Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis, Hakeem Ford is jumping for success with the Gophers
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – In only his third full year as a triple jumper at the University of Minnesota, Hakeem Ford currently ranks second in the country. He also broke a 33-year-old school record set by Broke Keita Cline.
‘Talent, he does have a lot of talent’
The backstory:
Growing up Ford had hoops dreams, hoping one day he could be the next NBA star from Minnesota. But after not securing a college scholarship from a school he thought was worthy of his talents, Ford opened his mind towards new challenges. That’s when he started jumping during his second semester of his senior year at Minneapolis Southwest. From working out in Air Force One tennis shoes, to initially jumping in basketball shoes, Ford impressed everyone.
“I really had no expectations, I didn’t know who I was going up against, they were just like this is when state is, pull up, and I’m like alright I’ll be there,” Ford said recalling his start to track. “I go and I jump and then everyone is like dang that’s good, that’s good, that’s good. I don’t know distances, I don’t know anything, I was just out there.”
He would eventually borrow a friend’s pair of sprinting spikes and jumped his way towards a AAA state title.
“That was definitely electric, it was definitely one of the biggest moments in my life you know, at that time,” Ford said.
That’s where he would meet the Gophers assistant Track & Field coach, Ibrahim Kabia, and soon after, land a scholarship from his hometown Gophers.
Jumping to the next level
What they’re saying:
“I figured he had potential, I just knew it would take a lot of work, a lot of effort on both of our parts and just a lot of patience,” Kabia said.
“I feel like that’s every kid’s dream for sure to get that call and be like this is what we want to give you and all of this stuff,” Ford describing his offer phone call. “It especially big being from this city, Minneapolis, you know, being at the U of M, Twin Cities, it’s amazing for sure.”
But Ford would quickly realize college is a completely different animal, it was a transition that took some time.
“It was just kind of wild to see the gap and especially like against my teammates and everything,” Ford smiling while reliving his first days with the Gophers track team. “I was like oh my goodness, these boys aren’t playing, at that moment I was like let me try to focus in and lock in on the stuff I needed to do.”
From there, the growing pains would start for Ford.
“It was a hard transition and he will tell you that, he had some injuries, some setbacks,” Kabia said. “You’re training really for four to five months before you can even compete in an actual meet and so that was a huge challenge for him.”
The breakthrough – Minneapolis
Why you should care:
“Going from last year’s Big Ten meet to scratching all my jumps and I was told they were really big jumps and I was like what,” Ford imagining where he would’ve finished had he not scratched.
That experience in the Big Ten meets fueled his drive all offseason, eventually leading to him breaking the school’s triple-jump record with a record 16.54m (54-3 ¼) at the Pepsi Florida relays. Now Kabia and Ford believe the sky is the limit.
“It feels really great and it kind of keeps me looking forward to the future,” Ford said.
“The man was not on the top 10 list and then he went straight to number 1, I couldn’t tell you what it is,” Kabia said speaking of Ford’s ceiling for success.
Minneapolis, MN
1 injured, dog rescued in north Minneapolis house fire; cause under investigation
Investigators in north Minneapolis are looking into the cause of a house fire that injured an adult and required a dog to be rescued on Saturday afternoon.
Crews responded to the fire at the one-and-a-half-story home on the 2000 block of Logan Avenue North around 12:33 p.m. They were able to “quickly extinguish” flames they found in a bedroom on the first floor, according to the Minneapolis Fire Department.
Officials said the adult was treated for burns to their hands and the rescued dog was not harmed.
According to the fire department, the home was “deemed uninhabitable” due to damage from the blaze.
The American Red Cross helped two adults and three children after the incident.
Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis fire leaves 1 person seriously injured, dog dead
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – One person is recovering from serious injuries after the Minneapolis Fire Department rescued them from a burning home.
Minneapolis Thanksgiving fire
What we know:
The Minneapolis Fire Department said its crews battled a fire at a two-story home in the 3600 block of Garfield Avenue South around 4:45 p.m. on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day.
