Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Patch will soon have a brand-new design and a whole new way to connect.
Hi, everyone! I have some exciting news to share about Patch—we’re getting a whole new look! It’s coming next week and it’s going to make St. Michael Patch easier to use, and a better place to connect and share. The best part? You’ll be able to see it all on your mobile phone! Here’s what you need to know: We’re including more great stories from your neighbors, right on the homepage. So you’ll have all of our local reporting, plus the latest know-how and opinion from local bloggers. We’re adding Boards to make it easier for you to connect with each other, debate an issue or announce your garage sale, graduation or find a lost pet. More to say? It will be easier to start your own blog, too. You’ll soon be able to start your own blog …
Donating money to organizations that help victims is quick and easy.
Americans across the country are reacting with shock to the devastation caused by a 2-mile wide Tornado in Oklahoma. Dozens have died, and President Obama has declared the path of the tornado a major disaster area. If you would like to help, you can do so from your computer or mobile device right now. Patch will be posting stories of locals who are working to help victims from afar. If you know of someone local was affected by the tornado or who is working to help the victims, please contact Editor Wendy Erlien at wendy.erlien@patch.com.
As you give your child an extra hug, send out your thoughts to Oklahoma and share what makes the educators in your child’s life special.
Last week, I had the opportunity visit with a few children at the Excelsior Farmers Market. Not surprising, they knew the exact number of days left until summer break. While many of our kids in Minnesota are eyeing the calendar with anticipation for summer break, I was reminded this week how much we owe our educators. As parents, we send our children off to school each morning expecting another typical school day until we pick them up. It becomes a parents worst nightmare when unexpected tragedies and circumstances hit a school – situations that seem to have been all too common nationwide during the 2013-2013 school year. Yet, time and time again, we hear about educators that put their life on the line to save those students they are …
Community members had an opportunity to learn more about the city's parks and check out activities May 17.
Six Albertville parks were the site of the annual "Explore Your Parks Night" event May 17. Community members had an opportunity to check out a variety of activities happening at the Albertville parks, visit with community organizations, win prizes, see vehicles from the fire department and public works and learn more about Albertville parks during the event. Photos courtesy of Larry Sorensen SHARE: What did you think of "Explore Your Parks Night" in Albertville? Share your thoughts in comments and upload your pictures from the event. Join St. Michael Patch for more community news or join us on Facebook and Twitter.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Bachmann's challenger paid for the PPP survey showing him leading by 2 points.
Jim Graves, the DFLer who is again challenging U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann in the 2014 election, issued the results of a Public Policy Polling (PPP) survey showing him with a 2 percentage-point lead over Bachmann, 47–45 if the election had been held May 15, 2013, the day of the survey. (Click on the PDF thumbnail to see the questions and results of the survey, which the Graves campaign commissioned.) Bachmann Ad Bachmann's re-election campaign aired its first television ad of the 2014 season in the Twin Cities starting last week, 17 months before Election Day. The campaign is spending about $85,000—"not a huge buy," The Hill reported, "especially considering her past fundraising prowess, but it's exceedingly rare to see House candidates go …
A contingent of day care providers and families with children who use that care protested against Senate File 778. But the Senate and House approved the measure May 20. It is anticipated Gov. Dayton will sign it.
UPDATE: 2:20 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, 2013 After more than ten hours of debate, the daycare unionization measure passed the Minnesota House of Representatives by a 68-66 vote on May 20. It is anticipated Gov. Dayton will sign the bill. Representative David FitzSimmons (R-Albertville) released the following statement May 20 on the passage of the childcare and personal care attendant unionization bill (HF950/ SF778). “Today, Democrats and their big union allies were successful in narrowly passing legislation that would impose the forced unionization of childcare providers in Minnesota. Given the fact this bill passed by a bare majority of votes, any single Democrat could have killed this bill. As a single dad, I’m disgusted that Democrats …
St. Michael-Albertville sophomore Beth Resch created a quick-moving video clip.
See a nice video montage of the STMA softball season here (on the Patch desktop version) or newly posted at YouTube.com.
Minimize your costs at the gas pump with this helpful guide to the lowest gas prices in the city.
Seeing your bill at the gas pump climb to $50, $60 or even $70? The Minnesota statewide average gas price is $4.27—the highest in the lower 48 states, according to a Monday report in the Pioneer Press. St. Michael-Albertville's gas prices roughly mirror the state's predicament, with per-gallon prices at many stations hovering at or just below the average. Wondering where to go for the cheapest gas in St. Michael-Albertville? Here are a handful of local stations with the lowest gas prices on Monday morning, according to gasbuddy.com. Editor's note: Gas prices can change several times throughout the day, therefore there may be discrepencies between what is shown here and what the price is when you stop at a station. Where do you usually go …
The department also responded to medical calls.
The St. Michael Fire Department log for May 9-15, 2013: May 10 May 12 May 14 May 15
The state representative for St. Michael-Albertville proposed adding 'civil' before 'marriage' in Minnesota's new same-sex marriage law. His amendment was 'critically important,' according to Richard Painter, law professor at the University of Minnesota.
Minnesota state Rep. David FitzSimmons (R-Albertville) "made himself a hero for the cause [of] religious freedom" with his "civil marriage" amendment to what is now the state's new law permitting same-sex marriages. That's the opinion of University of Minnesota law professor Richard Painter, who explained his reasoning in a May 16, 2013 post at the Legal Ethics Forum website: His amendment to Minnesota’s same sex marriage statute expressly states that the Minnesota statutes refer only to “civil marriage.” The plain meaning of the language is clear—civil marriage is not religious marriage. A legal right to a civil marriage does not create a legal right to a marriage in any church or other religious institution. A civil marriage in …
Chris Steller
12:14 pm on Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Thank you for the correction. I have removed the listing in the table that read "SuperAmerica, 4375 O'Day Ave. NE, $3.99." Gas Buddy's information comes from customers who submit prices they've seen locally, with separate listings for regular, midgrade, premium and diesel. It's possible a diesel entry got listed with prices for regular. more ›