It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Landmark Center gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in St Paul, MN is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“Words cannot express how grateful we are for your companies services. We know it can be difficult to schedule around changing situations. We appreciate your flexibility and the care and compassion shown for my mother. A special thanks to your team.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Harriet Island Regional Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Meritage or visit Burbank Livingston Griggs Mansion, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in St Paul, MN, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in St Paul, MN understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in St Paul, MN 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
The three-weekend event will span the whole city this year.The St. Paul Art Crawl, a multiple-weekend public art festival organized by the St. Paul Art Collective, starts April 25 and goes until May 11.Each weekend, a different St. Paul gallery, restaurant, venue or other participating location will host showcases of local art. More than 42 venues...
The three-weekend event will span the whole city this year.
The St. Paul Art Crawl, a multiple-weekend public art festival organized by the St. Paul Art Collective, starts April 25 and goes until May 11.
Each weekend, a different St. Paul gallery, restaurant, venue or other participating location will host showcases of local art. More than 42 venues across St. Paul are participating in the event, up from 30 last year, according to SPAC Executive Director Mariusz Kujawski.
This year’s art crawl will feature a variety of exhibitions, workshops, food trucks, live music and art markets.
Melissa Critchley, an artist at F-O-K Studios, said more than a thousand people have come through to see the work on display in past years. This year, 30 artists in F-O-K’s six-story building will open their studios to the public, accompanied by food trucks and performance art throughout the weekend.
“It’s always a big bash at our building,” Critchley said.
The first weekend is in St. Paul’s Lowertown, Westside and West 7th neighborhoods. Kujawski said the art crawl began in Lowertown in 1991.
As the event grew and artists began to open galleries in other parts of the city, the art crawl grew as well. This year’s edition will cover the whole city of St. Paul and the city’s east and northwest sides will host the second and third weekends, respectively.
“It’s amazing how the artists come together,” Kujawski said.
Since making membership free in January, SPAC has nearly doubled in size, Kujawski said. Having more members makes it easier to get sponsors and partners for programming and events like the art crawl, he said.
32 non-profit organizations are participating in this year’s crawl, up from eight last year. Kujawski said those partnerships have helped SPAC recoup the costs of cutting membership fees, so artists no longer need to worry about the financial burden of participating in crawl.
“Everyone’s a little more relaxed this year,” Kujawski said.
Metro Transit is offering free bus passes for the art crawl on April 26 and 27. More information can be found on the St. Paul Art Crawl website.
Among this year’s winners are Burnsville volleyball player Mesaiya Bettis and Maple Grove basketball standout Jordan Ode.2025 Athena Award winners include (clockwise from top) Elle Wildman (9) from East Ridge and Kaylee Idrogo-Lam (21) of Edina, Forest Lake's Norah Hushagen and Shakopee’s Arianna Zelen. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)Here are the Athena Award winners for schools in the Twin Cities. Athena Awards go to high school senior girls for their athletic achievements; each school chooses one. Winners from the St...
Among this year’s winners are Burnsville volleyball player Mesaiya Bettis and Maple Grove basketball standout Jordan Ode.
2025 Athena Award winners include (clockwise from top) Elle Wildman (9) from East Ridge and Kaylee Idrogo-Lam (21) of Edina, Forest Lake's Norah Hushagen and Shakopee’s Arianna Zelen. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Here are the Athena Award winners for schools in the Twin Cities. Athena Awards go to high school senior girls for their athletic achievements; each school chooses one. Winners from the St. Paul area will be honored at a private awards ceremony Wednesday at St. Paul’s RiverCentre. Minneapolis-area winners will be honored at a luncheon May 2 at the Earle Brown Heritage Center.
