours just by scanning a card.
Family of missing Eagan man offers $30K reward
Bryce Borca, 23, went missing the early hours of Oct. 30 and was last seen at the end of Yankee Doodle Road in Eagan.
State's eviction filings soared in 2022, continue into new year
Eviction filings remained higher than pre-pandemic levels throughout the last six months of 2022, leaping again in December and showing no signs of letting up in January — a time of year when filings usually drop.
Metro briefs: Maplewood police to use drones
Plus: Dentistry program expands at Hennepin Tech in Brooklyn Park; Farmington Library pilot offers self-service hours; sidewalks coming to more Morningside streets in Edina.
Scott County Board tables Renaissance Festival permit decision
The county is still considering whether to revoke the festival's permit; a public hearing is scheduled for Feb. 21.
Lakeville residents question City Council vacancy appointment process
The City Council will appoint someone to fill Mayor Luke Hellier's vacant seat on Tuesday.
Lawshe Museum upgrades to make Dakota County history accessible to all
The county funded $1.2M in improvements mostly related to the Americans With Disabilities Act, while several new exhibits will offer something for everyone.
Metro briefs: Look elected Anoka County Board chair
Plus: Former Rosemount mayor joins Dakota County Board; Shoreview City joins Just Deeds Coalition; see stars at Lake Elmo Park Reserve.
Radon testing down 40% as home buyers forgo inspections in hot market
The Department of Health urges people to test their homes for the carcinogen during Radon Action Month.
City crews clear homeless camp near Quarry shopping center
Minneapolis posted signs at the camp Dec. 21 saying occupants needed to leave by Wednesday — a seven-day window. Over the weekend, posts circulated on social media urging people to show up to defend the encampment.
Suburbs play regulatory Whack-A-Mole with new THC products
Some cities have passed moratoriums while others have adopted licensing or zoning ordinances.
Pricey accessory dwelling units slow to take off in Twin Cities
Cost, local restrictions have tempered interest.
Burnsville apartment complex has rental license suspended
Owners of the 313-unit property cannot rent vacant units during the 90-day suspension.
Shakopee fire chief retires after city investigation into alleged misconduct
Rick Coleman served as fire chief since 2014.
Metro briefs: Dakota County sheriff-elect chooses chief deputy
Plus: Crystal city manager hired; Scott County moving ahead on camper cabins; Excelsior memorial arbor restored.
Bottled water plant planned for south metro would triple water usage
Elko New Market residents have raised concerns about the plant, which would draw water from the Prairie Du Chien-Jordan aquifer.
West St. Paul votes to approve mental health center
The City Council added conditions to the permit in light of some neighbors' concerns about safety.
Multiple guns found after two juveniles crash into cars in McDonald's parking lot
The two juveniles are suspects in another incident, police said.
Man dies after car crash in north Minneapolis
A vehicle entering an intersection at "a high rate of speed" crashed into the victim's vehicle.
Water main break in north Minneapolis prompts boil water advisory
Customers in the impacted area "are asked to boil water for three minutes before using it for cooking or drinking," a statement from the city read.
Renaissance Festival could lose permit after parking problems
Scott County will decide in January whether to revoke the conditional use permit required for the event. Roads leading to the Shakopee site were clogged for miles last fall.
West St. Paul residents raise concerns about safety of proposed mental health facility
Residents also showed up to support the facility, which would be owned by Dakota County and run by Guild, a nonprofit.
Man who broke into home, had standoff with Prior Lake police faces more charges
The incident began with a man digging through a gas station dumpster and ended about eight hours later.
Metro briefs: Minnetonka allows solar energy systems citywide
Plus: Rosemount City Council could have two open seats; St. Paul Union Depot celebrated.
Ricardo 'Rich' Torres, life of the party and generous tipper, dies at 56
Torres spent 33 years working for Cargill, rising to vice president of trading and merchandising in the starches, sweeteners and texturizers division.
