Alexis Johnson

Minneapolis residents in the Morris Park neighborhood can look forward to resuming normalcy after recent construction upheavals, as the installation of natural gas mains comes to completion. Crews are now focusing on service work, anticipated to wrap up early next week, according to a recent project update. This paves the way for the restoration phase, where sidewalks, roads, and green spaces that have been affected by the work will be tended to.

As Minnesota navigates the choppy waters of health care reform, the Aging and Adult Services Division (AASD) and Disability Services Division (DSD) are paddling hard to keep all parties informed. Their latest weekly update, a no-nonsense bulletin, zeroes in on the transition from Personal Care Assistance (PCA) and Consumer Support Grant (CSG) to Community First Services and Supports (CFSS). As of October 1st, beneficiaries, families, and providers are ushered into the new system, promised to be chronicled with "regular updates early in the transition," according to the bulletin released by DHS.

Coon Rapids is set to warmly usher in the holiday spirit with a special "Season of Giving Kick Off" this Sunday. According to a social media post by the City of Coon Rapids, MN - Local Government, the community event is scheduled for November 24 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Coon Rapids Ice Center. It promises a blend of new activities designed to engage residents of all ages, all clustered around the central attraction—the Toys for Joy Skate.

Residents of Minneapolis, mark your calendars for the 2025 Community Connections Conference set for Feb. 8 at the Minneapolis Convention Center, where you'll have a chance to dive into local decision-making and community participation in a tangible way.

As the winter chill begins to wrap around the Bay Area, families are looking for creative ways to engage with the season without resorting to a hibernation mindset. Scott County's Cleary Lake Regional Park is offering just the remedy with its Family Winter Wellness event, set to take a playful dive into the colder months. This activity is not just another stroll in the park; it's designed to stimulate the senses and foster family bonding through a winter-centric scavenger hunt and a cozy crafting session.

Drivers and local residents can finally sigh with relief as the construction work along East River Road in Fridley has wrapped up. The natural gas line replacement project, part of the city's infrastructure improvements, had prompted summer-long traffic disruptions. According to a recent update from CenterPoint Energy, the road restoration is complete and all traffic restrictions have been lifted.

The St. Louis Park community was given a heads up last week that the end of the road – literally – for this season's Pavement Management Project is upon them. According to the latest on the ground report from City of St. Louis Park, MN, they've managed to lay down the final layer of asphalt and wrapped up world in some parts of the project. Residents in phases 1 through 3 can breathe easy with completed roads and fresh sod underfoot. But, as luck would have it, those in phase 4 will have to wait out the winter to see green.

Good news for residents in Bryn Mawr, Minneapolis, as the long-awaited construction work reaches its final service line phase on Queen Avenue S., according to an update from CenterPoint Energy. The crews are wrapping up here today and will soon shift their focus to Vincent Avenue S. and Washburn Avenue N.

Brace yourselves, Duluth commuters, for a bit of detour-induced frustration. According to an announcement from the City of Duluth's latest news bulletin, there will be temporary closures related to the St. Mary’s/Essentia Demolition Project starting this Friday, November 22. A pivotal portion of E Fourth Street will be out of commission to make way for the arrival of a heavyweight—a crane that's crucial to the demolition process.

Minneapolis residents looking to reduce their energy bills and carbon footprint have a tool at their disposal the city's Green Cost Share program. According to the City of Minneapolis Government, homeowners can start by scheduling a Home Energy Squad visit to receive professional recommendations on how to make their living spaces more comfortable and energy-efficient.