Public asked to take part in arts survey
The Minnesota State Arts Board and the state's 11 regional arts councils are conducting a statewide survey to help determine how Minnesota residents currently participate in the arts, the degree to which they perceive the arts to be an asset in their lives or communities, and if a gap exists between residents' current connection with the arts and what they wish or believe that connection should be. The assessment is important to all Minnesotans as it will help determine funding priorities and services across the state.

Blaine resident identified in fatal accident
Anoka County officials have identified a bicyclist who was killed after being hit by a truck in Blaine on Sept. 22.

Three children hit by car in Columbia Heights
Three children are in serious but stable condition after being hit by a car while crossing Central Avenue in Columbia Heights on Sept. 27.

Hairstylists give back, strive to make a difference in Spring Lake Park
In honor of October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Empire Education Group, one of the largest cosmetology school systems in the nation, is launching an anti-domestic violence initiative titled "Empire Gives Back."

Man killed in fatal Blaine accident
A three-vehicle crash in Blaine on Sept. 28 resulted in the death of one man.

Mentoring program brings together youth and adults in Anoka and Hennepin counties
A local nonprofit organization is committed to partnering adults and youth, which can result in rewarding and lifelong friendships.

Cable show features round-table discussion on mental health
A local cable access show about mental health is kicking off this month.

Help cancer patients by giving blood
In recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (www.nbcam.org), the American Red Cross is asking all eligible donors to assist in the fight against all cancers by donating blood.

Two men charged as suspects in Roseville burglaries
The Ramsey County Attorney's office has charged two men with counts of second-degree burglary in connection with two home burglaries that occurred Sept. 23 in Roseville.

Bring plastics to HANC Oct. 4
There are some cleaner closets and garages in Roseville now that residents have begun to unload hundreds of pounds of unwanted plastic containers.

St. Anthony council opposes Minneapolis parkway system's missing link
The St. Anthony City Council on Sept. 23 adopted a resolution opposing the missing three-mile East Side link of the Minneapolis parkway system that was approved by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board on Sept. 3.

Assisted senior living facility proposed to Spring Lake Park council
Spring Lake Park City Council members and staff reacted positively this month to a proposed senior assisted living facility to be constructed on Osborne Road.

Teen Read Month begins in Ramsey County
The Ramsey County Library system is promoting October as Teen Read Month, and special events have been scheduled at library branches throughout the county's suburban communities to entice area teens into the libraries to see what they have to offer.

Walk (or run) for Hope next week
As part of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, the Alexandra House will hold its fourth annual Walk for Hope: Steps to End Domestic Violence. A 5K run and 2-mile walk will be held Saturday, Oct. 11, at Bunker Hills Regional Park.

Bachmann misses Monticello candidate forum; will attend Stillwater forum Wednesday
Tuesday, Sept. 29 - Casting her opposition vote against the Bush administration’s $700 billion bailout plan for Wall Street firms and banks caused U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann to miss a flight Monday to Minnesota, where she was scheduled to appear in a candidate forum.

Blaine council reviews concept plan for Aquatore Park
Blaine City Council members were again presented with the Aquatore Park master plan Sept. 11; the plan was brought before them for feedback and to discuss issues that the master planning process has created.

Columbia Heights High School alumni honored Sept. 12
It's that time of year again when outstanding athletes are inducted into the Columbia Heights High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Blaine hit by campaign fever
Two weeks after leaving St. Paul's Xcel Energy Center and the Republican National Convention, party presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and his running mate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin returned Friday to the Twin Cities metro.

Mounds View man rebuilds car with family ties
Mounds View resident Paul Dolphy has done rebuilding work on many cars, but perhaps no such project has ever carried as much meaning for him as something he started in March of this year.

Parade of Homes celebrates 60th anniversary
The 2008 Parade of Homes Fall Showcase in Blaine, in addition to an open house, is offering a variety of special events.

