| Income guidelines announced for free and reduced meal programs |
The household income guidelines have been established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for free and reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program and Child and Adult Care Food Program. The income guidelines are effective from July 1, 2010, through June 30, 2011.
Monday, August 30, 2010 |
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| WSP's 10 Acres approved for Marketplace makeover |
An overhaul of the 10 Acres Shopping Center was approved by the West St. Paul City Council Aug. 23, after hours of prolonged haggling on the part of both the city and the center's owner, Jerry's Enterprises, Inc.
Sunday, August 29, 2010 |
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| Local parks could take regional plunge |
The Metropolitan Council will consider Thompson County Park in West St. Paul along with Kaposia Park and Kaposia Landing in South St. Paul as a 230-acre unit for inclusion into the regional park system this fall.
Sunday, August 29, 2010 |
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| Troubled teens get nod from WSP council |
A youth-outreach non-profit received words of support from the West St. Paul City Council Aug. 23 to pursue a new location at 1025 Dodd Road.
Sunday, August 29, 2010 |
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| Making a home on old 3M land |
For city officials, it's good news indeed in a down economy. But for HealthEast Medical Transportation, it's even better news.
Sunday, August 29, 2010 |
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| Correction |
The name of sitting Mendota Heights council member Ultan Duggan was omitted from the story "Familiar faces in many races," in the Aug. 22 issue of the South-West Review.
Friday, August 27, 2010 |
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| Is your quilt a work of art? |
Some artists paint, some sculpt, some draw-some quilt. Dakota County is looking for the best work from local quilters to display during a six-month exhibit planned for the Northern Service Center in West St. Paul.
Friday, August 27, 2010 |
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| Latest scam hitting communities hard |
The phone call may sound like a lifeline in a tough economy. A resident receives a letter or a phone call telling them they've won a lottery drawing.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010 |
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| STA air dome stays afloat |
St. Thomas Academy has another year of fundraising under its belt for a series of planned athletic and education facilities, and not much more to show for it.
Monday, August 23, 2010 |
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| Local schools struggle to make the grade |
With the strict demands of the No Child Left Behind Act, local school districts are finding it difficult to make the grade.
Sunday, August 22, 2010 |
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| Sanimax upgrades approved |
Some of the unsavory smells wafting from the Sanimax rendering facility in South St. Paul might ease up after improvements to the facility planned for the upcoming year are complete.
Sunday, August 22, 2010 |
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| Inver Grove Heights cleanup day Sept. 18 |
Residents of Inver Grove Heights will have the opportunity to safely dispose of some unwanted items next month.
Thursday, August 19, 2010 |
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| Dist. 6 superintendent search selects finalists |
The South St. Paul Board of Education has narrowed a field of semi-finalist candidates down to two finalists for the position of district superintendent.
Monday, August 16, 2010 |
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| WSP reviews 6% levy increase |
The West St. Paul City Council reviewed a proposed 2011 budget Aug. 9 that includes a 6 percent total property-tax levy increase. The budget holds general fund spending to a 1.5 percent increase and wage increases to zero percent, while anticipating only about a third of the city's promised Local Government Aid payment from the state.
Monday, August 16, 2010 |
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| Southview/Hwy. 52 project could 'T-off' city gateway |
A push for a new sidewalk segment along Southview Boulevard heading east from Highway 52 may lead to the reconstruction of the infamous right turn lane at Southview and Second Street South.
Sunday, August 15, 2010 |
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| A safe return |
Mendota Heights Public Works Director John Mazzitello has been a little busy the past nine months -- in Afghanistan.
Thursday, August 12, 2010 |
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| A driveway to divide us |
A South St. Paul family took their neighborly grievance before the city council Aug. 9, where officials agreed with a staff determination that a border of T-posts along a shared driveway is not a fence or a public nuisance.
Monday, August 09, 2010 |
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| MH couple fears now-bare bluff |
In June of 2001, a sizeable chunk of Janie and David Berg's backyard on the Mendota Heights bluff line fell onto the Highway 13 pavement far below. When the dirt settled -- literally -- the edge of their property had been cut back by 10 feet.
Monday, August 09, 2010 |
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| Semi-finalists for SSP super announced |
The South St. Paul Board of Education has selected the following candidates as semi-finalists to be interviewed for the position of superintendent of schools:
Monday, August 09, 2010 |
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| Swim Under the Stars in SSP |
Some South St. Paul kids want to make a difference in their community ... and have some fun while they're at it.
