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. All local times are Central Daylight Time.
Public Safety & Courts
ONGOING
Investigators described the landfill search for Manny Collins in week three of murder trial
FOX 9 reported that prosecutors questioned investigators on Monday, September 28, about the search of the Elk River landfill for the remains of 16-year-old Manny Collins. His father, Jordan Collins Sr., is charged with second-degree murder and is representing himself. ABC Newspapers also identified Elk River as the landfill and reported the charge.
FOX 9 reported that Collins Sr. cross-examined investigators and is holding his opening statement until after the state rests its case. No verdict has been reported.
- Latest confirmed status: The murder trial remained underway as of the evening of September 28.
- Publication date: September 28, 2026, 6:55 p.m. CDT (FOX 9)
- Event date: September 28, 2026
- Sources: FOX 9 trial report; ABC Newspapers trial report
City, Roads & Planning
ONGOINGUNCONFIRMED
October 6 Planning Commission meeting is canceled
Not confirmed against the source as of October 2, 2026: the Wednesday, November 4 first meeting for new members, because the City notice could not be opened. Check the source before relying on it.
The official Columbia Heights meeting portal lists the Planning Commission meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 6, at 6 p.m. as canceled. The Economic Development Authority meeting set for Monday, October 5, at 5 p.m. is also listed as canceled.
The City’s Planning Commission recruitment notice lists the first Planning Commission meeting for new members as Wednesday, November 4.
- Event dates: October 5, 2026, 5 p.m. (EDA, canceled); October 6, 2026, 6 p.m. (Planning Commission, canceled)
- Sources: City meeting portal; City Planning Commission application notice
ONGOINGUNCONFIRMED
Planning Commission applications due Sunday, October 4
Not confirmed against the source as of October 2, 2026: all details, because the source page could not be opened. Check the source before relying on it.
The City of Columbia Heights is seeking applicants for two Planning Commission vacancies. One term runs through March 31, 2027, and the other through March 31, 2028. Applications are due Sunday, October 4.
The City Council will interview applicants Tuesday, October 13, and the first Planning Commission meeting for new members is Wednesday, November 4. Members must live in Columbia Heights. The commission advises the Council on zoning, development and conditional-use permits.
- Publication date: September 16, 2026
- Application deadline: October 4, 2026
- Source: City Planning Commission application notice
ONGOINGUNCONFIRMED
40th Avenue crews scheduled to begin storm-sewer installation
Not confirmed against the source as of October 2, 2026: the pavement and curb removal in the week ending September 25, the scheduled storm-sewer installation, the detour to 44th Avenue and the November completion. Check the source before relying on it.
Anoka County says crews removed the pavement and existing concrete curb along 40th Avenue between Main Street and University Avenue during the week ending September 25.
The county’s latest weekly update, for the week ending September 25, said the contractor was scheduled to install storm sewer throughout the project the following week. The county project page lists construction from September through November 2026.
The City says traffic is detoured to 44th Avenue during construction and the work is expected to be completed in November 2026.
UPDATEUNCONFIRMED
Council approves preliminary $61 million budget and 5.3% gross levy increase
Not confirmed against the source as of October 2, 2026: the $61 million budget, the $21.65 million levy, the 9.6% Fiscal Disparities increase, the $281,100 median home and $60 a year or $5 a month impact, the $169 to $174 monthly share, the November county notices, the 6 p.m. Council Chambers hearing details, and the October 5, 6 p.m. Shared Vision Room work session details. Check the source before relying on it.
At its September 28 meeting, the Columbia Heights City Council approved a preliminary 2027 city budget of $61 million and set the preliminary gross property-tax levy at $21.65 million, a 5.3% increase from 2026. The City says part of the levy is subsidized by the metro Fiscal Disparities Program, which will increase 9.6% in 2027, so property owners will see a 4.1% increase in City taxes compared with 2026.
For a median-value home ($281,100), the City estimates an annual increase of $60, or $5 per month, on the City portion of the tax bill, bringing the monthly City share from $169 to $174. Anoka County will mail property-specific proposed-tax notices in November. The Council’s public hearing on the proposed budget and final levy is Monday, December 14, at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
The agenda for the Council’s work session Monday, October 5, at 6 p.m. in the Shared Vision Room at City Hall lists 2027 budget presentations by division, with an estimated time of two hours.