ANDOVER
• Mackenzie Jones (hockey, soccer, track and field): Wisconsin
ANOKA
• Maddy Freking (basketball, softball, volleyball): St. Thomas
ARMSTRONG
• Ava Mack (hockey, swimming, track and field): Wisconsin Stout
BENILDE-ST. MARGARET’S
• Bailey Gray (hockey, lacrosse, soccer): Delaware
BLAINE
• Katelyn Wozniak (basketball, tennis, track and field): St. Thomas
BLAKE
• Vivien Pihlstrom (Alpine skiing, figure skating, lacrosse): Dartmouth
BLOOMINGTON JEFFERSON
• Kylie Jones (hockey, lacrosse, tennis): Wisconsin
BLOOMINGTON KENNEDY
• Emily Spencer (hockey, softball, volleyball): Undecided
BRECK
• Esme Gulbransen (cross-country, Nordic skiing, track and field): Colby
BURNSVILLE
• Mesaiya Bettis (volleyball): Iowa State
CHAMPLIN PARK
• Abby Hibbs (cross-country, Nordic skiing, track and field): North Dakota State
CHANHASSEN
• Susie Tollefson (basketball, softball): Augustana
CHASKA
• Veda Baumann (dance): Minnesota Duluth
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
• Elizabeth Schoenbauer (dance, softball, swimming): Concordia (St. Paul)
COON RAPIDS
• Lily McKenzie (cross-country, golf, hockey, softball): Wisconsin River Falls
COOPER
• Anna Delaney (cross-country, Nordic skiing, softball, wrestling): Wisconsin Stevens Point
DELASALLE
• Carlie Jackson (Alpine skiing, softball, tennis): Holy Cross
EDEN PRAIRIE
• Vanessa Jordan (basketball, track and field): Minnesota
EDINA
• Kaylee Idrogo-Lam (hockey, lacrosse, soccer): undecided
ELK RIVER
• Lilly Osterman (basketball, lacrosse): Colorado Mesa
FRIDLEY
• Aubrey Cochran-Starr (basketball, cross-country, softball, swimming, track and field, volleyball): undecided
HOLY ANGELS
• Anya Anderson (hockey, softball): Creighton
HOPKINS
• Sydney Drevlow (cross-country, mountain biking, Nordic skiing, track and field): Nebraska
JORDAN
• Savannah Borowicz (basketball, volleyball): Nova Southeastern
MAPLE GROVE
• Jordan Ode (basketball, cross-country): Michigan State
MARANATHA CHRISTIAN
• Ashley Yost (softball, volleyball): Northern State
MINNEAPOLIS CAMDEN
• Shayla Thao (badminton, cross-country, volleyball): undecided
MINNEAPOLIS EDISON
• Elise Ashland (cross-country, soccer, track and field, wrestling): undecided
MINNEAPOLIS NORTH
• Brooklyn Pettis (basketball, track and field, volleyball): undecided
MINNEAPOLIS ROOSEVELT
• Ana Cecilia Walker (basketball, softball, track and field): Minnesota State Moorhead
MINNEAPOLIS SOUTH
• Isabelle Luhmann (basketball, football, soccer, softball): Minnesota Duluth
MINNEAPOLIS SOUTHWEST
• Zoe Sumner (cross-country, mountain biking, Nordic skiing, track and field): undecided
MINNEAPOLIS WASHBURN
• Sydney Ruckett (soccer, track and field): Brown
MINNEHAHA ACADEMY
• Leah DiNardo (cross-country, gymnastics, track and field): St. Thomas
MINNETONKA
• Zeal Kuku (track and field, volleyball): Minnesota
MOUND WESTONKA
• Audrey Kirscht (cross-country, track and field): Minnesota
ORONO
• Zoe Lopez (hockey, soccer, track and field): Minnesota State Mankato
OSSEO
• Macy Patton (hockey, lacrosse, softball, tennis, trap shooting): Wisconsin River Falls
PARK CENTER
• Maya Woods (gymnastics, Nordic skiing, swimming, track and field): Northern Michigan
PRIOR LAKE
• Layla Vennink (cross-country, track and field): St. Thomas
PROVIDENCE ACADEMY
• Hope Counts (basketball, track and field, volleyball): Lipscomb
RICHFIELD
