We checked out all of the participating restaurants ahead of the season It was a gloriously sunny day in downtown Anoka lending an ideal backdrop to a restaurant and bar hop crowds will head to the area in the coming months to do just that as the season for downtown Anoka’s social district which started May 1 and runs through early October In 2023, Anoka became the first Minnesota city to create an open-container drinking district in a designated zone (with Stillwater and Shakopee planning to follow suit this year) as municipalities find ways to boost local businesses amid economic challenges we checked out the 10 participating restaurants and bars in downtown Anoka in search of the best things to order as you tow drinks between participating establishments and inside shops In a district that has Midwestern-like poutine at the ready a decadent chicken sandwich and fried ice cream that’s worth leaving room for dessert the food is worth as much as the sipping scene (Note: These are the restaurants currently participating at the time of publication; more could join the fun.) The broken-in Irish pub with tin ceilings and dark wood serving up “American fare with an Irish flair” is a place that tempts you to sink into a chair or booth and stay a while So it’s best to stay on task if you want to spend a day hopping the social district let us save you time by insisting on the Guinness cheese fries ($10) that share space with dishes like Reuben rolls The skinny fries are reminiscent of ones beloved at a certain fast-food burger chain with golden arches with battered edges allowing a Guinness cheese sauce to sit over the top without getting absorbed And because everything tastes better with bacon bits are sprinkled on top for an added salty kick is a summery refresher that cuts through the appetizers’ inherent richness — at a rock-bottom price 2016 1st Av.,Anoka, MaGillyCuddysofAnoka We love a menu that under-promises and overdelivers The spinach artichoke chicken sandwich ($15) sounds like something Mom would want us to order but the reality is a decadent bite that takes the best spinach artichoke dip smothers it all over a juicy chicken breast then covers the whole thing in gooey provolone It’s all piled onto a pretzel bun that holds up to all that creamy goodness with gusto Cut it in half and watch the cheese pull do its magic We recommend upgrading to the waffle fries with seasoned sour cream as a side a juicy summertime beauty with just enough fruit to feel festive but a crisp finish to stand up to all that flavor 201 Jackson St., Anoka, 201tavern.com set in the shadow of the county courthouse amid bail-bond outfits is full of surprises: 1) The secret doughnut special that starts each day until sold out and 2) The “best ever” marinated steak bites (again that really does put all others to shame ($13) has to be among the best deals in the metro That the food comes from a tiny flat top in a bump-out behind the bar is even more of a marvel Pair with: An icy-cold Kona Big Wave ($6) plays into the tropical theme 227 E. Main St., Anoka, totaldannos.us A rotating sign reading “Minn-Mex” is a marker of the type of menu offered at this bright colorful downtown hangout with beach vibes But we couldn’t resist ordering a la carte to try the restaurant’s top seller stacked more than an inch high with mesquite-grilled chicken bacon and avocado ranch dressing that tasted like a riff on a chicken ranch wrap since the fried ice cream ($7) was the crowd favorite Vanilla ice cream gets rolled in cinnamon sugar and cornflake crumbs before getting deep-fried It’s on a fried tortilla bed for added crunch and topped with chocolate honey and whipped cream for living the sweet life Pair with: The house ($7) or mango ($8) margarita 201 Jackson St., Anoka, casariorestaurants.com the antique-strewn ceiling decor certainly broadcasts that Serum’s is here to have fun It’s a vibe particularly suited to strolling down the street with a beverage in hand The aroma of juicy chicken floats between the suspended scooter wheels and right into the face of anyone who crosses the threshold of the restaurant Order the sampler with your crew for 25 wings in your choice of five flavors (from a selection of a whopping two dozen varieties) for $36 213 Jackson St., Anoka, serumsanoka.com Downtown Anoka’s craft brewery is an open room and bar with a wide selection of brew types Rather than trying to winnow it down to just one flavor We opted to wind through the varying types with a summery Raspberry Lemon Bar sour hefty dopplebock and a Foggy Morning for those oddball hazy IPA lovers in the group Pair with: The opening-soon Babe’s Kitchen hadn’t yet rolled out on our visit but it should be serving Neapolitan-style pizzas wings and more by the time the social district is in full swing 2005 2nd Av., Anoka, 10kbrew.com Anoka’s twinkle-lit wine bar has a sweet tooth An extensive dessert list features famed “rumba” cakes from Anoka’s own Truffles & Tortes bakery and you might find a dessert board of assorted treats including housemade puppy chow (aka Muddy Buddies including a portable petite charcuterie bowl ($9) tailored to solo diners And with live music and an appealing happy hour ($10 build-your-own flights!) it’s an easy spot to while away an evening Pair with: Be bold and go with the $13 Iceberg Wine-tini a lemon sorbet-spiked glass of sauvignon blanc (you might giggle while ordering it 2015 2nd Av., Anoka, ambiwinebar.com This speakeasy-style bar leans into its theme hard After arriving through an unmarked alley door all manner of tools and hardware greet you Your password to get in will involve some kind of household necessity (you get the password when you make a reservation) But once welcomed through a clanging metal door you’ll find a swank lounge dripping in throwback decor and in addition to a solid Old Fashioned special ($6 on Wednesdays) We loved the lavender-hued Purple Symbol (Prince’s printed icon a fruity vodka drink served in a lightbulb-shaped glass you can take home The food menu here is short and mostly packaged but a big bag of nostalgic caramel corn and peanuts does the trick And the bar provides its own hardware-themed knickknacks as a prize 201 Jackson St., #10, Anoka (entrance through the alley behind the building), anokahardwarestore.com you’ll need a secret password hidden in one of the mailboxes just outside the red door choose between a velvety red and gold saloon-style setting or the dimly lit sleek bar at this spot serving Prohibition-era drinks as well as beer and wine While sometimes the most Instagrammable drink isn’t the most digestible The frou-frou-looking So Berry Into You ($14) — raspberry vodka lime juice and simple syrup that’s shaken — was a surprisingly smooth-tasting was also an original and on the boozier side Nucky’s can be found on the basement level is upstairs on the main floor of the charming Old Post Office building making the speakeasy a great before- or after-dinner stop Pair with: A smaller version of the Club 300 menu is available and the amped-up deviled eggs (two for $5) with a lemony Eggs Benedict-like tang is a delightful snack 300 E. Main St., Anoka, nuckysspeakeasy.com With a philosophy that “Club 300 is meant for those who aren’t in a hurry and looking to make an evening out of their outing,” this charming linen restaurant is an ideal way to end the day Especially when ordering dishes such as the well-composed rib-eye ($49) with roasted red pepper butter swirled on top like a cinnamon roll and then served with a side of rosemary potatoes cooked three ways (boiled Pair with: A martini ($11) — a classic cocktail for a classic space 300 