| A final salute |
They came from all walks of life; they were our fathers, grandfathers, uncles and neighbors.
Ordinary guys who shared a powerful bonding experience when they were young and far from home.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 |
 |
| A dancer for life |
For Nicole Bonniwell, dancing is a release.
After working a long day at her job in admissions at Rasmussen College, Nicole has been able to use that release for the past several months.
Monday, April 19, 2010 |
|
| Milwaukee on the water |
Milwaukee grew up on the water and celebrates water. It was water - the confluence of three rivers - the Kinnickinnic and the Menomonee joining the Milwaukee before flowing into Lake Michigan - that drew native people there. When French missionaries and fur traders came through, it became an active fur trading area.
Monday, April 12, 2010 |
|
| Take me out to the ballgame - Clyde Doepner: living his dream |
Everyone yearns for what they consider a "dream job;" a lucky few find it.
A well-known local man has stumbled onto such a situation.
Clyde Doepner, a North High 1962 grad and a member of the school's 1961 state champion baseball team, smiled broadly and said, "I can't believe I'm doing this and getting paid!"
Monday, April 05, 2010 |
|
| Easter egg coloring:
colorful memory-making |
It's this time of year, right before Easter, when Review staffers receive a little reminder of the season at their desks.
It's not Easter candy, festive baskets or bunny decorations.
But it does set the office abuzz as people unwrap and compare the beautiful, marbleized eggs left by the Easter Bunny.
Monday, March 29, 2010 |
|
| Maplewood public works employee retires after 40 years |
When Jerry Meyer started working for Maplewood's public works department, Richard Nixon was president, the Cold War was in full swing, and pork chop sideburns were fashionable.
Thursday, March 18, 2010 |
|
| A bake sale for aspiring racers |
Rare indeed is the Cub Scout that doesn't participate in the pinewood derby tradition, by legend begun in the 1950s in California and soon spreading like wildfire to Cub packs nationwide.
Thursday, March 18, 2010 |
|
| An Olympic experience |
After coming so close to Olympic gold with the U.S. women's hockey team, North St. Paul natives Diane and Andy Ness, who served as two of the team's skating coaches, are back home recollecting the memories of their experience in Vancouver.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010 |
|
| Seat belt enforcement elicits mixed reactions |
Last month, the Maplewood and North St. Paul police departments participated in a combined effort to crack down on people not wearing their seat belts while driving. When residents learned how they performed the sting, they shared mixed reactions.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010 |
|
| Honoring Mr. Anderson |
Russell Anderson may finally receive a long overdue Purple Heart -- with the help of a dedicated group of fifth-grade students at Weaver Elementary School in Maplewood.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010 |
|
| Murdered 12 years ago, Katherine still speaks to her father, and to us |
There are some wounds that doctors can't heal.
Award-winning composer Stanley Woolner, 50, knows this better than most.
Not only is Woolner a doctor, currently practicing internal medicine at St. Paul's Bethesda Hospital, but he carries with him the unbearable memories of the worst tragedy that can befall any parent: the violent murder of his young child.
Monday, March 15, 2010 |
|
| Popular authors drop by Woodbury Central Park |
A Winter Jackets event entitled "Minnesota Crime Wave" was held in February at the City Central Park Amphitheater, adjacent to the R.H. Stafford Library in Woodbury.
Friday, March 12, 2010 |
|
| North High students rock their way into finals |
"You know we scream, right?" frenzied vocalist Travis Peterson, 16, of Maplewood says with a smile. "Come listen to us and you'll see."
