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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

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Home Care In Maple Plain, MN

Home Care Maple Plain, MN

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 Veterans Memorial 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 Maple Plain, MN is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

In-Home Care Maple Plain, MN

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 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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“Always Best Care comes in to help my dad a shower at night. When the”

Always Best Care comes in to help my dad a shower at night. When the guy came out to interview, he was really good and helpful, but it was just hard to find someone to help with dad been a little bit bigger and heavier. They like the person that they had come out a couple of times. The caregiver is good.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care comes in to help my dad a shower at night. When the guy came out to interview, he was really good and helpful, but it was just hard to find someone to help with dad been a little bit bigger and heavier. They like the person that they had come out a couple of times. The caregiver is good.”

Gloria285054

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Maple Plain, MN?

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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.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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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.

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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.

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Senior Care Maple Plain, MN

Types of Elderly Care in Maple Plain, MN

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal 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:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming
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Respite Care Maple Plain, MN
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

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:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
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Caregivers Maple Plain, MN
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

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 Veterans Memorial Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
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Home Care Maple Plain, MN
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

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 Iron Exchange or visit Baker Park Reserve, 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.

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In-Home Care Maple Plain, MN

Benefits of Home Care in Maple Plain, MN

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:

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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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

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.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

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 Maple Plain, 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.

Elderly Care Maple Plain, MN

Affordable 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:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your MN's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
Senior Care Maple Plain, MN

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

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 Maple Plain, 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.

Assisted Living Referral Services

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.

Respite Care Maple Plain, MN

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:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
Caregivers Maple Plain, MN

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:

  • Haven Homes Senior Health and Living
Home Care Maple Plain, MN

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.

In-Home Care Maple Plain, MN

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

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

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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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 Maple Plain, 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.

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Elderly Care Maple Plain, MN

Latest News in Maple Plain, MN

More Minnesotans, including children, succumbing to fentanyl-related deaths

MINNEAPOLIS —The fentanyl crisis doesn't discriminate. It touches the youngest Minnesotans and its hold spans across demographics.Fentanyl poisoning and overdose deaths skyrocketed in the last few years. Some of the victims are children.It's making headlines in Minnesota. Two charged in the fentanyl-related death of a 17-month-old in Ramsey County. A Maple Plain mother charged with manslaughter after her 6-year-old son chewed on a drug-tainted dollar bill. A 7-year-old in St. Paul dead from fentanyl poiso...

MINNEAPOLIS —The fentanyl crisis doesn't discriminate. It touches the youngest Minnesotans and its hold spans across demographics.

Fentanyl poisoning and overdose deaths skyrocketed in the last few years. Some of the victims are children.

It's making headlines in Minnesota. Two charged in the fentanyl-related death of a 17-month-old in Ramsey County. A Maple Plain mother charged with manslaughter after her 6-year-old son chewed on a drug-tainted dollar bill. A 7-year-old in St. Paul dead from fentanyl poisoning. A 1-year-old in Minneapolis.

Every year, calls of kids exposed to fentanyl to Minnesota Poison Center climbs. Dr. Travis Olives is an ER doctor at Hennepin Healthcare. He's also the associate medical director of the Minnesota Poison Control System.

RELATED: WCCO investigates the fentanyl crisis in Minnesota

"To be clear, opioids in children, it's a deadly mix. If there are any kids, even one kid exposed to fentanyl, it's a big problem. We need to keep these substances out of sight and out of reach of kids that are cruising," Olives said. "They get into anything they can, and their natural inclination is to get it in their hand and put it in their mouth."

Olives warns time is critical with any exposure.

"The way opioids cause people to die is by stopping them from breathing, and we have both naloxone or Narcan which treats that very well if it's given in a timely fashion," Olives said.

He says performing rescue breathing while waiting for help can also save a life.

"This is a very time-sensitive treatment, where we know that if we can keep somebody breathing or restore their breathing, their likelihood of doing well increases exponentially," Olives said.

Dr. Andrew Baker sees the other side of things, when help doesn't arrive in time.

"The drug market is just getting flooded with fentanyl. It is the number one driver of our increased caseload in our medical examiner's office," Baker said.

Baker became the Hennepin County Medical Examiner nearly 20 years ago. He's witnessed the meteoric rise of fentanyl. With four fentanyl-rated deaths in 2013 to a historic 440 last year.

"All of these deaths are, at some level obviously preventable," Baker said. "The other thing that concerns me is there doesn't appear to be any end in sight to this epidemic."

His office had to increase staff from physicians and techs to investigators and support personnel. And the crisis caused them to curtail autopsies on apparent natural cause deaths, which Baker calls a public service and good for public health data.

RELATED: The families left behind by the fentanyl crisis

"Which is really a tragedy because the only reason you go into this line of work is because you want to help families. You want to give them the answers," Baker said.

