It was a relief for many businesses when Governor Walz announced the state was rolling back COVID-19 rules at the end of this month. On May 28, bars and restaurants will be able to operate at full capacity for the first time in more than a year. One local restaurant owner says it’s a light at the end of the tunnel.

The City Council in Centerville received so many comments about three development projects, public hearings on all but one part of the proposals have been re-opened.

After a year when graduations were done on line or in a video, loosening the restrictions means high school graduations should have no COVID restrictions on numbers of attendees if they’re held after May 28.

Part of those proceeds will help benefit a neighbor to the historic company–Haven For Heroes, a veterans home in the old state hospital on the banks of the Rum River.

Blaine is competing with three other cities in the area to see which city can get the most storm drain cleanings this year. To kick off the challenge, local watershed districts gave out prizes for the best drain names. The Blaine winner is a part of a neighborhood-wide effort to keep the drains clean.

Samantha Markman is taking over an economic development job that was created about three years ago.  She says marketing that potential is a huge priority.  She also creates connections with 21 communities across the county and keeps track of their business opportunities.