Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What Apple Valley’s proposed 8.93% levy hike means for your taxes
And on the Apple Valley Patch calendar - Apple Valley Music In Kelley Park | Twin Cities

Good morning Apple Valley! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- What Apple Valley's proposed 8.93% levy hike means for your taxes
- Planning your night at Apple Valley's glowing Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular
- Which Apple Valley bus routes get you downtown fastest?
Also on today's calendar: Kids 'n Kinship Youth Mentoring Information Session and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What do an island and the letter "t" have in common? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Sunday: Cloudy, with a high of 68 and low of 50 degrees.
- Monday: Clouds and breaks of sun, temps: high: 62, low: 47.
- Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high of 64 and low of 45 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Apple Valley levy increase to fund park projects, rising personnel costs (hometownsource.com) — Apple Valley's 2027 preliminary budget would raise the city tax levy by 8.93%, adding about $172 to the annual city tax bill on a median-valued home. City leaders say the increase will fund park bonds, rising salaries, and new staff while avoiding special assessments for neighborhood road projects. Residents can weigh in at a December public budget meeting.
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2. Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular lights up the Minnesota Zoo once again this fall (kare11.com) — Apple Valley's Minnesota Zoo is bringing back its Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular from Sept. 25 to Nov. 1, featuring more than 5,000 carved pumpkins along an expanded nighttime trail. Residents can choose general admission or limited Priority Pumpkin Passes, enjoy special adults-only themed nights, and must buy nonrefundable tickets online in advance, with member discounts and flexible evening hours throughout the run.
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3. The Evolution of Eagan Transit: From Commuter Hub to Smart Mobility (blogspot.com) — Apple Valley commuters are directly served by MVTA's Route 480 to downtown St. Paul and the Orange Link Route 425 connecting Apple Valley, Burnsville, and Eagan. This guide explains how these express and local lines, plus Eagan's on-demand shuttle, link south metro neighborhoods with major job centers, retail hubs, and rail connections so you can better plan weekday and weekend trips.
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4. Apple Valley Man Hospitalized After Highway 77 Crash in Eagan (limitless-news.com) — An Apple Valley man was hospitalized after his pickup crossed a median and hit a concrete barrier on Highway 77 in Eagan Wednesday afternoon, briefly closing a northbound lane. State Patrol is still investigating what caused the crash, and a bystander's suggestion of a medical issue has not been confirmed. No other vehicles were involved, and the driver's current condition remains unknown.
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5. The Ultimate Guide to Twin Cities Fall Family Fun 2026 (twincitiesfrugalmom.com) — Apple Valley families can look forward to the Minnesota Zoo's Jack O Lantern Trail as one of many fall attractions highlighted in this Twin Cities guide. You'll also find ideas for pumpkin patches, corn mazes, farms, sunflower fields, nature centers, Halloween light displays, and even fall drink recipes and printable bucket lists to help you plan affordable, festive outings.
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📸 Around Apple Valley
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Apple Valley
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Apple Valley Music In Kelley Park | Twin Cities →
Kelley Park, 6855 Fortino St, Apple Valley
6:00 pm
Saturday September 26
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Public Safety in the Park →
Apple Valley, MN Calendar, 14255 Johnny Cake Ridge Rd., Apple Valley
5:00 pm - September 24, 2026, Economic Development Authority Meeting →
Apple Valley, MN Calendar
6:15 pm - September 24, 2026, City Council Regular Meeting →
Apple Valley, MN Calendar
7:00 pm - Dinner with Entrepreneurs: Apple Valley Small Town Edition →
Glazier Avenue, Apple Valley - Intuitive Readings from the Akashic Field with Theri at Divine Time →
Divine Time Metaphysical shop, 7546 149th Street West, Apple Valley
10:00 am - Vital Voices Apple Valley →
Grace Lutheran Church of Apple Valley, 7800 150th St W, Apple Valley
10:00 am - 2050 Comp Plan Community Workshop →
Apple Valley, MN Calendar, 6855 Fortino St., Apple Valley
5:00 pm - Kids 'n Kinship Youth Mentoring Information Session →
Robert Trail Library, 14395 S Robert Trail, Rosemount
6:00 pm - Fit Academy School Homecoming Celebration →
Fit Academy, 7200 147th Street West, Apple Valley
11:00 am - Good News Big Band →
Steeple Center, 14375 S Robert Trail, Rosemount
7:00 pm - Project Explore Craft Fair →
900 Garden View Dr, Apple Valley
10:00 am
Wednesday September 23
Thursday September 24
Saturday September 26
Tuesday September 29
Friday October 2
Saturday October 3
📣 Apple Valley Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Apple Valley PatchAM possible:
- RowCal - Oakdale — (651) 233-1307
- i9 Sports South Metro Minneapolis — 9525404415
- K-Beauty Xperience MedSpa — (952) 500-0880
- Panoramic Perspectives Therapy and Training PA — (952) 600-8191
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- The Life They Never Chose: A Cat's Perspective
As the temperatures begin to drop, it becomes even more important to look out for the stray cats and other animals living outdoors. They don't have… (Nextdoor Wildwood & Palomino Woods)
Ok Apple Valley! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: They are both in the middle of water. (Thank you Curt K. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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