Baker says the fentanyl crisis touches us all. He may see it more than most, delivering toxicology reports to often unsuspecting families. That's not lost on him.

"One of those things you think about when you make those calls is there but for the grace of God, I could be on the other end of this call," Baker said.

Another drug mixed with fentanyl is making it even deadlier. Narcan doesn't work on the sedative Xylazine.

Jennifer Mayerle

Jennifer Mayerle happily returned to Minnesota and WCCO, where she began her career as an intern. The Emmy and Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist joined WCCO as a reporter in May 2014. She also anchors "WCCO Saturday Morning" from 8-9 a.m.

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Wenck joins global engineering firm in end-of-year acquisition

A metro-area engineering firm looking for new opportunities for its employees was recently acquired by a global firm based in Alberta, Canada.Wenck, a 325-person firm based in Maple Plain, was bought by Stantec, an engineering and design firm with $3.64 billion in revenue in 2020 and an office in Minneapolis. The deal closed Dec. 31.Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Peter Miller, former chief strategy officer with Wenck and now a senior principal at Stantec, said Stantec made “a very attractive offer” that e...

A metro-area engineering firm looking for new opportunities for its employees was recently acquired by a global firm based in Alberta, Canada.

Wenck, a 325-person firm based in Maple Plain, was bought by Stantec, an engineering and design firm with $3.64 billion in revenue in 2020 and an office in Minneapolis. The deal closed Dec. 31.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Peter Miller, former chief strategy officer with Wenck and now a senior principal at Stantec, said Stantec made “a very attractive offer” that employees benefited from. Wenck was an employee-owned company, so when Stantec purchased those shares, team members who had worked there long enough to hold stock received a payout, which went to retirement accounts.

Wenck did lay off a few support staffers whose jobs disappeared with the acquisition, Miller said, adding that the rest of the team will continue to work out of offices in Maple Plain, Golden Valley and Woodbury.

Leaders of Wenck and Stantec first got to know each other when the firms partnered on projects in 2019. Those experiences showed Stantec that Wenck had a similar culture and could add expertise in environmental engineering. Talk of Stantec acquiring Wenck started that fall.

Miller said the company was doing fine through the pandemic and wasn’t pressured to sell. Instead, joining a much larger firm offered Wenck staff the chance at projects the small firm couldn’t get.

In the past, the firm would get passed over by prospective clients that wanted to hire a company with a global presence. Since work is often performed on-site, ease of travel and knowledge of local regulations are two factors clients would weigh in choosing a firm. Wenck had offices in several Minnesota cities, as well as Atlanta and Denver.

“For a lot of companies, that doesn’t cut it,” Miller said. “They want to see a much broader coverage of resources and expertise.”

For Wenck’s staff, which includes engineers, environmental scientists, land surveyors and others, the acquisition opens the door to travel to more locales for more work during winter months when outdoor environmental work is scarce in climates like Minnesota.

Miller also noted that Stantec has the resources and a number of initiatives already in place to recruit and retain women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals and people with disabilities.

“Stantec is not about growth for growth’s sake. Culture is oftentimes one of the most significant measures we take a look at. It’s hard to quantify until we’ve worked together.” said Scott Storlid, senior vice president and environmental services business leader with Stantec, about the acquisition. (Storlid is based in Madison and oversees the Twin Cities.)

Though Wenck doesn’t appear on the Business Journal’s Engineering Firms List this year because of the acquisition, both firms have been among the largest in the Twin Cities for years.

As of Dec. 1, before the acquisition was finalized, Stantec had 207 staff in the Twin Cities, including 59 registered engineers, and reported $34.5 million in metro-area engineering billings for 2020.

Wenck had 180 staff across three Twin Cities offices, including 46 registered engineers. The firm reported $63 million in companywide revenue and $32 million in companywide billings for engineering services in 2020.

With the acquisition, the Twin Cities is a top three metropolitan area in the U.S. for Stantec, in terms of employees.

Largest Engineering Firms in the Twin Cities

Metro registered engineers

RankPrior RankName / Rank in 2020 (* not ranked)
13Bolton & Menk Inc.
22Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc.
31Barr Engineering Co.

View this list

Showers at times Sunday; recap of weekend rain totals

Most of Minnesota was either abnormally dry or in drought on the U.S. Drought Monitor report that was posted last Thursday.We had some welcome rain in parts of Minnesota Saturday and Saturday night. Here’s the rainfall map from 7 a.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Sunday:Some areas received between 1 and 3 inches of rain, with a few higher reports in northwestern Minnesota.Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airp...

Most of Minnesota was either abnormally dry or in drought on the U.S. Drought Monitor report that was posted last Thursday.

