Recent content from Shannon Prather
Plans afoot to extend Vento trail deeper into Ramsey County suburbs
The vision of a scenic and seamless pedestrian and bicycle corridor traversing Ramsey County from its southern reaches along the Mississippi River to its northern…
Metro briefs: Eroding Shakopee riverbank gets federal funding
A project to stabilize the eroding banks of the Minnesota River in Shakopee has received $3.5 million in federal funding. Representatives from the city, Scott…
Arden Hills leaders say they've reached a deal with TCAAP developer
The $1 billion development now hinges on Ramsey County, which owns the former ammunition plant site.
Future of Maplewood's Ponds golf course in limbo after Ramsey County offers to sell
City leaders say they don't have the money to buy the 88-acre Ponds at Battle Creek course.
Metro briefs: Nature center welcomes new bison herd
A herd of bison will return May 21 to the Belwin Conservancy for their summer stay, with a festival planned for the day of their…
Job training program restores historic, tax-forfeited Dayton's Bluff residence
Dayton's Bluff residence restored through Ramsey County and Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota partnership.
New rules, rising police costs force St. Paul festivals to fold
City leaders and police officials say they are trying to balance safety with community fun. They are also trying to not force taxpayers to supplement events.
Metro briefs: Minnetonka considers affordable housing project
A proposed affordable housing project that would bring a dozen townhouses and two single-family houses to the Minnetonka Mills neighborhood is getting mixed reviews from…
'New and fun and Instagram-able' swan boat rentals to grace Lake Nokomis, Como Lake
There will be about two dozen of the boats available to rent in late May on each lake. The swans will light up at night.
County officials plead for state aid as 100-bed shelter closes in St. Paul
Ramsey County leaders issued dire warnings this week that large outdoor homeless encampments could be back this summer unless state lawmakers provide nearly $73 million to keep open some temporary shelters.
St. Paul homeowner spent decades proving his house was an early Cass Gilbert design
Famed architect went on to design the Minnesota Capitol and the famed Woolworth Building in New York City.
Salvation Army honors officer with grave marker 106 years after her death
Emma Anderson died in 1916 after dedicating her life to helping fellow Swedish immigrants.
Suburbs rely less on manpower, more goats to beat back invasive plants
New Brighton, Maplewood to bring in herds of goats to feast on buckthorn.
Scientists find new way to clear invasive carp from Rice Creek
They used an "electric fence for fish" to remove more than 10,000 carp during last year's spring spawning season.
Metro briefs: Brooklyn Park officer named Negotiator of the Year
Brooklyn Park police officer and crisis negotiator Andrew Tolbert has been named the Special Operations Training Association's Negotiator of the Year.Tolbert won the award for…
Ramsey County officials concerned about loss of inpatient mental health beds
St. Joseph's is licensed for 87 mental health and addiction beds but has staff for 40. Now the downtown St. Paul hospital's impatient unit may close.
St. Paul's Kellogg Blvd. bridges need $120 million in rebuilds
Demolition of one span is scheduled to start in early 2023. Construction is expected to take two years.
Roseville man who shot police officer had long history of severe mental illness
Jesse Werling, 53, shot the officer in the face and was killed when police returned fire.
Roseville police officer shot in face; suspect dies
A 53-year-old man with a history of mental health calls for help fired off more than 100 rounds in his neighborhood Tuesday night before he was captured by police.
Washington County Attorney Pete Orput dies at 66
Orput recently told staff he had cancer. He opted not to seek re-election after earlier Parkinson's disease diagnosis.
Metro briefs: Farmington leaders appoint new city administrator
The Farmington City Council has appointed Lynn Gorski, former assistant city administrator, to fill the city administrator role.Gorski will replace City Administrator David McKnight, who…
Hennepin, Ramsey counties show population declines in 2021
State demographer says early retirements and college disruptions due to COVID-19 played a role.
Bills would help keep Ramsey County shelters open, stave off camps
Senator from Greater Minnesota is cosponsor, says help eclipses geographic and political boundaries.