• Audrey Olson (softball, volleyball): Minnesota Morris
ROCKFORD
• McKenzie Perry (hockey): Gustavus Adolphus
ROGERS
• Anya Schmidt (basketball, track and field, volleyball): St. Thomas
SHAKOPEE
• Arianna Zelen (swimming): Wisconsin
SPRING LAKE PARK
• Brianna Finnegan (soccer, track and field): South Dakota State
ST. ANTHONY
• Josie Bossen (gymnastics, swimming, track and field): Northern Michigan
ST. FRANCIS
• Alexa Skogquist (basketball, softball, tennis): Bemidji State
ST. LOUIS PARK
• Eleanor Lindeman (cross-country, Nordic skiing, track and field): St. Catherine
TOTINO-GRACE
• Chloe Nuss (basketball, soccer): Mary
WACONIA
• Evelyn Tellers (gymnastics, lacrosse, tennis, weightlifting): St. Thomas
WATERTOWN-MAYER
• Eleanor Rundell (basketball, soccer, softball, unified sports club): Bethel
WAYZATA
• Sophie Hawkinson (basketball, soccer, track and field): North Dakota State
ZIMMERMAN
• Lindsay Peters (cross-country, Nordic skiing, track and field): Wisconsin
APPLE VALLEY
• Makayla Moran (golf, hockey, lacrosse, soccer): Minnesota State Mankato
CENTENNIAL
• Kylie Nelson (gymnastics, Nordic skiing, track and field): North Dakota State
CHATFIELD
• Jaelyn LaPlante (track and field, volleyball): Minnesota State Mankato
CHISAGO LAKES
• Laura Carlson (lacrosse, swimming, track and field, weightlifting): Kennesaw State
CRETIN-DERHAM HALL
• Brooke Nesdahl (softball): St. Benedict
EAGAN
• Ava Ligtenberg (basketball, soccer, track and field): North Dakota State
EAST RIDGE
• Elle Wildman (basketball, soccer): Iowa
EASTVIEW
• Gracie Puit (cross-country, Nordic skiing, track and field): Alaska-Anchorage
FARMINGTON
• Hannah Hansen (basketball, softball): Minnesota
FOREST LAKE
• Norah Hushagen (cross-country, Nordic skiing, track and field): Minnesota
GENTRY ACADEMY
• Zosia Miller (hockey, softball): Bethel
HASTINGS
• Haley Strain (basketball, softball, volleyball): Southern Illinois
HILL-MURRAY
• Josie Skoogman (golf, hockey, soccer, tennis): St. Thomas
IRONDALE
• Lulu Semakula (diving, gymnastics, track and field): Air Force
LAKEVILLE NORTH
• Olivia Grecco (dance, track and field): Pepperdine
LAKEVILLE SOUTH
• Avery Sandmann (soccer, track and field): St. Thomas
MAHTOMEDI
• Kaili Malvey (track and field, volleyball): Concordia (Moorhead)
MATH & SCIENCE
• Amelia Applebee (cross-country, Nordic Skiing, track and field): undecided
MOUNDS PARK ACADEMY
• Delaney Cunnington (gymnastics, soccer, track and field): Colorado
MOUNDS VIEW
• Kate Roeber (basketball, cross-country, track and field): undecided
NEW LIFE ACADEMY
• Makenna Lilly (track and field, volleyball): Northwestern (Iowa)
NORTH BRANCH
• Dakota Esget (cross-country, gymnastics, track and field, volleyball): St. Thomas
NORTH ST. PAUL
• Gabby Martinez (basketball, softball, volleyball): Concordia (St. Paul)
NORTHFIELD
• Ella Pagel (football, track and field, wrestling): undecided
NOVA CLASSICAL
• Ava Ball (volleyball): South Dakota
PARK OF COTTAGE GROVE
• Josie Leonard (hockey, lacrosse, soccer): Colorado (Colorado Springs)
RANDOLPH
• Carter Raymond (basketball, cross-country, softball): Minnesota
RED WING
• Morgan Hanlin (basketball, cross-country, soccer, track and field): St. Benedict
ROSEMOUNT
• Sophie Stramel (hockey): Minnesota State Mankato
ROSEVILLE
• Samantha Mermelstein (cross-country, Nordic skiing, track and field): Rochester (N.Y.)
