Recent content from Shannon Prather
Robert Scholz, composer, arranger and longtime St. Olaf music professor, dies at 81
Robert Scholz had a passion for music, learning to play the piano as a child and developing his voice — a light and clear tenor…
Roseville hopes $5 million in aid will attract apartment buyer
In an effort to entice the sale of a troubled apartment complex, the city of Roseville is offering as much as $5 million in aid…
St. Paul police outline plan for possible unrest during Chauvin trial
Police and mutual aid agencies have been training at old Sears site.
Report: 'High potential' of Native artifacts at Boys Totem Town
Land should be studied for evidence of American Indian life, report says.
St. Paul considers banning weapons at parades, races and public gatherings
Demonstrators would also not be allowed to carry items that can be used as weapons.
Ramsey County says yes to man-made islands in Pigs Eye Lake
Using dredged material, islands will be created to develop natural habitat.
Landlords sue St. Paul over tenant protections
A group of landlords is suing the city of St. Paul, arguing a tenant protection ordinance set to take effect in March violates their constitutional…
Crews reshape creek in Ramsey County to improve water quality
Goal is to improve water quality and natural habitat at Lambert Creek in Vadnais Heights.
Roseville partially reinstates rental license after $1 million in repairs
Council reinstates part of rental license to troubled complex amid $1M in repairs.
Why does I-35E through St. Paul have a 45-mph speed limit?
The lower speed limit on the "35E Parkway" stems from a battle that began decades ago.
Roseville restricts short-term rentals after problem party houses
The City Council voted to license short-term rentals and require minimum stays when the property owner does not live onsite.
Mental health worker to partner with Maplewood police
About 7% of Maplewood's 13,000 emergency medical and police calls were mental health related
St. Paul guaranteed income helps families of color
All 150 families had a newborn last year and suffered a financial hardship due to COVID.
Inequities persist in St. Paul and Ramsey County COVID relief
Despite efforts to be fair, some historically underserved areas of the capital city still came out behind as $12.7 million in emergency funds were given out.
After wild parties, Twin Cities suburbs reining in short-term rentals
Fed up with wild parties and traffic, Roseville and other cities tighten rules on Airbnbs, VRBOs.
1 dead, another hurt in fire at homeless encampment in downtown St. Paul
Police homicide and arson investigators remained at the scene to determine how the fire began.
St. Paul to form reparations commission for descendants of enslaved people
The city also apologized for its role in institutional racism.
St. Paul City Council considers reparations for slavery
Commission would be created to look at options.
![Ramsey County Commissioner Toni Carter. ] GLEN STUBBE • glen.stubbe@startribune.com Thursday, January 7, 2021 Long time Ramsey County](https://chorus.stimg.co/22224975/ows_54062551_9d1a_4366_88e1_ae7d188dbf02.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Toni Carter's measured diplomacy credited for major Ramsey County reforms
Chairwoman Toni Carter is the right one for these times, say Ramsey County colleagues.
St. Paul condo sellers must disclose smoking policy to buyers
St. Paul condo and townhouse owners looking to sell their units now must disclose their association's smoking policy to prospective buyers.The City Council unanimously passed…
Online meetings spark greater civic engagement
The intent was to slow the spread of COVID-19. The result has been a surge in civic engagement, with unprecedented numbers of residents participating in…
St. Paul Winter Carnival revamps events to foil COVID-19
Drive-through events at State Fairgrounds preserve carnival favorites.
Ramsey County to invest $9 million in affordable housing in 2021
After a year of surging homelessness, Ramsey County will invest nearly $9 million in affordable housing next year in an effort to stanch the flow…
Joan Dressen, co-founder of first Minneapolis chapter of PFLAG and champion of LGBT rights, dies at 86
After Joan Dressen learned her son was gay in the early 1980s, she immediately started looking for resources and support for her child and her…
St. Paul starts work to close downtown homeless encampment
Officials helped about three dozen people at Kellogg Park pack up their belongings and move Monday.
As cold sets in, St. Paul, Mpls. dismantle more homeless camps
St. Paul leaders said Tuesday they will dismantle eight homeless encampments and relocate residents to shelters starting next week, citing the risk of fires and…
Ramsey County considers family homeless shelter in Highland Park
The Sisters of St. Joseph building would serve about 20 families with children.
48-member commission to study alternatives to St. Paul police response
The Community-First Public Safety Commission includes local leaders and residents.
Split St. Paul council passes budget
Two council members raised concerns about police department funding.
Twitter CEO boosts St. Paul's guaranteed income program
St. Paul, along with two dozen other cities, will get a minimum of $500,000 to grow their programs. The People's Prosperity Guaranteed Income Pilot will provide monthly payments to 150 randomly selected families in four of St. Paul's lowest-income ZIP codes.
Fired Ramsey County employee charged with embezzling $65,000
Accused of schemes involving work credit card, Paul Richard Scharf faces 16 felony counts.
Police funding dominates St. Paul's truth-in-taxation hearing
Some residents want cuts to the department budget, others worry about crime.
Doctors seek halt to Enbridge pipeline project because of COVID concerns
They say thousands of Line 3 workers could spread the coronavirus.
Summit Hill neighbors challenge St. Paul's exceptions for triplex developer
St. Paul's Board of Zoning Appeals granted a developer six variances to build townhouses on a back lot.
Minnesota ski resorts anticipate blockbuster year
Ski resort operators across the state say guests will notice some COVID-related changes, mostly to ensure social distancing while ticketing and during lessons.
District judge orders the counting of 318 misplaced Ramsey County ballots
Ramsey County judge rules the votes, though unlikely to affect outcomes, are to be tallied before certification.
