Cities and Towns

This year, let's give thanks for integrity

Star Tribune (Free subscription) | yesterday

When a misdirected check for $8,000 came to a struggling immigrant family, they did the right thing.

Washington County takes harder look at low-income housing

Star Tribune (Free subscription) | yesterday

The housing authority takes some heat in Washington County as some commissioners question need for funding.

Feedinig a need to help others

Star Tribune (Free subscription) | yesterday

A snippy comment at church sparked a Chaska couple's enduring effort to help fill the food shelves Up North.

What's open and closed

Star Tribune (Free subscription) | yesterday

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Nicollet Mall opening to motorists Thanksgiving evening

Star Tribune (Free subscription) | yesterday

Those taking advantage of the once-a-year opportunity from 6 to 10 p.m. can view the season's half-million lights, and light poles decked out with nearly 300 illuminated snowflakes and 1,300 feet of garland. Also, the mall's plants have been redone with more than 2,200 spruce tips.

Dakota Co. drug felon charged with having sex with teenaged baby-sitter

Star Tribune (Free subscription) | yesterday

A convicted meth cook is now accused of having sex repeatedly with a teenaged baby-sitter years ago.

Retired Minneapolis cop pulls 2 women from burning boat

Star Tribune (Free subscription) | yesterday

Harry Baltzer pulled the women -- injured in an explosion on the boat in a Florida harbor -- to safety seconds before another explosion left it engulfed in flames.

Mother, daughter convicted of 2 counts, acquitted of third in day care death

Star Tribune (Free subscription) | yesterday

Northstar line tweaks times, adds run after Sunday's Vikings game

Star Tribune (Free subscription) | yesterday

A fragile hope

Star Tribune (Free subscription) | yesterday

After a three-month separation, the Sunderlands are back together -- with a door alarm replacing the metal chain.

Anoka County closes jail, cuts costs

Star Tribune (Free subscription) | 11/25/2009

With fewer prisoners, the county closed its medium security prison, reducing its budget by $400,000 so far.

Charities trimming turkey dinners

Star Tribune (Free subscription) | 11/25/2009

ICA Food Shelf in Minnetonka, which gave 900 free Thanksgiving meals to all comers last year, this year gave only turkeys to about 430 regular customers -- saving $10,000 -- "because we have to stretch our food dollars. We're struggling to keep up with demand," said Executive Director Cathy Maes.

St. Paul schools chief: 'I can't do it alone'

Star Tribune (Free subscription) | 11/25/2009

Valeria Silva says collaboration with families and the community is critical to her efforts to improve St. Paul's schools.

Movable barriers could ease south-metro traffic

Star Tribune (Free subscription) | 11/25/2009

MnDOT is studying congestion fixes, including "contra-flow'' lanes on Cedar Avenue to change direction of traffic.

Drinkers: Plan ahead, State Patrol urges

Star Tribune (Free subscription) | 11/25/2009

Erickson has been injured twice by drunken drivers -- both times while he was ticketing other suspected drunken drivers. He wasn't seriously hurt either time, but one of his best friends still has trouble walking because of an alcohol-related three-vehicle crash that killed six people, including the friend's baby son and girlfriend.