š± How the $168 million Highway 65 overhaul will change driving in Blaine
Hello again Blaine! Weāre bringing you the latest town highlights. Donāt miss out, keep going! āļøļø
In today's newsletter:
- How the $168 million Highway 65 overhaul will change driving in Blaine
- How a Blaine lawmaker wants housing bonds to help mobile home parks
- How Blaineās representative helped sink a key childrenās policy package
Today's riddle: What did the inventor of the knock-knock joke win? š¤ (Answer below!)
- Friday: A gusty t-storm in the p.m., with a high of 70 and low of 30 degrees.
- Saturday: Cloudy, windy and much colder, temps: high: 44, low: 27.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 49 and low of 29 degrees.
š° News we're reading
1. Bids opened this morning for reconstruction of Highway 65 in Blaine (insightnews.com) ā A massive five-year reconstruction of Highway 65 through Blaine, from 97th Avenue to 121st Avenue/Paul Parkway, is moving forward after bids were opened and a low bidder identified. Work is expected to start in early June, adding new interchanges, a pedestrian bridge, and ADA-compliant sidewalks to improve safety, reduce congestion, and smooth daily commutes. Residents are encouraged to watch for May public meetings and sign up for traffic-impact updates. 
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2. House committee OKs $162 million housing investment with no General Fund impact (mn.gov) ā A statewide housing bill backed by a Blaine legislator is moving forward, using bond sales and unused state funds to steer over $160 million into affordable housing without tapping the General Fund. Rep. Matt Norris of Blaine floated, then withdrew, an idea to dedicate $15 million for manufactured home park upgrades, as lawmakers fine-tune how the money will be spent. Ā Ā Ā
3. GOPers on House children and families panel balk at omnibus bills in final scheduled meeting (mn.gov) ā Blaine residents may want to note that their state representative, Nolan West, led House Republicans in blocking a children-and-families omnibus bill at the committeeās final meeting before a key budget deadline. The dispute centered on whether to advance a broader āminibusā of child-related measures or focus solely on child care licensing modernization, leaving several bipartisan proposals stalled for now. Ā Ā Ā
4. DHS integrity bill to combat Medicaid fraud hits snag in committee (fox9.com) ā A Blaine state representative is at the center of a fight over expanding Minnesotaās Medicaid fraud unit, which could bring in triple federal matching dollars. House Republicans balked at adding more funding for the attorney general, forcing the billās author to seek another path, likely through Senate negotiations later this session. Ā Ā Ā
5. Dean Slininger (kroxam.com) ā Blaine readers may recognize the Slininger family, as Dean Sliningerās son Robert lives in Blaine while the family mourns Deanās passing at age 80. The longtime Ada farmer, truck driver, and Vietnam veteran is remembered for his service, love of family, and community involvement, with funeral services and visitation scheduled in Ada next week. Ā Ā Ā
šø Around Blaine
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š
Upcoming Events in
Blaine
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
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8AM-Noon - Recycling Saturdays
Recycling Technologies (Green Lights Recycling) , 1525 - 99th Lane NE , Blaine
8:00 am -
Earth Day
Blaine, MN Calendar Blaine, MN 55449 -
Together at the Library (Adult Adaptive Program) In-Person
Johnsville Meeting Room, Johnsville Library
12:00 pm -
5:30-7PM - Mtg: City Council Workshop
Blaine, MN Calendar , 10801 Town Square Drive NE , Blaine
5:30 pm -
7-9PM - Mtg: City Council
Blaine, MN Calendar , 10801 Town Square Drive NE , Blaine
7:00 pm -
Toddler Storytime In-Person
Centennial Community Room, Centennial Library
11:15 am -
Play. Learn. Protect Water: Join us for The Watershed Game! In-Person
Centennial Community Room, Centennial Library
4:30 pm -
7PM - Mtg: Natural Resources Conservation Board
Blaine, MN Calendar , 10801 Town Square Drive NE , Blaine
7:00 pm
Saturday April 18
Monday April 20
Tuesday April 21
š£ Blaine Shout Outs!
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š Events Nearby
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Grand Rapids vs Coon Rapids
Coon Rapids High School - Center for Biomedical Sciences and Engineering , 2340 Northdale Blvd NW , Coon Rapids
9:30 am -
Baby & Me Storytime
Mounds View Library , 2576 County Road 10 , Mounds View
10:30 am -
Forest Lake vs Mounds View
Mounds View High School , 1900 Lake Valentine Rd , Arden Hills
4:30 pm -
Sushi Making With Chef Pao at a Local Brewery - Cooking Class by Classpop!
Torg Brewery , 8421 University Ave NE , Spring Lake Park
7:30 pm
Friday April 17
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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š¬ Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- We have two - too many male ducks to rehome.
Rowan/jumbo Pekingās. Ppl friendly pet friendly and not for anything but a pet. Let me know if your interested (Nextdoor Laddie Lake Shores)
Ok Blaine! 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: The NO-BELL prize (Thank you Gina M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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