E. Main St., Anoka, club300anoka.com Sharyn Jackson is a features reporter covering the Twin Cities' vibrant food and drink scene. Nancy Ngo is the Minnesota Star Tribune assistant food editor. Joy Summers is a St. Paul-based food reporter who has been covering Twin Cities restaurants since 2010. She joined the Minnesota Star Tribune in 2021. Duluth “We remain committed to our mission of sharing Palestinian culture and cuisine albeit in ways yet to be determined,” its owners wrote Enjoy good times by the pitcher as you raise a glass to fun in the sun with friends From buffets and family-style dinners to heat-and-serve and top-notch pastries Conservative board members have questioned history and psychology curricula and whether teachers should spend more time lecturing in class The teachers union in Minnesota‘s largest school district is accusing its school board of micromanaging as elected officials question the content of history and psychology textbooks and whether teachers spend enough time lecturing in class The ongoing partisan 3-3 split of the Anoka-Hennepin school board threatens to further slow halt — or even restart — the process of buying new textbooks and developing curricula before next fall “It’s no secret that we’ve had a board that has differences of opinion,” Superintendent Cory McIntyre said “I’m just trying to figure out how we can move forward and make sure we’re delivering the instruction we need for students to meet state standards.” It is up to each district to decide what materials to use and how to teach students the state-set standards None of the board members responded to the Minnesota Star Tribune’s requests for comment this week Board Member Zach Arco questioned how the state measures or enforces such standards wondering if the system has ever been “stress-tested.” the board has also discussed teaching methods and how much time teachers spend lecturing in class — something Arco said is critical to student learning president of the Anoka-Hennepin teachers union said comments like those represent distrust and micromanaging “There’s this feeling that teachers are suspected of doing the wrong thing,” she said adding that she worries the board’s reputation will hurt efforts to recruit more teachers to the district This isn’t the first time the debate over textbooks has vexed the north-suburban school district that serves about 38,000 students It also cropped up last year, not long after some board members threatened to veto the district budget over concerns about “divisive one-sided views” they felt were represented in schools’ diversity and inclusion programming The six-member board has been split politically since the start of 2024, when it failed to elect a chair, opting instead to name two co-chairs Matt Audette and Linda Hoekman round out the conservative bloc on the board; the other members are Michelle Langenfeld and Jeff Simon The physics books are again up for a vote on Monday Such recommendations typically come as part of a 37-step process that includes selecting and piloting lesson materials gathering feedback from staff and community members before turning to the board for purchase approval “It isn’t like just showing up to a meeting presenting some materials and asking for approval,” Skelly said “It’s all intended to get as many voices into a decision before it gets to the school board for approval.” Because some board members have questioned that process McIntyre has proposed purchasing the books now and then spending time this summer discussing with the board how and what to teach it could require redesigning curricula that have already been written and piloted in the district we need materials to teach and we have to find some sort of agreement on what that looks like,” McIntyre said adding that he’s hopeful the board will see that the process is balanced and not meant to be political The board discussed much of the proposed new curriculum in an April work session that lasted several hours A couple of board members expressed support for purchasing new textbooks for seventh-grade U.S history with the caveat that the lesson plans be aligned to 2011 state standards Such a move would be the members’ latest attempt at delaying the implementation of new social studies standards which require Minnesota schools to teach ethnic studies by fall 2026 the board on Monday is set to vote on instructional materials for biology The proposed Advanced Placement (AP) psychology textbook prompted questions from conservative board members about whether it teaches lessons about gender and sexuality One option listed on the board agenda: decline to purchase the book and drop AP psychology classes in the fall the College Board requires use of a textbook printed in the last decade The textbook the district has been using was printed in 2014.) The board may also decide to scrap the social and emotional learning curriculum it had purchased and had been using in recent years in favor of writing one in-house to align with district priorities The potential scramble to rewrite curricula before the fall worries Holthus of the teachers union Widespread district budget cuts mean the work will likely fall on a smaller staff, and some of the directives from board members have so far been frustratingly vague, she said. “Curriculum is not just a textbook, and a lot of work goes into developing this,” Holthus said. “The board just wants to discard potentially years of that work — and do so really late in the game. Teachers are not in the mood to redo all of their work over the summer.” Mara Klecker covers suburban K-12 education for the Star Tribune. Culture Hyperlocal cable TV stations that broadcast everything from high school sports to city government meetings confront a perilous existence The state’s 61st Teacher of the Year is the first from the Eden Prairie school district to win the award Staffing in Hennepin County to help residents navigate Medical Assistance hasn’t kept pace with the increasing number of people seeking long-term care a community is united in the ongoing search for beloved bartender Brandon Stott Stott, 40, hasn’t been seen in nearly a week There were no signs of foul play as of Monday according to Anoka Police Chief Andy Youngquist who added that police and many people who know Stott are concerned for his welfare Stott’s absence is felt throughout waterholes all along the Main Street corridor where his picture is plastered on many windows “I’m just waiting for him to come in and tell me he’s bored wants to play darts,” close friend and Danno’s Ibiza West bartender Alexis Guyer said to a customer on Monday afternoon “He’s really one of the good ones,” Guyer said sitting for an interview with 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS “I just want to make sure he’s okay.” Guyer said Stott is a staple at Danno’s Ibiza West where she’s gotten to know him over the past few years “As much as we’ve come together and I think just the unknown is what we’re struggling with.” Stott is a bartender and manager at the nearby 201 Tavern & Grill where he’s loved by coworkers and patrons alike “He’s a bartender and long-term employee he’s like incredible man,” Nelson said you meet him once and you remember him.” Stott was last seen on Tuesday at 201 Tavern & Grill “He was a little bit more emotional that day,” she said and that “just kind of rang alarm bells immediately for me,” Nelson said “Because that’s just very out of character it’s never once happened where he would just not show up and then not answer his phone he’d text me or call me or let someone know that there was something wrong Nelson said she called police