Mayor Ryan Heineman pictured in between Council Members Kristen Buscher (left) and Chris Riley (right). Original Article

Resident Dara Grimmer faces the audience while speaking on the old state flag. Original Article

The Ramsey City Council voted 4-3 May 12 to remove three politically charged items from its agenda, including proposals to make the former state flag the city’s official flag, censure Gov. Tim Walz and explore whether the city could take legal action against Walz and other state leaders. The items would have designated the state flag adopted by Minnesota in 1983 as Ramsey’s official flag, expressed formal disapproval and censure of Walz, and authorized city staff to explore whether Ramsey could file a legal claim against Walz and other state leaders. ...

The Fridley City Council unanimously approved ordinance changes May 11 that clarify how the city handles inoperable, junk and unlicensed vehicles. Assistant Community Development Director Stacy Stromberg said the amendments to Chapter 404 do not change the city’s existing enforcement process, but add language describing how vehicles may be impounded when they are inoperable, junk or unlicensed. Vehicle violations are consistently among the city’s top five violation types each year, Stromberg said. Those cases can include outdoor storage, unlicensed or inoperable vehicles and parking on grass. ...

East Bethel became the latest city to state its intent to fly the 1983 Minnesota state flag, voting 4-0 at its May 11 meeting. The council first discussed the matter April 27, City Administrator Matt Look said, and directed staff to prepare a formal resolution to display the old flag on municipal property. State law does not require municipalities to fly the current state flag; cities can choose which flag to fly, if any, Look said. ...

Columbia Heights Police Chief Matt Markham said he has been told of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the city, but has not personally verified those reports. Markham said he trusts the sources who told him about the activity, but rejected any suggestion that the Columbia Heights Police Department was involved. “Any reports of the police department collaborating with ICE are categorically false,” Markham said. “I have no idea where these rumors come from or how they start.” ...

A Columbia Heights fire crew rescued about eight ducklings from a storm drain May 5 after a passerby spotted them at the southwest corner of 40th and Central avenues. Fire Chief Daniel O’Brien said someone called 911 at 7:47 a.m. after seeing the ducklings in the drain and waited at the scene. O’Brien was on his way to work, traveling west on 40th Avenue, when the call came in. “I showed up, I kind of evaluated it,” O’Brien said. “I wasn’t sure how to get at it without too much of a disruption.” ...

Protein House, a fast-casual restaurant focused on customizable meals and meal prep, has opened near the 105th Avenue development and National Sports Center in Blaine. Manager Joylynn Audrieth said every meal is made in-house and can be customized for customers’ preferences or dietary needs. “We can be gluten-free,” Audrieth said. “Nothing is deep-fried. We just use olive oil.” Protein House got its start in Hudson, Wisconsin, four years ago. Audrieth said her sons’ involvement in soccer at the National Sports Center helped lead to the new Blaine location, where she saw an opportunity to offer healthy food options for families, athletes and residents. ...

Electric scooter riders in Blaine could face new penalties for careless operation, while public nudity at Lakeside Commons Park beach is now specifically prohibited under code amendments approved May 4 by the Blaine City Council. The council voted 6-0 to approve amendments to three chapters of city code covering electric-assisted bicycles, motorized scooters and public nudity. Deputy Chief of Police Joe Gerhardt said the ordinance adds electric-assisted bicycles and motorized scooters to Chapter 82 and includes several new provisions. ...

Blaine splits Meadowbrook road project after bids come in over budget The first phase of Blaine’s Meadowbrook Area street reconstruction project will move forward this year after bids came in higher than the city had budgeted for the full project. The Blaine City Council voted 5-1 May 4 to award a nearly $1.6 million contract to North Valley Inc. of Nowthen for the first phase of the project. Council Member Jess Robertson voted against the contract. ...