Politics & Government

Winds of Change and Two Controversial Trains: Pick of Our Patches

This week's roundup also includes news on a new bar in Southwest Minneapolis, Edina's top students and business changes in St. Michael-Albertville.

Editor’s Note: Every week we will bring you a sampling of stories from Patch sites in the west metro: Eden PrairieEdinaFridleyGolden ValleyHopkinsLake MinnetonkaMaple GrovePlymouthRichfieldSouthwest MinneapolisSt. Louis Park, and St. Michael.

Southwest LRT Typo Underestimates Co-location Costs by $100M

Engineering consultants have identified a $100 million typo in a Southwest Light Rail Transit report that understates the cost of putting the Twin Cities & Western freight line in the same corridor as the light rail—an option known as “co-location.” The correction narrows the gap between the co-location option and the so-called “locally preferred alternative” that would reroute freight rail to a spur line in St. Louis Park.

Find out what's happening in Plymouthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Orono Wind Turbine Owner Continues Legal Sparring Match With City

Jay Nygard claims the legal fight with City of Orono has cost him $50,000 and resulted in a two-year loss of business development. Orono Mayor Lili McMillan says city's hands have been tied due to lack of cooperation.

Find out what's happening in Plymouthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Stratasys Printers Turn Concepts Into 3D Models

The Eden Prairie-based company helps designers of cell phones, computer monitors and other products see what their concepts look like before they are manufactured. Doctors even can use them to print organs so they can plan out surgical procedures ahead of time.

Former St. Louis Park Mayor Dies In Florida

The Star Tribune reports that 'Mr. St. Louis Park' Lyle Hanks, 82, died in Florida earlier this month.

After a year of construction, traffic changes and re-routes along Interstate 94 and the County Road 37 exit, three Albertville businesses closest to the exit are struggling and in turn, making some changes.

Tuesday, the Minneapolis City Council's business regulations committee gave the nod to a proposed Minneapolis tapas bar. The restaurant takes its inspiration from Spanish bars that help Iberians bridge the long gap between the traditional 3 p.m. lunch and 10 p.m. dinner times with small, creative plates washed down with an inexpensive glass of wine.

Redstone American Grill Announces Opening Date in Maple Grove

The new restaurant will reportedly open 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 3, 2012.

Residents Urge Council to Say 'No' to Bottineau

Residents sat in Golden Valley's City Council chambers for almost fours hours and listened, cheered and booed as opinions were voiced about the proposed Bottineau Transitway and the D-1 alignment, which is the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) and would bring the light rail through Golden Valley.

Edina Students Excel on Advanced Placement Exams

More than 450 Edina students have earned recognition for outstanding academic success in Advanced Placement classes.

The College Board's Advanced Placement Program gives students a chance to take college-level courses while attending high school, culminating in AP Exams. For the 452 students—roughly one-quarter of the Edina High School student body—who scored high enough on the exams to achieve AP Scholar recognition, that means college credit, advanced placement or both as a result.

Richfield Commission Picks Veterans Park as Best Bandshell Venue

With the park already being home to the city's annual Fourth of July festivities, the Richfield Community Services Commission is recommending the town's music venue be stationed there as well.

Minnetonka High School Senior Earns Perfect ACT Score

From math to Mozart, Jacob Neis excels in pursuing his passions. Where does he see himself in 10 years? “Given the pace of space exploration thus far, I'd say probably somewhere on Earth,” Neis said. “Beyond that, I hesitate to make any more specific predictions.”

Police say they found illegal drugs in Emily Susanne Martha Schuett's purse after she tried to walk out of a Plymouth grocery store with a cartload of stolen diapers.

She Scratched the Deputy: New Charge against 'Jane Doe'

A new criminal complaint against Fridley's "Jane Doe" appears to give the backstory to her appearance in court on Sept. 26, when she was, in her words, "tied down like a dang maniac." The allegation that she scratched a jailer as he tried to handcuff her that day is the latest charge against the woman now known as Tammy Thomas.


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