The South St. Paul Youth Task Force hosted one of its "Swimming Under the Stars" pool parties, complete with music, games and prizes at Northview Pool last Wednesday night.
Monday, August 09, 2010 |
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| Volunteer in your local school as a DARTS Learning Buddy |
The DARTS Learning Buddies program is recruiting volunteers for the 2010-2011 school year. This multi-generational program matches adult volunteers with elementary school children to enhance and expand their reading, math, and science skills.
Thursday, August 05, 2010 |
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| West St. Paul business gets Governor's nod |
The East Metro Clean 'n' Press location in West St. Paul received the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's 2009-10 Governor's Award for Pollution Prevention.
Thursday, August 05, 2010 |
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| Motorcyclist dies in Robert St. crash |
The 21-year-old motorcyclist died July 23 after accelerating into the back of a vehicle at the intersection of South Robert Street and East Thompson Avenue. Authorities said David Garcia of Minneapolis was pronounced dead at Regions Hospital.
Monday, August 02, 2010 |
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| WSP committee pushes EAB action |
West St. Paul needs a tree inventory, forester-in-command, detailed plans and the cash to back them up if the city is going to successfully manage the emerald ash borer infestation, according to a report presented to the council July 26.
Sunday, August 01, 2010 |
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| Smith Ave.'s future still under construction |
The Smith Avenue Revitalization Task Force members presented an update July 27 on what they have accomplished roughly six months into their journey to make Smith from the High Bridge to Dodd Road a more livable, economically viable corridor in both St. Paul and West St. Paul.
Sunday, August 01, 2010 |
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| SMFD audit comes up clean |
Results of an audit of South Metro Fire Department's Medicaid and Medicare billing contractor turned up a clean report, the results of which were presented to the fire board June 16.
Sunday, August 01, 2010 |
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| Previous Peschges police encounter detailed |
Former Hill-Murray president Joseph Peschges, who has been charged with misdemeanor indecent exposure after his July 15 arrest at Crosby Farm Regional Park in St. Paul, was also arrested in 2004 for disorderly conduct, according to a report obtained from the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 |
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| Not a shoulder to lean on |
If you're driving through Inver Grove Heights, remember that passing on the shoulder is illegal. Temporary signs on Cliff Road (County Road 32) east of Highway 3 were posted July 22 to warn drivers. Police in Inver Grove Heights are increasing enforcement.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 |
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| Buyer courts Fischerville building, city hesitant |
The Mendota Heights City Council approved a liquor license July 20 for the potential owner of the Fischerville building.
Monday, July 26, 2010 |
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| Disc golfers let some flak fly |
The Fairway Flyerz admissions and retail stand has been twice the target of vandals and thieves since setting up shop at Kaposia Park disc golf course.
Sunday, July 25, 2010 |
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| Judge denies Beecroft post-conviction hearing |
A new trial request from Nicole Beecroft, the now 21-year-old convicted of first-degree murder for the death of her newborn baby in 2007, was denied July 20.
Washington County District Judge Mary E. Hannon, who presided over Beecroft's murder trial, handed down the order denying the motion for a new trial.
Thursday, July 22, 2010 |
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| Hill-Murray president Joseph Peschges cited for indecent conduct |
Hill-Murray president Joseph Peschges has been relieved of his duties at the Maplewood Catholic school after he was arrested at Crosby Farm Regional Park in St. Paul July 15 for misdemeanor alleged indecent conduct.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 |
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| Dakota County's forever wild friends secures matching gift |
It's rare for someone to write a $1,000 check to Dakota County to support its parks program, but that's exactly what an anonymous donor recently did.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 |
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| Saving a stranger |
Rarely do we see someone risk their own life to save a complete stranger, but for a few brave Minnesotans, that decision came without hesitation.
Monday, July 19, 2010 |
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| Another kind of illegal migrant: shopping carts |
West St. Paul is reinspecting how to better manage stray shopping carts strewn throughout the city. Cart cops? Basket bouncers? Not quite yet, says the chief of police.
Monday, July 19, 2010 |
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| Robert Street plans advance |
West St. Paul took the first steps toward upgrading the Robert Street corridor July 12.
Monday, July 19, 2010 |
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| IGH presses pause on digital ads |
Inver Grove Heights only allows billboards in a relatively small segment of southern Highway 52.
However, the city council members are not taking any chances with a digital billboard moving in to town -- they passed a six-month moratorium July 12 to allow staff time to research appropriate rules for any future beacons of marketing.
