Minneapolis, MN
Community raises thousands to preserve Minneapolis cougar
Cam Winton will never forget the once-in-a-lifetime sighting: A cougar, caught on neighbors’ cameras, prowling Minneapolis’ Lowry Hill neighborhood in December 2023.
“It was a really exciting moment,” said Winton. “It was a mountain lion right there in the city.”
The two-year-old male cougar’s more than 500 mile journey from Northwest Nebraska ended not long after, when it was hit by a car along Interstate 394.
“We wanted to put a happier ending on the story,” said Winton.
So Winton brainstormed an idea: Preserve the cat for generations. Through e-mail and word of mouth, the community fundraised to pay for taxidermy for the cougar.
With the help of Minneapolis Parks and Recreation, $11,700 was raised, one-third of which came straight from the community, Winton said.
It took Grand Rapids taxidermist Meadow Kouffeld between 50 to 60 hours to complete the work. Foam, clay, metal rod and wood were used on the inside, with plenty of measuring and sculpting.
On the base: A Minnesota and Nebraska landscape, along with the number 530, to represent the cougar’s miles traveled during his journey to Minnesota.
“To get it right and to have it have a certain feeling, and to tell a story, is particularly important in this piece, because it is a community owned piece,” said Kouffeld.
The cougar will make its public debut at the Kenwood Community Center on April 26.
After a few weeks, the cougar will be permanently displayed at the Carl Kroening Nature Center in North Minneapolis.
“The hope that we all have is that for generations, kids will be able to go to the park board’s nature center, up in north Minneapolis and see this creature,” said Winton.
At the Minneapolis Convention Center, it’s horns honking, engines revving and car gurus gathering under one big roof.
The Twin Cities Auto Show began on Saturday. This year, it’s running earlier than normal.
“I like the old stuff, you know, the older vehicles. I love ’em,” said Mickey Strickler of Minneapolis.
The show welcomes everyone under the sun to “lookie-loo” or wander in with a purpose. Chris Leeman of Zimmerman is getting a look at possible future rides for his wife.
“We came here just to get kind of an all-around fit and feel of what she might like in the next year or two,” Leeman said. “The Toyota cars right now ain’t quite to the standard that I think I want my wife to be in.”
There’s more than 325 vehicles inside the convention center. Nobody is able to sell or haggle on the showroom floor.
“The show reflects the car business in a lot of ways,” said Scott Lambert, president of the Twin Cities Auto Show. “Electric vehicles are in a big reset right now.”
WCCO spoke to some attendees who gave their opinions of the automotive industry’s current state.
“I think it sucks,” Strickler said. “It’s not like it used to be. It’s hard to find good vehicles now.”
“I like the Mazda 90 because of the inline-six engine,” said Laun Aiken of Sauk Rapids. “I’m old school. I grew up driving inline-six vehicles, and so for them to reintroduce it into their line is kind of interesting.”
The show runs now through Jan. 11. Tickets can be purchased online. First responders get in for free.
A 17-year-old boy is dead after shots were fired into a Minneapolis home where he was on Sunday evening.
Police said officers responded to the shooting on the 2200 block of Ilion Avenue North around 6:26 p.m. They found the boy, who was suffering from an “apparent life-threatening gunshot wound.”
The officers provided him with medical aid before he was taken to the hospital, where he later died.
Police Chief Brian O’Hara said in a written statement that his agency will “devote every available resource to bring justice” for the boy and his family.
Investigators are working to learn the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Anyone with information is asked to email Minneapolis police or leave a voicemail for them at 612-673-5845. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Minnesota, or called in to them at 1-800-222-8477.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Sunday’s winter storm is making travel difficult and not advised across most of southern Minnesota.
Several Twin Cities communities have already declared snow emergencies as the metro is expected to get between four and seven inches of snow, depending on where you live.
Minneapolis Snow Emergency
What we know:
The City of Minneapolis declared a snow emergency Sunday, going into effect at 9 p.m. Sunday.
Residents must get their vehicles off city streets, or they’re at risk for getting towed. Here are the rules for this snow emergency:
- 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28 to 8 a.m. Monday, Dec. 29 (Day 1)Do not park on EITHER side of a Snow Emergency route until 8 a.m., or the street is fully plowed.
- 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29 (Day 2)Do not park on the EVEN numbered side of a non-Snow Emergency route until 8 p.m., or that side of the street is fully plowed, or on EITHER side of a parkway until 8 p.m., or the parkway is fully plowed.
- 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30 (Day 3)Do not park on the ODD numbered side of a non-Snow Emergency route until 8 p.m., or that side of the street is fully plowed.
Other snow emergencies
Timeline:
Here are other cities that have also declared snow emergencies. Check your city’s web site for what the parking rules are in the event of a snow emergency so plows can clear streets, and you won’t be fined and/or towed.
- Belle Plaine
- Bloomington
- Crystal
- Eden Prairie
- Elk River
- Montevideo
- New Hope
- Northfield
- Richfield
- Robbinsdale
- St. Louis Park
- St. James
- West St. Paul
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