Metro briefs: Scott County libraries stop charging late fines
Scott County libraries have stopped charging late fines for overdue materials. The county previously charged daily late fines for overdue books and other materials as…
St. Paul's last strip club closes amid violence and fierce neighborhood opposition
The Lamplighter Lounge has face intense neighborhood scrutiny after a young woman was killed in the parking lot.
Ramsey County wipes away $415K in library late fees
Many describe the fines as unwelcoming and disproportionately impacting the community's neediest families.
White Bear Lake attempts to block 'Purple Line' bus transit plans
$475 million bus rapid transit line would connect downtown St. Paul to White Bear Lake by end of 2026.
Metro briefs: South St. Paul won't seek grant to move Armour gates
South St. Paul officials have decided not to pursue $50,000 in state money to pay for moving two historic Armour gatehouses to a new location.The…
Public shares hopes for a new St. Paul police chief
The City Council created an advisory board to review applications and recommend a pool of five candidates to Mayor Carter.
Twin Cities suburban police battling car thieves with new GPS technology
Squad cars are being outfitted with StarChase, which shoots a device onto a fleeing vehicle so it can be tracked.
Gwen Lawrence, who provided foster care for 189 infants awaiting adoption, dies at 90
"She was a giver. She always wanted to help however she could," her daughter said.
Ramsey County Board moves forward with plans to close county-owned nursing home
State must sign off on deal to close center; new homes would need to be found for 95 residents.
North St. Paul committed to keeping small-town police force
East metro suburb has the smallest police force in Ramsey County with just 18 sworn officers. But city leaders say they're more committed than ever to keeping and growing their small town police force.
Metro briefs: Ramsey County implements new fines for parks offenders
Ramsey CountyNew fines for parks offendersBreaking Ramsey County parks rules will cost offenders between $50 and $300, but in most instances it won't leave them…
Ramsey County leaders want to close nursing home
County-run care center in Maplewood is home to 95 residents.
Ramsey County rolls back mask mandate for county buildings
New rule for visitors comes after CDC revises guidelines.
Dispute between North Oaks, founding family in the hands of the court
Heir of the founding family has sued the city for blocking development.
Maplewood City Hall landscaping going wild, with the help of goats
Maplewood seeks to protect imperiled native pollinators such as the monarch butterfly and the endangered rusty patched bumblebee.
More Twin Cities suburbs see a local sales tax as a funding fix
They want out-of-town visitors to help pay for amenities, but the Legislature and voters need to approve.
Ramsey County will award $500 to $1K bonuses as part of deal with labor unions
The three-year agreement covers more than half the county workforce.
Ramsey County rejects development proposals for former golf course
Environmental groups continue to campaign for preservation of the former Ponds golf course and another site.
Ramsey County faces 'big cliff' if funding for homeless temporary shelters runs out
Leases on the county's four temporary homeless shelters in St. Paul, which house about 450 men, women and children, expire this spring.
Ramsey County Commissioner Toni Carter will not seek reelection
Carter, who served as chair for the past two years, was first elected in 2005.
Ramsey County parks may stay open longer
Parks would be open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., rather than sunrise to sunset.
Officials across Twin Cities join forces to fight rising crime
Mayors, police chiefs and prosecutors held an unprecedented meeting Monday to discuss a surge in violent crime across the region.
Metro suburbs steer clear of mask and vaccine mandates
Even as St. Paul and Minneapolis reimpose mask mandates, suburban leaders say they lack the political will and the staff to enforce new mask policies at this time.
MatasCastillo elected Ramsey County Board chair
MatasCastillo takes the gavel from Commissioner Toni Carter.
Metro briefs: Plymouth's Fire & Ice festival to return in 2022
Following a year of at-home activities, Plymouth's Fire & Ice festival will return with live programming and events Feb. 5.The 33rd annual celebration at Parker's…
Ramsey County awards $8 million to build, preserve affordable housing
The county has pledged $37 million of its federal COVID-19 aid to affordable housing.
