News | Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

The research for Thomas Becknell’s recent book, “Enchantments of the Mississippi,” began years before he actually wrote the book. “At the outset, I must have read at least a … more

By Jan Willms | 1/16/23

Keystone food center gets $1.7 million boost

Construction on Keystone Community Services’ planned new food center gets underway in January, with a goal of opening the doors later in 2023. That’s welcome news to anyone who has relied … more

By Jane McClure | 12/13/22

Eugene Johnson and his children (Angelic, age eight, and Angelica, age nine) appreciate the experience they’ve had through Shop with Cops. Johnson told Midway Area Chamber of Commerce members about it during a fundraiser on Nov. 30, 2022. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

Happy tidings from Shop With Cops

Last year, Christmas was looking pretty bleak for the Eugene Johnson family.Johnson fell off a second story building onto a fence, and was hospitalized for weeks. Then he spent time in a wheelchair. … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 12/13/22

The Victoria Theater was built as a silent movie house in 1915.

Victoria Theater Arts Center to finally open in January 2024

Frogtown’s historic Victoria Theater could be in the spotlight in 2024, as the long-awaited community arts center opens its doors. The theater leadership earlier this fall accepted $1 million … more

By Jane McClure | 12/12/22

Urban29 owner Joyce Sanders stands in her new store at 633 University Ave. W., in the new Frogtown Crossing building. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

Streetwear at University and Dale

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN Urban29 lost its space at 804 E. Lake in Minneapolis when the building burned after the murder of George Floyd. Owner Joyce Sanders of Longfellow opened a pop-up location … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 11/9/22

Mike Reynolds (left) and Jessica Kopp stand by the new stoplight at Snelling and Englewood. (Photo submitted)

A LITTLE SAFER FOR ALL

For decades, neighbors have been asking that something be done to make it safer to cross the street at Snelling and Englewood. In October 2022, the city finally installed a stoplight. “I had … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 11/9/22

Shaunie Grisby hopes to create a place like The Den from the television series “Moesha”– a place that is a community hangout. Flava Coffee and Cafe at 623 University Ave. West serves beverages, breakfast and lunch. “I wanted to create a space like that where people loved being,” said Grisby. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

One latte at a time

Frogtown has a coffee shop again.Over three years of planning culminated with the official opening of Flava Coffee and Cafe on Aug. 27, 2022 in the newly built Neighborhood Development Center at the … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 11/9/22 | 1 comment

A SAFER APPROACH FOR CUSTODY CASES

Who’s right? Who’s wrong? And how does it affect the kids?Figuring out family dynamics in custody cases can be tricky, but the Battered Women’s Justice Project (BWJP) in St. Paul … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 10/12/22

VALUATION PERCENTAGE INCREASE 2018 vs 2022 - A look at trends from 2018 and 2022 is striking. Frogtown saw the greatest market value increase at 57.1 percent.

Average home taxes going up 14.8%

Area homeowners may want to open their mailboxes carefully in November. Truth-in-taxation statements likely will bring sticker shock with rising home values and property taxes.St. Paul, Ramsey County … more

By JANE McCLURE | 10/12/22

He began in praise and worship, transitioned to pop rock, and finally found his home in hip hop music as Nur-D.

NUR-D PERFORMS BENEFIT SHOW OCT. 28

Catch a Nur-D show and support local radio on Friday, Oct. 28, 5-9 p.m. at Urban Growler Brewing (2325 Endicott St.).“I love Nur-D’s energy and stage presence!” said WFNU co-founder … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 10/12/22

District 11: a place where your voice matters

What does a district council in St. Paul do? The answer is as varied as the people who live in district, Como resident Sarah O’Brien has discovered in the last year since she was hired to … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 9/18/22

NEW CAREER PATHWAYS CENTER

Volunteers from 3M helped ready the new Career Pathway Center on the Saint Paul College campus on Aug. 31, 2022. The new Saint Paul Public Schools learning space features classrooms, state-of-the-art … more

Submitted | 9/18/22

Russel Balenger replaces Dai Thao as Ward 1 Council Member

Long-time community worker Russel Balenger has been named to replace City Council Member Dai Thao, who left Saint Paul in August to serve as director of a faith-based social justice organization in … more

By JAN WILLMS | 8/21/22

An early dining hall at the fair is in the background. There have been several buildings over the last 125 years.

125 years: Hamline Church Dining Hall

The Hamline Church Dining Hall marks 125 years at the Minnesota State Fair this year, with a special event at 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 25. The celebration of the state fair’s oldest food … more

By JANE McCLURE | 8/12/22

What happens if you remove I-94?

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN What happens if Interstate 94 is removed between St. Paul and Minneapolis?Our Streets Minneapolis is leading the conversation to rethink I-94 and consider various … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 8/12/22

Citizens rally outside the Hamline Midway Library to express support for saving the historic building on Tuesday, July 19, 2022. (Photo submitted)

No recommendation on historic status

The Hamline Midway Branch Library’s nomination for the National Register of Historic Places moves on with no recommendation from the St. Paul Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC). After … more

By JANE McCLURE | 8/12/22

The site of the Midway shopping center (above) is empty on the east side of Allianz Field, while The Pitch and the Pivot, two six-story, multi-use buildings, have risen on the west side. The nearby sites where Big Top Liquor and DTLR Sports Dome were formerly located also remain vacant and covered by grass. CVS closed its location on the corner of Snelling and University. The locally-owned Lloyd’s Pharmacy rebuilt at its former location at 720 Snelling Ave. N. (Photos by Tesha M. Christensen)

Perspectives on University Ave.

How have businesses in the Midway weathered the dual challenges of the pandemic and racial unrest? Hear from two local leaders, one from the art community and the other from the business … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 7/13/22

Neighbor Sylvie Wolfson is pictured reading with George.

Midway signs inspire children’s book

By JAN WILLMS When children’s book author Ioana Stoian started taking her two and a half-year-old son, George, on walks to the Hamline-Midway Library, he would stop and point at the … more

7/13/22

City’s new deeply affordable housing to open in Midway

A unique and historic University Avenue building will become the Twelve22 University apartment building, as part of a larger effort to provide very low-income housing. The St. Paul City Council … more

By JANE McCLURE | 7/13/22

Winston Smith’s brother Kidale Smith (center) speaks as Winston’s mother, Tijuana Wilson (left) and sister, Tamara Wilson (right) stand by his side. (Photo by Jill Boogren)

Family, friends seek answers in Winston Smith killing

One year after law enforcement officers killed 32-year-old father and comedian Winston “Boogie” Smith Jr. at the top of an Uptown parking ramp, his family, friends and community members … more

By JILL BOOGREN | 6/26/22