Sunday, April 28, 2013
This week's compilation includes a visit from the governor, a bill to slash the state contribution to the Vikings stadium, and a new wine bar and bistro.
Editor’s Note: Every week we bring you a sampling of stories from Patch sites in the west metro: Eden Prairie, Edina, Fridley, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Lake Minnetonka, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Richfield, Shakopee, Southwest Minneapolis, St. Louis Park and St. Michael. Two Escape from House Fire Caused By Tree Falling on Power Line One person had to be rescued from a back bedroom during the 4:30 a.m. incident while snow was falling. Fire Destroys Maple Grove Home Wednesday Evening No one was injured in the fire on the 7700 block of Chesshire Lane North Lake Minnetonka Woman Was Caught in 'Grey Area' Near Boston Marathon Finish Line Elaine DeVries: “People were saying there could be a terrorist there or more bombs. I did see people…
Sunday, April 14, 2013
This week's compilation includes the death of a grocery chain's namesake, Chelsea Clinton presents top prize to student and a manufactured home fire.
Editor’s Note: Every week we bring you a sampling of stories from Patch sites in the west metro: Eden Prairie, Edina, Fridley, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Lake Minnetonka, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Richfield, Shakopee, Southwest Minneapolis, St. Louis Park and St. Michael. (UPDATED) Washburn HS under Code Yellow as Students Protest AD Firing Students taking part will be suspended, school administration said. The Star Tribune reported that Athletic Director Dan Pratt was or will be fired in connection with the purchase of a new playing-field scoreboard. UPDATED: SW Journal Reports Principal Carol Markham-Cousins Out at Washburn HS Robert McCauley is now substitute principal at Washburn, a Minneapolis school district spokesman told the …
Monday, January 28, 2013
More than 100 reader comments have been made since governor's plan unveiled last week.
When Gov. Mark Dayton last week unveiled a proposed state budget and tax plan that would, among other things, lower Minnesota's sales tax from 6.875 percent to 5.5 percent, the plan sparked a vigorous debate among Patch readers. Patch has had more than 100 reader comments on our story that asked people to take our poll, then share their thoughts on Dayton's tax and budget plan. Here's a sampling of some of the comments: George P. Burdell: A simplistic response to this comment would then be; Democrats want to clean out our wallets and institute socialisim... which really worked well for the USSR...hmmm. Brad Koehn: I'll be curious to see if Minnesotans spend enough on clothing worth more than $100 to bring in $2B in revenue. I'm a bit …
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Take our poll; then click on to our Patch stories below to see what legislators and others are saying.
Gov. Mark Dayton this week unveiled a proposed state budget and tax plan that would, among other things, lower Minnesota's sales tax from 6.875 percent to 5.5 percent but broaden it to cover more items such as higher-priced clothing, car repairs and other services. In his quest to avoid a projected $1.1 billion revenue shortfall, Dayton said his plan also includes raising the income on some groups of taxpayers (such as the state's 2 percent of highest-income earners). He is proposing to reduce property taxes and cut the corporate tax rate on businesses. (To see a Patch story and UpTake video of Dayton's speech, click on this link.) Bottom line: The governor said he wants to provide property tax relief, boost funding for K-12 education, …
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Real men not only wear pink, but have fought the fight against breast cancer. This weekend, men can join the popular women's cause against breast cancer at the annual Breast Cancer Awareness Conference in St. Paul.
Breast cancer isn’t just about pink ribbons anymore. Despite the common perception that women are only affected by breast cancer, thousands of men are also diagnosed with the disease each year. In fact, approximately 2,190 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among men in 2012, according to the American Cancer Society. In addition, approximately 410 men will die from breast cancer this year. A Pledge invites men in the community, corporate leaders, political figures and entrepreneurs to step up and pledge to raise awareness for breast cancer by supporting the 11th Annual Twin Cities Breast Cancer Awareness Conference alongside their spouse, sister, daughter or mother. The conference is set for Saturday, Oct. 6 in St. Paul…
Thursday, January 12, 2012
DFLers present a jobs plan Thursday.