about 15 minutes later and officers went to Stott’s home for a welfare check and did not find him there 300-500 people were united in worry and in the search effort “I want to praise the Anoka Police Department they are doing everything possible,” she said “So we just got to have the hope of that We will always be here for you,” she continued “We truly love him; we all do.” Stott is described as 6’3′ tall and 237 pounds Police were continuing to follow up on leads on Monday and have a water search planned with other agencies on Tuesday If you have any information that could help authorities locate Stott police request you contact the Anoka Police Department at 763-427-1212 Any person with disabilities who needs help accessing the content of the FCC Public File may contact KSTP via our online form or call 651-646-5555 The Anoka Police Department said Brandon Stott "is safe and outside of the state of Minnesota" on Friday no further information will be shared absent this consent," the police department said was last seen on April 8 at his work — at 201 Tavern — on the 200 block of Jackson Street in Anoka He didn't show up for work on April 10 prompting a missing persons report to be filed The police department thanked all volunteers that assisted in attempting to find Stott "We value a community that will drop everything for someone they care about and we especially value our public safety partners that assisted in this investigation," the department said which features a swimming beach and splash pad in the venerable Farmers and and Mechanics Savings Bank building with criminal charges indicating the driver's actions were intentional He was reported missing when he uncharacteristically didn't show up for work on April 10 according to a Friday update from authorities allowing people to walk around and shop with drinks in hand Some business owners were hesitant when they heard downtown Anoka would become a “social district,” where people can walk around outside and go into shops with a boozy drink in hand Picturing Bourbon Street in New Orleans or Beale Street in Memphis some worried that boisterous crowds could take over the downtown or cause problems in their stores picturing how it would work,” said Gloria Nelson “But we haven’t seen any of the problems I pictured in my worst nightmare.” Anoka was the first Minnesota city to create a drinking district allowing residents to enjoy relaxed open container laws in a designated zone City officials describe it as a “sip and stroll” area with enough regulations to ensure it remains a low-key and novel addition to downtown Blaine is seeking legislative approval to start one as well State lawmakers are considering legislation that could eventually expand the concept statewide allowing municipalities to more easily establish their own districts “I think we’re all a little bit challenged with this economy,” said Becky Althoff owner of the Swag Etc boutique in downtown Anoka “So having the option of a social district that can bring out more groups of people who might be interested in walking around downtown More states in recent years have enabled communities to allow open drinking in restricted areas hoping to re-energize downtowns and boost business as shopping habits change Anoka Mayor Erik Skogquist said the city largely modeled its rules after those in Michigan and North Carolina The idea has become increasingly popular since the pandemic when workers left offices and more social gatherings moved outdoors worried the districts could promote public intoxication and lead to more criminal activity and drunken driving Organizers in Anoka say those concerns haven’t been realized “It has generated a lot of interest in our city as far as people coming downtown and checking it out,” Skogquist said It’s not just because of the social district but it is one of the reasons they have thought about Anoka Many feel that Anoka’s historic downtown was built for the social district concept. Some bars and restaurants are already connected Patios flow into one another as the city shuts off part of Jackson Street to expand outdoor seating in the warmer months concerts and a farmers market bring thousands of people to the area with visitors flooding downtown and Riverfront Memorial Park along the Rum River “It’s a good location for it,” said Mandy Turner as she poured three “Gilly Grenade” shots on a Wednesday afternoon “I don’t know that it would work everywhere Anoka won state approval to pilot the state’s first social district wine and cocktails in special cups from participating businesses and then carry them as they walk to the park or mosey around stores City leaders have been fine-tuning the concept since officials expanded the district to essentially cover the entire downtown Althoff said the district has been a positive addition for her store especially as more people learn about the option to bring in a drink She said it hasn’t caused any problems other than an occasional sweating glass set down on furniture “I haven’t seen people walking around completely annihilated or any troublemakers or anything like that,” she said Several business owners said the concept has worked especially well during events The Anoka Lions Club has started selling beer and seltzers during concerts in the park on Wednesdays Club member Vicki Violet said she’s watched more people order takeout and a drink from nearby restaurants to bring to the park “We kind of underestimated some of the crowds,” Violet said puts on the Anoka Vintage Fest each year during the first week of October He said the festival brings as many as 20,000 people to shop downtown “I saw a lot of people last year walking down the sidewalk with a drink,” he said Organizers believe clear rules have helped make the social district work Skogquist said the city decided to end the district before Anoka the “Halloween Capital of the World,” welcomes major crowds during the spooky season Signs mark the district’s boundaries and where residents can carry beverages Each business posts a window cling showing whether they participate The city sells the special cups to businesses with an extra 25-cent fee per cup to help Anoka pay for cleanup and other costs The city has so far sold more than 39,000 cups for $18,000 more than half going to the social district fund Anoka Community Development Director Doug Borglund said as the social district fund grows City officials say they haven’t dealt with added public safety issues They’ve mostly focused on educating customers Residents can’t bring their own alcohol to the district A drink from one establishment can’t be brought into a different bar but has had to inform customers of that rule as some have hopped from one bar patio to another Skogquist said the city is opening up more shared outdoor spaces for people to sit The city also is launching a busker program granting musicians and entertainers licenses to put on a show in dedicated areas Anoka is preparing a report on how the pilot program has gone for state lawmakers later this year Borglund said several cities have reached out to see if it might work for them as well And state lawmakers are debating broadening the liquor law so cities could establish districts on their own. Rep. Zack Stephenson, a DFLer who represents Anoka, recommended finding a way to limit how many social districts are allowed in the state. He said at a recent hearing that with the right rules, expanding the concept should not take away from the social district being a draw to Anoka. “I know some folks were skeptical in the beginning, but it’s been a really positive thing,” Borglund said. “A lot of people have