Minneapolis, MN
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.
“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.
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“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.
“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.
MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis is ranked among the American cities with the most people in financial distress nationwide, according to a recent analysis by WalletHub.
The personal finance website, which defines financial distress as having a credit account in forbearance or with deferred payments, looked at the country’s 100 largest cities without data limitations across nine metrics, including average credit score, change in bankruptcy filings year-over-year, and share of people with accounts in distress.
Minneapolis came in 44th on the list, between Stockton, California, at 43rd and Fresno, California, at 45th, according to the ranking.
Nationwide, the cities with the most people in financial distress were Chicago at No. 1, Houston at No. 2 and Las Vegas at No. 3, the ranking said.
“Getting out of the downward spiral of financial distress is no easy feat,” according to WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo.
“You may get temporary relief from your lenders by not having to make payments, but all the while interest will keep building up, making the debt even harder to pay off. People who find themselves in financial distress should budget carefully, cut non-essential expenses, and pursue strategies like debt consolidation or debt management to get their situation under control.”
Read more from WalletHub.
Minneapolis, MN
Whitefish council creates proclamation in solidarity with city, citizens of Minneapolis
WHITEFISH, Mont. — The Whitefish City Council in February presented and signed a proclamation expressing solidarity with the city and citizens of Minneapolis.
The proclamation states that Whitefish mourns the loss of life that occurred in Minneapolis and stands in solidarity with its residents.
It reaffirms the city’s commitment to equal treatment under the law and emphasizes that peaceful protest is a fundamental American right.
The proclamation was supported by five of the six council members.
Mayor John Muhlfeld said the action was meant to reaffirm the city’s values.
“A mayoral proclamation that is supported by five of six City Council members supporting solidarity with the city and citizens of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and reaffirming our supportive, just, equal and welcoming community,” Muhlfeld said. “I think this is somewhat overdue. Our town’s been through a lot over the years, This is more importantly to reaffirm our values as a council with our community because we care deeply about you.”
Over the last year, Whitefish has faced criticism amid rising tensions surrounding the Department of Homeland Security.
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View the full proclamation below.
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