Recent content from Karen Zamora
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'This is Jayme Closs! Call 911!' Missing Wisconsin 13-year-old found alive
Three people east of Gordon, Wis., described the dramatic moments when the 13-year-old was found almost three months after she disappeared: dirty with matted hair and wearing shoes too big for her.
Minnesota foundation created after tobacco lawsuit settlement announces grant recipients
The Ciresi Walburn Foundation was renamed this year to recognize the lawyers involved in the case.
![Halle Martin, 22, a student at Concordia University looked for a book at the Rondo library on Monday afternoon. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ • cgonzalez@s](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/Z3SESHN3AAV7CNSUVT7T3DOWEA.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
St. Paul library late fees scrapped
Patrons in St. Paul no longer have to pay late fees, and the policy gets rave reviews.

DNR plans late-season deer hunts in Southeastern Minnesota to curb spread of CWD
The Minnesota DNR said the Jan. 25-27 and Feb. 1-3 hunts will take place in the large swath of land in permit zone 346, part of Houston and Winona counties

Friday's metro high plows through old record of 41 to 47
A January thaw gave Minnesota the strange luster of spring, and the mild weather is expected to continue through the weekend.
After hitting Minneapolis police car, vehicle smashes into liquor store
No one was seriously hurt, but broken wine bottles littered the entrance to Hums.
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Brooklyn Center welcomes new mayor who reflects its growing diversity
Mike Elliott, who came from Liberia at age 11, said the city he will lead "put arms around us."
Minneapolis Park Board seeks state money for youth, Mississippi River projects
The board will discuss its 2019 legislative agenda at Wednesday's meeting.
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Park Board poised to approve Wirth House lease for new superintendent
Lease arrangement with previous superintendent was a bit controversial.
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Suspect in Hibbing slaying is arrested in St. Paul
Man found in St. Paul and held in Ramsey County jail; charges are pending.
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Northern Minnesota gets more than foot of snow; metro mostly spared
Rain closes ski resorts, causes crashes, including one that killed 1 and injured 9.
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St. Paul's Sixth Chamber Used Books closing in March
A sister store, Fox Den Books in River Falls, Wis., will remain open.
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For many Minnesota families, tamales are a taste of 'home' at Christmastime
Many Mexican-American families in the Twin Cities spend hours preparing a traditional holiday specialty: tamales.

Al Bangoura is new Minneapolis Park Board chief
He is expected to begin on Jan. 20 after an unanimous vote that capped a monthlong national search.
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New Minneapolis parks chief expected to earn $10,000 more than predecessor
Current contract would offer Al Bangoura $175,000, just below salary cap.

Como Park finial stolen from up on the rooftop turns up in a stocking
Someone had scaled the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in Como Park, grabbed the globe and climbed back down.

Mayor: Grain elevator fire in Superior, Wis., will 'burn for a while'
Firefighters in Superior, Wis., battled a large grain elevator fire late Monday afternoon, the city's second large fire this year.
Pregnant woman fatally hit after semi failed to stop at intersection in Stearns County
The suspect later told authorities he didn't see the stop sign.

'Dump' or treasure? Mpls. Park Board weighs Wirth house's fate
With Al Bangoura, the incoming superintendent, likely to move in, questions are swirling about the future of the house. A historical group that gives tours may have to pack up its items and leave. And the Park Board begins debating next week how much rent Bangoura will pay, a controversial issue for the last superintendent.
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Archbishop 'troubled' that allegations vs. Nienstedt are unresolved
Archbishop Bernard Hebda wrote in a letter to Twin Cities Catholics that he's pushing for full investigation of allegations against his predecessor.

Two new sculptures installed in north Minneapolis parks
One of the pieces was created to honor Prince.
Cross-country skier rescued from Roseville lake
Authorities say ice was too thin this early in the season.

Minneapolis Park Board position at center of controversy stays in 2019 budget
Last-minute effort to remove it and redirect the budgeted funds failed.
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Minnesota lawmaker proposes tougher laws on distracted driving
Efforts to toughen state laws stalled in the Legislature this year.
Cass County man jailed after his mother fatally stabbed
The 34-year-old from Bena also was held in connection with attacking and assaulting several patrons outside a bar, the Sheriff's Office said.

Divisive board overshadows naming of Mpls. parks leader
A clash over a contract for a lobbyist dominated the meeting where new Superintendent Al Bangoura was announced.
St. Paul psychiatrist surrenders medical license after pleading guilty to possessing child pornography
He pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography in July.

St. Paul Chipotle manager says she was standing up for her employees
Dominique Moran asked for time to decide if she will return to her job.
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Ann Loring Woodworth Meissner, psychologist and lifelong learner, dies at 93
She had a penchant for helping others, her family said.
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Two interview for Minneapolis Park Board superintendent
One is a longtime former Minneapolis Park Board employee and the other a newcomer.
![Jeff Johnson made his concession speech at GOP headquarters. ] GLEN STUBBE ï glen.stubbe@startribune.com Tuesday, November 6, 2018 Republican Ele](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/NLGSYKWMMBBFRUFDE7EBDYG4EA.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Jeff Johnson to retire from politics at the end of term
His term as Hennepin County commissioner ends in 2020.
Chronic wasting disease found at quarantined Crow Wing County farm
The farm was quarantined in 2016 after two deer were infected with the fatal disease.
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Minneapolis Park Board superintendent job down to three
Goals include diversity, serving a wider public.
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Danger period begins for higher risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, Minn. officials say
Now is the time to check furnaces, CO detectors, health officials say.
Mpls. Park Board members to learn this week if panel recommends a pay raise for them
Recommendation to be shared on Wednesday.
Green Line train hits, injures pedestrian in St. Paul
Train service was resuming after a halt from Hamline to Western as police investigated.
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Zebra mussels confirmed in five more Minnesota lakes
Lake Riley in Carver County had 91 of the 100 mollusks the DNR found.