MinneapoliMedia reported that the Council may reduce the levy before final adoption but may not increase it beyond the September maximum.
NEWUNCONFIRMED
City mill-and-overlay street work begins October 5
Not confirmed against the source as of October 2, 2026: all details, because the source page could not be opened. Check the source before relying on it.
Milling for the City’s 2026 Mill & Overlay Project begins Monday, October 5, the City says. Crews are already completing utility adjustments ahead of the work, which includes milling the old asphalt, localized repairs, a new asphalt overlay and new pavement markings.
Streets on the list are W Upland Crest, Fillmore Street from 47th to 49th avenues, Reservoir Boulevard from Johnson Street to 45th Avenue and from 39th to 40th avenues, Arthur Street from 40th to 44th avenues, 40th Avenue from Tyler to Arthur streets, and Johnson Street from 37th to 40th avenues. Milling runs October 5 to 7 and paving October 8 to 13, as of October 1 and subject to change.
Parking is prohibited on project streets during active construction, and vehicles in the work zone may be ticketed or towed. Driveway access may be blocked for 5 to 10 minutes during milling and about an hour during paving. Garbage, recycling and mail delivery continue.
ONGOINGUNCONFIRMED
Anoka County approves 40th Avenue reconstruction agreement with Columbia Heights
Not confirmed against the source as of October 2, 2026: all details, because the source page could not be opened. Check the source before relying on it.
The Anoka County Board approved a joint-powers agreement with Columbia Heights for reconstruction of 40th Avenue NE between Main Street NE and Highway 47. The county’s briefs from its September 22 board meeting say the project is currently under construction.
The board briefs do not provide a revised completion date or a detailed access schedule.
Community & Culture
NEWUNCONFIRMED
Fire Department open house set for October 10; costume drop-off ends today
Not confirmed against the source as of October 2, 2026: all details, because the source pages could not be opened. Check the source before relying on it.
The Columbia Heights Fire Department holds an open house Saturday, October 10, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the fire station in the Public Safety Building, 825 41st Ave. NE. The City lists spraying a real fire hose, meeting dalmatians and local firefighters, and a fire demonstration.
The open house also hosts the City’s first Halloween Costume Swap. Gently used costumes can be dropped off at the Parks & Recreation office at Murzyn Hall, 530 Mill St. NE, through today, Friday, October 2, and costumes can be picked out at the open house. There is no cost to take part.
The City’s Truck or Treat is Saturday, October 24, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Huset Park East, 3965 Jefferson St. NE.
Schools & Youth
ONGOING
District operating-levy question goes to voters November 3
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. Absentee voting began September 18 at the Anoka County Government Center, and direct balloting starts October 16. The election outcome remains pending.
ONGOING
Four candidates seek 3 School Board seats
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.
ONGOING
Police Teen Academy registration open for MEA break
Columbia Heights Police’s free Teen Academy for grades 9 through 12 runs Thursday, October 15, and Friday, October 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with breakfast and lunch included. The two-day program is for students interested in learning about law enforcement. The listed registration deadline is Monday, October 12.
Arts, Culture & Events
ONGOING
October adult programs now listed for Medicare, Frankenstein, and local climate topics
The Northeaster’s listing of Columbia Heights Library adult programs points residents to three October sessions at 3939 Central Avenue NE: an Annual Medicare Update presented by the Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging on Thursday, October 8, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.; “Finding Frankenstein” with the Bakken Museum on Wednesday, October 14, from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m.; and “Climate Change in Our Own Backyard” on Monday, October 19, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Registration is required for most programs and opens four weeks in advance. Call 763-706-3690 for details.
ONGOING
Heights Theater centennial series continues with The Shining tonight
The Heights Theater’s centennial film series, running October 1 through 8, continues tonight, Friday, October 2, with The Shining in 35mm at 6 and 9:30 p.m. The theater lists David Kearn on organ for the 6 p.m. show.
The schedule includes Pinocchio at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 3, Safety Last! with a live score at 7:15 p.m. Sunday, October 4, and Parasite at 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 7. The series closes Thursday, October 8, with Babylon in 70mm at 7 p.m. The theater says a limited number of $85 series passes allow entry to any screening.
