The big news around “Patch Town” last week was the launching of Local Voices Wednesday, a new blogging platform for community members. The platform aims to create a place for the community to share their stories and expertise, while also creating more dialogue between neighbors. Richfield Patch launched three new blogs from writers Kevin Parks, Angela Carlson and Tom Burgess. To see all the blog, click here.  The platform is open to all Richfield residents. If you’re interested in having your own blog on Richfield Patch, e-mail Editor Caitlin Burgess or click here. The other big news that hit…

Richfield Patch announced Tuesday that it would be launching a new blog platform for local voices. The new feature on Patch aims to add more ways to involve the community. The new platform is expected to launch later this week and is looking for interested bloggers to participate. For more details about Patch blogs, click here. In other news, Last week’s unpredictable weather caused many Holy Angels and Richfield High School games and meets to be canceled or postponed for a later date. However, some teams managed to get in some play at the beginning and the end of the week, including many of …

The big news around Richfield last week came Thursday when Richfield S.T.E.M. School teacher Melanie Lawrence-Smith was honored as a recipient of Fox 9 TV’s Top Teacher of the Year Award. Richfield Patch was there to catch the big announcement and the reaction of Lawrence-Smith. To see a video of her reaction to the news, click here. In case you missed anything else, in other news: Schools With Prom season upon us, Richfield Patch investigated the Going Rate to attend the dance these days. To see the price breakdowns, click here. Richfield High School’s (RHS) Tyler Jegtvig committed to the …

The top story of the week for Richfield was the presentation made by Wellington Management Inc. to the Richfield City Council Tuesday night about potential plans for the vacant Kmart site. The plans included demolishing the existing building and starting fresh with three new buildings. LA Fitness and Goodwill were proposed for two of the building tenants, while the other would most likely be a casual dining restaurant. Many readers weighed in on the plans on Richfield Patch. To see the full article and readers’ comments, click here. Richfield Patch was also at Holy Angels’ Prom Grand March …

Last week Patch launched a new daily video series to replace the daily PatchCasts that were running before. The new daily features include: Fish Out of Water: A local Patch editor tries her hand a different job every week; Superstar Next Door: Patch recognizes great community athletes and teams; Ask Me Anything: Local experts show viewers what they do and how they do it; Order Up!: Patch peeks into the kitchens of local restaurants to see the personalities behind the grills. Take a look at the videos and send your ideas for people, businesses or athletes in Richfield to be featured to Caitlin…

Government The Richfield Planning Commission discussed open meeting laws at its regular monthly meeting March 28, in addition to holding a public hearing to consider various amendments to the city’s zoning ordinance. For the full story, click here. House Minority Leader Paul Thissen (DFL-Minneapolis), who also represents part of Richfield, got heated March 28 after State Rep. Linda Holberg (R-Lakeville) defended using metro sales tax money to help with the state’s transportation costs. To see a video of Thissen’s statement, click here. In addition, Thissen urged members to vote against the …

The Richfield City Council had a full agenda last week, which mostly centered around its redevelopment initiatives throughout the city: The city council met with members of the Richfield Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) and Richfield Planning Commission for a special work session March 21 to discuss the plans for the Lyndale Garden Center project. The Cornerstone Group, which developed and owns the Kensington Park development on 76th Street and Lyndale Avenue, presented its initials plans for the redevelopment of the site. The city council held another special work session with the …

Government The Richfield City Council heard a report of another incident at Jun Bo Chinese Restaurant and nightclub. The council has yet to vote on whether or not to renew the restaurant’s liquor license and this new incident has the potential to sway the council members’ decision. The Richfield Bicycle Master Plan Task Force met to further discuss potential bike routes. Each member was asked to analyze the routes and score them on effectiveness and compatibility. House Minority Leader Paul Thissen (DFL-Minneapolis), who represents part of Richfield, continued to press Republicans for their …

