September 28 corrections and source clarifications:
NEW: newly reported developments or upcoming opportunities. UPDATE: later substantive information on a covered story. ONGOING: continuing useful information. RESOLVED: the reported issue has ended. BACKGROUND: dated historical context, not a new development or confirmation of current availability. UNCONFIRMED: a story, continuing story or detail that could not be confirmed against its cited source on the edition date; the note under the headline says what is not confirmed. Today and countdown lines carry "(unconfirmed)" for the same reason.
Columbia Heights public-works crews are participating in a weeklong Snow Plow Operations Training program at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. MPR News reported on the program September 28.
Operators practice plow handling and winter-driving techniques with participants from Anoka, Hennepin and Ramsey counties and Minneapolis and St. Paul. MPR’s reporting and photographs document training on September 25.
Anoka County says crews removed pavement and existing concrete curb along 40th Avenue between Main Street and University Avenue during the week ending September 25.
Previously announced next step: Storm-sewer installation is scheduled throughout the project during the coming week. Construction is scheduled to continue through November.
The MHOP listing for 843 41st Ave. NE continues to show an open near-elderly public-housing waiting list for one- and two-person households whose head of household is 50 to 61 and who meet income requirements. Minneapolis Public Housing Authority information confirms those near-elderly eligibility parameters.
Affordable Housing Hub reverified the overall property information September 27; its waitlist field was last specifically verified September 22. This is a continued status, not a newly announced opening. The Housing Choice Voucher waiting list remains listed as closed.
SACA’s Community Market at 3905 California Street NE welcomes people needing food assistance without paperwork or an appointment. Its listed walk-in hours are Monday and Thursday, 2 to 6 p.m., and Tuesday, noon to 4 p.m.
Friday Morning Market runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. by appointment. Call 763-789-2444 for assistance.
The Building Blocks of Islam, based at 3900 Jackson Street NE, operates community-assistance programs that can help with needs including rent, groceries, temporary accommodation, transportation, car repair, utilities and medical expenses.
The organization also recruits volunteers for food-shelf, outreach, marketing and administrative work.
Columbia Heights Public Library lists assistive listening devices for community-room events, a wheelchair for use inside the building, accessible restrooms and push-button entrance doors.
Large-print and audio materials are available. Columbia Heights residents unable to visit the library may request its At Home Service; ask the library at 763-706-3690 about arrangements.
Columbia Heights Public Schools lists one operating-levy referendum question on the November 3 ballot. The district provides a referendum information sheet in English and Spanish.
The district’s referendum page links to its official resolution, tax-impact information and voting resources. These describe the proposal; the election outcome remains pending.
Three at-large seats, each carrying a four-year term, are on the November 3 ballot. Columbia Heights Public Schools lists four filed candidates: Cristin Craig, Adam Davis, Jessica Medearis and Laura Palmer.
A League of Women Voters candidate forum is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, October 1.
Columbia Heights Police’s free Teen Academy for grades 9 through 12 runs October 15 and 16, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with breakfast and lunch included. The listed registration deadline is October 12.
Parks and Recreation’s October 15 horseback-riding and fall-activities trip serves grades 4 through 9 and costs $65 including transportation. It runs from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with Murzyn Hall listed as the meeting location. Register by October 1 through the links in the Northeaster listing.
First Lutheran Church, 1555 40th Ave. NE, lists a community lunch at 11 a.m. Sundays. The church welcomes everyone and accepts voluntary contributions.
Its inclusion statement expressly welcomes neighbors across race, culture, age, ability, family structure, economic circumstances, sexual orientation and gender.
Columbia Heights Public Library lists English conversation circles on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Adult learners practice speaking together with an English-speaking volunteer.
The library is at 3939 Central Ave. NE. Call 763-706-3690 to confirm a session. The page’s separate Saturday dates are from summer and are not presented here as an autumn schedule.
The Heights Theater’s centennial film series runs October 1 through 8, opening with Sunset Boulevard at 7 p.m. October 1 in 35mm.
The program includes Pinocchio at 11 a.m. October 3, Safety Last! with a live score at 7:15 p.m. October 4, and Parasite at 7 p.m. October 7. The theater lists individual tickets and a limited $85 series pass.
The Northeaster lists Finding Frankenstein with the Bakken Museum at Columbia Heights Library on October 14, 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. The interactive performance explores the science and culture surrounding Mary Shelley’s novel.
