Invasive zebra mussels have been confirmed in DeMontroville and Olson Lakes in Lake Elmo and in Long Lake in Pine Springs, located in the northeast corner of Interstate 694 and Minnesota Highway 36.

Officials with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said Monday that a contracted surveyor in October observed adult zebra mussels during a lake-bottom sediment survey in Long Lake. Recent follow-up water sampling detected zebra mussel larvae, called veligers, in Long Lake and DeMontreville and Olson Lakes, officials said.

State law requires boaters, anglers and waterfront property owners to take a variety of actions to prevent the spread of zebra mussels, regardless of whether a lake has an infestation, according to the DNR.

People should contact a Minnesota DNR aquatic invasive species specialist if they believe they have found zebra mussels or any other invasive species not already known to be in the water body.

Zebra mussels can compete with native species for food and habitat, cut the feet of swimmers, reduce the performance of boat motors and damage water-intake pipes.

More information is available at dnr.state.mn.us/ais.

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Jason Zimmerman, interim community development director in Stillwater, is dropping the “interim” from his title.

Zimmerman, who has served as the city’s part-time interim community development director since February, has been hired for the permanent position.

Jason Zimmerman (Courtesy of Jason Zimmerman)

He will be transitioning to the new position during the rest of July and August and will start full-time Sept. 2. His salary will be $158,538.

Zimmerman, 52, of Minneapolis, has worked as a planner for HKGi since January 2024. He previously worked as the planning manager and as a planner for Golden Valley.

Stillwater City Administrator Joe Kohlmann said Zimmerman impressed officials with his “can-do attitude” and ability to “address issues head-on.”

“Jason is an articulate professional who has demonstrated a strong commitment to the betterment of Stillwater,” Kohlmann said. “He gets along very well with coworkers, elected officials, and members of the public.”

Zimmerman grew up in Waconia, Minn., a rural community west of Minneapolis, and said “Stillwater has that same small-town feel, but with an oversized impact on the surrounding area due to its history and draw for visitors.”

“I’m looking forward to helping capture that enthusiasm and sense of pride as we work to update and improve policies, procedures, and a shared vision for the future,” he said. “Stillwater seems poised to cement itself as a premiere city, and I’m excited to be a part of that.”

Zimmerman has a master’s degree in city planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Carleton College.

In his spare time, he enjoys running ultra-marathons — “50 miles, 100 miles and even some that are over 100 miles,” he said. “The longest distance I’ve ever run at one time is 180 miles. That was in Moab, Utah. That took a little more than four days. There was some sleep sprinkled in there.”

He and his wife, Amie DeHarpporte, have four children and numerous household pets.

Tim Gladhill, who previously held the position, left Stillwater in August 2024 to become community development director in Brooklyn Park.

Danette Parr, the community development director in Maplewood, was hired in November to do the job; she resigned effective Dec. 31. Parr, who returned to her job in Maplewood, said Monday that Stillwater “wasn’t the fit (she) was looking for and, unfortunately, sometimes you just don’t know that until you get there.”

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A group including First Avenue CEO Dayna Frank has purchased the downtown Minneapolis property containing the Fine Line music venue.

The purchase was led by JoAnna Hicks of Element Commercial Real Estate, Frank confirmed. The property includes not just the Fine Line but also the adjoining six-story Consortium Building, which includes offices and Gidi Bar & Lounge.

The 650-capacity venue, which typically hosts indie artists, opened in 1987. Entrepreneur and former state politician Dario Anselmo bought the property and the venue in 1993 and has continued to own the property since then, though he sold the venue itself in 2013 to Entourage Events Group. First Avenue took over the venue in 2018.

In addition to owning or managing other venues, including St. Paul spots like the Turf Club and Palace Theatre, First Avenue also runs a pair of restaurants: The Depot, adjacent to the flagship venue and 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis, and the new Palace Pub downtown.

Frank did not address an emailed question regarding the future of the Gidi Bar & Lounge or whether First Avenue plans to open a restaurant of its own near the Fine Line.

Hicks also did not respond to a request for comment Monday afternoon.

The property was purchased for $3.2 million, according to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, which first reported the sale.

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Alan Bergman, Oscar-winning lyricist who helped write ‘The Way We Were,’ dies at 99

By JANIE McCAULEY

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A beloved therapy bunny named Alex The Great, who provided snuggles and comfort from ballparks to NBA arenas, airports, farmers markets and even Easter egg hunts and NASCAR races, has died. He was 4.

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A floppy-eared Flemish giant who was larger than life in both size and spirit, Alex suffered complications from cancer treatment and died early Monday, his owners said. The rabbit had undergone care at the renowned UC Davis Veterinary Hospital in recent days.

Alex appeared June 4 sporting his signature cap for Padres-Giants at Oracle Park. At 4 months old, he attended his first Giants game in April 2021 — believed to be the first bunny in the stands at the waterfront ballpark.

He loved wearing bow ties and riding in his remote-controlled car, which Alex did in November 2021 following an Arizona Fall League appearance at Scottsdale Stadium where he saw now-Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe as a rising prospect.

Owners Kei Kato and Josh Row saved Alex from a slaughterhouse — but, really, it was the bunny who saved them. They took Alex on all their trips and he spent hours at San Francisco International Airport with a golden retriever friend offering travelers emotional support.

FILE – Kei Kato, left, and her fiance, Josh Row, hold a therapy bunny named Alex during a baseball game between the San Francisco Giants and the Miami Marlins in San Francisco, Thursday, April 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Janie McCauley, File)

“He saved us and saved so many people,” Kato said via text message Monday. “All the stories people are sharing are so overwhelming.”

Fans stopped in awe when they saw Alex The Great wherever he went, often surprised by his size and always eager to snap a photo or selfie. Kato and Row were thrilled to share him with the world because Alex had brought them so much love and joy and they wanted to spread that to anyone who might need a lift or a smile. Or provide a chance to pet Alex’s soft orange fur or give him a hug.

“We remember him well for his surprise frequent visits to the ballpark,” Giants CEO Larry Baer said in a text message. “We remember the comfort he brought those who loved him and the joy he brought so many.”

Kei Kato and Josh Row pose with their therapy bunny Alex The Great during an Arizona Fall League Game at Scottsdale Stadium, Nov. 6, 2021, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Janie McCauley)

Kato lost her brewery restaurant during the pandemic and adopting Alex provided her with a new purpose. He helped Kato deal with the anxiety and stress of no longer having her main source of income and the fulfillment her business brought.

“I lost it all because of COVID, so I’ve been really stressed a lot,” Kato said at the ballpark that spring night in 2021. “We support local. I was a local. He’s well trained, too.”

When Alex became such a hit on the big screen, quick-thinking Daniel Kurish of the Marlins’ media relations staff went to find the bunny in the seventh inning to deliver some Miami gear.

Less than a month later, in May 2021, Alex appeared at a Suns-Warriors game at Chase Center. Of course, they loved him there, too. He’d also pop up outside the arena in Thrive City every now and then to greet fans before games.

“Let his legend continue,” Kato and Row wrote on Alex’s social media, “he was very loved.”

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB