News | Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

Lyngblomsten residents (left and middle) Lynn and Gary McDonald admire Rob McHattie’s flower arrangement. The St. Paul gardener makes sure there are always fresh roses at the Lyngblomsten front desk.

Stop and smell the roses Rob McHattie grows

Rob McHattie tries to have as many people as possible stop and smell the roses that he grows. The St. Paul gardener has raised tea roses for many years, and he shares the blooms with … more

By Jan Willms | 9/11/24

In 2017, Scout Troop 13 members Phil Wald, Eli Baynes-Marsh, Andrew Wussler and Tim Fah achieved their Eagle Scout status. (Photo submitted)

Doing good every day

A century of camping, community service, spaghetti dinners and the marching Hi-Lex Gnomes are all part of St. Columba Scout Troop 13’s history. The troop hosts a centennial celebration and … more

By Jane McClure | 9/11/24

St. Paul’s longest mayor George Latimer died Aug. 18. (Photo courtesy of the Ramsey County Historical Society)

A look back at George Latimer’s career

George Latimer, St. Paul’s colorful and longest serving mayor died on Aug. 18, 2024 at the age of 89. During his last 10 years, Latimer lived in Midway at Episcopal Homes, where he … more

By Iric Nathanson | 9/11/24

The mission of the organization is to create a vibrant neighborhood where the arts welcome, heal, transform and build power for the pople of Frogtown and Rondo.

Victoria Theater reopens as 825 Arts

Since it first opened nearly 110 years ago, a space on University Avenue has captured the spirit and history of Saint Paul. The building at 825 University Avenue was first opened as Victoria Theater, … more

By Joseph Palumbo | 8/7/24

Events are regularly held in the Como lakeside pavilion. Built in 1992, the pavilion is an exact replica of the one built in 1905 along the lakeshore.(Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

New Como plan lays out next 20 years

With St. Paul City Council approval July 17, the Como Regional Park Long-Range Plan is en route to Metropolitan Council for final review and approval. Metropolitan Council action is needed … more

By Jane McClure | 8/7/24

“Culture is embedded in everything we’re learning,” stated Marissa Martin. “It all comes down to identity and feeling really safe here.”

First tribal college opens in Twin Cities

The newly open Red Lake Nation College in downtown Minneapolis is one of the first tribal colleges in a major U.S. city and is reaching a “never-served” community,” according to Dan … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 8/7/24

Remember Guantanamo?

The prison at the U.S. Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay has held 779 detainees since President George W. Bush opened it in January 2002. The men were held at the prison encampment as terror suspects … more

By Jan Willms | 7/10/24

Court of Appeals sides with city over library EAW

Efforts to replace the Hamline-Midway Branch Library got a boost in June from the Minnesota Court of Appeals. On June 17, judges filed a 16-page ruling that affirmed a city decision to not conduct … more

By Jane McClure | 7/10/24

An eager crew of Elpis youth workers demonstrate woodworking. Left to right: Mariyan A. (R) Phoebe B., Jesus M. and Caleb M. Elpis The nonprofit Elpis Enterprises (2161 University Ave.) offers paid internships to homeless youth in screen printing, woodworking and bag manufacturing.

How can the community help youth succeed?

What are the biggest barriers to young people succeeding in the Twin Cities? Are there enough resources to assist youth facing overwhelming challenges? Are those resources readily accessible? And … more

By Jan Willms | 7/10/24

Will city limit drive-thrus? Maybe.

St. Paul could become the latest city to limit new drive-thru sales and services if a proposal is adopted this summer. The St. Paul Planning Commission held a public hearing on the issue June 7, … more

By Jane McClure | 6/12/24

Intersection of ideas on Interstate 94

As MnDOT evaluates its upcoming Interstate 94 project, community members are talking about how they live, work and play along the corridor, and what they envision for the next 50 years. It’s … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 6/12/24

After being mentored by the beer makers at La Dona Cerveceria in Minneapolis, Brittney Mikell is ready to open her own brewery in her Rondo neighborhood. She is also part of the Brewing Change Collaborative.