Tom Foley registers as write-in candidate for Minnesota attorney general
The former Ramsey County attorney said "a number of people" asked him to run so their votes could be counted.
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Minnesota records 300th traffic fatality of the year
With drunken driving leading the way, state is ahead of last year's toll.

After a golden day in Minnesota, cooler weather lies ahead
Friday promises sunshine, but a brisk wind, rain and maybe snow will follow.
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Interim Minneapolis Park Board superintendent proposes $120.1 million budget for 2019
Property tax hike, overdose plan, new focus on youth programming part of plan.
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Gov. Dayton resting at Mayo after a second back operation
Surgeries were similar to ones governor underwent in 2012 and 2015.
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Zebra mussels found in three more Minnesota lakes
The mollusks turned up as equipment was removed from lakes for the season.

Scream Town reopens after deal with Carver County
Visitors were greeted by a sign that read, "All are welcomed here."

Carver County briefly shuts down Halloween haunt Scream Town
Carver County administrator promised enforcement action if Halloween attraction violates stop order.

Water use is targeted in state sustainability report
Update on sustainability finds progress in cutting emissions and waste.

Popular Scream Town apologizes for targeting Somali customers
The owner wrote a public apology on Scream Town's Facebook page saying safety is a top priority and the first post "seemed to generalize."
Man running across tracks fatally struck by Green Line train in St. Paul
The man and a friend were crossing the tracks on Syndicate Street, about a block east of the Hamline station. The friend made it.

Body of missing Mpls. man believed to be found in Austin, Texas
Christopher White was visiting college friends and attending a music festival in Austin, Texas.
Decomposed body found in St. Paul drainage ditch
An Xcel Energy maintenance employee found the body around 4:30 p.m. near Randolph Avenue and West Seventh Street, police said.
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Shut down for hours after fatal crash, Hwy. 12 reopens near Maple Plain
The highway was closed between Valley Road and Railroad Avenue west of Maple Plain in Independence, the Minnesota State Patrol said.
Minneapolis woman charged after boy finds loaded gun in her purse, shoots his hand
The boy "had significant damage to his left hand, requiring surgery," the Hennepin County Attorney's Office said.
![Signage at the north end of Lake Calhoun along Lake St. Wednesday afternoon. ] JEFF WHEELER ï jeff.wheeler@startribune.com The Minneapolis Park B](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/ZEGPKQZM7UIMLNO3AJ5CJWQOTE.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Minneapolis Park Board to end all glyphosate use on parkland
The move almost ensures that the active ingredient in Roundup will soon be gone for good.
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Minneapolis Park Board asks panel to consider raises for board members
The board also extended the contract of interim leader Mary Merrill.
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Warrant issued for Moorhead woman suspected of kidnapping her children
It's possible they are not all together, authorities said.
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Settlement between Graco, Park Board means Minneapolis will get riverside park
The agreement ends a yearslong legal dispute over a parcel of land.
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Vaccinate kids for flu, Minnesota health officials plead
New data underline how deadly last winter's influenza season was nationwide.
Northern Minnesota driver swerves to miss deer, hits tree; passenger dies
The identities of the driver and passenger are being withheld pending notification of family, the Sheriff's Office said.

Response team created for homeless on buses, light rail
It's also experiencing a rise in crimes, resulting in more officers on board.
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Severe storms cause 'significant' damage in southeastern Minn.
In the Twin Cities, residents sloshed through flooded streets in some areas. Clouds and storms are expected to clear out Friday, with clear skies and cool temperatures moving in.

650 from Minnesota National Guard bound for Kuwait honored before sendoff
Ceremony at the St. Paul RiverCentre pays tribute ahead of deployment by the Rosemount-based 34th Red Bull Infantry Division.
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Minneapolis Park Board will hold police listening sessions next month
Residents are invited to discuss park policing and safety at two listening sessions to be held next month by the city's Park and Recreation Board.

2 injured in blast, fire at Minneapolis industrial building
The two employees were taken to a hospital with serious burns and other injuries after the blast at Metal-Matic.
Minneapolis Park Board wants to ask taxpayers for at least $3.5 million more in 2019
Board of Estimate and Taxation to make a decision on the $3.5M request on Sept. 26.

Minneapolis residents will help pick next Park Board executive
Those who want to be on Mpls. selection committee must apply by Sept. 20.
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Harvey Djerf, naturalist and biology teacher, dies at 96
Born and raised in south Minneapolis, he became an avid outdoorsman who studied forestry in college before being drafted to serve in World War II.