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Minneapolis neighborhood associations encourage residents to use less or no salt this winter

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Minneapolis neighborhood associations encourage residents to use less or no salt this winter


MINNEAPOLIS — As temperatures drop, ice becomes more of a problem on Minnesota roads and sidewalks. But the salt that we put down is a big pollutant of our waterways, harming aquatic species and contaminating drinking water. 

Soon after Henry LaBounta moved from California to Minneapolis, winter walks with his dog, Shiner, began to give him pause. 

“I saw a lot of salt on some of the sidewalks. We end up walking in the street sometimes,” LaBounta said. 

Besides salt being harmful to the paws of pets, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says just one teaspoon of salt pollutes five gallons of water, forever. LaBounta is also an East Isles Neighborhood Association board member and has spent hours bettering the environment near Lake of the Isles. 

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“We are so happy to be here and living so close to Lake of the Isles. What a beautiful lake! And it just kills me to think eventually, will we kill the whole lake if we use enough salt over the next years,” he said.

Thanks to a grant from the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, people living in East Isles and the Wedge neighborhood can pick up free traction grit at Frattalone’s Hardware & Garden on Hennepin Avenue. Residents must live in the neighborhood and sign up by Jan. 18 to claim the bag, while supplies last. Otherwise, bags are available for purchase at most hardware stores.

MORE NEWS: 100+ volunteers put out cold weather gear for those in need at Twin Cities parks

“The grit has gotten way more popular now that the word has gotten out about it, with the association doing some free giveaways,” Marne Detmar, an employee at Frattallone’s Hardware & Garden said.

Though the traction grit doesn’t melt ice, it’s a more environmentally friendly alternative to salt. It can also be swept up and reused. Detmar said many people use too much salt, which doesn’t make ice melt any faster. It’s recommended to use one grain of salt every 3 inches. 

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“You see great big piles, and you really only need to use a couple of crystals to do what you need to do,” Detmar said.

The most important step in ice removal is getting ahead of the formation by shoveling snow early and often. 

“Anything we can do to protect that beautiful resource is worthwhile for sure,” La Bounta said.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency hosts Smart Salt training for companies and local community leaders and elected officials. The goal is to teach proper salt application and reduce overall use. 

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SERVPRO of Downtown Minneapolis/Team Clemente Expands Technology Investment

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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Minneapolis Blanketed With Snow Overnight

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Minneapolis Blanketed With Snow Overnight


Minneapolis residents woke up to snow on Wednesday, November 26, after the first snowstorm of the season dumped several inches of snow on parts of Minnesota. This footage filmed and posted to X by user @JonathanQ12345 shows snow blanketing a street in Minneapolis’ North Loop neighborhood on Wednesday morning. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), parts of Minneapolis received 2 to 3 inches of snow, while neighboring areas received 4 to 5 inches. Snowfall is expected to end on Wednesday, the NWS said. Credit: @JonathanQ12345 via Storyful



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Former Minneapolis teacher and coach sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting children

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Former Minneapolis teacher and coach sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting children


A former Minneapolis teacher and coach was sentenced to life in prison Tuesday in connection with 12 counts of rape and sexual assault of victims under 13 years old.

Aaron James Hjermstad (Courtesy of the Minnesota Department of Corrections)

Aaron James Hjermstad, 46, pleaded guilty in September to 12 counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving victims under 13 years that took place between 2013 and 2021.

In addition to being sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years, Hjermstad must register as a predatory offender and will be on lifetime conditional release if he is ever paroled.

“My thoughts today are solely with the many victims in this case. What they endured as children is nothing short of horrifying,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. “Mr. Hjermstad is being held accountable, and a sentence of this length removes the possibility of further harm at his hands for decades to come.”

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The attorney’s office said Hjermstad had coached many of the children or one of their family members. Hjermstad worked as a physical education and health teacher at The Mastery School and a basketball coach at Hospitality House Youth Development and Harvest Best Academy.

At the time he was charged, he’d already been convicted for similar assaults against 3 other victims, but he fled the state before he was sentenced.

In December 2021 he was caught in Idaho during a traffic stop. Law enforcement officials found thousands of videos showing him assaulting children. Some of the videos were taken at his Brooklyn Center home including footage with the 12 victims which led to the additional charges.



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