"Rest for the Weary," a Christian garage band featuring North High students, has gone from only playing a few times in front of the public, to making the finals at The Rock nightclub in Maplewood March 19.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010 |
|
| Maplewood officers honored for heroics during Crittenden shooting |
Maplewood Police Officer Julie Olson bowed her head as Police Chief Dave Thomalla slipped the department's highest commendation, the medal of honor, around her neck at the Maplewood City Council meeting last week.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010 |
|
| Hilltop Foods robbed at gunpoint, shots fired |
Two robbers, one armed with a gun, entered Hilltop Foods in Maplewood about 8 p.m. Feb 24. and made it out of the convenience store with an undisclosed amount of money, according to the Maplewood police department.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010 |
|
| The gavel man |
Some might see buckthorn as a bothersome, invasive plant that's extremely difficult to root out of area parks and backyards, but North St. Paul resident Dave Nelson has found a good use for the extremely hard wood the plant produces: gavel making.
Tuesday, March 02, 2010 |
|
| Beecroft seeks new trial |
Just over two years after she was convicted of first-degree murder for the death of her newborn baby, Nicole Beecroft was back in Washington County court Friday for a post-conviction hearing called by her attorney to overturn the case and seek a new trial.
Tuesday, March 02, 2010 |
|
| Area family still facing homelessness |
A little over two months ago, a Review story highlighted young mother Amber Franks and her struggles to keep her homeless family off of the streets.
Thursday, February 25, 2010 |
|
| In the midst of a disaster |
Dr. Pat Wolff, a North St. Paul native and current St. Louis resident, has been giving her time, money and resources to the people of Haiti for decades, and she's currently in that country again after it was devastated by an earthquake less than a month ago.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 |
|
| Roseville couple welcomes Haitian children |
Lee and Dawn Shelton knew their children were alive when they saw them on Fox News.
In the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti, the Sheltons were desperate for information on their children Patricia, 9, and Phillippe, 8, whom the couple were in the process of adopting.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 |
|
| Preparing for the 'age wave' |
From ballroom dance classes and knitting how-tos, to cooking "magnificent muffins" and "sensational sauces" School District 622's Community Education Department has something for just about everyone.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 |
|
| Slicing up the ice |
Diane Ness remembers her love of skating started as a young girl when she would lace up her skates, head out to Silver Lake in North St. Paul and cut swiftly across the ice with family and friends.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 |
|
| Oakdale woman steals over $100K from District 622 |
An Oakdale woman pleaded guilty on Thursday to stealing over $100,000 from the Gladstone Community Center, where she was previously employed.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 |
|
| Turbine blades to
be turning in a month - maybe |
North St. Paul City Manager Wally Wysopal said at the Feb 2 City Council meeting that the blades on the city's wind turbine should be spinning in about a month, but city residents shouldn't hold their breath in anticipation.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 |
|
| Temporary council member appointed in Maplewood |
The Maplewood City Council decided to go with a resident who has past council experience when it came to filling the vacancy that was created after Will Rossbach was sworn in as mayor at the beginning of January.
Friday, February 12, 2010 |
|
| Maplewood adopts recreational fire ordinance |
The Maplewood City Council has been discussing recreational fires in one way or another for more than a year, but when it came to passing an ordinance dealing with the issue, everything was squared away in less than five minutes.
Thursday, February 11, 2010 |
|
| Feed My Starving Children sends aid to Haiti |
At the moment, all eyes are on Haiti as agencies from around the world try to help those affected by the 7.0 earthquake that devastated the region on Jan. 12.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 |
|
| In living watercolor |
For Julie Schroeder, creating a piece of artwork starts with paints, paper and a bucket of water."And you're ready to go," she says.
From her signature watercolor piece, "The Visitor" featuring a hummingbird flitting toward a flower, to abstract works and encaustic creations using colored wax, Schroeder has dabbled in many painting mediums.
Tuesday, February 09, 2010 |
|
| Review staffers bring home three MNA awards |
Three Lillie Suburban Newspapers staffers brought home awards at this year's Better Newspaper Contest.
Tuesday, February 09, 2010 |
|
| District 622 faces state aid delay |
School District 622 is one of more than 200 in the state of Minnesota contending with short-term delays in aid, announced this week by Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
Tuesday, February 09, 2010 |
|
| Ray Enright, former co-publisher, dies |
Longtime Lillie Suburban Newspapers co-publisher emeritus Ray Enright, 80, passed away Jan. 26, 2010. Funeral services were held at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in North St. Paul on Friday, Jan. 29.
