The Coon Rapids Tree Lighting ceremony took place on a negative temperature-affected evening of Dec. 13. A giant warming tent was available housing those who needed shelter from the cold. The event featured a tree lit up by the Grinch, Frosty the Snowman and the city’s mascot, Rocky the Raccoon. There was also a fireworks show that went forward along with the tree lighting. Inside the tent, hot cocoa was served, and kids made different crafts and meet Santa Claus. ...

Two cannabis-related businesses along Highway 65 NE moved a step closer to opening after the East Bethel City Council on Dec. 8 approved conditional use permits for a hemp edible business and a cannabis microbusiness. The first conditional use permit was requested by Ramadan Hussein, owner of Smoke Saloon, for a hemp edible business at 18429 Highway 65 NE, City Planner Grace Gerard said. The property is guided commercial and zoned B-3 Highway Commercial. ...

A 3.8% levy increase that city officials say will add about $4 per month to the tax bill on a $400,000 home was approved Dec. 8 as the East Bethel City Council adopted its 2026 budget. The council unanimously approved the budget and levy on a 4-0 vote. Council Member Suzanne Erkel was absent. By the same vote, the council also approved the Economic Development Authority and Housing and Redevelopment Authority budgets and levies for 2026. ...

The Columbia Heights City Council unanimously approved the renewal of a currency exchange license for SJB Enterprises at its Dec. 8 meeting. Council Member Laurel Deneen was absent. Community Development Director Mitch Forney said the item is an annual approval. Currency exchange businesses are licensed by the state under Minnesota Statute 53A.04, rather than by the city. Forney said the state reviews applications for background checks, bonding and fees, then forwards them to the city to confirm compliance with zoning and city code. City staff reviewed the complete application and found no discrepancies or legal issues with the business. ...

A $667,000 sewer-lining project aimed at extending the life of Fridley’s sanitary sewer system moved forward Dec. 8 as the City Council unanimously approved a bid for work scheduled to begin in 2026. Assistant City Engineer Brandon Brodhag said bids were opened Dec. 4, with Visu-Sewer Inc. of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, submitting the lowest bid at about $667,000, out of the five received. The project will be awarded with a 5% contingency. ...

With residents raising questions about assessments, timing and street conditions, the Fridley City Council on Dec. 8 unanimously advanced a 2026 street rehabilitation project by ordering plans, specifications and bids. Assistant City Engineer Brandon Brodhag said the work is a pavement maintenance effort intended to extend street life and prepare for future neighborhood projects. The council first initiated the project Sept. 22. Streets slated for improvements include Viron Road/Trunk Highway 65 East Service Drive, 63rd Avenue, Skywood Lane, 53rd Avenue, Lincoln Street and 52nd Avenue. ...

The Columbia Heights City Council voted 4–0 at its Dec. 8 meeting to approve the city’s 2026 budget and levy, which includes a 9.2% tax increase. Council Member Laurel Deneen was absent. Finance Director Joseph Kloiber said Columbia Heights begins its annual budgeting process in April, when staff start estimating the city’s needs for the next fiscal year. A draft budget is developed through the summer and published in August for the city manager’s recommendation, as required by the city charter. ...

The Fridley City Council held its annual Truth in Taxation hearing Dec. 8, using the meeting to present the 2026 budget and gather public feedback on the city’s proposed levy increase. Finance Director Joe Starks said the city’s budget objectives include funding high-quality public services at a fiscally responsible cost, stabilizing ongoing revenues and expenditures, minimizing unanticipated variances and maintaining structural balance and appropriate reserves. He said the city also aims to make best use of existing resources, plan for long-term “peaks and valleys” in spending needs and ensure accountability and transparency throughout the budgeting process. ...

The St. Francis City Council approved a 2026 budget and levy increase on a narrow 3–2 vote following a lengthy Truth in Taxation hearing Dec. 1. Mayor Mark Vogel and Council Member Amy Faanes cast the two dissenting votes. Finance Director Darcy Mulvihill presented the city’s budget and levy, outlining the goals of maintaining high-quality and cost-effective public services, addressing council priorities and preserving a strong fiscal position. Mulvihill said the city’s preliminary levy of $7,180,000 includes a fiscal disparities deduction of $1,169,310, resulting in a spreadable levy of $6,010,690. With adjustments to the city’s 2025 tax capacity, St. Francis’ adjusted tax capacity for 2026 is $10,142,316. Dividing the spreadable levy by the adjusted tax capacity produces a proposed 2026 tax rate of 59.263%, she said. ...

Marshmallow roasting by the fire was aplenty at the Andover Tree Lighting. Original Article