News Flash

City Replacing Water Meters in Residential Properties

The City of Coon Rapids is replacing water meters because the units are at the end of their warranty cycles and they have new technology.“We’re replacing just short of 3,000 meters this year,” said utilities superintendent Sh...

Hwy. 10 Third Lane Proposal Could Get Federal Boost

City, county and state officials gathered late Tuesday afternoon to show off what's become a bottle neck for traffic in the north metro. 

This stretch of Highway 10 carries 90,000 vehicles a day. The proposed solution to the congestion is...

3 School Levy Questions on the Ballot this Fall

The Anoka-Hennepin School Board voted this week to go to voters this fall with three levy questions. The first two would renew levies that are set to expire. The third question would raise new money to address growing mental health concerns.Question one w...

Record-Breaking 'Fill the Boot' Drive for CRFD

Members of the Coon Rapids Fire Department collected a record amount of money in their annual 'Fill the Boot' drive for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.  Coon Rapids fire chief John Piper said Thursday that firefighters colle...

Fireworks Safety Tips

As we approach the holiday weekend, officials are urging caution with fireworks due to the dry conditions across Minnesota.Injuries are also a big problem each year. So we talked to Inspector Robert Erickson of the Coon Rapids Fire Department on how to sa...

Coon Rapids Advances Another Step in 'Green' Initiative

The City of Coon Rapids is moving on up when it comes to going green. The city recently became a Step 3 city in the Minnesota GreenStep Cities program. The program is voluntary and helps cities achieve their sustainability and quality of life goals.

Olivia...

Lions Coon Creek Park on Display at First Summer Meeting

Tuesday night, the city held an ice cream social, to the relief of many battling the heat, at one of the most popular parks in Coon Rapids.  Mayor Jerry Koch spoke to neighbors at the kickoff of the Summer in the City Neighborhood Meetings at Lio...

Renovation Project Complete at Bunker Beach

With the sound of ocean waves in the background, the Anoka County Board cut the ribbon on the new and improved wave pool along the rebirth of Bunker Beach Water Park on Tuesday."It will offer nine different wave options,” said Anoka County ...

ARCC Breaks Ground on Major Renovation Project

A big milestone this week at Anoka-Ramsey Community College for a project that's been more than a decade in the making.Work is officially underway on a major renovation project involving the college's business and nursing programs. Colle...

Summer Community Ed Classes for Kids

Youth programs are back for summer thanks to Anoka-Hennepin Community Education and the return to in-person learning from the easing of restrictions due to the pandemic."We are ready and excited to welcome people back to summer," said Kristin Ke...

Tickets Now On Sale for 3M Open

Tickets are now on sale for this summer's 3M Open at the TPC Twin Cities which runs from July 19-25. Currently, the PGA TOUR still has reduced spectator capacity at tour events but that could ...

Bunker Beach Waterpark Set to Open June 5

Some new improvements will greet visitors when they return to Bunker Beach this summer."This has been a great project," said Mike Gamache, Anoka County Commissioner who has closely followed the renovations on the state’s largest outdoo...

Parking Lot Bingo Returns to Coon Rapids Soccer Complex

Parking lot bingo is back at the Coon Rapids Soccer Complex."Be sure you have a bingo card, and we're very, very happy you joined us," said Kris Niebler, the senior services program specialist for the city of Coon Rapids, as she welcome...

Coon Rapids Woman Expands Life Coin Program

Coon Rapids resident Carol Castle is a mom on a quest. She's spent the past two years of her life trying to get a life-saving coin in the hands of every first responder in the country."This idea came in the middle of the night at 2:30 a.m. i...

Food Grade Styrofoam Recycling Here to Stay

A trial program involving food grade Styrofoam has become permanent at the Coon Rapids Recycling Center."If you were to run just food grade material, you would just get crumbs," said Colleen Sinclair, the Coon Rapids Recycling Coordinator, who w...

New Rent Assistance Program Launches in MN

A new program has launched to help Minnesotans who are struggling to pay their rent and utility bills due to the pandemic.RentHelpMN will funnel hundreds of millions of dollars in emergency federal aid to those who need it the most."It's bas...

Fire Hydrant Flushing Underway in City

The Coon Rapids utilities department began their springtime flushing of fire hydrants in the city this week.If crews are working in your neighborhood, you may experience some water discoloration, but this does not affect the safety of the water. It&rs...

Prescription Drug Take Back Day

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is coming up this weekend. Stop by the Coon Rapids Police Department on Saturday, April 24 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to dispose of unused or expired medication.

Read on...

New Mercy Piper Breast Center Opens its Doors

Allina Health just opened a comprehensive breast center in the Mercy Hospital Specialty Center.  The new Mercy Piper Breast Center is the first of its kind in the north metro.

Community Rallies Around 'Superfan' After Heart Attack

The man dubbed the 'Anoka Superfan' is recovering after suffering a heart attack earlier this month. Jeff Nelson suffered a heart attack on March 12 that required minor surgery and a hospital stay.Boosters say Nelson has tirelessly suppo...

Drive By Food Drive Outside Coon Rapids City Hall

The Coon Rapids Police Department and Coon Rapids Senior Center sponsored a Drive-By Food Drive at Coon Rapids City Hall on Monday.The response from the community was overwhelming.  

The food drive coincides with Minnesota's March FoodSha...