Hall of Fame induction at the Jax
St. Anthony Village High School alumni (pictured, l. to r.) Gregory Olinyk, Joseph Wall, Mallory Beth Thompson and Mary Pucel each were inducted into the school's Hall of Fame during a ceremony held Sept. 6 at the Jax Café.

Columbia Heights Women of Today chapter strives to rebuild and grow
An organization that believes in and works toward the mission of service, personal growth and fellowship is looking for more members.

Pilgrim Cleaner's coat drive off to a good start
Pilgrim Dry Cleaner's annual coat collection drive is off to a great start thanks to one generous Fridley resident.

Four teens arrested in series of New Hope property damage incidents
A series of property damage incidents in New Hope - and as many as six other cities - apparently have been solved with the arrest of four teenagers on Sept. 24.

Feingold to speak in Hopkins
Al Franken, Ashwin Madia to receive awards at Progressive Patriots event

Facing fraud allegations, Petters resigns
Less than a week after federal authorities raided Petters Group Worldwide headquarters in Minnetonka, CEO Tom Petters has resigned from his namesake company.

TwinWest Foundation awards $24,000 in scholarships
The TwinWest Foundation awarded $24,000 in Career Path Scholarships to 24 local students Sept. 30 during the TwinWest 2008 Annual Celebration.

Bailout plan fails in U.S. House; Minnesota delegation split, but not down party lines (UPDATE)
Monday, Sept. 29 - U.S. Reps. Jim Ramstad, Collin Peterson, Tim Walz and Michele Bachmann were among House Republicans whose opposition votes killed the Bush administration’s $700 billion bailout plan for Wall Street firms and banks.

Minneapolis man charged with New Year's Day murder in Robbinsdale
Tuesday, Oct. 2 - The Hennepin County Attorney's Office charged a 27-year-old Minneapolis man yesterday with the murder of a Robbinsdale man on New Year's Day.

Pilgrim Cleaner's coat drive off to a good start
Pilgrim Dry Cleaners' annual coat collection drive is off to a great start thanks to one generous Fridley resident.

Memory Walk in Bloomington to raise funds to fight Alzheimer's Disease
More than 3,000 people are expected at Hyland Lake Park Reserve in Bloomington on Saturday, Sept. 27, to take part in the 2008 Memory Walk, a fundraiser to help combat Alzheimer's disease.

Eden Prairie builder wins national honor
Eden Prairie-based mackmiller design+build has been named a winner in the 29th Annual Qualified Remodeler Master Design Awards Contest for designing and creating an adaptive bathroom for a Mendota Heights special needs boy. The firm received a Gold Award in the Universal Design category.

Edina native travels the world as secretary of state's chief of staff
Elaine Nikrad doesn't remember all the students she has had at Our Lady of Grace School since 1971, but she remembers Brian Gunderson.

Paulsen campaign accuses Madia of 'smear' tactics in Third District race
The race for Minnesota's Third District seat in Congress got a little rougher Monday as the campaign committees for Republican and DFL candidates traded barbs.

Former Brooklyn Center woman charged in infant drowning
Former BC woman, now of Plymouth, charged in infant drowning

Crystal, Minneapolis men sentenced for transporting women for prostitution
A 59-year-old Crystal man and his accomplice have been sentenced for transporting undocumented women and using them to engage in prostitution throughout the Twin Cities.

MCWD to honor watershed heroes
The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District may not have a red carpet to roll out or lavish parties after the fact, but the organization will hand out its annual Watershed Heroes Awards Friday night in Excelsior.

Cultural, spiritual celebration: Middle Eastern festival will celebrate 95th anniversary of St. George Church in West St. Paul "Ahlan wa sahlan," means "welcome, you're part of the family" in Arabic. Wednesday, September 24, 2008 9:56 PM CDT

Woman charged in tow truck theft, police chase
An Oct. 1 appearance in Hennepin County District Court awaits a 30-year-old woman who led south suburban police on a chase in tow truck that she allegedly stole.

Light rail hearing planned in Eden Prairie
The track is being laid for light rail service between Eden Prairie and Minneapolis. Although it's mostly on paper at this point, the project has begun to gain steam.