Think you missed something last week? Richfield Patch has it covered: Government and Special Commissions The Richfield Planning Commission approved its bylaws and appointed members to various officer and liaison positions. The Richfield Transportation Commission recommended the 25 mph curve option for the Richfield Parkway North Connection project. The recommendation now goes to the Richfield City Council to be voted upon. The Richfield Arts Commission began the planning of the Richfield Public Art Directory. The Richfield Human Rights Commission welcomed new members and discussed the need to…

Government Richfield Patch spoke with State Sen. Ken Kelash (D-Minneapolis), who represents Richfield, about Gov. Mark Dayton’s budget proposal and the possibility of S.F. 56—a bill that would freeze teachers salaries for two years—passing into law. U.S. Congressman Keith Ellison, who represents Richfield in the national legislature, stopped by the Richfield City Council meeting to update the public on what was going on in Washington, D.C. His main topic was on the impending budget crisis the country is facing. Police and Fire The Richfield Public Safety Department dealt with a handful of …

The week was marked by yet another winter storm warning for Richfield and much of the state on Saturday and Sunday. Tons of snow came floating down from the sky on Sunday, causing crashes, headaches and frowns across the state. While the weather was the topic of the weekend, much more went on in town throughout the week: Government House Rep. Linda Slocum (D-Richfield) applauded Gov. Mark Dayton for his veto of the Republicans’ budget bill. She called the bill reckless and said the bill would’ve taken Minnesota in the wrong direction. The Neighborhood Files Local resident Brenna Pederson was …

If you forgot to log on to Richfield Patch at some point last week, have no fear. Our weekly review is here to catch you up on everything you may have missed. Government The Richfield City Council passed the Domestic Partnership Registration Ordinance, allowing both same-sex and heterosexual, long-term couples register their relationships with the city and be officially recognized. Rep. Linda Slocum (D-Richfield) responded to the repeal of the gun law that required background checks in order to purchase a gun. Slocum said the repeal jeopardizes citizens’ public safety and makes it easier for …

Business Richfield Patch launched many new article topics this week, including: PatchCast, Bites Nearby, Get Out, Richfield Whiz Kids, House Hunt, SOLD!, Patch Picks, Frugal Family, Great Escape and the Grab & Go Kids Planner. All are geared to help make readers lives easier and to offer information to save time and money. Police and Fire Multiple thefts were reported the last weekend in January and the Richfield Public Safety Department announced that is holding an Internet safety meeting for parents to find out how to protect their children online. Opinion Wood Lake Nature Center Director, …

Police and Fire The fire that destroyed a garage on Park Avenue Jan. 22 was caused by improper disposal of cigarettes or another smoking product, according to the Richfield Fire Services Department. Three people were charged with possession of stolen property from Jan. 20-23, while others were charged later in the week with cocaine and methamphetamine possession. The Richfield Public Safety Department released a crime alert update detailing theft prevention tips, after a theft from purse incident the week before. After a rollover accident on Highway 62, Minnesota state troopers were still …

Government and City Commissions In light of the recent shootings, in both public places and city buildings, Patch dug into the Minnesota Personal Protection Act and found that no language existed to ban guns in government and city buildings. Minnesota House of Representatives Minority Leader Paul Thissen said balancing the state’s budget was a priority over lifting the ban on building nuclear power plants. Mayor Debbie Goettel and Council Member Sue Sandahl were sworn in for their next city council terms. The Richfield City Council approved a rezoning ordinance for a portion of the 6528 Penn …

The Neighborhood Files Richfield couple Verne and Kathie Voss both died after a car crash in South Minneapolis on Jan. 4. Pilgrim Evangelical Lutheran Church held a celebration of life service for its former pastor, Verne Voss, and preschool teacher, Kathie Voss, Saturday evening. The Peace Corps announced the Twin Cities, including Richfield, ranked ninth in the nation as a top volunteer-producing community. Two Richfield residents and volunteers talked with Richfield Patch’s Emily Schmidt about their experiences abroad. Twin Cities bluegrass and folk musicians gather at Richfield’s …