Caribou Coffee Cabin Opens for Business

The new Caribou Coffee Cabin on Coon Rapids Boulevard is officially open for business.The business, located on the southwest corner of Egret and Coon Rapids Boulevard, held a soft opening on March 23.  A ribbon cutting took place March 26.

Property Tax Statements Arriving Soon

Property tax statements will soon begin arriving in mailboxes across the area. Anoka County says they will be mailed out starting the week of March 29.Property taxes are used by local government entities to pay for things like roads and infrastructure to ...

License Center Closed Due to Staffing Shortage

Riverdale Stations Apts. Planning Big Expansion

Another big housing development in the city has plans to get even bigger.On Tuesday night, the City Council approved a term sheet which outlines the basic business terms for phase two of development at the Riverdale Station Apartments. Sherman Associates ...

Caribou Cabin Set to Open on Coon Rapids Blvd.

The new Caribou Cabin is gearing up to open.  Company officials say the business, which is located at the southwest corner of Egret and Coon Rapids Boulevard, will open March 23 with a grand opening and ribbon cutting on March 26.Caribou opened i...

City Council Approves Port Riverwalk 3rd Addition

Plans are underway for another phase of development in Port Riverwalk.On Tuesday night, the City Council approved the final plat for the third addition of Port Riverwalk. The third addition, which will include 15 lots, is the center portion of the site be...

Planning Underway for 4th of July Celebration

Organizers met this week to discuss plans for this year's 4th of July Celebration.Last year's celebration had to be canceled due to the pandemic. We are told there will likely be an event this year but it's not yet clear how ma...

Coon Rapids Getting $7M from Federal Stimulus Bill

President Joe Biden signed a $1.9 trillion stimulus bill into law Thursday afternoon.In addition to $1,400 stimulus checks for most Americans and extended unemployment benefits, $350 billion is being sent to state and local governments. Coon Rapids will r...

Bunker Beach Hiring Summer Workers

If you're looking for a summer job this year, Bunker Beach has plenty of openings.The water park was closed last summer due to the pandemic but plans to open its doors again in June. Bunker Beach is looking for life guards along with concession,...

Famous Dave's Returning to Coon Rapids, New Traffic Light Nearby

City officials hope a new traffic signal will make it safer for motorists traveling in the Riverdale area.  The light, which became operational this week, is located on Northdale Boulevard just north of Main Street at the McDonalds and Menards ex...

Resurfacing Project Planned on Robinson Dr., Crooked Lake Blvd.

With spring right around the corner, it won't be long until road construction season ramps up.This week, the City Council awarded a contract for two resurfacing projects. Robinson Drive will be resurfaced between 111th Avenue and Egret Boulevard....

Local Teacher's Connection to NASA's 'Mission to Mars'

Last week, NASA's Perseverance rover touched down on Mars after a seven month journey.  The successful landing was watched around the world, and by local residents, in fact, one with ties to the mission.“Touchdown confirmed. Perseverance is safel...

3M Open Planning for Spectators This Summer

The 3M Open returns to Blaine this summer and it appears golf fans could get a front row seat to all the action.  Organizers of the PGA Tour event plan to ask state officials to allow up to 10-thousand people per day to attend the tournament at t...

Mass Transit Ridership Plummets

Mass transit ridership plummeted last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  This week, the Metropolitan Council reported that ridership fell by as much as 60 percent on local bus routes, 70 percent on light rail and 95 percent on express bus routes...

Snow Sculpture Contest Winners Announced

The Coon Rapids Arts Commission has announced the winners of the Snow Sculpture contest.  The first place award and $200 prize goes to the Reller family. They created a tank outside their home at 12710 Hummingbird Street.The second place award an...

Site Plan Approved for New Car Wash

The old BP gas station site off Hanson Boulevard could soon get new life.On Thursday night, the Planning Commission approved a site plan for a 4,000 square foot car wash and a 3,900 square foot multi-tenant commercial building.WashU Car Wash out of Chicag...

Statewide Crackdown on Speeding Drivers

Law enforcement agencies across the state are putting their foot down on a problem that has increased on Minnesota roads since the start of the pandemic.We're talking about a sharp rise in the number of speeding drivers. Preliminary reports show ...

Snowflake Days Medallion Found at Boulevard Plaza

The most prized possession of Snowflake Days has been found.  Adam and Jessica Kurschner located the medallion in the park at Boulevard Plaza after the 12th clue was posted Wednesday morning. They will receive a $1,000 prize this weekend. The t...

Local Seniors Get Curbside Meal Service

Despite below zero temperatures on Thursday, a team of volunteers from the Coon Rapids Rotary Club braved the cold to help deliver an early Valentine's Day meal to senior citizens.Between 11 a.m. and noon, cars lined-up in for curbside service in...

SLP Hy-Vee Planning Spring Opening

After a longer than expected wait, the first Hy-Vee store in Anoka County is set to open its doors this spring.It is located along Highway 65 near 81st Avenue in Spring Lake Park. Plans for the development actually got underway more than three years ago a...

Cold Weather Cancels 2nd Parade for Snowflake Days

The coldest air of the season, so far, is descending on Minnesota this weekend.  In fact, the big chill forced Snowflake Days organizers to cancel one of two parades this week.While Thursday night's parade was canceled, Tuesday night&...

Big Turnout for Disc Golf Tournament

More than 150 people signed up to play disc golf last weekend at Wintercrest Park.  This was the first year for the tournament as part of Snowflake Days."The Snowflake Days event is a fun event," said Jason Wilder, tournament director f...