Bonners Ferry, Idaho, is home to about 2,900 people in the state’s northern panhandle, where mountains and lakes stretch across a quiet rural landscape. A sign near the edge of town, Holly Pennington said, welcomes visitors to “Trump Country.” But in early February, Pennington and about 25 friends in that small community gathered around tables with paper, markers and glue, determined to send a different message — one of solidarity. ...

Cards can be seen hanging from the front table at Heights Coffee Bar. Original Article

Heights Coffee Bar at work the morning of February 25. Original Article

In the city of Coon Rapids, while a council meeting was being held on the evening of February 17th, the city hall was also host to a vigil at which residents could come together and grieve the deaths of Renee Good, Alex Pretti and Victor Diaz. The vigil was hosted by Transformative Circle, who earlier in June 2025 had done something similar for the shooting death of Rep. Melissa Hortman in the same location. ...

The Fridley City Council on Feb. 23 unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance amendment establishing rental fees for new facilities at Commons Park. Parks and Recreation Director Mike Maher said the updated fee schedule will cover activity rooms in the park’s new recreation building, open-air shelters and a large-group bus permit program. The recreation building will include three activity rooms with a capacity of about 25 people each. Two rooms can be combined to accommodate up to 50 people. Maher said the spaces are suited for youth birthday parties, business meetings and small gatherings. ...

More cards that were hung at Heights Coffee Bar. Original Article

Customers at Heights Coffee Bar in Columbia Heights are invited to write return notes to residents of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, who sent about 1,000 Valentine-themed cards in solidarity after ICE activity in Minnesota. Original Article ...

Notes of encouragement from Bonners Ferry, Idaho, hang above the espresso machine at Heights Coffee Bar in Columbia Heights, part of a 1,000-card effort organized in solidarity after ICE activity in Minnesota. Top left inset: Cards are hung at Heights… ...

The Nowthen City Council voted 3-2 Feb. 10 to continue flying the current Minnesota state flag, rejecting a motion by Council Member Ken Glaser to remove both the current and former versions from city property. Mayor Shane Hybben and Council Members Mary Rainville and Dan Swenson voted against the motion. Glaser, who previously raised the issue in November 2025, argued the redesign process was partisan and said the city should not fly a state flag unless a bipartisan process produced a new design. ...

Lake George water customers will see a 7.5% rate increase in 2026 after the Oak Grove City Council unanimously approved the hike Feb. 9, along with a $200,000 interfund loan to support the utility’s finances. The loan, approved at 3% interest over 10 years, will come from the city’s Economic Development Authority fund. Council members postponed a proposed sewer rate increase pending additional information. According to the meeting packet, projections assume annual water rate increases of 7.5% for five years and sewer rate increases of 3% annually over the same period. Supplier costs for both utilities are projected to rise 3% annually. The five-year forecast runs from 2026 through 2030 for the water fund and 2023 through 2028 for the sewer fund. ...