Wednesday, February 03, 2010 |
|
| Macon music |
Though the sighs are inspiring - a cherry blossom festival among perfectly-preserved antebellum mansions - the sounds of Macon, Georgia have really put the city on the map. The "Song and the Soul of the South," Macon launched a variety of headliners from the '60s, '70s and '80s: Lena Horne, Little Richard, James Brown, Otis Redding and the Allman Brothers Band.
Tuesday, February 02, 2010 |
|
| Community gathers to honor Patty Phillips |
Local community leaders, state legislators, and School District 622 staff and elected officials gathered last week to honor Patty Phillips as the 2010 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year.
Tuesday, February 02, 2010 |
|
| Supporting the arts |
Some local organizations are among 62 community institutions that will be receiving over $265,000 in grants this year from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council for various arts projects, according to a press release from the organization.
Tuesday, February 02, 2010 |
|
| New year, same problems |
School District 622 is facing a "conundrum" with a $7.8 million budget gap to fill and tough decisions ahead about cuts in programs and services.
Monday, February 01, 2010 |
|
| Maplewood looking for firefighters |
The Maplewood Fire Department's recruiting numbers are down for paid-per-call firefighters, and it's looking for dedicated citizens to step up to the plate and join the department.
Thursday, January 28, 2010 |
|
| Maplewood looking to update recreational fire ordinance |
The Maplewood City Council is one step closer to having a recreational fire ordinance that adheres with state standards after its Jan. 11 meeting.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010 |
|
| Living with multiple sclerosis |
Daniel and Jeanne Rude appear just like any married couple committed for over 30 years. They quip about household chores and share memories about their children, travels and anniversaries celebrated at favorite restaurants.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 |
|
| Oakdale Mall purchased by city |
After years of dealing with vandalism, pipes bursting in the winter and a building with no heat, the final tenants have vacated Oakdale Mall on North Tenth Street, just west of Interstate 694.
Monday, January 25, 2010 |
|
| Kid-driven non-profit rallies for Haiti |
A local non-profit started by kids, for kids, has pitched in to raise money for victims of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti's capital city Jan. 12.
Monday, January 25, 2010 |
|
| Good old days
|
Did you know Neumann's Bar, the oldest continually-operating bar in Minnesota, was actually one of three such establishments in North St. Paul at one time? Or that the giant snowman on the corner of Highway 36 and Margaret Street actually used to be made out of snow? Local historian Paul Anderson does.
Monday, January 11, 2010 |
|
| Dog days in school |
Mary Gamache's kindergarten class at Carver Elementary School in Maplewood had some unusual visitors of the four-legged sort on Dec. 10.
Wednesday, January 06, 2010 |
|
| Doing the chicken dance in Maplewood |
Turn around, flap your wings, shake your tail feathers. . . and get ready to dance the narrow line between chicken fanciers and suburbanites who prefer their fowl to be songbird species.
Wednesday, January 06, 2010 |
|
| The yearly gathering has become a 'Do Not Miss' Reunion |
A trip to the Windy City is always a fun adventure, full of new things to see and do.
So when the annual gathering of the 90th Field Artillery Battalion Association was scheduled for Chicago, my wife, Donna, and I knew we would be there. Actually, the battalion reunions have become something of a tradition that we nurture and cherish.
Tuesday, January 05, 2010 |
|
| Burlington Coat Factory robbed at gunpoint |
A man who robbed the Burlington Coat Factory on Beam Avenue in Maplewood Dec. 18 apparently was after more than just a few warm winter garments. The suspect, described as a black male, approximately 5-feet-7 to 5-feet-9 inches tall.
