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On a crisp spring afternoon, veterans, families and community members gathered on Sunday, March 29, at Blaine’s Veterans Memorial Park for what organizers hope will become an annual National Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony honoring those who served and the 1,566 Americans still missing from the war. The ceremony included a wreath-laying, a rifle volley and a flag presentation. “By serving their country in its time of need, they have helped preserve the very freedoms that all of us here today hold special and dear in our everyday lives,” honor guard commander Bob Wiltse said during the service. ...

The Columbia Heights City Council on March 23 approved sending a comprehensive plan amendment for the former Rainbow Foods site to the Met Council, advancing plans to redevelop the property as a transit-oriented development. The vote was 4-0, with Mayor Amáda Márquez Simula absent because of illness. City Planner Ursula Brandt said the item had been reviewed by the Planning Commission at its previous meeting. The 13-acre site, on Central Avenue between 43rd and 44th avenues, is currently designated in the city’s comprehensive plan for commercial use, with part of the property set aside as park space for stormwater. The proposed amendment would redesignate the site for transit-oriented development, Brandt said. ...

Fridley said March 27 that a contaminant had been found in the Mississippi River in coordination with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. According to the release, the city’s Public Works Department was notified at 11 a.m. March 26 by Minneapolis Water Works of a possible contaminant. Public works and public safety staff then verified that a storm sewer had discharged into the river upstream from Minneapolis Water Works. Public safety coordinated with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and its contractor to deploy temporary floating barriers used to contain marine spills and protect water intakes, the release said. The North Metro Chemical Assessment Team was also called in to collect samples of the contaminant. ...

The March 28 “No Kings” protests drew demonstrators in the cities of Anoka and Columbia Heights as part of a broader wave of rallies held across Minnesota in opposition to actions taken by President Donald Trump. In Anoka, residents lined Main Street holding signs and chanting. In Columbia Heights, residents gathered on the pedestrian bridge at Central Avenue and 47th Avenue. The Anoka rally began at 10 a.m., and the Columbia Heights rally began at 1 p.m. ...

The Columbia Heights City Council approved first readings of two city code amendments at its March 23. One amendment would expand alcohol licensing options for certain businesses and give tenants more time to leave properties deemed unlawful to occupy. The other would update land use regulations to align city code with state law and recent council actions. According to a staff report from Community Development Director Mitch Forney, the first amendment adds an on-sale malt liquor license to city code and allows hotels, restaurants and theaters to obtain one if at least 30% of their gross receipts come from food or nonalcoholic beverages. ...

In Ramsey, the final steps are underway to preserve a 133-year-old schoolhouse and former town hall located along Highway 47, after the city obtained a Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage grant. Built in 1892 during Anoka County’s second major period of public building construction, according to Ramsey Community Development Director Stephanie Hanson, the building served as District 28’s public schoolhouse before later becoming a town hall. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. ...

Andover Mayor Jamie Barthel and Anoka Mayor Erik Skogquist sent a joint letter to CenterPoint Energy raising concerns about the company’s communication during two incidents in late December when a natural gas odor spread through parts of both cities. Odor complaints were reported Dec. 28 and Dec. 30 in and around 14371 Seventh Ave. NW in Andover. In their letter, the mayors said they were concerned by what they described as a lack of timely updates, clear information and proactive communication from CenterPoint. ...

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. ...