Editor's Note: The following is a press release from Sen. Ken Kelash's office. Minnesota State Sen. Ken Kelash (DFL-Richfield/Minneapolis) together with Gov. Mark Dayton and other DFL legislators introduced a jobs plan to get Minnesotans back to work Thursday. The plan focuses on proven initiatives that grow jobs including small business incentives to create jobs, improving workforce development and training, and investing in infrastructure. “The jobs plan will help Minnesota businesses by giving tax credits for new hires, and give workers the ability to expand their skills to meet the demands of the job market,” Kelash said. “The measures to train our workforce are in response to employers telling us they don’t have applicants with the …
Monday, July 25, 2011
Gov. Mark Dayton's former home was targeted July 2.
Friday morning, Minneapolis Police announced an increase in the reward money being offered for leads in the July 2 arson attack on an East Lake Harriet Boulevard house. $6,000 is now being offered, a police spokesperson said. Many years ago, Gov. Mark Dayton owned the house, although police say they are not sure whether that may have played a role in the attack. Residents were home when the attack took place, and were able to put the blaze out before any significant damage to the house occurred. Fire officials say they found evidence of gasoline and lighter fluid at the site. Police are encouraging residents with information to call 1-800-222-8477(TIPS), text TIP674 plus your information to 274637(CRIMES) or go to the Crime Stoppers …
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Southwest legislators critical of the final product.
Insults were hurled. Accusations were made. Pleas were ignored. But in the end, the people’s business was finished. Gov. Mark Dayton just signed into law all 12 budget bills passed in the middle of the night Wednesday by the Minnesota House and Senate. Dayton’s signatures ended the shutdown of Minnesota government—at 20 days, it was the longest continuous shutdown of any state government in United States history. In the end, Dayton kept his promise that he wouldn’t sign any of the bills until all 12 had passed through both houses of the legislature. At the start of the marathon special session, it seemed as though the process would be over quickly. In its first hour, the Senate passed six of 12 bills while the House passed five. But by 1 a…
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Governor's office cautiously optimistic that shutdown will end by morning.
As of 1 a.m. Wednesday, eight bills were on their way to Gov. Mark Dayton's office to be signed into law. Two additional bills had been passed in the House but not the Senate. Dayton has said he would not sign any bills until all 12 had passed the House and Senate. Between the hours of 7 and 8 p.m. Tuesday, the process was moving along smoothly. Within 45 minutes, the Senate passed six bills and the House passed five. Then they recessed. Lawmakers adjourned to discuss some of the most contentious and complex pieces of upcoming legislation. The bills: health and human services, taxes, K-12 education, bonding, pension and state government. When the parties reconvened at 9:30 p.m., the finger-pointing began. “This budget is morally bankrupt…
Session will start at 3 p.m.
Minnesota legislators have been called back to their seats and an end to the government shutdown appears just hours away. Gov. Mark Dayton called for a special legislative session to begin 3 p.m. today—19 days into the shutdown of Minnesota government—after approving preliminary versions of nine legislative bills totaling $35.4 billion over the 2011-2013 biennium. Legislators have resolved some of the session’s more contentious bills—on K-12 education, state government, jobs and economic development, taxes and higher education. The public safety/judiciary, transportation and environment bills were given the nod Monday afternoon, a day after legislators agreed in principle on a $11 billion Health and Human Services bill. No mention was …
Daryl Fryxell
6:12 pm on Monday, February 4, 2013
Hey, Mr. Dayton, remember during the so-called "shut down" you declared essential and non-essential functions and employees? Just cancel all non-essential services today. You told us they were non-essential. It wasn't my call. Since you deem them non-essential, just cut them all. You'd be a hero because you could cut everyone's taxes, too. Oh, but you're too stupid and beholden to the government … more ›