Tragic Teen Death, Shoe Store Robber and a Fire Fatality: Pick of Our Patches

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, Southwest Minneapolis, St. Louis Park and St. Michael.

He bought a gun in Walmart's sporting goods department then crossed the street and robbed Payless Shoes, police allege. Two days later, prosecutors say, he robbed a Famous Footwear in Shakopee the same way and led police on a 90mph chase, ending in a Savage Target parking lot. 

Supervalu Agrees to $3.3B Deal to Sell Off Five Store Brands

There is no word yet on how Eden Prairie jobs will be affected. The Hopkins warehouse will continue operations as usual.

Bennigan's Restaurant Could Fill Former Blockbuster Space
The restaurant has teamed up with Brixmor Property Group to put franchised restaurants in multiple shopping centers across the country and Richfield has been selected as a location.

Carly Christenson died from flu-related complications Tuesday afternoon, according to reports. 

WestHealth Opens New Emergency Department in Plymouth
WestHealth opened its new emergency department this week, seeing 135 patients on day one. The Plymouth location offers emergency and urgent care services to residents in the western suburbs.

Beer Party! Minnetonka's Lucid Brewery Hosts Their First

Minnetonka's own brewery, Lucid Brewing, will host their first party on their site at 6020 Culligan Way in Minnetonka. The event on Feb. 2 takes place outside and includes food trucks, large fire pits and live music. Guests will sample beer and vote for MN’s Top Brewer.

Take a Glimpse at the Future of Wayzata's Lakefront

Open house and luncheon scheduled for next week in Wayzata to update community on first phase of redevelopment plan.

Park and Ride Worries Top Hopkins’ Thoughts on Southwest LRT Project

The City of Hopkins is urging planners to use caution when considering building park and rides at the three Southwest Light Rail Transit stations planned in the community. The concerns were included as part of the city's comments on the project's draft environmental impact statement.

PHOTOS: Green Balloons Flood Edina Streets for Quinn

The Edina community is mourning the sudden loss of Quinn McManus Kirsch, 8, who passed away early Monday, Jan. 7. Quinn was a third grader at Our Lady of Grace Catholic School in Edina and the youngest of Kelly and Kyle Kirsch's four sons. In an obituary through Gill Brothers Funeral and Cremation Services, family members said they "loved him so much and words can't express the pain and grief we are feeling." In memory of Quinn, residents placed green balloons—Edina's official color—along city streets on Thursday, Jan. 10. 

Clay Anthony Swanson, 31, is charged with allegedly stealing more than 650 pounds of copper wiring from the foreclosed building last year.

Winter Food Fest Coming to Southwest Minneapolis

On Jan. 26, head on down to one of Minneapolis' largest greenhouses to sample some seasonal fare and pick up crafts and products from local farmers.

First Fire Related Fatality Reported in Maple Grove History

Maple Grove Fire Chief: “It is the first fire related death in Maple Grove dating back to the 1800s.”

Rose McGee said that new CitiMortgage and Fannie Mae attorneys want to work with her on a mortgage modification plan.