Protesters hold signs along Main St in Coon Rapids. Original Article

A Columbia Heights resident reported that a Hmong man with a wife and three children was taken from his home by Immigration and Customs Enforcement near the intersection of Arthur Street NE and 39th Avenue NE on Sunday, Jan. 18. Jerrod Linderman, who lives across the street from the family, said he heard whistling and honking before going to his front door. “Within a few seconds, a whole bunch of ICE vehicles pulled up in front of my neighbors’ house,” Linderman said. “Ten agents jumped up and walked to his door and took a battering ram. They weren’t shouting anything, they just knocked down his door and went in.” ...

The St. Francis City Council indicated support for reverting to Minnesota’s pre-2023 state flag during its Jan. 6 meeting, following a suggestion from Mayor Mark Vogel. The Minnesota Legislature adopted the current state flag design in 2023 after recommendations from the State Emblems Redesign Commission. The previous flag, last redesigned in 1957, has drawn criticism for its depiction of a Native American riding into the sunset while a white settler plows a field. ...

A planned in-person community meeting moved online Jan. 17 as more than 300 people joined a Zoom call following city facility closures amid reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity. Original Article

“Today we have learned the power of community.” These were the words of Nolawi Gibe amidst a walkout staged by several Blaine High School Students on the afternoon of Tuesday, Jan. 13. The walkout was in opposition to recent immigration enforcement activity around the county and state, as well as the shooting death of Renee Good at the hands of an ICE officer. Jonathan Ross is the officer accused of the shooting. ...

Pancho’s Taqueria in Circle Pines, which temporarily closed earlier this month after an employee was reportedly detained by federal immigration officers, has reopened with limited hours. Original Article

Pancho’s Taqueria has reopened with limited hours after temporarily closing following the detention of one of its employees by federal officers earlier this month, according to the restaurant. Original Article

The East Bethel City Council unanimously voted to deny a concept plan that would have added 33 new homes at the Cedarwood Estates manufactured home park, while giving the applicant the opportunity to return with revisions addressing council concerns. Kendra Lindahl, a planner with Landform, presented the proposal, which would expand the park onto two adjacent parcels through a Planned Unit Development and establish standards for both the existing park and the proposed expansion. ...

Recent immigration enforcement activity has prompted a public response from First Lutheran Church after pastor Nathan Roberts attended and spoke at a vigil last week for Renee Good at the site of the fatal shooting of Good along Portland Avenue in Minneapolis. Susan Debner, head pastor of First Lutheran, said the congregation has supported immigrant families in Columbia Heights for more than a century. The church began as an outreach Sunday school and tutoring program for Norwegian immigrant children, Debner said. ...

At the Jan. 12 meeting, the Columbia Heights City Council unanimously approved the sale of Bond Series 2026A for a planned redevelopment at 4300 Central Ave. NE. The proposed development includes 20,000 to 60,000 square feet of retail space, 400 to 600 market-rate apartments above the retail on the east side of the site, a park, infrastructure upgrades, underground parking, low-density single-family housing on the west side and environmental features such as solar panels and rain gardens. ...