We had some welcome rain in parts of Minnesota Saturday and Saturday night. Here’s the rainfall map from 7 a.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Sunday:

Some areas received between 1 and 3 inches of rain, with a few higher reports in northwestern Minnesota.

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport tallied 43 one-hundredths (.43) of an inch. I had 71 one-hundredths (.71) of an inch in St. Paul. Park Rapids in central Minnesota came in with 1.91 inches and Fairmont in southwestern Minnesota reported 1.58 inches.

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The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network, a volunteer observer network, posted this 24-hour rainfall plot:

It shows 24-hour rainfall totals of 1.2 inches in Minneapolis, 1.84 inches in Plymouth and 2.64 inches in Watertown. Maple Plain came in with 2.03 inches. You can pan and zoom the map at the linked site to get info for your area.

Isolated thunderstorm chance Sunday

A low-pressure system to our east will move slowly away Sunday, so the best chance of thunderstorms will shift into parts of Wisconsin.

We’ll have areas of wrap-around showers in Minnesota Sunday with an isolated thunderstorm also possible. It won’t be raining all day but it will be raining at times.

You can hear updated weather information for Minnesota and western Wisconsin on the MPR News network. You can find the latest radar here.

You can also check these National Weather Service sites for updated weather info: Twin Cities, Duluth, La Crosse, Wis., Sioux Falls, S.D., Grand Forks, N.D.

Monday rain chance is lower

Any rain in Minnesota on Monday will be more spotty than Sunday’s showers.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s North American Mesoscale (NAM) forecast model shows the potential rain pattern from 4 a.m. Monday to 9 p.m. Monday:

NOAA’s High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) model shows a similar rain pattern for that same time span:

Temperature trends

The average June 25 Twin Cities high temperature is 82 degrees. Metro area highs will probably stall out in the lower 70s this Sunday afternoon. Much of north-central and northeastern Minnesota will have Sunday highs in the 60s, mainly 70s elsewhere.

Monday highs will be primarily in the 70s, but a few spots in far western Minnesota could top 80 degrees:

Twin Cities metro area highs are projected to be in the lower 80s Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, then around 80 on Friday and Saturday.

The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center shows a tendency for above-normal temps next Sunday and into the following week:

Air quality alert up north

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality alert for northern Minnesota that will continue until 9 a.m. Monday:

Here are details of the alert, from the MPCA:

Air quality alert expanded due to wildfire smoke for northern Minn. through Monday, June 26 at 9 a.m.

Air quality is expected to reach orange in northern Minn., which is unhealthy for sensitive groups.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air quality alert for northern Minn. for fine particulate, effective Saturday, June 24, through Monday, June 26, at 9 a.m. The affected area in northern Minn. includes Bemidji, East Grand Forks, International Falls, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Ely, Duluth, Roseau, and the tribal nations of Red Lake, Leech Lake, Grand Portage, and Fond du Lac.

Northerly winds are bringing smoke from wildfires north of the Canadian border in Ontario into northern Minn. This batch of smoke will be heavier and more persistent closer to the Canadian border, while the southern portion of the alert area may see occasional smoke. Smoke will continue over northern Minn. through early Monday. People should keep windows shut to prevent smoke from entering. Smoke will circulate around the northern periphery of a low-pressure area heading eastward through Minn. Some smoke may linger on Monday, but concentrations should fall below orange.

Fine particle levels are expected to be in the orange AQI category, a level that is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. In the orange area, sensitive groups should avoid prolonged time outdoors.

Programming note

You can hear my live weather updates on MPR News at 7:39 a.m., 9:39 a.m. and 4:39 p.m. today.

Maple Plain names 2023 ‘Good Neighbor’

On Friday Sept. 8 th, the Rotary Club of Orono, in partnership with US Congressman Dean Phillips, organized and sponsored a recognition ceremo…CommunityfeaturedThis summer at the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) Annual Conference in Duluth, Maple Plain Mayor Julie Maas-Kusske received the “Elected Off…...

On Friday Sept. 8 th, the Rotary Club of Orono, in partnership with US Congressman Dean Phillips, organized and sponsored a recognition ceremo…

Community

featured

This summer at the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) Annual Conference in Duluth, Maple Plain Mayor Julie Maas-Kusske received the “Elected Off…

Community

On Tuesday, Aug. 1, neighborhoods around the area gathered together for National Night Out and Night to Unite. The local gatherings were visit…

The West Hennepin Public Safety Department is inviting neighbors across Maple Plain and Independence to join them on Tuesday, Aug. 1, for the …

Community

Maple Plain volunteer fire fighter Troy Denneson is retiring from his full time job.

Protolabs in Maple Plain for put together an outstanding holiday collection drive for Western Communities Action Network (WeCAN). They donated…

Maple Plain has named that city’s “Good Neighbor” for 2023.