Monday, July 19, 2010 |
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| Dist. 197 serves up free breakfast and lunch |
Promise to feed students, and they will come.
This summer, 30,000 breakfasts and lunches will be served in the West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan School District for students attending summer school.
Monday, July 19, 2010 |
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| Get help saving energy |
The CAP Agency, in partnership with four local utilities, is seeking clients who qualify under income guidelines for the Conservation Improvement Program (CIP). The program, which is primarily administered during the summer months, is funded by the clients’ utility providers. The goal of the program is to reduce energy consumption, thereby reducing energy bills.
Friday, July 16, 2010 |
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| County receives grants to evaluate brownfields |
What's good for the environment can be good for the economy. Thanks to two $200,000 grants from the Environmental Protection Agency, Dakota County will soon be able to evaluate properties with possible environmental problems and redevelopment potential known as brownfields.
Friday, July 16, 2010 |
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| Helping wildlife in the Gulf and at home |
Many people are eager to help wildlife affected by the oil spill in the Gulf, but the average citizen's ability to help is limited.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010 |
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| 'All my love' |
Monogrammed on the back of Christine Crittenden's restored, 1987 white Chevrolet Corvette is: "All my love, forever and a day."
Tuesday, July 13, 2010 |
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| SSP vets honored with music, flags |
The weather outside might have been dreary, but inside the South St. Paul High School cafeteria, nothing could stop the celebration.
Monday, July 12, 2010 |
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| IGH panel recommends burner ban |
The Inver Grove Heights Planning Commission voted July 6 to recommend a ban on future outdoor wood burners in the city after listening to public testimony. They also recommended staff put together "performance standards" to regulate existing burners.
Monday, July 12, 2010 |
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| A new Argenta interchange... someday |
A panel of Mendota Heights and Sunfish Lake council members has signed off on an alternative proposal to realign Argenta Trail to the east, in Inver Grove Heights, and develop an I-494 interchange east of Delaware.
Monday, July 12, 2010 |
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| Ramsey County chooses to inoculate its ailing ash trees |
As one might surmise, Ramsey County has a whole host of ash trees, all of which are in imminent danger of decline and death from the emerald ash borer.
Monday, July 12, 2010 |
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| Underage 'body modification' ban needles its way in |
If there were any teens rushing to get their tongues bifurcated or snaps installed in their scalps before the July 1 deadline, they weren't in St. Paul.
Sunday, July 11, 2010 |
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| Kids celebrate end of school year, end of homelessness |
Thanks to the only homeless family shelter in Dakota County, a group of homeless and formerly homeless kids celebrated completing another year of school during the 10th annual "End of the School Year Party" June 10.
Friday, July 09, 2010 |
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| County finds, demolishes additional swing bridge pier |
A previously overlooked pier on the Washington County side of the Mississippi river will be removed as part of the Rock Island swing bridge demolition.
Friday, July 09, 2010 |
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| St. Paul gives hesitant OK to Lafayette Bridge design |
St. Paul City Council members gave what may well be their last stamp of approval on the Lafayette Bridge's proposed designs before construction begins.
And a rather hesitant stamp it was, too.
Tuesday, July 06, 2010 |
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| WSP pursues fiber optic network |
The West St. Paul City Council is moving forward with plans to install fiber optic cables to connect key public buildings in the city and potentially provide internet, phone and data services to private enterprise.
Sunday, July 04, 2010 |
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| Mounds Park bald eagles become true urbanites |
In the beginning, John and Carol laughed over how jealous their Mounds Park home's previous owner - a bird lover who bragged of the place's falcon-friendliness - would be if he were to discover the bald eagles now raising fledglings within their very urban, tiny backyard.
Sunday, July 04, 2010 |
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| SSP man sentenced for bank robbery spree |
A South St. Paul man was sentenced June 28 to five years in federal prison for robbing the Wakota Federal Credit Union on Oct. 30, 2009.
Sunday, July 04, 2010 |
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| Portion of Dodd Road to close for July, August |
Motorists in Mendota Heights will encounter a detour for the next couple months.
Dodd Road will be closed between Wentworth and Emerson avenues from 7 a.m. July 6 until Aug. 27.
Sunday, July 04, 2010 |
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| NAMI Connection Support Group offered in Eagan |
A NAMI Connection peer support group for adults recovering from mental illness meets weekly in Eagan. The free group is sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Minnesota.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 |
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| Tour the Vermillion Falls |
A special opportunity is being offered at 10 a.m. on the first Saturday of July, August, September and October, The Vermillion Falls Walking Tour.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 |
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| Arc Greater TC certified to help disabled apply for state health care programs |
Metro area residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families can now apply more easily and quickly for state-funded health care programs with help from Arc Greater Twin Cities, which has been certified as a Minnesota Community Application Agent (MCAA) by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS).
