The groundbreaking for the new Hwy. 95 bridge over I-35 in North Branch was held today under cloudy skies. But the sun was shining in the hearts of those gathered, as the long-awaited project was finally about to begin. Following the gold-shovel moment on the northwest corner of the freeway intersection at 9 a.m., the group moved to the fire hall where the celebration continued with speeches from many including Congressman Jim Oberstar. (Photo by MaryHelen Swanson)

The  Minnesota Wing of the Civil Air Patrol is currently coordinating the search mission for a missing single-engine aircraft.

According to 1st Lt. George Supan, squadron public information officer, the mission base for the search operation is located at the Anoka County-Blaine Airport. See more in ABC Newspapers Editor Tim Hennagir's exclusive.

NEWS RELEASE

St. Paul, MN -- Secretary of State Mark Ritchie unveiled a redesign of absentee ballot envelopes and instructions Friday, Nov. 13 to further streamline Minnesota's absentee ballot process with the goal of helping more voters successfully cast their ballots in elections while maintaining election integrity safeguards.

The secretary of state has asked that these redesigns be incorporated and approved through the Minnesota Rules process.

Read more: Secetary of State Ritchie unveils new election reform ideas

Mix a love of writing with a desire for extra cash and a willing co-worker—and you have yourself a winning Hallmark greeting card.

Marni Torres, of Isanti, was one of 30 winners out of 1,800 entries across the country in Hallmark’s recent “Birthday His Way” greeting card contest. Torres has been writing for 14 years but never pursued it and basically just threw her work into a box.

When her hours were cut at work she began looking at ideas to make some extra cash and found the Hallmark greeting card contest.

Torres’ card on the front shows a close-up picture of her male co-worker’s bald head with the words, “Welcome to the RECESSION...” Open it up and the inside finishes, “...of your HAIRLINE! Happy Birthday."

(Photo submitted)

He allegedly told police he was growing his own marijuana to save money, but charges against Ryan James Parranto of Eagan could end up costing him big.

The Dakota County Attorney’s Office has charged Ryan James Parranto, 31, with possession of a controlled substance and manufacturing of marijuana, both felonies. He was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, a petty misdemeanor. See more in Erin Johnson's ThisweekLive story.

An Eagan woman was killed Nov. 9 after being struck by a car while crossing the street in St. Paul.

Alexandria Jane Mardell, 20, was attempting to cross West 7th Street around 7:19 p.m. when she was struck by a westbound car, according to the St. Paul Police Department. See more in Erin Johnson's ThisweekLive story.

Most often when travelers stop in Little Falls during an adventure, it's during a trip down the Mississippi.Mike Conlin and his friend since high school, Gary Augustine from Winnipeg, Canada, were traveling in a motor home when they stopped Nov. 6, but they were on an adventure just the same.

They had just come through Staples, Motley, Cushing and Randall, and planned a stop in Little Falls for an overnight break. See more in Editor Terry Lehrke's Morrison County Record story.

A Coon Rapids hotel was robbed yesterday evening (Thursday, Nov. 12). Two women, one an employee, 29, and the other a guest, 25, were in the lobby of the Fairfield Inn, 8965 Springbrook Dr. N.W., about 6:50 p.m. Nov. 12 when a man walked in.

According to the Coon Rapids Police report, the man grabbed the employee, demanded the keys to the cash register, then pushed her to the ground and punched the guest, who was in a wheelchair. See more in Editor Peter Bodley's ABC Newspapers story.

Thanks to an eighth-grader’s perseverance, a Holocaust survivor now living in California  will deliver a message of tolerance and hope next week at a local community event.

It all started when Natasha Powell, 12, a student in Spring Lake Park District 16’s Lighthouse Program for gifted learners, read Elie Wiesel’s “Night.”  The experience prompted her to look more deeply into the Holocaust. Her research led her to a survivor of Hitler’s rule, Peter Fischl, 79, of Chino Hills, Calif., who will speak at Spring Lake Park High School’s Fine Arts Center, Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

See more in Elyse Kaner's ABC Newspapers story.

Holocaust survivor Peter Fischl of Chino Hills, Calif., will speak about his life in the ghetto and lessons he learned during the Holocaust. The free event is Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m., at Spring Lake Park High School’s Fine Arts Center. (Photo submitted)

Grand opening of the Riverdale Northstar Commuter Rail station in Coon Rapids will take place tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 14).

The event, which will have a theme tying it to this year’s 50th anniversary of the city of Coon Rapids, is the prelude to the launch of the state’s first commuter rail service Monday, Nov. 16 when trains start running between Big Lake and Minneapolis through Anoka County. See more in Editor Peter Bodley's Coon Rapids Herald story.