Too many stores failing tobacco, alcohol compliance checks in Shakopee, officials say
In 2022, 19 businesses didn't check the ID of an underage buyer who was working with police to ensure compliance.
Metro briefs: Schroeder house in Shakopee recommended for historic designation
Plus: Plans for Brooklyn Park performing art center dropped; Roseville's Oval now open after a renovation.
Aspen House provides shelter for Dakota County youth in crisis
The Mendota Heights facility replaces the Harbor Shelter for youth in Hastings, which closed in 2019.
Historic Shakopee home, livery could land on National Register
Shakopee city officials are hoping an old, distinctive red brick house that once belonged to a prominent local brickmaker will win state and national approval…
Metro briefs: Brooklyn Park declares Juneteenth a city holiday
Brooklyn Park is the latest metro city to adopt Juneteenth as an official holiday, and on June 19 it will close City Hall give most…
Dakota County elections officials assessing hourslong delay in voting results
The delay meant a winner wasn't declared in the competitive Second Congressional District until early Wednesday.
New Ramsey County commissioners highlight personal struggles, professional experience
Interim Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena made her position permanent, defeating Matt Little.
State's first renewable natural gas facility opens at Inver Grove Heights landfill
The fuel will power heavy-duty trucks.
Bison, reintroduced by Dakota County, now grazing in Hastings park
It's the culmination of several years of work by county officials to bring the animals to about 150 acres of restored prairie there.
Metro briefs: Ice castles will return to Long Lake Regional Park
Ice Castles will return to Ramsey County's Long Lake Regional Park in January.The Utah-based company responsible for the attraction leases park space in New…
Church buys north Minneapolis gas station troubled by crime
Real Believers Faith Center has purchased the Marathon gas station and plans to eventually redevelop the site.
West St. Paul residents want community center on old YMCA site
City is seeking developer to build a mix of residential, commercial projects on the sprawling land.
Kathy Keena, Matt Little compete to be next Dakota County Attorney
The candidates face off over who has experience to do the job, whether views on political issues should be shared in race.
Norway's Queen Sonja on whirlwind visit to Minnesota
The queen met with Gov. Tim Walz and plans to visit St. Olaf College and a Minneapolis church.
Full-time firefighters in demand as suburbs struggle to find recruits
Many suburban fire departments are hiring full-time firefighters for the first time or adding more to their roster as demand for their services increases.
Metro briefs: Plymouth gets grant to demolish empty shopping mall
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has awarded Plymouth $775,000 in redevelopment grant funding to tear down the vacant Four Seasons Mall…
Afrique, an event center and business incubator, is on track to open this fall in Bloomington
The center is moving forward despite CEO Mukhtar Shariff's indictment in Feeding Our Future fraud case.
Metro briefs: Inver Grove Heights delays vote restricting short-term rentals
Inver Grove Heights has postponed voting on an ordinance that would prohibit homeowners from offering their homes as short-term rentals through websites such as Airbnb…
Site of rare meteorite impact discovered in Inver Grove Heights
Researchers still want to figure out the exact size of the meteor and when the crash occurred.
Lakeville's Antlers Park will feature new walk-up restaurant in 2024
The city decided to save money by building the concession stand — which will be run by Lakeville Brewing — out of two shipping containers.
Metro briefs: Ramsey County plans new Roseville recycling center
Ramsey County is planning a new environmental service center in Roseville to make it easier for residents to reduce, reuse, recycle and compost.The center…
Rosemount City Council member resigns after incident with 'political extremist' and police
Tammy Block, who had served on the council since 2018, resigned at the Sept. 6 meeting.
Attorney general steps into mobile home park residents' dispute with manager
Summit Management sent letters threatening eviction if residents didn't complete repairs on their homes.
Minnesota's Puerto Rican community rallies to support island after Hurricane Fiona
Community members gathered to raise money for the relief effort on the five-year anniversary of devastating Hurricane Maria.
Mobile home park residents say they're under attack due to management's required repairs, changing rules
Nearly a third of Minnesota's 900 mobile home communities have changed hands since 2015.
