Author: Jake Spitzack
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Wintertime daredevils from yesteryear
Tim SpitzackEditor Now that a chill is back in the air, scores of people will soon be zipping around the city’s outdoor skating rinks and whooshing down its sledding hills. South St. Paul has a long history of supporting winter recreation. The city opened its first municipal ice-skating rink Feb. 7, 1919, between 12th and… Read more
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Read Across South St. Paul returns
Tim SpitzackEditor A popular volunteer-based reading program has returned to South St. Paul schools after being on pause since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is welcome news for the schools and particularly for those students struggling to meet state standards in reading proficiency.The Read Across South St. Paul program sees volunteers visit classrooms… Read more
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Fusion Bites opening soon at former Black Dog Cafe
A restaurant featuring traditional American food and Indian cuisine is slated to open on New Year’s Eve in the space of the former Lowertown landmark Black Dog Café. Located on the street level of the Northern Warehouse building at 308 Prince St. E., Fusion Bites will offer a vast menu including sliders, chicken wings, cheesesteaks,… Read more
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City makes progress with skyway safety
Jake SpitzackStaff Writer Dirty and unsafe portions of the skyway system will now be cleaned up by the City but the cost of the work will fall on the building owner who failed to meet skyway standards. This change in city code, approved Dec. 13, is just one of the steps the city is taking… Read more
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New kicksled business opens in time for winter fun
Jake SpitzackStaff Writer Looking for a new way to enjoy the quiet beauty of winter and get some needed exercise at the same time? Try kicksledding, an early-19th century activity that’s seeing resurgence as a recreational sport. Its rise in popularity prompted Melisa Christensen to open a new business that provides everything one needs to… Read more
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School Choice Guide
Looking for a new school for your student? Registration deadlines for the next school year are fast approaching, so now is the time to do your homework. Families have many choices: public, magnet, parochial or charter schools, as well as homeschooling. Post-high school choices include trade schools, two-year and four-year colleges and universities. This primer… Read more
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SPPS launches new literacy initiative
Jake SpitzackStaff Writer Beginning this year, St. Paul Public Schools (SPPS) is launching a new initiative – SPPS Reads – designed to help students who are struggling with reading. According to the Minnesota Department of Education, only a third of students in the district are proficient readers, and that number is down slightly from 2019.… Read more
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South Metro adds furry friend to help firefighters and others
Jake SpitzackStaff Writer A purebred golden retriever puppy named Hal has joined South Metro Fire as the department’s first-ever therapy dog. Still growing into his paws, Hal will undergo a year of weekly training sessions to learn how to identify people in need of comfort or assistance. In the meantime, his handler, deputy fire chief… Read more
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Eco Chico opens at Signal Hills Center
Jake SpitzackStaff Writer If you have rapidly growing kids, you’ll be pleased to discover that you can find affordable clothing – and sell your kids’ outgrown apparel – all in one place in West St. Paul. Eco Chico, now open in Suite #7A at Signal Hills Shopping Center, 1201 S. Robert. St., buys and sells… Read more
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Winter Carnival events ramp up with the new year
Tim SpitzackEditor With the turn of the calendar, hearty St. Paulites will turn their attention to the city’s most popular celebration, the St. Paul Winter Carnival. The frosty fun begins January 1 with an ice fishing contest and continues through February 4, although the official dates of the carnival are Jan. 25-Feb. 3. Events are… Read more