rediscovered Anoka or have found us for the first time.” Sarah Ritter covers the north metro for the Minnesota Star Tribune. A home in Andover was on fire Monday morning because seconds matter,” said Anoka County Sheriff’s Deputy Christopher Pierro Deputies arrived at the scene within minutes of receiving the call on Navajo Street Northwest was unable to get through the thick smoke that filled the home to get to baby Reed’s room RELATED: Mother, baby rescued from Andover house fire; chief stresses importance of closing bedroom doors at night tried to break a window outside to get to the baby and then pointed the first responders towards the nursery but I saw a little baby bottle that was close to the windowsill,” Deputy Pierro said the deputy couldn’t get in through the small window with his big gear on Andover Deputy Fire Chief Ernest Scherger climbed a ladder and went inside extremely fast,” said Deputy Fire Chief Scherger He took one step into the smoke-filled nursery and found the crib Scherger pulled nine-month-old Reed out of the crib and couldn’t find the window Scherger recalled that he just started moving with the baby in his arms and eventually made his way to the window with Pierro on the other side “It felt like I was in there forever to be honest with you,” Scherger said I just grabbed the baby and ran down.” “It was the best feeling in the world they got him out and he took a breath,” Thies said and is so thankful to the men who saved baby Reed “We lost our pets and everything we had,” said Olsen “But we have the stuff that’s important.” 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS shared with Deputy Pierro and Deputy Fire Chief Scherger a video of baby Reed recovering at the hospital “It lets you know how precious life is It was an emotional day yesterday,” Pierro said Loved ones have set up a fundraising page to help this family recover from the fire The Anoka Police helped block intersections so the ambulance could get to the hospital quickly Baby Reed and his mom should be released from the hospital soon Authorities are asking for assistance in locating a 40-year-old man who hasn’t been seen since Tuesday Brandon Stott was last seen on Tuesday at work in Anoka Authorities say there is concern for Stott’s mental health weighs 237 pounds and has black hair and brown eyes Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Anoka Police Department at 763-427-1212 The Monitoring Association (TMA) announced that Anoka County (Minn.) Emergency Communications Center (ECC) has dramatically reduced the amount of time that 911 telecommunicators spend on calls generated by alarm and sensor systems as a result of implementing TMA’s ASAP Service The solution leverages the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP) which was developed jointly by TMA and the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO).  “Our latest data shows that ASAP Service is saving our telecommunicators an average of 30 hours each month,” said Kari Morrissey Anoka County’s director of emergency communications.  Anoka County ECC has handled 911 and nonemergency calls for service and has dispatched the appropriate emergency response ECC officials sought a way to lessen the impact of alarm- and sensor-generated calls for a variety of reasons One is that the 911 community has been suffering from an acute staffing shortage for several years — it is estimated that 77 percent of ECCs nationwide are understaffed.  Another reason for the ECC to address the high volume of alarm-and sensor-generated calls that it was receiving is that the role of 911 telecommunicators is inherently stressful and such calls exacerbate that stress ECCs nationwide field about 240 million calls for emergency service annually and most of them involve life-and-death situations it is estimated that 25 to 44 percent of telecommunicators have experienced Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) at some point in their careers.  is that the legacy approach to handling alarm- and sensor-generated calls is time-consuming and prone to human error on several levels Both outcomes are highly detrimental to the ability of emergency responders to save lives.  alarm- and sensor-generated alerts have been delivered to ECCs via telephone Each one requires interaction between alarm-monitoring-center personnel and 911 telecommunicators Sometimes it takes as many as five voice calls to deliver the information needed by the ECC to dispatch the appropriate emergency response.  ASAP Service eliminates these inefficiencies by automating the alarm-notification process and directly integrating with an ECC’s computer-aided-dispatch (CAD) system The platform electronically transmits alarm and sensor data directly into the CAD system reducing response times by up to two minutes the automation that ASAP Service provides also reduces administrative call load significantly freeing telecommunicators to prioritize 911 calls that require their unique skills and expertise.  Anoka County ECC implemented ASAP Service in 2020 about 36 percent of the alarm- and sensor-generated calls that reach the center do so via ASAP Service.  the human errors that plagued the legacy approach to handling alarm- and sensor-generated calls have been reduced dramatically because verbal information-sharing for such calls has been eliminated as has manual data entry into the CAD system the platform provides pre-verified addresses eliminating transcription and geographical errors that can delay emergency responses.  “Rarely does the public-safety sector encounter a decision that is a no-brainer — but implementing ASAP Service is one of them,” Morrissey said “I urge every ECC to do so as soon as possible.”  Learn more about how TMA's ASAP service is saving lives every day nationwide at ASAP911.org. Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Francis woman is facing charges after allegedly being on her phone during a fatal crash last year was charged earlier this week with one count of criminal vehicular homicide As previously reported the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office responded to a car crash near the intersection of 3200 Viking Boulevard Northwest in Oak Grove Authorities said that a woman driving an SUV hit a motorcyclist from behind while he was waiting to turn who was identified as 49-year-old Kelly Matthew Linder was thrown from his motorcycle and died at the scene Pietrzak said she had used her phone to check her son’s location while she was at a stop sign waiting to turn on Viking Boulevard She told officials she put the phone in her center console and didn’t use it immediately before the crash showed that it was used multiple times just before and at the time of the crash A Minnesota State Patrol crash reconstruction report stated her car was going between 45 and 53 mph at the time of impact Data from her vehicle shows it was accelerating for the five seconds before the crash and that at no point was the brake engaged Pietrzak was previously convicted of violating the “Hands Free” law for using her phone while driving last year She has her first court appearance scheduled for May 30 Anoka wants you to catch some waves and surf on the Rum River The city is working on a project to upgrade the Rum River Dam and turn it into a whitewater attraction The city wants to build a pedestrian bridge and a lock for boats along with an area where surfers could ride a standing wave while kayakers The project’s projected cost is around $55 million “I think it’s a good economic drive for the region,” Lisa LaCasse with the city of Anoka said “It’s not just going to benefit Anoka but it’s