Minneapolis, MN
Ron Edwards Memorial Plaque Unveiled at Minneapolis Fire Station 1
Ron Edwards Honored With Memorial Plaque at Minneapolis Fire Station 1
Ron Edwards, a civil rights activist and longtime Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder columnist, was honored with a golden memorial plaque at Minneapolis Fire Station 1 for his decades of work advancing racial equity and diversifying the Minneapolis Fire Department. Edwards’ legacy as an advocate, journalist, and community leader continues to shape public safety and civic life in Minneapolis.
Civil rights activist and longtime Minnesota Spokesman‑Recorder columnist Ron Edwards was honored with a golden memorial plaque at Fire Station 1 on 299 S. 5th Ave on Dec. 19, recognizing his decades of work to diversify the Minneapolis Fire Department and advocate for racial equity in public safety.
Edwards, who died of natural causes in 2020 at age 81, moved to Minneapolis from Kansas City in the 1940s and became active in the Civil Rights Movement during the 1960s. He served as president of the Minneapolis Urban League in the 1970s and joined the steering committee for a consent decree in 1972 that required the fire department to hire more firefighters of color.
The impact of that activism is seen today in a department that remains more diverse than many across the country: about 14-16% of Minneapolis Fire Department firefighters are Black, compared with roughly 8% nationally, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data and local city statistics. Meanwhile, about 31% of the Minneapolis department’s sworn personnel are people of color overall, reflecting decades of gradual change since the all‑white force of the early 20th century.
“We all grew up together around Ron Edwards, and he taught all of us about spirit, believing in yourself, and being true to who you are,” said Walter “Q Bear” Banks, who had known Edwards since childhood.
Edwards’ advocacy helped shape programs that expanded opportunities for Black and Indigenous firefighters and, later, for police officers. “He opened doors for Black and Indigenous fire and police officers,” said Lisa Clemons, a Minneapolis police officer who joined the department in 1987. “He made it possible for all of us to have careers in public service.”
Charles Rucker, president of the Minneapolis African‑American Firefighters Association, credited Edwards with creating the EMS pathway program, which became a primary source of diversity in the department. “The next firefighter class was 97% white, male. Ron Edwards helped change that,” Rucker said.
The ceremony included tributes from members of the community, public safety officials, and local leaders. Crow Bellecourt, who attended the event, said Edwards’ legacy should inspire future generations. “We need more young people to follow in his footsteps,” she said.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey praised Edwards’ lifelong dedication. “If you hear about the work Ron Edwards did, you know he cared about diversity, equity and inclusion before it was even an acronym,” Frey said. “He understood that public safety must reflect the people it protects, and that reflection is now visible in this fire department.”
Beyond his work in public safety, Edwards was a journalist, writing columns for the Minnesota Spokesman‑Recorder from 2003 to 2019. His work included reporting on civil rights issues, criticizing media bias, and covering incidents of systemic injustice, including alleged illegal wiretapping by the Minneapolis Police Department.
“I learned so much from Ron Edwards about journalism and respecting people,” Banks said. “He knew how to communicate across different levels of education and experience.”
Edwards’ influence extended across generations of public servants. Police officers, firefighters and journalists alike credit him for opening doors and setting a standard for civic engagement. Former Police Chief Medaria Arradondo and officers like Dolores Dunn, who joined the department in 1973, trace their careers back to Edwards’ mentorship.
“It’s only fitting that Ron Edwards, who worked tirelessly as a columnist, radio co‑host and community advocate, now has a permanent marker of his legacy,” said Tracey Williams‑Dillard, publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman‑Recorder. “He was a man of indispensable knowledge who shaped Minnesota’s public safety and civil rights landscape for decades.”
The golden plaque at Fire Station 1 now serves as a lasting tribute to Edwards’ lifelong commitment to justice, equity and inclusion, and as a reminder of the change one person can inspire in a community.
Clint Combs welcomes reader responses at combs0284@gmail.com.
Your Might Also Like
Minneapolis, MN
Marilyn Savage, St. Cloud State Educator And Media Pioneer, Remembered July 18 In Cokato
June 24, 1938 – June 19, 2026
Marilyn Ardis Savage, 87 died from Parkinson’s disease on June 19, 2026 at Ave Maria. She was born June 24, 1938 in Minneapolis, MN to Elmer S. and Mabel A. (Salmela) Sako.
Marilyn graduated from North High class of 1956. She went on to get a Bachelor’s of Science at the U of M. In 1960 she started teaching at John Hay Elementary. In 1975 she married Carl Savage and they went on a leadership conference for media specialists for their honeymoon. In 1982 Marilyn completed her Masters of Science in Information Media at SCSU. Marilyn and Carl were active in the MN Educational Media Organization and published the Minnesota Media magazine. They worked in a group to create Information Media guidelines for the state of MN and Marilyn spoke at events and invited other teachers to observe the curriculum in her media center.