The library is at 3939 Central Ave. NE. Most library programs require registration, opening four weeks ahead. Confirm availability at 763-706-3690 or through the library’s event calendar.
HeightsNEXT lists its fall street cleanup for October 3, 2026, at 9 a.m., meeting at Columbia Heights Public Library, 3939 Central Ave. NE. The Northeaster lists the event as 9 to 11 a.m.
Bring gloves and sturdy footwear. HeightsNEXT provides safety vests, reaching tools and collection bags.
Bernice Alain (Staniec), known as Bea, died September 15 at Eagle Ridge Senior Living in Osceola, Wisconsin, at 107½. The Star Tribune obituary was listed as published September 27.
Alain lived in her Columbia Heights home for 62 years. Her Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for noon October 1 at Immaculate Conception in Columbia Heights, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m.
Linda Napton, 78, of Columbia Heights, died September 24. Her obituary was published September 27, with funeral services scheduled for October 4.
The obituary provides the service arrangements and remembrance information.
The latest confirmed movement, the open question and the next checkpoint.
Jordan Collins Sr. is representing himself in Anoka County in the murder case involving his son Manny Collins, who had lived with him in Columbia Heights. CBS Minnesota reported testimony by Columbia Heights investigators and Collins’s suggestion during questioning that evidence might have been planted.
Still unresolved: The trial outcome remains unresolved. The September 28 report contains no later verdict or trial-day account.
Next checkpoint: A later court record, trial report or verdict.
FOX 9 and CBS Minnesota reported that two men exchanged gunfire outside Hook Fish and Chicken in the 3800 block of Central Avenue NE. Three bystanders suffered non-life-threatening injuries; one alleged shooter was arrested and the other was unidentified.
Still unresolved: Identification of the second alleged shooter, charging decisions and any later victim-status update.
Next checkpoint: A police or court update.
The published proposal calls for a 5.3% increase in the gross city property-tax levy. The city estimated roughly a 4.1% municipal-portion increase for an average property after fiscal-disparities effects.
Still unresolved: Final budget and levy action, including any revision to those figures.
Next checkpoint: The final budget and levy decision.
The police department sought residents for a new committee following the end of the city’s Flock camera arrangement. The September 28 report contains no public announcement of appointees or a first meeting.
Still unresolved: Committee appointments and the first meeting date.
Next checkpoint: A city announcement of membership or meetings.
The September 14 City Council agenda placed MnDOT’s final layout before the Council for municipal consent.
Still unresolved: The Council’s action has not been confirmed by subsequent approved minutes in this edition.
Next checkpoint: Published minutes or an official decision notice.
A comprehensive-plan amendment for the former Medtronic property appeared on the September 14 Council agenda.
Still unresolved: Approval, denial or conditions have not been confirmed in the available meeting record.
Next checkpoint: Published minutes or a later city development record.
A comprehensive-plan amendment affecting 4300 Central Ave. was scheduled for Council action September 14.
Still unresolved: The final disposition remains unconfirmed in the available meeting record.
Next checkpoint: Published minutes or a later city development record.
Superintendent Zena Stenvik told the Northeaster that enrollment had recovered to roughly 3,300 students, compared with about 3,400 before federal immigration-enforcement activity affected the district. The report also describes geothermal heating and cooling wells at Valley View Elementary.
Still unresolved: Later enrollment figures, continuing effects on families and the geothermal project’s progress.
Next checkpoint: District enrollment and facilities updates.
Police responded to possible gunshots in the 4100 block of Madison Street NE. Two people who may have been involved later arrived at a hospital with gunshot wounds.
Still unresolved: Subsequent police findings and case status.
Next checkpoint: A police or court update.
The latest application round had closed. Eligible businesses could seek zero-interest loans of up to $10,000.
Still unresolved: Who received funding and how much was distributed.
Next checkpoint: A city announcement of awards or disbursements.
The EDA agenda called for a sale and development agreement with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity and an associated forgivable loan.
Still unresolved: Final public confirmation of the EDA's action on the two Habitat resolutions.
Next checkpoint: Approved EDA minutes or a development-agreement record.
The agenda included a Youth Outreach Officer contract, insurance renewal, a clerical agreement and the preliminary 2026-payable-2027 levy.
Still unresolved: The Board’s final actions on the agenda items.
Next checkpoint: Approved minutes or another official meeting record.
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