Tuesday, January 05, 2010 |
|
| Don't let holiday hosting become harmful to your health |
As Teresa Mark of Roseville begins wondering how she is going to fit her four children, her parents, her six brothers and one sister, and all of their children and their children's children into her home for the family's annual Christmas celebration, she takes a step back.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009 |
|
| Minnesota's bountiful literary harvest will see you through the winter |
With winter upon us, snow or no snow, now is the time to dig into that basket of bound brilliance and nourish the mind with well-wrought words and poignant pictures.
The authors in our great state have been busy, coaxing their books from seeds to harvest and sending them to market.
Wednesday, December 09, 2009 |
|
| Would-be Toys R Us robber pulls a knife |
Alleged robber 23-year-old Brittany Ann Schwanke apparently decided Nov. 13 was her personal "Black Friday," reportedly pulling a knife on a Toys R Us employee who prevented her from stealing.
Tuesday, December 08, 2009 |
|
| Third man sentenced in Lake Elmo home invasion |
A third man was sentenced for his role in a Lake Elmo home invasion last year where a man was doused with gasoline and pistol whipped.
Tuesday, December 08, 2009 |
|
| Court hearings begin in attack of Oakdale father |
Two 18-year-olds accused in the violent assault of Terry Meggitt, a 52-year-old father from Oakdale, are now in Washington County district court on attempted murder charges.
Tuesday, December 08, 2009 |
|
| The bird is the word at Silver Lake |
Everybody was "looking at the birdie" - a not-so-little birdie - at Silver Lake Wednesday morning. Neighbors on foot and passing motorists took time out from their daily routines to watch a mature bald eagle hunt along the lakeshore, just yards from the swimming beach and playground equipment.
Thursday, December 03, 2009 |
|
| On the road with the roving legislator |
Leon Lillie's bike trip across the southern United States began with the back tire of his bicycle in the ocean in St. Augustine, Fla. and ended 21 days later when the legislator parked his bike on the beach in San Diego, Calif.
Tuesday, December 01, 2009 |
|
| Recovery program provides hope for elderly |
Addiction, especially for the elderly, is tough to face alone.
An older person struggling with alcohol addiction or chemical dependency might just want to close the blinds, search for solace in a bottle of alcohol or pills and just shut out the world.
Tuesday, December 01, 2009 |
|
| His business plan: 8 ping-pong tables and you |
The 1998 proposal to operate a billiard hall at 1990 Suburban Ave. was shot down both by the St. Paul Planning Commission and then City Council. Both bodies said there wasn't enough parking for peak usage.
Where billiard balls weren't acceptable, however, ping-pong balls might yet fly.
St. Paul entrepreneur Kenneth Brown certainly hopes so.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009 |
|
| Wrangling over Hillcrest not done yet |
It appears that the Hillcrest Shopping Center's legal issues haven't entirely been settled yet.
Thanks to one attorney's mentioning the city of St. Paul as a possible defendant owning property interest in the White Bear Avenue retail center, not one but three different unpaid mechanics' liens have come to light.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009 |
|
| Prosperan Bank folds, acquired by new owner |
Prosperan Bank, with branches in Oakdale, Maplewood and Minnetonka, is now under the ownership of Alerus Financial, based in Grand Forks, N.D.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 |
|
| Maplewood moving forward with wetland ordinance update |
Updating a city ordinance on wetland classifications might not often be a topic that raises the ire of council members and residents, but that was the case Nov. 9 in Maplewood.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 |
|
| Swing bridge pier approved by commission |
By this time next year, the former Rock Island swing bridge may be back in business.
Parts of it, anyway. During their Nov. 18 meeting, the Inver Grove Heights Park and Recreation Advisory Commission members approved a plan that will salvage portions of the bridge for public use.
Monday, November 23, 2009 |
|
| Phillips receives state honor as superintendent |
Patty Phillips entered her office at the District 622 Education Center in North St. Paul Monday morning with a smile on her face and singing a happy tune.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 |
|
| Pumpkin surprises for the holiday season |
Memories of the sweet scents of fall baking and mouth-watering holiday dishes start turning our thoughts to a long-established ingredient that has lasted the test of time - pumpkin.