something that can be cool for the whole area.” The city of Anoka is working with the Minnesota DNR and the Army Corps of Engineers on the project Anoka County will spend $2.75 million to settle a lawsuit with a former inmate according to the law firm that brought the case Deyonta Green was 25 years old when he was booked into the Anoka County Jail in 2022 according to the lawsuit he filed two years later The complaint alleged jail staff denied Green access to “critical healthcare” for days resulting in “…severe and long-lasting…” medical issues a partner at Minneapolis-based Robins Kaplan LLP law firm and the lead attorney representing Green said the $2.75 million settlement signified a chance to move forward “I think he’s generally just happy to have it in his rearview mirror and move forward in life,” Bennett said He was struggling with opioid addiction and was prescribed medication to manage withdrawal symptoms but never got it “They held it and made the conscious decision not to give it to him starts experiencing severe withdrawal… I think he described it as ‘wishing he was dead’ actually “He basically is allowed to deteriorate in front of the eyes of medical staff and the correctional officer staff,” Bennett continued the complaint alleged Anoka County Jail staff found Green “…unconscious lying face down in his vomit-covered cell…” laying on his cell or cell floor,” Bennett recalled “But then he’s brought out and forced to walk down the stairs after sustaining a severe head injury.” Anoka County maintained its employees “…did everything possible to provide Mr Green with the emergency care he needed…” adding Green appears to have recovered from his injuries and we wish him all the best going forward.” I think people just need to care,” Bennett said “Care about what they’re seeing in front of them in the jail and trying to do their job and not let it get to this point where someone suffers horribly and then suffers horrible injuries as a result of that suffering.” The county also noted it no longer contracts with the medical company that was in charge of Green’s care at the time Green did not wish to comment on this report “He’s not fully recovered but doing well given his injuries,” Bennett said Read the full statement from Anoka County below: “Anoka County is glad to have resolved this case with Mr The health and well-being of the inmates at the Anoka County jail is a top priority for the county and we take seriously the care of all inmates After a thorough review of all the circumstances leading up to Mr we found Anoka County employees did everything possible to provide Mr and we are confident in the abilities of our detention deputies to respond appropriately to medical issues in the jail The county no longer contracts with the medical provider in charge of providing care at the time of Mr A man who was driving three times over the legal limit has been charged following a crash that killed a woman in Anoka County earlier this week was charged on Wednesday with two counts of criminal vehicular homicide As previously reported first responders were called to a crash on Monday night on the 1000 block of North Street according to the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office Authorities say Wydella was driving a minivan west on North Street when he crashed into a sedan that was headed east A criminal complaint states that officers noted the smell of alcohol on Wydella’s breath at the scene and that his eyes were bloodshot and watery Law enforcement added that his speech was slurred Court records say that a box of wine that was open and partially emptied was found underneath the passenger seat in Wydella’s car A cup that had wine in it appeared to have been spilled and was splattered on the driver-side door Wydella’s blood alcohol content was .246 Full accident reconstruction is pending to determine Wydella’s speed and analysis of the crash pattern Wydella’s first court appearance is scheduled for Thursday Residents could catch a wave on the river in Anoka if the city wins approvals and funding to rebuild the dam Twin Cities surfers often have to drive up to Lake Superior to catch a wave But a proposed $55 million project offers a much closer alternative: How about surfing in downtown Anoka The city is working on a project to upgrade the Rum River Dam less than a mile from the river’s confluence with the Mississippi River The city is seeking funding for the project create a pedestrian bridge and add a lock for boats to travel from the upper Rum to the Mississippi The reconstruction also could turn the dam into a whitewater park where surfers could ride a standing wave while kayakers paddleboarders and tubers float down the channel “That would be prime time,” said David Kohl a Woodbury resident who has made surfboards out of his garage for a decade Kohl believes the dam could easily become a draw for water sports lovers especially as river surfing grows in popularity Surfers seek out whitewater conditions that are naturally ripe for the sport such as at Sturgeon Falls on the Winnipeg River in in Manitoba — around 80 miles from Winnipeg and over 500 miles from the Twin Cities Anoka could be the first to offer surfing at a human-made according to the Department of Natural Resources Similar attractions featuring river surfing are popping up across the country Other cities in Minnesota are working on building whitewater parks. Austin could add whitewater kayaking and paddleboarding on the Cedar River Rochester plans to modify the Silver Lake Dam to add wave pools for kayaking and canoeing “Each of the river communities in Minnesota What is unique about Anoka is our river is right attached to downtown,” said Lisa LaCasse public services administrator with the city of Anoka “That makes this have really cool tourist attraction potential.” fishermen cast lines off the bridge overlooking the Rum River Dam Kayakers paddle to the dam from the Mississippi River dock behind City Hall and visit downtown bars and restaurants and bands take the stage at Riverfront Memorial Park City officials have worked to keep crowds coming to the historic downtown with festivals and events and were the first in Minnesota to create a social district, allowing patrons to buy alcoholic drinks and walk around with them. City leaders believe the Rum River Dam could become a large attraction downtown. The city has been studying reconstructing the dam, which has been owned by Anoka since 1935 and was rebuilt in 1969. In 2023, the city was granted $500,000 for a feasibility study as part of the state bonding bill. State Rep. Zack Stephenson, a DFLer who represents Anoka, helped encourage the city to study a recreational feature. “It turned out to be very feasible, and in my opinion, economically viable,“ Stephenson said. The dam, according to the feasibility study, has strong enough water flow and a 12-foot drop for a whitewater feature and surfing wave. LaCasse said it’s possible to build a channel where the water level would drop two or three feet at a time, with controlled waves allowing fun-seekers to ride down by paddleboard, kayak, inner tube or surfboard. “It would be something easy and maneuverable for beginners,” she said. Officials believe the feature would be a draw not only for those seeking a thrill but also for people to gather around and watch. The city envisions possible festivals or competitions. “Given the proximity to downtown and the social district, it’s a natural pairing there,” Stephenson said. “You could grab a beer at 10K Brewing, then walk a block and a half to the Rum River Dam on a sunny day and watch people surf on the river.” The