Purgatory Creek performs at Heights Aid on April 4 at Railwerks Brewing. Original Article

These vendor tables could be found to the east side of the stage for performers at Heights Aid. Original Article

Plumstar performs at Heights Aid at Railwerks Brewing on April 4. Original Article

Dean, Mick and Carla perform at Heights Aid at Railwerks Brewing on April 4. Original Article

Six weeks after hearing local bands wanted to raise money for a mutual aid fund supporting Columbia Heights residents affected by Operation Metro Surge, Rail Werks Brewing owner Denise Roberts helped organize a benefit concert at the brewery. The April 4 event, dubbed Heights Aid, featured performances by Purgatory Creek, Dean, Mick and Carla, TW and the Dustbowl Daisies, and Plumstar. Proceeds were set to benefit the GoFundMe campaign “Support Local Columbia Heights Families.” ...

On April 4, the East Bethel Fire Department was dispatched at about 11:25 a.m. to the 19900 block of Austin Street Northeast for a reported structure fire, according to an April 5 press release. Initial crews found a large pole barn with heavy smoke and fire showing on all sides, the release said. Firefighters made entry before shifting to a defensive attack. The building and its contents were a total loss, though no civilians were injured, according to the department. Two firefighters requested evaluation by Allina Ambulance. One was taken to a hospital in stable condition, while the other was treated at the scene and released. ...

Allina Health announced on April 2 that it and the Doctors Council SEIU, that represents clinicians for the hospital in primary and urgent care, had reached a tentative agreement that was subject to ratification by union membership. “The tentative agreement reflects the priorities of both parties and supports Allina Health’s ability to continue caring for our communities well into the future,” Allina wrote in a press relase. “This important step forward allows us to focus on caring for patients and supporting the teams who provide that care every day.” ...

Representatives of West Oak Grove Cemetery told the Oak Grove City Council on March 30 that worsening health issues among the cemetery’s aging board have accelerated the need to transfer operations, leading council members to begin exploring whether the city or another entity may need to take it over. The council took no formal action, but members agreed to gather more information, including checking with other cemeteries in the city and with Anoka County, before a possible work session on the issue. ...

The East Bethel City Council unanimously approved a contract March 23 to switch city attorney services to Berglund, Baumgartner and Glaser, replacing Eckberg Lammers. The change makes Mark Berglund, who also serves as Ham Lake’s city attorney, the new city attorney for East Bethel. The two firms submitted competing proposals at the council’s previous meeting. Berglund, Baumgartner and Glaser’s proposal was lower in every category except for a reimbursable developer rate of $325 per hour. ...

Attendees of Chimney Cake House are greeted with this interior. Original Article