Business & Tech

A Not-So-Great Debate, Black Friday Plans and A Memorial: Pick of Our Patches

Rep. Keith Ellison loses his cool with Chris Fields and more of the best from the West (Metro).

Editor's Note: Every week we provide a recap of the top stories from the following Patch sites: Edina, Fridley, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Lake Minnetonka, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Richfield, Southwest Minneapolis, St. Louis Park and St. Michael.

Complete coverage of the Ellison/Fields debate

Patch was fortunate to team with independent station KFAI for a debate between the two candidates in the Fifth District. What ensued was a debate for the ages. 

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Photos: Autumn Woods Classic at Elm Creek Park Reserve
Runners and walkers took to the trails for the annual 5K, 10K and Kids Fun Run Oct. 13 in Maple Grove.

Best Buy to Continue Black Friday Midnight Opening 'Tradition'
After a midnight opening on Black Friday in 2011, Richfield-based Best Buy announced it plans to do so again.

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Halloween Costume Trends in 2012: What's Hot?
Zombies, superheroes and morph suits: staff at Halloween Express Superstore in Minnetonka gives us the lowdown on what people are buying this Halloween season.

Lake Minnetonka Water Level Drops to Lowest of 2012

State calls drought situation "dire" going into the 2013 growing season; lack of precipitation has led to a sharp drop in lake and stream levels throughout Minnesota.

Franzen Declines Several Senate District 49 Debates
Senate District 49 candidate Melisa Franzen (DFL) has turned down at least five invitations for public debates, according to her Republican opponent.

Keith Downey (R-Edina) says Franzen declined five debates against him within the Senate district during this election season.

In an Oct. 17 letter to Franzen, Downey said he believes the residents of the district are interested in getting to know the candidates better. Franzen said her busy election schedule doesn't allow time for debates beyond the six forums she's already taken part in.

How Far Should Schools Go in Promoting Student Wellness?
School Board Director Kris Newcomer questioned why a proposed nutrition policy mentions healthy relationships—and whether Hopkins adequately considers the cost of healthy food options.

After being laid off a year ago,  Air Force veteran William Jaskulke got a helping hand from Cooper High School students and Honeywell employees. Last week, 50 local volunteers helped repair and update Jaskulke's 90-year-old Minneapolis home.

Plans In Place for Albertville Memorial Park for Bus Accident Victim
Nearly five years after a bus accident that took young Jessica Weishar's life, a permanent memorial is in the works to remember the young woman's life. 


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