Monday, November 16, 2009 |
|
| A story of hope |
Tasha Moody used to be homeless, moving from place to place and sleeping on friends' couches, but she's been able to turn her life around and now has housing, a steady job and is six classes away from completing a bachelor's degree.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009 |
|
| Reading remedy: finding the right book |
Shelves and shelves of books can be overwhelming for parents trying to find a page turner for their kids, but staff in the Washington County Library system are here to help, says Marty Hoekstra, the youth services librarian for the R.H. Stafford branch in Woodbury.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009 |
|
| Taking a cheese holiday |
In the rolling hills of south central Wisconsin where farms have picturesque red barns and grazing cows, cheesemakers are producing some of the best specialty cheeses in the country.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 |
|
| Microbreweries and vineyards in Wisconsin |
From the mid 1880s, Milwaukee was known for it's big beer companies - Schlitz, Blatz, Pabst and Miller - and the state was considered the "beer capital of the world."
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 |
|
| HRA seeks $3.3 million in county funding |
The Washington County Housing and Redevelopment Authority presented its 2010 budget to the county board last week, and it is seeking about $3.3 million in funding for the upcoming year.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 |
|
| Council discusses even-year city elections |
Just before adjourning their Oct. 26 meeting, the Maplewood City Council members had a brief discussion about possibly switching to even-year city elections.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 |
|
| New Life Academy kids lending their artistic skills |
Students at New Life Academy in Woodbury are decorating empty shoe boxes for the "hospital" at Operation Christmas Child's processing center this November.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009 |
|
| Ringmaster Brant |
Making it to the Olympics in any sport is a rare occurrence, but Robert Brant, a boxer from White Bear Lake, is well on his way.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009 |
|
| Senator proposes higher attendance age |
Legislation requiring a "compulsory attendance age," which would mandate students ages 7 to 18 to attend school, will be introduced this session by District 55 Sen. Chuck Wiger, DFL-Maplewood.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009 |
|
| All the comforts of home? |
The sprawling hotel complex at 1870-80 Old Hudson Road has seen its share of nameplates in recent years: Ramada, Red Lion, Best Western, Travel Lodge, and now La Quinta.
Sunday, November 01, 2009 |
|
| The right to remain vigilant |
Monday, Sept. 28 marked the beginning of a new career for former Maplewood Police Sgt. Scott Steffen, who's spent nearly all the past three decades working as a police officer in North St. Paul and Maplewood.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 |
|
| Council suspends its cost of living increase |
The Maplewood city council ratified a decision it made in June to temporarily suspend the upcoming cost of living adjustment for council members and the mayor at its Oct. 10 meeting.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 |
|
| A hard days work |
It's not your average classroom. Weekdays, North High students can be found hard at work baking batches of sugar cookies and sloppy joes for lunch or stocking merchandise and planning the next day's menu.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009 |
|
| Guitarist battles back against nerve disorder |
On-stage at the Maplewood Community Center Sept. 19, Billy McLaughlin makes his guitar sound like bells, like musical water drops. As they watch his face and flying fingers intently, people wonder how he produces the cascade of notes and rhythms in his extraordinary music.
