Thanks to our members for making coverage of West St. Paul City Council meetings possible. Economic development strategy and Council rules are the big items on the agenda for Monday’s meeting, as well as swearing in two new police officers, an Xcel franchise agreement, No Mow May, and a closed session for labor negotiation strategy. Economic Development Update As part of a continued effort to tackle strategic planning during the Open Council Work Sessions (OCWS), staff will give an update on economic development, including: An update on the 150 Thompson project (former YMCA/Hy-Vee ..read more

Thanks to Minnesota Locks and Inver Grove Ford for their support. Dakota County hosted an open house to share phase two improvement plans for Thompson Park and gather community input. The significant changes—with a potential $20 million price tag—include expansion of the Thompson Park Center building, amphitheater, nature play area, trails and amenities, gardens, paddle rental and launch, and more. Share input: If you missed the open house, Dakota County is accepting online comments. Why: This is the next step in the 2020 master plan for Thompson Park. After the highly suc ..read more

Thanks to Zak’s Auto Service and Blue Sky Bookkeeping for their support. The ISD 197 School Board approved a new contract for operating engineers, a health insurance increase, and updates to strategic plan updates. The short agenda made for a brief, 29-minute meeting. Operating Engineers Union Contract Settled The school board unanimously approved a new union contract for operating engineers for 2023-2025, which includes about 50 employees. Salaries will go up 3% each year, plus pay increases for certain categories based on longevity and licensure. There’s also an addition ..read more

We are proud to announce our first ever internship here at West St. Paul Reader. Megan Noggle, one of our recent contributors and first student writer, is now our first intern. When: Noggle started a 20-week, paid internship in April that will run through August. Who: Noggle has written a dozen stories for us since January 2022. She’s a graduate of Two Rivers High School and will be studying journalism at Concordia College in Moorhead in the fall. What: Noggle will continue to do more writing for us as well as get a broader picture of the work that goes into a news site, including editing, pr ..read more

Thanks to West St. Paul Chiropractic and Jameson’s Irish Bar for their support. The City Council met in an Open Council Work Session to discuss the park systems plan and hear an update about the pool. They also discussed strategic planning items, such as routine service delivery and community engagement. During the main city council meeting, they held a public hearing on the Benard Street East reconstruction. Police Chief Brian Sturgeon presented about residency and recruitment to the West St. Paul police force. Parks System Plan The city of West St. Paul began working on e ..read more

Thanks to Mike’s Butcher Shop for their support. Hosting a dinner party? Simply looking for something quick and easy? From fresh cuts to grill-ready kabobs, you’ll find everything you need at Mike’s. U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) hosted a round table conversation in West St. Paul today with nonprofit leaders and community members about issues facing older adults. “Every person should have the opportunity to age with dignity and grace to the very, very best of their abilities and comfort,” Smith said. “We should have that as our beacon as we think about how to go about this work ..read more

Thanks to 5-8 Grill & Tap for their support. From $8 Juicy Lucy Mondays to hand battered fish Fry-days and new weekend breakfast, try the 5-8 for great food at a great value every day. The City of West St. Paul is organizing a Clean Up Day to celebrate Earth Day. When: Saturday, April 20 from 9:30-11 a.m. Where: Meet at Harmon Park at the hockey rink. What: Grab garbage bags and grabbers at Harmon Park (bring your own gloves) and head out throughout the city to any public place that needs cleaning up. Prizes: Volunteers who fill an entire trash bag will be entered in a drawing t ..read more

Thanks to our members for supporting neighborhood news. A local trio is filming a movie in West St. Paul, Good Sport, that spoofs youth sports. The $150,000 production will be filmed in the gym at Heritage E-STEM Magnet School, among other locations in West St. Paul. What’s it about: “It’ll be an R-rated movie. It takes place over one [basketball] game and it’s a satire on youth sports, or how parents act in youth sports, especially when the kids are about 12. We’re definitely making fun of that, but it will have some heart, as well,” Dillon Orth said in a recent Star Tribune story. Based in r ..read more

Thanks to our members for making coverage of West St. Paul City Council meetings possible. Housing bills before the legislature, community grants, and the city’s financial foundations will all be topics for discussion at Monday’s City Council meeting. Almost all the debate will happen during the Open Council Work Session (OCWS), with the consent agenda and swearing in a new officers the only items on the agenda for the regular meeting. The city has also announced a special meeting for Tuesday, March 26 in case the expected snowstorm forces the cancellation of Monday’s meeting. Missin ..read more

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