Ramsey County canvassing board finds 318 uncounted absentee ballots
Candidates to be notified, but officials doubt votes could change outcomes.
Ramsey County eyes winter shelter at Luther Seminary dorm
Ramsey County officials are considering opening another temporary homeless shelter, this one in a vacant dorm at Luther Seminary in St. Paul’s St. Anthony Park…
Suburban neighborhood installs license plate readers to stop mail theft
After mail thefts, Plymouth neighborhood adopts tool used by law enforcement.
Ramsey County election returns came in later due to safeguards in the reporting process, officials say
Ramsey County officials said Wednesday that their election process went smoothly even though returns weren't released until 11:30 p.m., more than three hours after the…
Three new commissioners in Hennepin County
Hennepin County voters on Tuesday reshaped the County Board, electing three new commissioners to seats vacated by longtime incumbents and reelecting the lone incumbent seeking…
St. Paul neighbors have contrasting visions for the future of the leafy Boys Totem Town site
Some neighbors want Totem Town site to be park; others want housing.
Leslie Antoine Kucera, carpenter, family man and outdoorsman, dies of COVID-19 at 71
Leslie Antoine Kucera was a lifelong carpenter and a family man.The Circle Pines father of six was generous with his time and talents, helping family…
Ramsey County takes $727,000 from reserves to cover costs from unrest
Ramsey County spent $727,000 this spring on law enforcement and staff overtime, hotel rooms for the homeless and other costs associated with civil unrest after…
Ramsey County to post signs banning weapons at county-owned facilities
"No weapons" signs posted after a father with an assault rifle walked his young son into a county ice arena.
Suburban chief says public safety needs to be part of bail reform debate
Reducing cash bail must be balanced with public safety, Maplewood's police chief says.
Ramsey County approves leasing Bethesda Hospital for homeless shelter
Despite neighbors' concerns, plan to convert Bethesda Hospital is approved.
Ramsey County delays shelter at Bethesda to address security concerns
Neighbors have said they worry about increasing crime and drug activity.
Neighbors object to converting St. Paul hospital into shelter
Concerns about rising crime, declining property values and negative impacts on the surrounding neighborhood dominated a virtual community meeting of more than 230 people on Thursday night
Musician Alexis Hernandez Abreu dies at 49
Friends and family say she was also a fervent peace and social justice activist.
Ramsey County considers turning Bethesda Hospital into homeless shelter
Ramsey County Manager Ryan O'Connor said the county has been in closed-door talks with Fairview for several weeks.
Dad brings rifle to Vadnais Heights hockey practice, police called
Law agencies were called to the Vadnais Heights ice arena on Sept. 26; weapons policies are now under review.
Rental home neighborhoods offer new twist in suburbs
"What we hear from people all the time is they want to rent and they want the option for a maintenance-free lifestyle but they don't want the shared walls," said Maple Grove's Joe Hogeboom. "This really appeals to a lot of people."
Groups study Totem Town site, hoping to make case for parkland
They will examine the property for Dakota artifacts and history.
Former Ramsey County commissioner, state reach settlement on defunct charity
Journey Home Minnesota's Blake Huffman to repay $60K.
Texas woman sentenced to 12 years for role in sex trafficking ring that operated in Minneapolis
The defendant was one of nearly three dozen who have been sentenced for crimes connected to the sex trafficking of Thai women across the U.S.
Ramsey County looks to reform cash bail system
Some low-risk suspects will be released without posting fee under plan.
Ramsey County Manager Ryan O'Connor has COVID, says his family struggled to get tested
O'Connor said he worries about those with fewer resources, less access.
Roseville threatens to sue landlord over apartment conditions
The City Council has authorized a lawsuit if repairs are not made quickly to an apartment complex that had its rental license revoked.
St. Paul, Ramsey County want to add 100 beds to confront surge of homelessness
The county and its partnering nonprofits have added nearly 200 homeless beds since last year, yet the number of people sleeping outdoors has grown.
After years of declines, golf surges in Twin Cities during pandemic
Rounds played are up dramatically this summer at public courses across the Twin Cities as players flock to a sport that is naturally social distanced.
Island building project for Pigs Eye Lake take a brief pause for public comment
Public invited to give views on proposal to add islands; then County Board votes.
Ramsey County Board drops 2021 tax levy, now proposing zero increase
County leaders want to roll back earlier plans for a 4.5% levy increase, citing the impact of COVID and civil unrest.
North Oaks City Council takes a no-confidence vote against colleague
Mayor says Kara Ries should have followed protocol before visiting a private development site in the city.
Animal aid groups help give local dogs a new lease on life
Local animal helpers nursed them back to life, and a Maplewood officer met the mastiff he rescued.
New diverse art replaces 1930s murals in St. Paul Council Chambers
The four new pieces replace 1930s murals.
Union Gospel Mission is selling longtime Shoreview lakeshore campus
Charter school is nearing purchase of the 17 acres.
St. Paul City Council approves new chamber art, despite Dakota tribe's objections
Dakota artists said they were left out of the process for installation.
Dakota tribe members say they were left out of new St. Paul art installation
Two Minnesota lawmakers contacted the Ramsey County Board on behalf of members of the Dakota community who said they felt "invisible" and unheard.
Ramsey County Public Health offers free COVID-19 testing
It is happening during the next four weekends at sites in St. Paul and Maplewood.
RiversEdge redevelopment project moves forward in downtown St. Paul, despite COVID
The state's stalled bonding bill is another complication as county leaders are seeking $40 million in state funding.