What only a few in the audience realize is he hasn't learned to do it once. He's had to figure it out twice.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009 |
|
| Maplewood working with metro cities on H1N1 plan |
Maplewood Fire Chief Steve Lukin presented the Maplewood City Council with a metro-wide plan that Maplewood has been working on, in accordance with other metro cities, to address a possible H1N1 pandemic.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009 |
|
| Maplewood proceeding with wetland ordinance update |
For the city of Maplewood, clarity is key when it comes to updating its wetland ordinance.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009 |
|
| Tracking bracelets:
'Protecting those who wander' |
A 70-year-old Rochester man was biking in the St. Paul Bike Classic Sept. 13 when he became separated from his family in the city's East Side.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009 |
|
| Anchor Block moving out of North St. Paul |
The sight of Anchor Block's big rigs rumbling around North St. Paul will become a thing of the past after next month.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009 |
|
| Woodbury Lakes escapes foreclosure risk |
Foreclosure is no longer in the future for the upscale Woodbury Lakes retail center since a new owner and management company have taken over the operation.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 |
|
| Maplewood wants out of St. Paul's fire-training facility |
A new, state-of-the-art $6 million firefighter training facility could soon be a reality in Maplewood.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009 |
|
| Stories of Missouri's black and white history |
Missouri is rich in pioneer history, but the stories of slaves and free blacks have largely gone unheard. So when Angela Da Silva, who heads the National Black Tourism Network and teaches multicultural history at Lindenwood University in St. Louis, turned up the volume, I listened.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009 |
|
| Nicole Beecroft case goes back to court |
The Minnesota Appellate Court case of Nicole Beecroft, an Oakdale teenager sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of her newborn baby in April 2007, has been sent back to trial court for an evidentiary hearing.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 |
|
| Homeless cats benefit from new programs at AHS |
As Media Relations and Marketing Manager Deb Balzer speaks into the video camera, she reaches behind her to open one of the many occupied cages at the Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley. The black cat inside sees his opportunity for escape and climbs onto Deb's shoulder, then skirts his way down her arm. She laughs, catches him nimbly and, as he purrs in her arms, continues to tell her audience all about the spirited, homeless cat. She hopes someone will see the cat on the "Comcast Pet Adoption on Demand" program and be moved to adopt him.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 |
|
| A focus on Kohlman Lake, most impaired of Phalen's chain of four lakes |
Maplewood's Kohlman Lake is but a fraction the size of Lake Phalen, but what happens at Kohlman Lake doesn't stay at Kohlman Lake.
It's no secret. But while scientists with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District know this, they want to make sure that every homeowner living along the Phalen chain of lakes knows it too.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 |
|
| Metro leaders discuss high-speed rail line |
Local government officials and metro business leaders gathered at the Oakdale Prom Center last Thursday to hear a panel of speakers discuss the possibility of a high-speed rail line from St. Paul to Chicago.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 |
|
| Resident calls 911 on Maplewood candidate |
Maplewood resident Pat Downs filed a police report last week alleging City Council candidate Dave Hafner made verbal threats against him Sept. 3 after Downs told Hafner to stop putting campaign signs in his yard.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 |
|
| A look into Minnesota Vikings' past, present |
In Armand Peterson's new book, "The Vikings Reader," fans who know all the Vikings' history or who just have a vague knowledge of Vikings' lore are transported through the team's history. Peterson co-authored "Town Ball: The Glory Days of Minnesota Amateur Baseball" and is a retired engineer who currently lives in Maple Grove.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 |
|
| Reflections from those on his beat |
Appropriately, Friday, Sept. 11 began with prayer in North St. Paul. It hadn't been planned that way; the event's few organizers simply chose a Friday in September they knew they would all be in town.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 |
|
| Maplewood bank robbery suspect turns herself in |
A woman without a disguise brazenly robbed a Maplewood bank Aug. 29 and then turned herself in to the FBI the next day.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 |
|
| HE 'CONQUERED THE WORLD' WITH HIS HUMOR |
There have been many tributes to comedian and East Side native Mitch Hedberg since he died four years ago of an accidental drug overdose, and now his family and friends are joining in to host a charity event in his memory.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009 |
|
| From candles to fireworks, 'Relay' lights the fire |
Each year the Relay for Life at Tartan High School grows in participation and donations teachers and students collect for the American Cancer Society.
But even with over $100,000 gathered last year toward the cause, the event's organizers and volunteers have kept their goals simple: to support finding a cure for the disease and provide education and awareness.
Monday, May 12, 2008 |
|