Crews then used a ladder to rescue the person from the second story of the burning home.
That person, identified only as an adult, was taken to the hospital in serious condition.
A dog died after crews rescued it from the home, according to the Minneapolis Fire Department.
What we don’t know:
Authorities have not shared any details on what may have caused the fire.
Details on the rescued adult were not specified.
The Source: This story uses information shared by the Minneapolis Fire Department.
Minneapolis, MN
SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente Expands Technology Investment
November 26, 2025 – PRESSADVANTAGE –
SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente has announced significant investments in advanced restoration technology and enhanced service capabilities to better serve Minneapolis-area property owners facing water, fire, and mold damage. The expansion represents the company’s ongoing commitment to delivering comprehensive restoration solutions using industry-leading equipment and proven methodologies.
The technology enhancement initiative focuses on upgrading the company’s restoration equipment arsenal and implementing advanced techniques designed to restore damaged properties to their pre-loss condition more efficiently. These improvements complement the company’s existing IICRC certifications in water damage restoration, mold remediation, and fire damage restoration, strengthening their position as a comprehensive restoration service provider in the Minneapolis market.
SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente has served the Minneapolis community for over ten years, building expertise in addressing the region’s specific restoration challenges. The company’s approach combines emergency response capabilities with reconstruction services, providing property owners with integrated solutions from initial damage assessment through complete restoration.
The investment in advanced technology addresses the increasing complexity of restoration projects in the Minneapolis area, where properties frequently experience damage from severe weather conditions, frozen pipes, and seasonal flooding. The enhanced capabilities enable the company to handle both residential and commercial restoration projects with greater precision and efficiency.
“We recognize that property damage situations require both immediate response and long-term restoration expertise,” said Scott Clemente, Owner of SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente. “Our investment in advanced technology ensures we can provide Minneapolis property owners with the most effective restoration solutions available.”
The company’s comprehensive approach includes direct communication with insurance adjusters and thorough damage documentation, streamlining the claims process for property owners. This service model has positioned the business as a preferred provider among insurance professionals and property owners throughout the Minneapolis metropolitan area.
SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente maintains 24/7 emergency response capabilities, averaging 60-minute response times for urgent situations. The company’s team of over 65 employees provides coverage across downtown Minneapolis and central Minneapolis neighborhoods, addressing water damage from burst pipes, sewage backups, storm flooding, and equipment failures.
The technology expansion also enhances the company’s mold remediation capabilities, addressing moisture-related issues that commonly affect Minneapolis properties due to the region’s climate conditions. Advanced moisture detection and air quality monitoring equipment enable more precise identification and remediation of mold problems in basements, crawl spaces, and other vulnerable areas.
Fire damage restoration services benefit from upgraded soot removal technology and enhanced deodorization capabilities. The improved equipment allows for more effective smoke odor elimination and water damage mitigation from firefighting efforts, reducing overall restoration timelines for affected properties.
The company’s damage restoration services encompass both mitigation and reconstruction phases, providing property owners with continuity throughout the restoration process. This integrated approach eliminates the need for multiple contractors and ensures consistent quality standards from initial emergency response through final reconstruction.
As a family-operated business, SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente continues to prioritize community relationships and customer service excellence. The technology investment reinforces the company’s commitment to maintaining industry leadership in restoration capabilities while preserving the personalized service approach that has defined their reputation in the Minneapolis market.
The enhanced technology capabilities position SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente to address evolving restoration challenges with greater precision, efficiency, and reliability. These advancements strengthen their ability to respond quickly to complex property damage scenarios and reinforce their role as a trusted restoration partner for Minneapolis-area property owners facing unexpected water, fire, or mold damage situations. By combining certified expertise with cutting-edge tools, the team continues to deliver consistent, high-quality outcomes that safeguard properties.
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For more information about SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente, contact the company here:
SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente
Scott Clemente
(651) 564-9277
scott@servpro10278.com
1770 Hennepin Ave B1, Minneapolis, MN 55403
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