SIMLEY
• Emerson Joyce Hocking (gymnastics, soccer, track and field): Auburn
SOUTH ST. PAUL
• Scarlett Johanson (basketball, soccer, track and field): St. Benedict
ST. AGNES
• Terese Fischer (basketball, track and field, volleyball): St. Thomas
ST. PAUL ACADEMY
• Julia Maria Taylor (basketball, track and field, volleyball): undecided
ST. PAUL CENTRAL
• Laura McClary (cross-country, Nordic skiing, track and field): Minnesota
ST. PAUL COMO PARK
• Ava Lopez (basketball, soccer): John Jay
ST. PAUL HARDING
• Tiffany Tran (badminton, tennis, track and field): undecided
ST. PAUL HIGHLAND PARK
• Hanna Koch (cross-country, Nordic skiing, track and field, ultimate Frisbee): Vermont
ST. PAUL HUMBOLDT
• Neenah Mork (basketball, golf, swimming): Luther
ST. PAUL JOHNSON
• Sadie Mays (basketball, track and field, volleyball): St. Catherine
ST. PAUL WASHINGTON
• Megan Fang (badminton, volleyball, wrestling): undecided
STILLWATER
• Liberty Quast (gymnastics, track and field): Minnesota
TARTAN
• Greta Culshaw-Klein (lacrosse, hockey, soccer, track and field): St. Scholastica
TRINITY
• Adelyn Bye (basketball, track and field, volleyball): undecided
TWO RIVERS
• Claire Stein (Nordic skiing, soccer, track and field): St. Olaf
VISITATION
• Samantha Wills (basketball, volleyball): Harvard
WHITE BEAR LAKE
• Madelyn Belisle (hockey, softball, tennis): Hamline
WOODBURY
• Sarah Vaske (basketball, cross-country, track and field): Creighton
News Assistant
Joel Rippel writes about sports for the Star Tribune.
A historic St. Paul church is condemned ahead of Easter weekend after it caught on fire due to what is believed to be a lightning strike. Now the church's leader is working to make sure the church reopens as soon as possible.The BriefST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - A historic St. Paul church is condemned ahead of Easter weekend after it ...
A historic St. Paul church is condemned ahead of Easter weekend after it caught on fire due to what is believed to be a lightning strike. Now the church's leader is working to make sure the church reopens as soon as possible.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - A historic St. Paul church is condemned ahead of Easter weekend after it caught on fire due to what is believed to be a lightning strike. Now the church's leader is working to make sure the church reopens as soon as possible.
What we know:
William Hanson, known in the neighborhood as Reverend William, is putting his faith in God.
"I just knew that everything was going to be okay," said Hanson.
Hanson lives in the multi-use church building and described the moment he first thought something was wrong.
"We went outside and looked. We just heard a pop. We didn't see, nothing wrong," said Hanson.
He just went back inside and then.
"20 minutes later, we went outside again, and the steeple was on fire," said Hanson.
What officials say:
Fire crews had to use two ladder trucks to fight the flames. Fire officials say the damage was mostly limited to the steeple and didn’t extend into the church.
"They actually were inside and covered up the few clothing and things that I have in a bed with plastic, and pulled things away from the wall. So there's minimal water damage in there," said Hanson.
The Trinity Evangelical Norwegian Lutheran Church, now known as Church Incorporated, is now condemned and considered unstable.
Praying on Easter:
The sidewalks and streets on Farrington and Sherburne Avenue are blocked off. But Hanson says this is not going to stop him from celebrating Easter Sunday at the church.
"I trust Jesus. What are the children going to think if I'm not here? I mean, right," said Handson.
His plan is to sit outside and pray with whoever shows up. In the meantime, he has to pick up the pieces and figure out what’s next.
"Red Cross gave me $600 that should pay for the weekend hotel room itself," said Hanson.
The backstory:
Hanson tells FOX 9, he's been working to get the roof fixed from damage that happened three years ago. He says his claim was approved by insurance on Thursday. But just two hours after he found out, lightning struck the steeple further damaging the roof. He is hoping the money from insurance can cover the repairs so he can pray inside the church again soon.
Busy Baby, a baby product manufacturer that's scored vendor deals with Walmart and Target, says soaring U.S. tariffs on imports from China represent an "existential threat." The veteran-owned company has turned to community crowdfunding for help.Busy Baby, a Minnesota-based maker of baby products that's recently scored vendor deals with national retailers, says soaring U.S. tariffs on imports from China represent an "existential threat." The veteran-owned company has turned to community crowdfunding for help....
Busy Baby, a baby product manufacturer that's scored vendor deals with Walmart and Target, says soaring U.S. tariffs on imports from China represent an "existential threat." The veteran-owned company has turned to community crowdfunding for help.
Busy Baby, a Minnesota-based maker of baby products that's recently scored vendor deals with national retailers, says soaring U.S. tariffs on imports from China represent an "existential threat." The veteran-owned company has turned to community crowdfunding for help.