Metro briefs: Rockford Road Library redo takes shape
Hennepin County has finished the first phase of parking lot improvements at the Rockford Road Library and is now preparing for extensive renovations to be…
Man dies a day after being shot in north Minneapolis
A 34-year-old man shot Friday night in north Minneapolis has died, authorities said Sunday.Police reportedly responding to a shooting late Friday night found Jerry Leonard…
Gov. Tim Walz touts bonuses for vets who have served since 9/11
The bonuses of either $600 or $1,200 are available to veterans who served between Sept. 11, 2001, and Aug. 30, 2021.
Metro briefs: Carp harvest aims to clean up Robbinsdale's Crystal Lake
Robbinsdale and the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission this summer removed more than 3,700 common carp from Crystal Lake as part of a project to…
New South St. Paul Library gains final approval
The $11.3 million project will be built at the corner of Marie and Seventh avenues.
Bruce Ario, an advocate for people with mental illness, dies at age 67
The writer often spoke and wrote about his experiences with the mental health system to help others.
Metro briefs: Shakopee social services center will relocate to transit station
Scott CountyFamily Resource Center will move to transit centerScott County will move its Shakopee Family Resource Center, which is currently set up at the library,…
Dakota County closes Lake Byllesby beach due to high E. coli levels
The campground and other amenities remain open at the Cannon Falls park.
Birders asked to help find magpies that escaped from Minnesota Zoo
The four female birds escaped in July and one has been returned to the zoo so far.
New Prague post office inaccessible, cramped — and frequently closed
Attempts by local officials to contact the United States Postal Service have gone unanswered.
New artwork to commemorate Black church in Hastings destroyed by arson a century ago
A thriving Black population lived in Hastings beginning in the 1850s, history many residents may not know.
Metro briefs: Federal grant will help Plymouth improve safety, accessibility on Hwy. 55
The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded Plymouth $15 million to make transit, mobility and safety improvements in the area of Hwy. 55 and County…
Hastings' gas stations go to war over gas prices; consumers win
At least five gas stations in the city are charging $3.39 a gallon, about 55 cents lower than the Twin Cities metro average price per gallon of $3.95.
Overriding concerns, the Burnsville City Council approves plan for landfill expansion
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency also issued a draft permit for the Burnsville Sanitary Landfill expansion in July.
Rev. Marlene Whiterabbit Helgemo, first Native woman ordained in Lutheran church, dies at 75
The Rev. Marlene Whiterabbit Helgemo saw the potential in others, particularly young Native women, even before they saw it themselves. As a pastor at All…
Matt Little, Kathy Keena lead Dakota County Attorney race
Outgoing state Rep. Rena Moran took a commanding lead in her primary for Ramsey County Commissioner.
Metro briefs: Robbinsdale seeks new vendors for yard waste pickup
RobbinsdaleCity seeks new vendors for yard waste pickupThe Robbinsdale City Council voted unanimously last week to direct city staff to find vendors to pick up…
Bunny rescue operators were in over their head, investigator says
Owner of Peacebunny barn thinks the rabbit population just became "overwhelming" for the nonprofit.
Metro briefs: Dakota County seeks input on plan to reduce water contamination
Dakota County officials are asking the public to weigh in on a new plan that aims to encourage voluntary measures to reduce nitrate pollution in…
Celebs, vets rappel down Vikings hotel in hopes of raising $1 million for Salvation Army
Money will go toward providing shelter and aid for Minnesota homeless.
Northfield mobile home park's new owners revert to old rules after resident complaints
Attorney General Keith Ellison said the new Viking Terrace owner's rules weren't legal.
New developments of upscale rental homes growing in Twin Cities area
It's part of a larger national trend of high-end, lease-only communities with rent payments of up to $4,500 — and a list of luxurious amenities.
Minneapolis Park Board proposes $79M tax levy
The 6% increase would serve youth in crisis and maintain park assets, officials said