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 |
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| New rules of the road for teens |
Minnesota's graduated licensing law is aimed at helping teens improve their driving skills during their first year on the road by reducing exposure to high-risk situations. Violations of these laws are misdemeanor offenses.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 |
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| Pilot program benefits state drivers, cities |
Trying to reinstate your driver's license after suspension or revocation can be tough, but some Minnesotans have been given a break.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 |
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| SSP searches for new superintendent |
With the unexpected departure of Superintendent Patty Heminover, the South St. Paul School Board members are carefully considering what qualities they want in their next superintendent.
Monday, June 28, 2010 |
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| SSP's digital sign dilemma proves perennial
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The change in seasons has not pacified residents in South St. Paul favored with a close-up view of the digital billboard erected along Highway 52 in West St. Paul.
Monday, June 28, 2010 |
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| Man sentenced in 2002 WSP kidnappings |
The fate of a man charged with the brazen 2002 kidnappings in West St. Paul has finally been determined.
Monday, June 28, 2010 |
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| First filing closes, primaries set
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Filing for races eligible for a primary election closed June 1. Primaries will be held Aug. 10 this year, a month earlier than in the past. The change will allow time for overseas absentee ballots to be counted in the general election.
Sunday, June 27, 2010 |
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| SSP enlists 'Nasal Ranger' |
The South St. Paul City Council will have a new gadget soon to help them sniff out the worst odiferous offenders in town - The Nasal Ranger.
Sunday, June 27, 2010 |
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| Non-profit may serve at-risk teens in WSP |
A support organization for troubled teenagers wants to expand its services into the West St. Paul area. But under city code, that might not be possible.
TreeHouse, a faith-based nonprofit organization that targets at-risk teens, has proposed plans to open a location at 1025 Dodd Road.
Thursday, June 24, 2010 |
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| MH city clerk retires after 38 years |
Many Mendota Heights residents and city officials will soon miss a mainstay at City Hall - Kathy Swanson.
Thursday, June 24, 2010 |
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| Dist. 199 loses big for Neighbors Inc. |
The staff of Inver Grove Heights Community Schools lost almost 700 pounds, and then gave those pounds to Neighbors Inc.
Sunday, June 20, 2010 |
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| IGH ponders term change |
Inver Grove Heights is looking for community input about making the mayoral position a four-year term. Currently, the mayor serves a two-year term while council members serve four-year terms.
Sunday, June 20, 2010 |
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| Starz handed suspension for Fourth of July weekend |
A liquor store in Inver Grove Heights will be closed three days - two before the Fourth of July and one after -- for failing to follow sanctions imposed by the city council.
Sunday, June 20, 2010 |
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| Jerseys torched in hockey coach's yard |
When North High boys' hockey coach Jerry Diebel awoke the morning of June 6, he was shocked at what he saw on his front lawn.
High-school hockey practice jerseys and breezers had been set on fire in the front yard of his Maplewood home, and a picture of him accompanied the partially burned uniforms.
Sunday, June 20, 2010 |
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| SSP awarded $2.8 mill for
water project |
South St. Paul was awarded a $2.8 million low-interest loan to pay for improvements to drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced that seven Minnesota communities will receive $12.3 million from the Public Facilities Authority (PFA).
Thursday, June 17, 2010 |
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| Dakota County receives Governor's Award of Honor - again |
Fewer injuries for Dakota County government staff mean lower county costs. For the last five consecutive years, Dakota County received the Award of Honor from the Governor's Safety Awards program.
Monday, June 14, 2010 |
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| Visitation graduates celebrate 400 years of service |
For the seniors of Convent of the Visitation School in Mendota Heights, their graduation was a celebration 400 years in the making.
Monday, June 14, 2010 |
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| 197 DAPE students leap, bike and bowl during activity day |
The theme song from a "Rocky" film blared over the loudspeakers as the athletes prepared for a full day of challenges. With a flurry of activity, the DAPE games began.
Monday, June 14, 2010 |
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| State being careful when selecting landfill sites |
When it comes to selecting sites for landfills, the state has decided to be extra cautious before letting corporations dump trash on Minnesota lands.
Monday, June 07, 2010 |
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