Minneapolis, MN

Despite prevention efforts, fireworks were used to target people, police in Minneapolis

Published

1 year ago

July 6, 2023

Despite prevention efforts, fireworks were used to target people, police in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS — Large groups of people used fireworks to target other people and police in Minneapolis over the Fourth of July holiday, even as police staffing doubled and the city took other measures to try and avoid such trouble.

The “brazen and reckless” discharge of fireworks didn’t result in any serious injuries, Police Chief Brian O’Hara said. But in one case, an officer chased down and arrested a 17-year-old suspect who allegedly fired a barrage of Roman candles at an occupied squad car, the Star Tribune reported. In another, commercial-grade fireworks were launched at a group of pedestrians.

Preventative steps were taken after 2022 Independence Day gatherings in and near downtown turned violent, with fireworks launched at buildings, cars and first responders. In addition to increased police staffing, the Stone Arch Bridge downtown was closed from 10 p.m. Tuesday through 6 a.m. Wednesday.

O’Hara said the measures helped.

“Last year, the MPD was overwhelmed and overrun,” he said, but this year, “we kept these groups on the run throughout the night.”

But Vic Thorstenson, president of the Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association, called the effort an “utter failure.”

“People just hopped in cars and it was happening all over town,” he said, questioning the strategy of putting so many assets into protecting one corner of town and leaving others exposed.

O’Hara said closing the bridge helped disrupt traffic patterns in places where the city had problems last year.

“But obviously, we can’t cover every inch of the city at the same time,” he said.

Authorities said that at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, up to 50 teenagers and young adults shot fireworks from the Plymouth Avenue Bridge at Boom Island Park and targeted people and police officers. The 17-year-old boy who launched fireworks at a parked police squad car was arrested on suspicion of second-degree assault.

At about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, police converged on “a large group of teens and young adults involved in a riot” in which fireworks were used to target people and officers.

At 2:38 a.m., police responded to a report of commercial-grade fireworks being launched from a vehicle “into a crowded area within feet of pedestrians” at a park. Four men were arrested.

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Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis police gear up ahead of the holiday weekend

Published

60 mins ago

November 28, 2024

Press Room

Minneapolis police gear up ahead of the holiday weekend – CBS Minnesota

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Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara talks about safety plans for the unofficial bar holiday, the night before Thanksgiving. WCCO’s Ubah Ali has the story.

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Minneapolis, MN

Wild turkey aggression prompts USPS letter to northeast Minneapolis residents

Published

9 hours ago

November 27, 2024

Press Room

Wild turkey aggression prompts USPS letter to northeast Minneapolis residents

MINNEAPOLIS — This Thanksgiving, wild turkeys are serving up trouble for Minneapolis mail carriers.

TURKEY TAKEOVER – According to postal workers, turkeys are terrorizing parts of Northeast Minneapolis. Jason Rantala TV…
Posted by WCCO & CBS News Minnesota on Wednesday, November 27, 2024

“We just came home one day, and there was one sitting on our front stoop,” said Ben Katz.

For Ben and Maggie Katz, seeing turkeys outside their door was quite the novelty, especially considering they moved to Minneapolis from their relatively turkey-less former home of New York City.

“They haven’t really bothered us, but we think it’s kind of funny that they’re in the neighborhood,” said Ben Katz.

However, these turkeys are no joke for others.

“I just never in my life thought I would get a letter about some turkey problems,” said Maggie Katz.

The turkeys are such an issue in one northeast Minneapolis neighborhood they have prompted a letter to United States Postal Service customers. According to the letter, wild turkeys are aggressively pursuing USPS drivers. The letter advises customers to chase them off and to avoid feeding the animals.

“They’re turkeys, right? So it’s not like bad attacks are happening, but they are a nuisance,” said Joseph Tiemann, vice president of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 9.

Tiemann suggests customers either stop feeding the birds, or feed them away from where letter carriers are delivering mail.

“Usually it’s a dog,” said Tiemann. “Sometimes turkeys, sometimes cats, you know there’s all kinds of hazards out there on the street for us as letter carriers.”

Despite the regular visits from turkeys, the Katzes said they are not giving handouts to their feathered friends.

“I like our mail carrier a lot, so if she’s stressed, I don’t want her to be stressed, but also I don’t know what to do,” said Maggie Katz.

The Katzes said it is about recognizing that turkeys are a part of life and that living alongside them is key.

“We all got to live together, right? We all got to coexist. Turkeys live here too,” said Maggie Katz.

“But we also got to get our mail,” said Ben Katz.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said you can avoid feeding turkeys by keeping your bird feeders clean. Turkeys are also attracted to shiny objects, the DNR said, so try to cover them along with windows they are attracted to. You can always chase off turkeys with loud noises or a broom, the DNR said.

Jason Rantala

Jason Rantala joined WCCO as a reporter in June 2023. He’s a Minnesota native and is thrilled to be telling the stories of those in his hometown.

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Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis’ Stone Arch Bridge closing downtown side in December for construction

Published

17 hours ago

November 27, 2024

Press Room

Minneapolis’ Stone Arch Bridge closing downtown side in December for construction

article

The Stone Arch Bridge under construction. (FOX 9)

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A portion of the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis will close in the first week of December until the spring of 2025 due to an ongoing construction project.

What we know

The bridge is currently undergoing a major two-year construction project which started earlier this year. In April, the St. Anthony Main side of the bridge closed, but it will reopen as crews close the other side of the bridge to begin the preparation work.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) announced on Tuesday that the downtown Minneapolis side of the bridge will close starting the week of Dec. 2 until the fall of 2025.

The reopening of the St. Anthony Main side will allow bicyclists and pedestrians to walk or bike to the middle of the bridge, and turn around at a new closure point, according to the release.

Pedestrian and bicyclist detours

As the downtown side is set to close, MnDOT provided a detour for those walking or biking near the bridge as people cannot cross it all the way while it’s under construction.

The detours include:

Pedestrian detour: SE 6th Ave. to SE 2nd St. to Central Ave./Third Ave. Bridge to S. 1st St.
Northbound bicyclist detour: W. River Pkwy. to Portland Ave. to S. 2nd St. to Third Ave. Bridge/Central Ave. to SE University Ave. to SE 6th Ave.
Southbound bicyclist detour: SE 6th Ave. to SE 4th St. to Central Ave./Third Ave. Bridge to S. 2nd St. to Portland Ave. to W. River Pkwy.

A bicyclist detour map for the Stone Arch Bridge as the downtown Minneapolis side closes in December for construction. (MnDOT)

From: Supplied

Background

Over the next two years, crews are repairing and replacing stones and mortar along the entire 2,100-foot-long bridge, which will remain closed until the fall of 2025. The project is expected to wrap up by spring of 2026 and costs an estimated $35.8 million.

The Stone Arch Bridge is a Minneapolis landmark that has been around for more than 140 years, and is even listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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