MPR News spoke with co-owner Ryan Oestreich about the theater’s 100 years ahead of the series.
AI in Your Community
CogniLocal tracks where artificial intelligence and related automated systems are already entering the institutions that serve this community, who is deploying them, what they are being used for and what changes next.
BACKGROUNDColumbia Heights / Anoka CountyUNCONFIRMED
Anoka County outlined its own Flock and drone rules in May
Not confirmed against the source as of October 2, 2026: the May 15 slide date, the planned May 14 town hall with Commissioner Mandy Meisner at City Hall, the county Flock camera locations, the 30-day retention period and the block on immigration-related searches. Check the source before relying on it.
Anoka County has posted a slide presentation, dated May 15, 2026, describing the sheriff’s office automated license-plate-reader program and drone operations. County board briefs say Commissioner Mandy Meisner and representatives of the City of Columbia Heights planned a town hall on Flock cameras and drones for emergency response for May 14 at Columbia Heights City Hall.
The slides list county Flock camera locations, a 30-day retention period for plate-reader data and a block on immigration-related searches. They also say the sheriff’s office does not have any drone-assisted response (DAR) drones in service, while using traditional law-enforcement drones in compliance with state law.
ONGOINGUNCONFIRMED
Anoka County’s AI non-emergency call-taker is active
Not confirmed against the source as of October 2, 2026: the July 2 county announcement and its statement that 911 calls are still answered by public safety telecommunicators. Check the source before relying on it.
Anoka County’s Emergency Communication Center has implemented an AI-assisted call-taker named Eric for non-emergency calls, the county said in an announcement posted July 2. The county says 911 calls are still answered by public safety telecommunicators.
CBS Minnesota reported that a caller who reaches the 10-digit non-emergency number with a real emergency is forwarded to a live dispatcher, and that the system costs the county $60,000 a year.
ONGOINGUNCONFIRMED
Columbia Heights ended its Flock camera network after privacy and data-sharing concerns
Not confirmed against the source as of October 2, 2026: that staff removed five City-installed cameras, that the Police Department no longer has Flock database access, and that data sharing was shut off with all agencies. Check the source before relying on it.
The Columbia Heights City Council terminated services with Flock Safety on June 8, the City says. The motion on that meeting’s agenda directed staff to cancel all Flock contracts to ensure non-renewal in 2027 and to coordinate the disconnection and removal of the City’s Flock cameras. The City says the Police Department no longer has access to the Flock database and has shut off data sharing with all agencies.
The City says staff removed five Flock cameras the City had installed, while seven cameras installed by Flock remain in place, covered with black plastic, until Flock schedules their removal. The Northeaster reported that the vote was unanimous, that taxpayers still carry about $45,000 in camera operation, installation and data-management costs and that, according to Council Member Connie Buesgens, the City’s reimbursement request was denied.
BACKGROUND
Separate Axon plate readers remain documented in 12 police squad cars
A Police Department presentation in the packet for the City Council’s May 4 work session documents 12 Columbia Heights squad cars equipped with Axon Fleet 3 cameras and automated license-plate recognition, installed as of late 2025. The mobile system scans plates while officers drive and can issue alerts for stolen vehicles or active warrants; officers verify an alert with dispatch before acting. The same materials say the system does not perform facial recognition, owner and driver information is not provided by ALPR vendors, data is retained for 30 days, and ALPR information captured by Axon was not being shared.
The June Flock cancellation motion names Flock contracts and cameras, not the separately contracted Axon squad-car system.
The May 4 materials establish the equipment and rules at that time. Whether all 12 units remain active, whether access or retention rules have changed, and whether the City will publish a separate Axon audit remain unconfirmed.
ONGOINGUNCONFIRMED
Police Technology Advisory Committee awaits public appointments
Not confirmed against the source as of October 2, 2026: the August 18 publication date and that no appointments appear on the September 28 and October 5 agendas. Check the source before relying on it.
The Police Department created a Technology Advisory Committee to provide structured community insight into the planning, implementation and evaluation of the technology it uses. Applications closed September 20. No appointments appear on the September 28 City Council agenda or the October 5 work-session agenda.
