Hi folks I think there may be a man going around asking for donations for a fraudulent charity. Idk something felt off has anyone had experience with on-street ask for donations? Or have you heard of this charity?

Do landlords have to provide screens for windows? I’m in a high rise in downtown and they say they don’t have them, but I assumed they were required. We can’t open windows because there’s too many bugs getting in and it’s annoying.

I don’t mind spending money getting some, but this seems annoying.

St. Paul deserves a Fire Chief chosen on qualifications—not political connections

I’m asking St. Paul residents, St. Paul firefighters, and taxpayers to pay close attention to the process surrounding the selection of the next St. Paul Fire Department (SPFD) chief.

There are serious concerns being raised about the potential appointment of Jeramiah Melquist, and those concerns deserve to be addressed openly before any appointment is made.

Questions have been raised about his past workplace conduct, including allegations of bullying, discriminatory behavior, and treatment of coworkers. There have also been allegations concerning personal financial issues, including gambling and unpaid credit-card debt. These allegations should be independently verified and addressed through a transparent process rather than ignored or dismissed.

But the bigger issue goes beyond one individual.

For at least the past 20 years, the SPFD has struggled with leadership at the chief level. Too often, firefighters and St. Paul taxpayers have had to live with the consequences of questionable leadership decisions. If the city is going to select another chief, this should be an opportunity to break that cycle—not repeat it.

Mayor Kaohly Her should make the selection based on:

Leadership ability and professional qualifications

A demonstrated record of treating employees fairly and respectfully

Integrity and accountability

The ability to manage a large public-safety organization

The confidence and respect of the firefighters who will serve under the chief

A thorough and transparent background and reference review

The St. Paul Fire Department is too important to be treated as a political reward or an appointment based on personal relationships.

If there are concerns about a candidate's conduct or background, the public deserves answers.

I encourage St. Paul residents to respectfully contact the Mayor's Office and ask for a transparent, merit-based selection process. Ask that the city explain what qualifications and vetting criteria are being used and why the chosen candidate is the best person to lead the department.

This isn't about supporting or opposing someone because of who they know. It's about demanding competent leadership for the firefighters who put their lives on the line and for the taxpayers who fund the department.

St. Paul deserves better than another questionable leadership appointment.

Please contact the Mayor's Office, ask questions, and demand transparency before the next Fire Chief is selected

Now this imformation now being provided with my post is also from other sources and verifed

I am excited to share that yesterday the Saint Paul City Council passed an ordinance to create the Fire Chief Selection Committee. This slate has stellar representation of Saint Paul residents, community leaders, and professionals in emergency services. I have full confidence in their leadership, experience, and ability to provide recommendations on who our next Fire Chief is. I am grateful for their willingness to fulfill the important duties of the work ahead. Our city is in great hands! Please read the press release to see who made it.

--

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 26, 2026

City Council to establish a Qualifications and Examining committee to assist in the search for Saint Paul’s next Fire Chief

Saint Paul, MN- August 26, 2026- Under the leadership of Council Vice President Nelsie Yang, the City Council has established and appointed a committee of subject matter experts and community leaders to assist in the selection process of the next Chief for the Saint Paul Fire Department as required by City Charter.

Councilmember HwaJeong Kim and Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson have been significant partners ensuring a smooth collaboration with the Mayor’s Office and Human Resources.

The selection committee is made up of community and city stakeholders with experience to help identify the candidates that demonstrate leadership, experience, and a commitment to the residents of Saint Paul.

Baier, Carla - Saint Paul Fire Foundation Board Member, Saint Paul Resident

Burnett, Aaron – Regions Hospital Medical Director for Saint Paul Fire

Corcoran, Jennifer – Deputy Chief of Community Engagement in Saint Paul Police Department

Cunningham, John – Assistant Commissioner of Minnesota Department of Public Safety

Davis, Malik – Vice President of Firefighters United of Saint Paul, Saint Paul Resident

Hang, Justin – EMT, RN, Saint Paul Resident Hanlin, Peter – Fire Chief of St. Louis Park

Hogan, Mike – Retired Assistant Chief Saint Paul Fire Department

Hohertz, Stacy – Retired Saint Paul Fire Deputy Chief

Lall, Anushka – Saint Paul Resident

Lor, Dao - United Hmong Family Inc., Saint Paul Saint Paul Resident

Nelson, Rebecca – Board Member of Elders Lodge, Board Chair of Payne-Phalen Community Council, Saint Paul Resident

Thornberg, Kyle - President of Saint Paul Firefighters Local 21

Tyner, Bryan - Retired Minneapolis Fire Chief

Vasquez, Jacob - Latino Economic Development Center, Saint Paul Resident

The committee process will be guided by the City’s Human Resources department to interview and recommend five candidates to Mayor Kaohly Her. Mayor Her will then propose one candidate to the City Council for final approval and appointment.