whitewater feature, city officials said, also could be used by emergency medical responders across the region for swift-water rescue training. Cory Pinewski, manager at Pinewski’s Ski & Board Shop in Anoka, said his shop does good business selling boards for wakesurfing. He expects surfing would become more popular in the Twin Cities if residents had access to an artificial wave. “To surf right now, you pretty much need a boat,” he said. “If the city of Anoka was able to do something that didn’t require a boat, I feel like it’d be super popular.” Surfboard-maker Kohl believes the attraction would be “welcomed into the Anoka community. “I think you’d have an easy time building a surf community around it.” Another key piece of the project would be connecting the upper Rum to the Mississippi. LaCasse said the older dam is in need of updating, including the replacement of an antiquated overflow spillway system, where workers manually hoist timber flashboards to raise the elevation in the summer. That creates a recreational pool above the dam, which extends six miles upstream and serves Andover and Ramsey. The project would install automated crest gates instead. It would also add a lock, allowing pontoons and smaller boats to travel from the upper pool of the Rum River to the Mississippi River. That’s a connection that hasn’t existed in decades; kayakers today have to portage around the dam and relaunch. “That opens up miles of navigational river for people above and below the dam,” LaCasse said. The project also features a pedestrian bridge, which would loop around and connect both sides of the river. Plans include a passage for fish to access either side of the dam to support the spawning of native fish. Officials are studying options for renewable energy, such as solar panels and a river water system to heat and cool City Hall. The City Council in March moved the work forward, but the project is still preliminary. Many studies are needed and the work would require approvals from several agencies. City officials are also seeking state funding and grants. An Anoka County Jail inmate who collapsed early Monday morning had died According to the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office an adult man was being “attended to” around 12:28 a.m The sheriff’s office says emergency medical services were called while staff attempted to perform life-saving measures the sheriff’s office says the inmate was declared dead “Providing care and supervision to all those legally confined to our jail is a responsibility I view of paramount importance,” Sheriff Brad Wise said in a statement “Any death that occurs in the facility brings deep impacts to the individual’s family Anoka County Jail staff and I will continue our commitment to identify and implement solutions to help achieve our goal which is the health and wellbeing of those in our facility.” the deceased inmate has not been identified An investigation into his death is being conducted by the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office alongside the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office The Anoka County Government Center and Courthouse is seen in August 2021.Andrew Krueger | MPR News fileGo Deeper.CloseCreate an account or log in to save stories We have added it to a list of your favorite stories Green’s attorney Katie Bennett said that after Green was booked into the Anoka County jail on Feb he suffered from severe symptoms from heroin withdrawal including uncontrollable diarrhea and vomiting Bennett said that although her client had a valid prescription for Suboxone where doctors determined he had suffered a fractured skull Bennett said Green is no longer incarcerated and the settlement will help him move on with his life He’s doing his best and doing a good job moving forward with his life Anoka County said in a statement that it’s glad to have reached the settlement and that it no longer contracts with MEnD Correctional Care the medical provider that had been taking care of inmates when Green was jailed The full settlement is $2.75 million dollars Anoka County said the rest was paid for by MEnD’s bond company and the insurer for one of the nurses MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all M&A Seminar on Preparing Your Company for Sale Presented by Maslon LLP and Northborne Partners The site for the Anoka senior living center at 525 Cutter St was chosen because its quiet and has proximity to a park Anoka senior living facility sells for $8.6M will break ground this summer on The Dorian a 190-unit apartment complex in Lake Elmo after buying[...] The University of Minnesota plans to sell 60 acres at UMore Park for $8.1M to North Wind Test for a major aero[...] Medical office buildings in the Twin Cities are in high demand as investors seek stable assets amid tariffs BioMADE has bought a Maple Grove site for $16.5M to build a $132M biomanufacturing facility backed by the DoD [...] Twin Cities apartment vacancies fall to 7.03% as rent rises and construction slows Louis Park have new owners after about five years Sign up for your daily digest of Minnesota News Efforts to reform Minnesota zoning laws fail again as local opposition blocks a bill limiting parkin[...] a 190-unit apartment complex in Lake Elmo af[...] The University of Minnesota plans to sell 60 acres at UMore Park for $8.1M to North Wind Test for a [...] The Federal Reserve is expected to keep interest rates unchanged despite political pressure from Pre[...] The Trump administration is swiftly remaking housing policy as the U.S Department of Housing and Ur[...] construction job openings dropped by 38,000 in March signaling slowing labor demand amid tarif[...] Trump's trade demands stretch beyond tariffs Performance contracting helps governments and schools cut energy costs is now an official city after a local vote Milwaukee Mitchell Airport will start a $95.2M international terminal project this summer after dela[...] Listen here analysis and commentary on Minnesota business We are the only independent daily newspaper dedicated to business reporting Get our free e-alerts & breaking news notifications Subscribe for access to the latest digital and special editions An animal cruelty investigation in Anoka County is not going as planned responding to a medical call, found three dogs several cats and a bird — malnourished and mistreated one dog had to be euthanized and the other two were taken to an animal control provider for care “They were not well cared for,” says Anoka County Sheriff Brad Wise both agree the animals were in rough shape “They were so emaciated that there were bones But now the sheriff says Gimpl won’t hand over the dogs and isn’t cooperating with investigators   “The shelter provider has essentially hidden the animals,” Wise says “And refuses to grant access to the animals either to look after their well-being or be able to assemble a criminal case if that’s appropriate.” She says the original owner gave custody of the two surviving dogs — Italian greyhounds named Luigi and Mario — to her Fearing they might be euthanized by the Animal Humane Society she says a group of animal rescuers came to her farm and now have them if they need a forensic exam,” Gimpl declares “I just want the dogs to go back to a foster where they can thrive and live and not be euthanized.” “we are aware of social media comments claiming that AHS only wants to euthanize the dogs Our hope is that these dogs can be healed and placed in a loving home.” The statement goes on to say euthanasia would only be considered if a veterinarian determined it was “the only humane option due to extreme suffering.” AHS says it’s caring for two kittens and a cockatoo and that all three are in “adequate body condition.”   