More Twin Cities-area libraries are eliminating late fees
Ramsey County is ending all fines for overdue items, and Dakota County will nix fines for materials for children and teens.
St. Paul to get its first roundabout; Lexington Pkwy. is extended to Shepard Road
The $3.3 million Ramsey County road project is expected to be done by fall 2022.
New apartments, eateries part of North St. Paul downtown revival
Mayor Terry Furlong calls it the start of a downtown renaissance. He said adding new housing and bringing in new residents is critical.
Ramsey County adds 40 positions dedicated to violence prevention
Ramsey County will create 40 new full-time positions focused on violence prevention and expanding who responds to 911 calls.The County Board on Tuesday approved the…
Investigation into Ramsey County human resources finds pay inequities, other problems
An outside law firm noted a perceived "hostile work environment," especially for employees of color.
Roseville firefighters, police get COVID bonuses
The city is using a portion of its federal COVID aid to give $2,000 bonuses.
Rash of Twin Cities carjackings spreads to suburbs
Recent incidents in Edina, St. Louis Park, Roseville and Woodbury have residents rattled.
Ramsey County to reconfigure Rice Street in St. Paul
The 2-mile stretch starting just north of the Capitol will be reduced from four lanes to two with a dedicated center turn lane.
Metro briefs: Farmington outsources trash collection
Farmington has approved a contract with Dick's Sanitation for once-a-week garbage and recycling pickup, ending more than half a century of city-led residential trash collection.City…
Shoreview neighbors balk as developer lays out plan for new neighborhood on Snail Lake
Union Gospel Mission sold the 18-acre lakefront property, creating a rare housing opportunity.
Maplewood police have ID'd suspects in Black Friday Best Buy thefts
Police launched investigations after groups of people stole high-end items during store hours at three Twin Cities Best Buy locations last week.
Three east metro cities join forces to renew the intersection where they meet
St. Paul, Roseville and Maplewood pool resources to improve border neighborhood around Rice Street and Larpenteur Avenue.
In Maplewood, beer and singing in historic-style 'bierstube'
Maplewood Area Historical Society and Beer Choir Twin Cities partner for a sudsy Thanksgiving Eve sing-along.
Metro briefs: Anoka County crime lab wins prestigious award
Food trucks in Blaine will now be allowed to operate at business events where they are the lone attraction, after the City Council on Nov.…
Dr. Mary Carol Louise Lechner Clarke, on team that pioneered breast cancer diagnostics, dies at 69
Their groundbreaking technique changed how breast cancer was diagnosed across the country, a colleague said.
Developers pause St. Paul projects after rent control passes
Unlike most cities with rent control, St. Paul will not exempt new construction, which opponents argue will force lenders and developers to look outside the city.
James J. Hill heir sues North Oaks over blocked housing development
The City Council blocked the Gate Hill development of 73 homes.
Six carjackings, attempts over two hours Monday evening in Minneapolis
Violence comes amid dramatic increase in carjackings.
West, North, South, Park: Why are there so many suburbs named St. Paul?
Many east metro locales are named after Minnesota's capital city, though not all of their names neatly line up with the compass.
Ramsey County starts planning for new teams of 911 responders
Ramsey County 911 operators could soon dispatch social and mental health workers, child welfare staff and even nonprofit employees to crisis calls, in one of…
Ramsey County considers fines for restaurant, other license violations
County is moving away from criminal penalties.
Endangered bird, bee found on Maplewood development sites
Environmental groups say the results are proof Ramsey County, the property owner, should rethink possible plans to redevelop the shuttered 88-acre Ponds at Battle Creek golf course and a second 77-acre grassland site.
As park usage surges, Ramsey County leaders say 'dawn-to-dusk' rule may no longer make sense
Officials say the "dawn-to-dusk" rule may no longer make sense.
Vadnais Heights' residents wish for brewery comes true
Vadnais Heights gave residents a voice in development plan
Roseville mushroom grower is 'farm family' of the year
Urban mushroom farm receives University of Minnesota Extension agriculture honor