Marilyn touched a lot of lives as a teacher. She was well liked and respected by her students. She commented that it was important to have good relationships with students because you never know when one is going to become your anesthesiologist!
Marilyn and Carl loved to travel and spent many summers in TN visiting his family and in FL where they bought property where they planned on retiring. Their trips were full of adventures like when they unknowingly traveled with a couple of identity thieves.
Marilyn became a widow in 1991 and retired from Zachary Lane Elementary in 1997. Retirement gave her the opportunity to pursue her love of travel. She and her best friend, Jan Sorell, traveled to China and Hawaii together as well as many other smaller trips. Marilyn also visited her nephew in Alaska and even volunteered at a summer camp in Finland. She remained active in her community, helping plan YMCA fundraising events. One of her greatest joys was spending time with her close friends in the “Lunch Bunch,” who gathered each week at their favorite restaurant.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Carl, sister Evon and fur babies Sase, Sadie and Chloe.
She is survived by nieces Lauren Sako (Scott Krein) Jamestown, ND; Elaine (Keith) Pyle Crystal Lake, IL; stepson Clay (Anita) Savage Hernando, MS; nephew Dave (Lisa) Hendrick Anchorage, AK; niece Theresa Brown Counce, TN; grandnephew Benjamin Salomonsen Hubert, NC; grandniece Natalie (Nik) Eccless Duelm, MN; two great grandnieces and many cousins.
A celebration of life will be held at Benson Funeral Home on July 18th. Visitation at 10am and service at 11am. Lunch after the service. Following the luncheon, Marilyn will be laid to rest at the Cokato Finnish Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the Carl & Marilyn Savage Scholarship in Information Media at St. Cloud State University. https://scsu.mn/give
Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis chief communications officer Adam Fetcher out amid possible criminal charges
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Minneapolis’ chief communications officer, Adam Fetcher, is out of his job and now faces possible legal trouble.
Adam Fetcher’s departure from city hall
What we know:
City officials say Adam Fetcher’s last day as chief communications officer was Monday, July 1.
Fetcher, who previously worked in the Obama administration, started his role with the City of Minneapolis last year. The city has not shared any further details about the circumstances surrounding Fetcher’s departure.
Legal questions for the former official
What they’re saying:
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office says it has received a case involving Fetcher and added that charges are possible. Fetcher’s attorney had no comment.
The nature of the case has not been made clear by officials.
What we don’t know:
It is not clear what the case involving Fetcher is about or what specific charges, if any, might be filed.
The Source: Information from the City of Minneapolis and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.
Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis, Hamel women accused of stealing millions in federal funds due in court Thursday
5 EYEWITNESS NEWS continues to track the latest fraud developments.
Two of the 15 defendants accused of stealing federal program money back in May are due in court on Thursday morning, and a deal with prosecutors could be taking shape.
Fahima Egeh Mahamud, 50, of Minneapolis, and Jillaine Mertens, 42, of Hamel have plea agreement hearings at the Minneapolis federal courthouse.
Prosecutors say Mertens collected more than $400,000 in fraudulent claims across three childcare centers in Ramsey, Rochester and Kasson.
Mahumud is accused of taking $5.5 million in taxpayer money through her daycare, Future Leaders.
Both cases are set for plea agreement hearings Thursday morning in federal court.
Top federal officials came to Minnesota in May to announce the charges against the 15 defendants.
PREVIOUS: DOJ charges 15 defendants accused of collectively defrauding $90 million
They are alleging that fraudsters exploited programs meant to help vulnerable populations — including the now-defunct Housing Stabilization Services program, which was designed to connect homeless Minnesotans with housing, and the Early Intensive Behavioral Development Intervention (EIDBI) program for children with autism.
This is a developing story. Download the KSTP app below to get the latest updates.
-
Los Angeles, Ca1 hour agoO.C. police prep for beach, theme park ‘takeovers’ promoted on social media
-
Detroit, MI2 hours agoDetroit city leaders to DHS: Stop ICE pursuits which endanger the community
-
San Francisco, CA2 hours agoSF Supervisor Jackie Fielder hosts listening session after medical leave
-
Dallas, TX2 hours agoThe Stewpot artists find healing, purpose and income through art in Dallas
-
Miami, FL2 hours agoCan Jason Marshall push for a starting spot – The Splash Zone 7/10/26
-
Boston, MA2 hours agoPolice investigating shooting in Downtown Crossing – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News
-
Denver, CO2 hours agoDenver mayor announces new $100 million plan to bring in 10,000 jobs
-
San Diego, CA2 hours agoWEBTOON Brings Top Creators for San Diego Comic-Con Panels