Gimpl says she doesn’t know where the dogs are but has been told they are healthy and gaining weight The sheriff says for his investigation to continue What happens to the original owner is now part of that investigation “I know the provider is operating from a position of extreme compassion,” Wise says but her compassion is complicating everything.”   Anoka County homeowners will be seeing an increase in their property taxes next year the Board of Commissioners approved an increase of 16.86% on Tuesday as part of a goal to have an annual levy increase around 5.25% by the end of the decade That increase will be separate from any potential increases that may come from cities and school districts The county says it is dealing with inflation as well as rising expenses for buildings and equipment in addition to rising health care costs for employees and money needed to not only bring in workers but retain them the chair of the Anoka County Board of Commissioners said in part that the levy “reflects our current circumstances and it’s operational in nature — it’s to keep services at a level our residents expect.” Gamache also said that the county is “now at a point where we’re starting a multi-year approach to stabilize the levy amount.” RELATED: Residents pack St. Paul City Council chambers over proposed property tax hike I Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey proposes budget, includes 8% property tax hike A complete list of feature stories can be found on the Waterline webpage An aerial photo shows the increased height and footprint of the addition to the Anoka water treatment plant For decades Anoka was a free-standing city about 25 miles northwest of Minneapolis The confluence of the Rum and Mississippi rivers brought pine logs and people to create a robust lumber industry leading to the incorporation of Anoka in 1878 Now part of the Twin Cities metropolitan area—partly by its own growth but more by the development of swelling suburbs between the cities—Anoka has a population of just over 17,000 It is known for tornadoes (the nickname of the city’s high school) and pumpkins (as the self-proclaimed Halloween capital of the world) as well as being the hometown of luminaries ranging from Briana Scurry to Garrison Keillor Anoka retains an independent nature distinct from its neighboring communities it’s like being in a small town,” says Mark Anderson Anoka has had a public water system for more than a century A disease outbreak prompted the city to drill two wells and construct a building to house both water and electric operations Remnants of the structure and wells still exist although Anoka has moved on to have four water treatment facilities to serve six wells Ranging in depth from 274 to 657 feet and drawing from the Mt the wells are in close proximity to the plants and Pete Klingenberg in front of the filters in the existing plant. Little space exists above the filters in the current plant All of the water plants contain pressure filters to remove iron and manganese as well as radium and the city operated under a compliance agreement with the Minnesota Department of Health for a few years The radium in the water was reduced through co-precipitation with the addition of hydrous manganese oxide (HMO) “Radium is actually really easy to remove,” said John Thom of SEH which has worked with the city on the issue “Raise the manganese level in the effluent in the wells to the point that the radium will attach to the manganese Blending is also used as a treatment technique which are within or near a treatment plant that is being expanded on the north side of the city adjacent to Anoka High School and the municipal ice arena construction began for an expansion of this plant The project will entail two more pressure filters and a restroom (precluding the need for employees to make frequent visits to a nearby Casey’s store) the utility is switching from gas to liquid chlorine it makes sense for safety reasons,” said water superintendent Pete Klingenberg the structure size will be many times that The footprint of the expansion is much larger than that of the existing plant “That will make for easier maintenance,” said Donny Roseth “They should be commended for being pro-active and planning for the future,” said Minnesota Department of Health district engineer Brian Noma the $6.9 million expansion will feature other changes including a change from pneumatic to electric valves and a change from the effluent traveling down and out “which makes it easier to tie in with the new filters.” The new filters were installed in the spring of 2023 with completion expected by the end of the year “We’re going to increase our ability to treat water and meet all the growth that the city will see in the next 10 years,” said Anderson Pressure filters and the original well inside the now-idle plant The county is seeking approvals for the expanded facility from the Anoka City Council which has refused to sign off on the plans Commander Sheila Larson opened the door to a padded room with a mattress on the floor a makeshift holding cell for inmates in a severe mental health crisis “This is not a cell intended for that,” Larson said while standing inside the 40-year-old Anoka County jail She explained that such inmates would ideally be in a normal living unit with mental health support and access to medical staff Anoka County officials have pushed to build a new jail for several years one that would house a dedicated mental health unit and increase capacity from 240 to 540 beds Officials say the jail is far too small and falling apart inmates sleep on cots in hallways or the gym But plans for a larger jail have stalled as the county is locked in a stalemate with city leaders who would need to sign off on the project but worry it would encroach on their historic downtown construction costs are rising and the county wants to issue bonds for work in 2025 pressuring officials to finally compromise City leaders have drawn a line saying the county must either downsize the proposed jail or move it out of town The city successfully lobbied state lawmakers to get permission to move the jail outside the county seat Many county officials stand firm that the new jail must be attached to the downtown courthouse and near public transportation The proposed facility would sit where the parking garage is on Jackson Street and extend north requiring the city to close off part of Van Buren Street “With a building of that scale in that location I think there’s a real risk of changing the dynamic of what downtown Anoka is,” said Erik Skogquist Anoka County and city officials do agree a new jail is needed Squad cars wait along the street when the garage doesn’t have room for them Kitchen tiles were torn up after a pipe broke The housing unit for women is almost always overcrowded The Minnesota Department of Corrections in November decided it should be inspected annually due to its condition noting the building does not have adequate room to separate inmates And isolating people during extreme mental health crises “can further deteriorate inmates’ mental health,” said Tierney Peters She said nearly half of all maximum custody inmates have such needs the jail was licensed to hold a maximum of 240 in the 1990s which books roughly 10,000 people annually spends more than $1 million each year boarding inmates in other counties Meanwhile the Hennepin County Board in December agreed to spend $5.4 million to house inmates in other counties to meet a state order to keep its population