Beth Benike, co-founder of the Oronoco-based small business, started a GoFundMe campaign April 13 to help Busy Baby “survive the tariff crisis,” according to the fundraiser. With a goal of nearly $230,000, at the time of writing, Benike has raised a little over $17,000.
Benike had budgeted for higher tariffs, but not this high. The current tariff rate on most products coming out of China is 145%, up from 30% in just the past 10 days as China and the Trump administration quickly ratcheted up pressure on each other. The White House has since exempted some items, like iPhones, from the highest tariffs for now, but Busy Baby's products — which include nonslip placemats and teething toys — aren't on the list.
In her crowdfunding appeal, Benike explained that if tariffs remain at this high rate, the company will not be able to afford importing the products it has already paid for, and its current inventory would only last two to three months. With no products coming to be sold in the U.S., Busy Baby could not pay off its loans, which would ultimately lead to Benike losing her house, as she explained in the GoFundMe’s description.
“I've put everything on the line for Busy Baby — my house is leveraged against loans I took to grow our company,” Benike wrote in the fundraiser. “Without a solution to this tariff crisis, we face the very real possibility of bankruptcy.”
With the money Busy Baby is attempting to raise, the company would cover essential business costs, such as keeping employees on payroll and maintaining operations, while exploring manufacturing options in the U.S.
Busy Baby was founded in 2017 by army veteran siblings Benike, a U.S. Army veteran, and her brother, Eric. The company began with her nonslip silicone placemat, which she took to ABC’s Shark Tank in 2021, after winning the Minnesota Cup general division in 2020. She was named the 2025 Minnesota Small Business Person of the Year earlier this year by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Last year, Busy Baby signed supplier deals with Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) and Target Corp. (NYSE: TGT).
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACTJennifer “JLor” [email protected](651) 417–9454SAINT PAUL – The City of Saint Paul has condemned the Capital City Plaza Parking Ramp, located at 50 4th Street near the Alliance Bank Center, and is preparing to close direct skyway access from the ramp.On April 2, the city inspected the Capital City Parking Ramp own...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT
Jennifer “JLor” Lor
(651) 417–9454
SAINT PAUL – The City of Saint Paul has condemned the Capital City Plaza Parking Ramp, located at 50 4th Street near the Alliance Bank Center, and is preparing to close direct skyway access from the ramp.
On April 2, the city inspected the Capital City Parking Ramp owned by Madison Equities and posted a notice of the condemnation, effective immediately. The notice orders all drivers and vehicles to vacate the premises, citing public health and safety concerns for all guests and neighboring properties.
“Another week, another abandoned Madison Equities property,” said Mayor Melvin Carter. “Their chronic neglect has caused serious harm that will impact our city for years.”
The closure of skyway connections from the Capital City will begin at 4th Street and end at Press House at 5th Street. The intersecting skyway to the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office on Cedar Street will also be closed. There are no businesses or direct street access routes within these two connections and residents of nearby towers will not be impacted.
Closure of these skyway connections will secure the parking ramp, ensuring no access until the ramp has been brought up to code. The following map indicates the additional skyway connections from the Capital City ramp that are now closed to the public:
“The city is committed to the health and safety of our residents, businesses, and visitors,” said Director Angie Wiese of the Department of Safety and Inspections. “In addition to taking immediate action to condemn and vacate the Capital City Plaza parking ramp, our teams are working with all impacted community groups to ensure our community remains safe and welcoming.”
The latest condemnation comes after city inspectors found several areas of concern, including blocked exits, exposed electrical circuits, inoperable equipment, and water leaks in the parking ramp. The city also discovered that Madison Equities had failed to routinely test its fire suppression systems, the structural integrity of the ramp, and the water backflow prevention system, which separates contaminated water from clean water. This lack of testing poses a risk to the shared potable water supply for all nearby properties.
Notice of the condemnation and closure of the skyway connections were communicated with downtown stakeholders, business leaders, public safety partners, neighboring properties, residents, and guests. Madison Equities and its lender has also been ordered to get the parking ramp up to code.
To learn more about the downtown skyway system, visit the Skyway System webpage. Residents may also call (651) 266-8989 or email [email protected].
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Last Edited: April 7, 2025
651-774-9979
