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Update: Road closed in Otsego due to ‘slope failure’; short-term fix forthcoming
Update: The Wright County Highway Department announced Friday, July 19, that the segment of County State Aid Highway 36 (53rd Street NE), between the intersections of Quilley Avenue NE and Rachele Avenue NE in Otsego will continue to be closed for approximately two more weeks while county staff construct a short-term fix. The start date of the work is pending approval of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The closure...
Clean-up Continues After Weekend Train Derailment in Big Lake
The clean-up is continuing in Big Lake, where 15 cars of a Burlington Northern Santa Fe train derailed around 3:15 AM Saturday morning. Officials say the train cars that derailed carried consumer goods, and there was no threat to the public from the incident. The derailment however, did cause significant traffic and other travel problems as roadway crossings were blocked, freight trains had to be re-routed, and commuter train service to Target Field was canceled for the weekend.
IT outages felt across Twin Cities
MINNEAPOLIS — Computer systems across the globe are limping back into action after the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike pushed an update overnight that caused a huge number of Microsoft PCs to malfunction. Its repercussions could be felt for weeks and it now ranks as the largest IT outage in history.
Coon Rapids Citizens Invited to Voice Opinions on Setback Variance Proposal at City Hall Meeting
Residents of Coon Rapids are gearing up for a municipal discussion that could shape the look and feel of their neighborhood. On the docket for the City of Coon Rapids Board of Adjustment and Appeals is a session to hear public feedback and ultimately decide on Planning Case 24-07, concerning a setback variance proposal, as reported by Coon Rapids Minnesota.
Crystal Celebrates Night to Unite on August 6
The organized effort has been going strong for decades in communities of all sizes across the country. Neighborhoods are encouraged to organize block parties to gather and fellowship with neighbors, and if someone registers the party, that may allow public safety personnel to come by and mingle for a bit with the members of the community.
West Metro Fire-Rescue Water Fun Day Returns August 2 in Crystal
The cities of Crystal, New Hope, and Robbinsdale team up with West Metro Fire-Rescue to put on the event, which is a great way for kids to cool off in the hot summer sun. It is put on at Valley Place Park, and wristbands are required for the event. You have to register for those before July 29, and you can find more information here.
Otsego EDA will host hearing related to proposed fire department facility
The Otsego Economic Development Authority is proposing to issue lease revenue bonds to finance a new fire and emergency services building on city-owned land in Otsego. To do so, the EDA must establish the Economic Development District No. 2 for the area on which the facility is proposed to be built. To establish the district, the EDA must first hold a public hearing, which is set for 5:30 p.m. Monday, July 22, at the Otsego Prairie Center, 8899 Nashua Avenue NE, Otsego. For more information, go to https://www.ci.otsego.mn.us/160/Emergency-Services.
St. Louis Park Enhances Debris Removal Options for Residents in Storm Aftermath
In the aftermath of a recent storm, St. Louis Park residents are grappling with the task of clearing tree debris. The city is offering multiple options to help locals deal with the fallout, as outlined by an update provided on the city's official website. Homeowners can utilize the regular yard waste collection for branches up to 4 feet long and 4 inches in diameter, following the yard waste setout guidelines provided.
Ukrainian medical student training with U of M to bring help back to home country
MINNETONKA, Minn. — The University of Minnesota is helping train a Ukrainian medical student so she can go back to her country and assist in the war effort. Lisa Ishchenko is in the U.S. for the first time – away from her family, away from her life as a medical student, away from the war that still makes itself known daily in her home country of Ukraine."One of the biggest children's hospitals, not only in Ukraine but all of Europe, was destroyed by Russian rockets," Ishchenko said. "It's awful because I knew people who were working there and now many colleagues...
Road work underway across region
Like clockwork every summer, Minnesota cities rush to repair and improve their roads– Orono, Long Lake, and Maple Plain are no exception. Orono is busy with its 2024 Street Improvements Project, which included milling, reclaiming, and paving Orchard Park Road, Willow Drive between Fox Street and Brown Road, Partenwood Road, and Partenwood Lane. Per Orono’s website, contractors JMH Asphalt Corp finished tolerancing the week of July 8 before paving each...
Bittman shares state of school district with School Board
by Jim Boyle Editor The Elk River Area School District this past school year saw boundless successes, conflicting viewpoints and crises that school officials have handled in model fashion. That was the message from Superintendent Dan Bittman delivered during a 9 a.m. meeting of the District 728 School Board on Wednesday, July 17, at the...
$1,300 Rebates Up for Grabs: US Cities Incentivize E-Bike Adoption for Sustainable Transportation
Several U.S. cities, including Salt Lake City, St. Louis Park, and Portland, are offering up to $1,300 rebates for e-bike purchases to promote cleaner transportation and reduce traffic and pollution. Up to $1,300 E-Bike Rebates – Which U.S. Cities Are Offering Incentives for Cleaner Transportation? According to the report of Marca, some U.S. cities are […]
Westonka Rotary gets visit from district governor
The Rotary Club of Mound-Westonka officially kicked off its 2024-2025 calendar year at its July 2 meeting. The club has been busy lately– helping to sponsor Mound’s ongoing Music in the Park every first Thursday, helping fund the recently completed Eli Hart Memorial Playground and the Eli Hart Foundation, and awarding scholarships to three Mound-Westonka students. They’re looking forward to helping the surrounding community assemble at the Spirit of the Lakes festival July 18-20. ...
Aug. 9 deadline for Star News subscription nears
Local community newspaper and its online content will no longer be free We have reached the halfway point of our education campaign going from a free newspaper to one that will soon require a paid subscription. It is a good time to pause and thank all of you who have chosen to subscribe. We appreciate all your support and truly value each of you as loyal readers. We also wanted...
Three-year I-94 Gap Project construction begins July 22
The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced that the start of the three-year expansion of Interstate 94 between Albertville and Monticello, known as the I-94 Gap Project, will begin on July 22. During construction this year crews will prepare the work zone, which includes temporary lane widening and median crossovers. Motorists will encounter periodic lane closures on both directions of I-94 through fall 2024. The lane closures will occur during off-peak hours, mainly overnights. ...
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