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The St. Francis City Council unanimously approved plans and specifications for the city’s 2026 Street Rehabilitation Project and authorized the advertisement for bids at its March 16 meeting. The project includes work in two areas, according to a report from City Engineer Craig Jochum. The first area covers the south side of 229th Lane and the west side of Poppy Street, including 227th Avenue, Silverod Street, Quay Street, 228th Avenue and Rose Court. Quay Street and 227th Avenue are part of the municipal state-aid system, Jochum said. ...

The Andover City Council unanimously approved a 3-foot rear setback variance March 18 for a covered porch at 1545 154th Lane NW. The property is zoned R-4, which requires a 30-foot rear setback. According to the meeting packet, the applicant requested a setback of 27.3 feet. Council discussion focused on the fact that the porch had already been built without a permit. City staff said the structure required a variance because it was considered enclosed due to its roof, while the contractor argued it was unenclosed because it had no walls or screening. ...

The Andover City Council unanimously voted March 17 to rescind two resolutions authorizing alternate bids for bituminous curb rather than concrete on two street reconstruction projects, a move that drew sharp criticism from residents who said they felt deceived. The projects are in Kadlec Estates and the Nightingale Preserve, Wittington Ridge, and Nightingale Estates First and Third additions. Public Works Director Dave Berkowitz said the issue had come up at a Feb. 24 workshop, where council members reviewed differences between concrete curb and gutter and bituminous curb after previously authorizing alternate bids for bituminous on Feb. 2. ...

The Blaine City Council unanimously approved a bid of $115,409.12 from Sir Lines-A-Lot for the city’s 2026 pavement markings project at its March 16 meeting. The vote was 6-0, with Mayor Tim Sanders absent. Director of Engineering Dan Schluender said bids were opened March 5 and Sir Lines-A-Lot submitted the only bid. The engineer’s estimate for the project was about $105,000. Schluender said city staff has worked with the contractor on previous projects. With a 5% contingency added, the total project cost comes to $121,000. ...

The Blaine City Council voted 5-1 to approve a second reading of an ordinance amendment banning detached accessory dwelling units, advancing the change as the city faces an ongoing lawsuit over its handling of one such proposal. Mayor Tim Sanders was absent. Council Member Chris Ford cast the lone dissenting vote. Community Development Director Sheila Sellman said the amendment changes Blaine’s ordinance language on accessory dwelling units in residential districts and related performance standards. ...

The Blaine City Council unanimously denied Minnesota Performance’s request to expand its auto repair business at 1550 91st Ave. NE after city staff cited unresolved code violations and neighboring businesses raised complaints about noise, parking and outdoor vehicle storage. Before denying the request, the council split 3-3 on whether to revoke the business’s existing 2019 conditional use permit altogether. Council Members Tom Newland, Leslie Larson and Richard Massoglia voted to revoke it, while Mayor Pro Tempore Jess Robertson and Council Members Chris Ford and Terra Fleming opposed doing so. ...

The new Honey Baked Ham location, about to open in Coon Rapids. Original Article

Rep. Zach Stephenson speaks in favor of the ERA amendment at the Capitol. Original Article

Stephenson speaks to a crowd at the ERA rally in the Capitol Rotunda. Original Article

Attendees line the rail of the Capitol rotunda at an Equal Rights Amendment rally on March 12. Original Article