Homegrown brewery coming to Rondo

Rondo resident Brittney Mikell aims to open the first Black woman-founded brewery in the state of Minnesota. And she wants to do it in her own neighborhood. So, she’s working with the … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 6/12/24

Valerie Geary instucts students who are part of the certified nursing assistant (CNA) program at the International Intitute of Minnesota. (Photo submitted)

New jobs for new Americans

There is an increasing need for health care workers in the United States, especially since many left the medical profession after the challenges of COVID-19. The International Institute of … more

By Jan Willms | 5/8/24

‘‘Thresholds’ is supposed to explain to multiple audiences how the autistic brain comprehends and takes in sight, sound, smell and touch as opposed to the non-autistic brain,” said Michael Wolfe.

Show combines neurodiversity, art and science

Anxiety, restlessness, being a superpower and feeling free and unchained are some of the emotions Saint Paul actor Michael Wolfe experiences while waiting for a bus. Wolfe, who identifies as a … more

By Jan Willms | 5/8/24

Youth Council members include (left to right): Moises Soto Puente, Stone Williams, Javier Soto, Claire Nybeck, Firdows Mohammed and Erica Lee.

Podcasts shine light on Rondo

Rondo – St. Paul’s vibrant Black community – was torn in two from 1956-1968. Wrecking balls demolished roughly 700 homes and 300 businesses. With the center of the community … more

By Jane St. Anthony | 5/8/24

Nathan Datta practices at St. Catherine’s Butler Center. Datta is a part of the swim team at his high school, Cretin Derham Hall, and participates in national competitions through the Courage Center. (Photo by Terry Faust)

‘I JUST DO IT’

Swimming is a big part of Nate Leber’s life. The Cretin Derham Hall senior started swimming at seven, and today is a member of the school’s swim team and has been all through high school. … more

By Jan Willms | 4/10/24

Mobility clinic participants demonstrate agility and strength during the "So Every BODY Can Move MN" event.

Those with limb loss push back against ‘not medically necessary’ during day at capitol

There are over 35,000 Minnesotans living with limb loss, and thousands more living with limb difference and mobility impairments. Many are unable to access prescribed orthotic and prosthetic care due … more

By Margie O’loughlin | 4/10/24

The rulings of forced contact from those involved in family court go against standard psychological advice, according to clinical forensic psychologist Dr. Catherine Barrett of Los Angeles, Calif., who has spoken nationally about reunification therapy and camps. She points to a confirmation bias in family court that believes women coach children to make up allegations of abuse, and then acts on that belief that children are lying about abuse. “We need to listen to kids,” said Dr. Barrett. “Kids don’t make this stuff up.” According to a study by Dr. Joan Meiers and George Washington University Law School that was funded by the National Institute of Justice, in family court allegations of abuse are not believed 75 percent of the time. “The confirmation bias is that victims are lying,” said Dr. Barrett. “This is the generation of voice and technology,” she observed. “These kids aren’t being coached.”

An ‘oppressive’ experience:’ 57 hearings, 80 court orders and 12 parenting time schedules

What do you do when 11 judges and referees, 20 therapists, 12 mediators, two parenting consultants (with 37 directives), one custody evaluator, and one guardian ad litem haven’t been able to … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 4/10/24

Midway resident DJ Traudt said,“We have talked about stopping, but then we never do. We just enjoy it too much. These guys are like my brothers.”

After 50 years, they’re like brothers

“The longevity of a band is really contingent on loving the people that you’re making music with and being able to get along in the long run. It’s just like being married, except … more

By Jan Willms | 3/13/24

Satara Strong-Allen of Love First Community Engagement collaborated with Black Table Arts Cooperative for the first Glow and Grow conference in May 2022. (Photo submitted)

Creating a safe space

In 2022, in the wake of an ongoing pandemic and the uprising following the murder of George Floyd, activist Satara Strong-Allen took a significant step forward. As the executive director … more

By Aamira Redd | 3/13/24