Jordan De La Cruz

In Ramsey, a suburb that usually flies under the radar, the Parks & Recreation Department recently hosted a first-of-its-kind spectacle that drew quite the crowd. The inaugural Pumpkin Chuck event turned post-Halloween pumpkins into flying projectiles, much to the delight of over 150 local residents. This past Saturday at Elmcrest, the community gathered to give their jack-o'-lanterns one last hurrah, catapulting them through the air using an array of medieval and modern contraptions.

In an extensive collaborative law enforcement effort, detectives from the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Auto Theft Unit recently spearheaded a search warrant execution that unveiled a trove of illicit materials. According to a social media post by the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, the raid was a part of an ongoing federal auto theft investigation. The haul included two high-end stolen vehicles, felony level narcotics, and a stolen handgun paired with ammunition, amongst which was found a high-capacity drum magazine.

If you're planning to access in-person services in Washington County, you might want to mark your calendar for the upcoming observed holidays. The county government has posted a list of dates when services may be either unavailable or limited. Among the familiar ones like New Year's Day on January 1 and Independence Day on July 4, the list includes days like Juneteenth on June 19, paying homage to a breadth of national remembrance and celebration, as per Washington County.

Saint Paul awards over $3.7 million in STAR grants to local businesses and cultural entities, fostering neighborhood and arts development.

Minneapolis residents gathered last night for a town hall at St. Joan of Arc to engage with city officials and community leaders over solutions for the growing number of unhoused individuals and the burgeoning encampments in the city. The meeting, which took place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., was part of Council Member Jenkins' initiative to leverage the collective brainpower of the community to address the complex issue of homelessness.

Plymouth residents who cast their ballots in the recent 2024 General Election have paved the way for the future complexion of their City Council. With the polls closed and the tallies in, three candidates stand ready to claim seats at the helm of local governance. These early results, while still needing official ratification, showcase the democratic process in its unvarnished state—votes cast, voices heard, and leaders emerging accordingly.

The City of Brooklyn Park has reportedly taken a significant leap towards ensuring the safety of its drinking water. The local government has completed a comprehensive inventory of its water service lines, now submitted to the Minnesota Department of Health, an update shared on the Lead-Free BP webpage. This inventory aims to systematically identify the materials comprising the city’s water service lines, an initiative that reflects Brooklyn Park's dedication to public health and transparency, as reported by the City of Brooklyn Park.

A vehicle pursuit that began in the early hours of yesterday morning ended after police decided the chase had become too dangerous. At approximately 12:34 AM, an officer tried to pull over what was reported as a stolen vehicle near the intersection of Zane Ave N and Brooklyn Blvd. However, the driver of the suspect vehicle chose to flee, darting southbound on Brooklyn Blvd into Brooklyn Center, according to information released by Brooklyn Park Police Department.

Community engagement takes center stage as the City of Coon Rapids announces the return of the cherished annual Senior Bazaar. Slated for Thursday, November 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., this year's event promises to be a haven for bargain hunters and treasure seekers alike. Taking place at the Civic Center located at 11155 Robinson Drive, the extravaganza is sponsored by the Super Senior Club and opens its doors to all looking to explore a plethora of unique finds.

Those with a stake in the future of Hwy 252 and I-94 are being called to action as authorities host an online meeting to shape the much-needed improvements of these critical roadways. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) plans to hold a virtual public meeting on November 13, 2024, to discuss its findings from summer engagement and lay out recommendations that include how Hwy 252 might intersect with local roads, either by going over or tunneling under. If you're interested in having your say or simply listening in, you can register here for the session set from 6 to 7 p.m.