below 600 Anoka County commissioners cited the situation as another reason their project needs to progress “I don’t want us to lose sight of the health and safety of the human beings affected by this the staff who function in that building every day and the folks who are inmates; a lot of them are temporary and not in there very long,” Commissioner Mandy Meisner said County leaders have worked on plans since 2017 but keep running into disagreements with the city A 2020 study noted serious problems with the jail including a risk of inmate escape and obscured visibility The study found the jail needs capacity for 540 inmates The county is expected to increase from 360,000 residents in 2020 to 433,000 by 2050 according to new forecasts by the Metropolitan Council The county board this past summer agreed to move forward with a $208 million plan to build a 246,000-square-foot jail and parking ramp downtown — and later voted on its intent to issue bonds for it But the City Council has refused to sign off it would be in everybody’s face,” Anoka resident Daniel Dahlheimer said Developer Mick Conlan approached the City Council this past fall with plans to build a 72-unit housing cooperative for seniors downtown When asked if his plans would change if the new jail were built It’s a conversation city leaders argued was inevitable: that a larger jail could drive away development The current jail is relatively inconspicuous tucked behind the county government center and courthouse It sits by the river town’s shopping and entertainment hub, lined with shops and restaurants with historic facades. The downtown sees thousands of visitors each year for concerts a classic car show and food truck festival but we pack a big punch,” Anoka Council Member Jeff Weaver said of the downtown City leaders are pushing the county to consider other options “With the sheer length and scale of the building you would have about a three-block-long wall that disconnects our downtown to some of the historic neighborhoods to the east,” Skogquist said Many city officials feel the county board hasn’t incorporated their input or offered enough time to explore alternatives Ronald Prokott, president of the housing cooperative overlooking the Green Haven Golf Course in Anoka, said he was especially upset that the county board advanced plans while the seat representing the city of Anoka was vacant. “I find that a little Boston Tea Party-like, and very frustrating,” Prokott said. “It’s alarming the way they’ve pushed this through.” County staff said six potential jail sites were evaluated, including the former state hospital campus on 4th Avenue and state-owned land by Anoka High School. They determined logistical problems and costs made those unfeasible, since moving the jail away from the courthouse would require transporting inmates to and from hearings. Officials said they also explored building a new justice center complex with courtrooms, but that came with a $100 million added price tag. “We’ve been working hard to find another option, but there really isn’t another option,” Meisner said, adding that she hopes a new City Council will “come back to the table and work this out.” Several city officials and residents also question whether the jail needs to be so big. County officials counter that they don’t want to end up in the same situation, where after a decade the facility is already too small. Some city officials said they could be open to a less obstructive design that doesn’t block a street. They hope conversations will be more productive with new representation on the county board from John Heinrich, who was elected in November. At least a couple of county board members have said they would consider a smaller jail. Commissioner Jeff Reinert doesn’t believe that many beds are needed and argued that alternatives have been ignored. Commissioner Julie Jeppson called the capacity a “very, very large number” for Anoka County’s size and is open to reevaluating it. The county is submitting a new permit request to the city and providing traffic studies as requested by the council, which is expected to review them in early 2025. Jeppson said relationships have been “really damaged” over the years-long project but feels that is starting to change. “From the city lens, it has felt like leadership is saying: ‘This is what we’re doing, sorry if you don’t like it,‘” she said. “That’s not a partnership. “We can’t pause this project any longer, but we have to find a different way we can move forward and reach a consensus.” A state panel is recommending a six-month unpaid suspension for an Anoka County judge who is accused of discrimination from the bench The recommendation comes several months after Judge John Dehen appeared before the panel to argue his case 5 INVESTIGATES first reported on the complaint against Judge Dehen last July appointed by the state Board on Judicial Standards According to the 23-page filing with the Minnesota Supreme Court the panel found Judge Dehen’s conduct “undermined public confidence” by the way he tried to rehire his court reporter at a higher salary than allowed “compromised decorum” by holding a remote hearing from his moving car and allowed his personal beliefs on immigration to “influence his decisions” on guardianship cases for at-risk juveniles “There was a lot of concern amongst myself and other immigration attorneys in the local bar that this was happening,” said Evangeline Dhawan-Maloney an attorney who represented one of several at-risk juveniles whose petitions Judge Dehen wrongly denied The panel found that Judge Dehen “manifested a bias against the law and non-citizen juveniles seeking immigration benefits.” “The judge is there to simply make sure everyone understands what’s going on and basically sign the order,” Dhawan-Maloney told 5 INVESTIGATES earlier this year During the two-day proceedings in front of a panel last fall Judge Dehen admitted that holding court from his car was “poor judgment.” But Dehen defended his guardianship rulings telling the panel that he “merely made an error of law.” But the panel described that defense as “not credible.” Both Judge Dehen and the Board on Judicial Standards have 10 days to appeal the recommended punishment Judge Dehen was still hearing cases on Friday in Anoka County once injured while serving with the Anoka Police The police department said on Monday that their former K9 Bravo had died over two years after retiring from service Bravo is one of the more well-known K9s to have served in Minnesota, notably when he was injured while assisting in a carjacking back in February 2021 that led to a pursuit through Isanti County Bravo was injured after he was sent after two carjacking suspects who reportedly went into a ditch While attempting to help apprehend the suspects Bravo was injured by gunfire near his trachea and soft tissue RELATED: K-9 recovering after being shot during pursuit in Isanti County While the injury ultimately did not require surgery, he was showered with gifts and well-wishes from the community during his recovery and returned to Anoka Police months later spending his remaining two years living with his former handler and partner and treats,” the department said in a statement “Bravo left an indelible mark on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him Bravo’s legacy reminds us of the bond and partnership between officers and their K9 partners—a bond built on trust The department said Bravo had received numerous awards during his service and had shown unmatched loyalty in protecting and serving the community This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page.