###

ABOUT THE SAINT PAUL CITY COUNCIL: The Saint Paul City Council is the city’s legislative body, setting policy through ordinances and resolutions, adopting budgets, and providing direct constituent services across the city’s wards. Learn more at www.stpaul.gov/department/city-council

ABOUT SAINT PAUL FIRE & EMERGENCY SERVICES: Saint Paul Fire and Emergency Services protects the people of Saint Paul with public education, fire suppression, rescue, and emergency medical services. We partner with the community to mitigate risks, and respond to all calls for service with skill, dedication, and compassion. Learn more at www.stpaul.gov/departments/fire-emergency-medical-services

Source Of Info St Paul's City Council Ward 6 Nelsia Yang

Helicopters, drones, officers on foot around Victoria and University. Seemed like a manhunt. 1:10am-1:30am.

I may be in need of a lawyer to handle a breach of contract case relating to home improvement work done by a contractor. Any suggestions/recommendations?

Inspired by the recent posts about coffee shops: which local cafes have good tea selections? Coffee lovers are spoiled with so many options, but most cafes have a pretty basic selection of teas (black, green, and a few herbals). I’m trying to find the places that treat the tea lovers well!

About to get my electricity turned off by Xcel. I have children as well. I’ve tried 211 and other programs. Has anyone been in this situation and got out with some Hail Mary plan? I’m desperate and any advice would be greatly appreciated.

The historic Dacotah Building, home to W.A. Frost & Co. restaurant, has a new owner that is working with the 50-year Cathedral Hill mainstay to settle debts.

Merchants Bank, the St. Paul property’s Winona-based lender, purchased the building at a foreclosure sale last week for $1.8 million, according to court records. John Rupp, longtime owner of the building and restaurant, said he plans to refinance his mortgage and redeem the property within the six-month period allowed by state law.

On Aug. 20, a judge signed an order to evict W.A. Frost for failing to pay rent to the court-appointed receiver that has been managing the property since March. A representative for receiver JBL Companies and an attorney for Rupp both said the restaurant has since paid its rent and continued to operate without interruption.

Rupp said he was supposed to close on refinancing a couple of weeks ago but got delayed by technical issues with the title.

“W.A. Frost and the Dacotah Building are laughably profitable, so it’s not a problem,” he said in an interview Monday. “There’s very few restaurants that can be open for 50 years and continue to operate at the top of their game like this.”

Attorneys for Merchants Bank did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday. The bank first filed a lawsuit to foreclose on the Dacotah Building in December.

The red-brick property at the corner of Selby and Western avenues also houses several office suites, but W.A. Frost is the building’s biggest tenant by far. The restaurant pays $25,000 in monthly rent for its 15,000 square feet of space, according to a June report from the receiver.

Rupp’s acquisition of the Dacotah Building in 1975 marked his first venture into the real estate and hospitality business. He’s since been credited for helping revitalize the once-struggling Cathedral Hill neighborhood, going on to restore other historic properties such as the University Club and the Commodore Bar and Restaurant.

Some of his other holdings in the capital city have struggled. Rupp essentially abandoned the St. Paul Athletic Club in downtown after the historic building lost its last tenants and failed to sell at an auction in 2024.

Last month, the Athletic Club entered bankruptcy protection days before it would have fallen into tax forfeiture. Rupp said he is appealing the county assessor’s valuation of the building, arguing its property tax bills should be reduced.

He continues to market the building and is in talks with three prospective buyers, he added.Merchants Bank also filed to foreclose on another property of Rupp’s: the Burbank-Livingston-Griggs house, a historic mansion at 432 Summit Av. that is now rental apartments.

Rupp said he is working to refinance that property’s debt as well. Receiver JBL Companies has also been managing the building since March.

Hi neighbors,

I have seven JF Ferrar (JCPenney) dinner jackets that I want to send out into the world for their next life with a new owner.

I'm not trying to sell them here, to be clear. Just looking for advice. I have loved these jackets and have worn them over the years to so many events. I guess you could say I'm as committed to seeing them get to good homes as I am to getting them out of mine, lol (hey, closet space is precious in an apartment!).

Now back to the jackets -- I am stumped as to where to bring them. I don't think any of the usual resale places would be interested in them due to their brand, materials, and age (purchased 2016-2021). I also don't want to just toss them on the heap at some donation place where they might not really be "seen" or, put another way, found by folks who could use them for their intended purpose. They're all in great shape. Lots of interesting colors/patterns. Only ever dry-cleaned.

One thought I had was donating to SPPS - either to, like, a general clothes closet or one of the HS theater departments. Does SPPS have any clothes closet type programs? These jackets would be great as "loaners" for young men in need of some flashy duds from homecoming/prom/graduation/etc.

Any and all advice is appreciated here** -- thanks everyone!

** One caveat to the above statement: Please don't suggest FB Marketplace, I don't have FB anymore and am not interested in firing one up for this.

My wife just left the beach as emergency vehicles were arriving. She said it was a little girl.

It can happen so fast, please keep an eye on your kids. Prayers to the family! ♥️

My son lives in Saint Paul and I'm visiting. Whether getting around by car or bike, Google maps seems to have NO CLUE about road closures/construction. I keep being told to turn onto roads that have clearly been closed for over a week. 7th Avenue East, Arcade, Earl, what gives? Is there broken communication? Every other city I've ever been to, Google just seems to know.