Staff materials for the Council’s August 3 work session sought Council approval of the committee’s responsibilities and members. The City says the committee is meant to enhance transparency, support responsible innovation and strengthen community trust. The City has not announced whether meetings will be public or what role members will have over existing Axon equipment or future proposals.
Still Developing
The latest confirmed movement, the open question and the next checkpoint.
OPENSeptember 14 Madison Street shooting
Police previously reported that two people drove themselves to a hospital after gunfire near the 4100 block of Madison Street NE. No arrest, suspect description or updated condition report has been made public.
Still unresolved: Subsequent police findings and case status.
Next checkpoint: A police or court update.
AWAITING RECORDSBusiness microloan recipients
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.
Latest reported movement: September 16.
AWAITING RECORDSUNCONFIRMED4510 Taylor Street Habitat proposal
Not confirmed against the source as of October 2, 2026: the associated forgivable loan resolution and the September 8 agenda date. Check the source before relying on it.
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.
EDA agenda dated September 8.
OPENPolice technology oversight
Applications for the Technology Advisory Committee closed September 20, but appointments and a first meeting have not been announced. The continuing technical question is whether the City’s Axon squad-car plate readers remain active under the configuration described in the May 4 work-session materials after the separate Flock shutdown.
Still unresolved: Committee appointments and the first meeting date.
Next checkpoint: A city announcement of membership or meetings.
AWAITING RECORDSSeptember 22 School Board actions
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.
Board meeting September 22.
OPENManny Collins murder trial
The latest published report is the September 28 investigator testimony detailing the landfill search for Manny’s remains. The trial was still underway, and no verdict had been reported as of October 2.
Still unresolved: A verdict and final disposition.
Next checkpoint: A later court report or verdict.
OPENSeptember 5 Central Avenue shooting
The latest confirmed public account still says three bystanders were wounded, one alleged shooter was in custody and a second shooter remained at large. No newer arrest, charging announcement or victim-status update has been made public.
Still unresolved: Identification of the second alleged shooter, charging decisions and any later victim-status update.
Next checkpoint: A police or court update.
OPENUNCONFIRMED2027 city budget and levy
Not confirmed against the source as of October 2, 2026: the $61 million budget and $21.65 million levy figures and the November county notices. Check the source before relying on it.
The preliminary $61 million budget and $21.65 million levy are now approved. The next public checkpoint is the December 14 hearing and final vote. Property-specific notices are expected from Anoka County in November.
Still unresolved: Final levy and budget adoption after the December 14 hearing.
Next checkpoint: The final budget and levy decision.
OPENHighway 65 reconstruction
ABC Newspapers reported that the City Council unanimously approved MnDOT’s proposed redesign of Central Avenue (Highway 65) between 37th and 53rd avenues NE on September 14. Under the design, much of the corridor south of 49th Avenue would have one general traffic lane in each direction, with roundabouts planned at 46½, 47th, 49th, 51st and 53rd avenues.
Still unresolved: Additional project details are to be negotiated through a memorandum of understanding, and approved September 14 Council minutes have not been posted.
Next checkpoint: Approved September 14 minutes or a memorandum of understanding with MnDOT.
OPENUNCONFIRMED800 53rd Ave. NE former Medtronic property
Not confirmed against the source as of October 2, 2026: that a comprehensive-plan amendment for 800 53rd Ave. NE was on the September 14 agenda. Check the source before relying on it.
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 was on the September 14 agenda.
OPENUNCONFIRMED4300 Central Ave. redevelopment
Not confirmed against the source as of October 2, 2026: that a comprehensive-plan amendment for 4300 Central Ave. was scheduled for Council action September 14. Check the source before relying on it.
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.
A comprehensive-plan amendment was on the September 14 agenda.
OPENColumbia Heights schools and enrollment
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.
Latest substantive local report: September 15.
OPENUNCONFIRMED3923 Jackson Street NE foreclosure
Not confirmed against the source as of October 2, 2026: all details, because the source page could not be opened. Check the source before relying on it.
The public notice scheduled a sheriff’s sale for September 29. No sale result or postponement has been published, so the outcome should not yet be treated as complete.
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