Caped crusader Benilde St Margaret senior Kellie Hartmann shows off her cape as she got ready for the powder puff football game that was part of the Homecoming festivities at Benilde in St. Louis Park Wednesday, Sept. 24. (Craig Lassig - Sun Newspapers) Thursday, October 2, 2008 4:51 PM CDT

Powder Puff football players Benilde St Margaret junior Monique Sarquis talked with friends before the powder puff football game that was part of the Homecoming festivities at Benilde in St. Louis Park Wednesday, Sept. 24. (Craig Lassig - Sun Newspapers) Thursday, October 2, 2008 4:52 PM CDT

SLP school board looks at levy, referendum
The St. Louis Park School District is asking voters to approve a higher levy, but the preliminary levy without an approved referendum would bring a decline in taxes.

SLP technology pilot project praised
The St. Louis Park School District has purchased fewer than a dozen electronic whiteboards, but one teacher said she has already seen the difference.

The Park Theater Co. has prescription for success
Following years in the professional theater world, Brad Richardson said his work with The Park Theater Co. is just as thrilling.

Al's Bar site proposal brings out opponents
A redevelopment proposal for Al's Bar and Anderson's Cleaners has many city hurdles left to go, but many residents turned out to oppose the first step.

SLP council unsure about civic center idea
A St. Louis Park vision team has been studying the potential for a multi-use civic center, but plans are still vague.

Soaking up September sunshine Reese Dawson, 3, of St. Louis Park enjoys the sun and ice cream during the Historical Society open house at Jorvig Park Saturday, Sept. 20. (craig lassig - sun newspapers) Wednesday, September 24, 2008 9:58 PM CDT

Watching the trains pass by Louis Stanoch, 5, of Minnetonka takes a close look at the trains Saturday, Sept. 20, during the Historical Society open house at Jorvig Park.(craig lassig - sun newspapers) Wednesday, September 24, 2008 9:58 PM CDT

Truckin’ Ainsley Hannemann, 9 months, of St. Louis Park gets close up Wednesday, September 24, 2008 9:58 PM CDT

Soaking up September sunshine Reese Dawson, 3, of St. Louis Park enjoys the sun and ice cream during the Historical Society open house at Jorvig Park Saturday, Sept. 20. (CRAIG LASSIG - SUN NEWSPAPERS) Wednesday, September 24, 2008 9:58 PM CDT

KDXL has declined while 'Radio K' increases presence
St. Louis Park Senior High's radio station has a larger broadcast area than ever but far fewer of its own students running it than in the past.

Blake students explore 'Six Billion Paths to Peace' Third annual Convocation and Legacy Day held Thursday, October 2, 2008 9:49 AM CDT

Thursday
Business

Fall Festival At left, Ava Gilbert, 2, of Minnetonka, took a close look at a alligator skull as her mom Valerie Gilbert looked on at a reptile exhibit during the Fall Festival at St David's Child Development and Family Services in Minnetonka Saturday Sept. 27. Above, Anastacia Esbell, 3, of Minnetonka, painted a small flower pot during the Fall Festival. (Craig Lassig - Sun Newspapers) Thursday, October 2, 2008 4:51 PM CDT

Fall festivities Above, Anastacia Esbell, 3, of Minnetonka, painted a small flower pot during the Fall Festival at St. David's Child Development and Family Services in Minnetonka Saturday Sept. 27. At right, Meredith Evans, 17, of Plymouth, made some large bubbles to the delight a group of kids during the festival. (Craig Lassig - Sun Newspapers) Thursday, October 2, 2008 4:51 PM CDT

Wayzata grad featured in European Modeling Showcase
Wayzata High School graduate Joseph Pudenz recently returned from Paris where he took part in the European Modeling Showcase, an opportunity for young men and women serious about modeling to make professional connections.

Thousands expected for St. Therese's Oktoberfest
Deephaven event continues to grow

West metro schools get national recognition
Two schools in the west metro area have been named 2008 No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools. The award is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education.

Wayzata students sustain minor injuries in school bus accident
A traffic accident left nine students with minor injuries when one school bus rear-ended another in Plymouth Thursday, Sept. 18. The accident happened around 2:40 p.m. near the intersection of County Road 101 North and 26th Avenue, according to a Plymouth Police report.

Minnetonka festival to benefit St. David's forest
The purpose behind St. David's Child Development and Family Services' annual Fall Festival is more than just a good time.

Minnetonka help agency receives Target grant
The people at Intercongregation Communities Association (ICA) know how rewarding it is to give, but they also know it's nice to receive.

Refugee's efforts earn statewide award Adjo Habia, a refugee from Togo, has more than settled into her home in St. Louis Park. Wednesday, September 24, 2008 9:54 PM CDT

Next best thing to a free lunch offered in Shorewood There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but in Shorewood they're offering the next best thing. Wednesday, September 24, 2008 9:54 PM CDT

Hopkins Women's Club hits the century mark
It began in 1908 as the Women's Improvement League. It helped establish the first park, library, parent-teacher organization and branch of the Red Cross in Hopkins.

Wayzata royalty Wayzata High School's new Homecoming King and Queen Kellen Taylor and Lauren Wilvers greet well wishers after their coronation Wednesday, Sept. 17, at the Wayzata High School auditorium. (BILL JONES SUN NEWSPAPERS) Wednesday, September 24, 2008 9:54 PM CDT

Reduce the Use coalition re-brands itself, holds awareness sessions
Anti-substance-abuse organization now Hopkins Community Coalition

Former Hopkins resident wins Emmy
Nathan T. Meyers worked as cameraman on 'The Deadliest Catch'

New equity coordinator brings lifetime message of equality to position
Stanley Brown says Hopkins a 'courageous' district that asks tough questions on race and culture

HC 2009 budget 'doing less with less,' set at $1.7 billion
Hennepin County Administrator Richard Johnson calls the county's 2009 budget "one of the most difficult budgets we've had to develop."

Former library director turns a new page, reflects on career with Hennepin County
It became clear very quickly that Amy Ryan is a librarian when the analogy the former Hennepin County Library director used to describe a change in her life took on a book theme.

Former library director turns a new page, reflects on career with Hennepin County
It becomes clear very quickly that Amy Ryan is a librarian when the analogy the former Hennepin County Library director uses to describe a change in her life takes on a book theme.

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.