If you currently receive this paper at your home or business, delivered by the U.S. Postal Service, it’s time to renew your free subscription …

On Friday Sept. 8 th, the Rotary Club of Orono, in partnership with US Congressman Dean Phillips, organized and sponsored a recognition ceremo…

This summer at the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) Annual Conference in Duluth, Maple Plain Mayor Julie Maas-Kusske received the “Elected Off…

Water and water flow was the main topic of conversation at the Monday, Jan. 23, Maple Plain City Council meeting.

At its special city council meeting on Monday, Jan. 9, Maple Plain took steps to alleviate its snow removal issues.

The city of Maple Plain would like residents to know that it hears the complaints about the snow plowing this winter season and is working to …

With the beginning of the new year, the city of Maple Plain will have a couple new voices guiding policy.

The city of Maple Plain approved its 2023 tax levy at its final meeting of the year on Monday, Dec. 19.

The first Swedish settlers came to Carver County in 1854. They called it the Union Settlement, and the settlement grew rapidly.

Santa is coming to town.

Winter parking restrictions are taking effect in the area.

Getting around the west metro got a little easier this week as the County Road 92 overpass over Highway 12 officially opened to vehicles.

Halloween is approaching and there are a lot of planned activities for you and your family to enjoy. Here is a list of some of the planned eve…

When the state legislature approved the sale of THC products, it left cities wondering what they can do to regulate them in their cities.

The Rotary Club of Orono donated $9,000 to the City of Maple Plain to be used for a pair of lighting projects in the Veterans Memorial Park pi…

Maple Plain Fire is excited to join Fire Departments from across the nation in educating the public on fire prevention during the annual Fire …

It was like a match made in heaven.

Maple Plain-based Collision Corner can still operate its business for now.

Holden Mohs was officially promoted from probationary firefighter to firefighter status at the Monday, June 27, Maple Plain City Council meeting.

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Maple Plain volunteer fire fighter Troy Denneson is retiring from his full time job.

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The West Hennepin Chamber of Commerce, serves the communities of Maple Plain and Independence. Twelve new businesses have joined the West Henn…

Paul Stinson American Legion Post No. 514 held its annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 29, at Lewis Cemetery, located one mile west of…

The search for a new city administrator in the city of Maple Plain is underway.

Paul Stinson Post 514, American Legion will hold the Annual Memorial Day service on Monday, May 29 at Lewis Cemetery at 10:30 a.m. A 45-minute…

After just over two years as the city of Maple Plain’s city administrator Clarissa Hadler has resigned.

Haven Homes in Maple Plain is getting rewarded.

West Hennepin Public Safety has introduced the newest member of its team, Nick Eldred, a new Patrol Officer. Eldred graduated with a Law Enfor…

Water and water flow was the main topic of conversation at the Monday, Jan. 23, Maple Plain City Council meeting.

At its special city council meeting on Monday, Jan. 9, Maple Plain took steps to alleviate its snow removal issues.

The city of Maple Plain would like residents to know that it hears the complaints about the snow plowing this winter season and is working to …

With the beginning of the new year, the city of Maple Plain will have a couple new voices guiding policy.

The city of Maple Plain approved its 2023 tax levy at its final meeting of the year on Monday, Dec. 19.

The first Swedish settlers came to Carver County in 1854. They called it the Union Settlement, and the settlement grew rapidly.

Santa is coming to town.

For the first time since 2008, the Maple Plain mayor and city council will receive a raise.

Winter parking restrictions are taking effect in the area.

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Paul Stinson Post 514, American Legion will hold the Annual Memorial Day service on Monday, May 29 at Lewis Cemetery at 10:30 a.m. A 45-minute…

After just over two years as the city of Maple Plain’s city administrator Clarissa Hadler has resigned.

Haven Homes in Maple Plain is getting rewarded.

Do you live in Maple Plain and have junk you need to get rid of?

Western Hennepin County leaders to MnDOT: Fix the 'Corridor of Death'

There hasn't been a fatal crash on Hwy. 12 in western Hennepin County in nearly four years, but leaders of Maple Plain, Independence, Delano and other nearby cities say they may be living on borrowed time.They point to a Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) report outlining results of a study that found "fatal crashes are expected to continue if no changes are made" to the 5-mile segment between County Road 90 in Independence and County Line Road in Delano."It's absolutely disheartening," Maple Pla...

There hasn't been a fatal crash on Hwy. 12 in western Hennepin County in nearly four years, but leaders of Maple Plain, Independence, Delano and other nearby cities say they may be living on borrowed time.

They point to a Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) report outlining results of a study that found "fatal crashes are expected to continue if no changes are made" to the 5-mile segment between County Road 90 in Independence and County Line Road in Delano.

"It's absolutely disheartening," Maple Plain Mayor Julie Maas-Kusske said of the 90-page report completed last year but released only this fall after the Delano Herald Journal filed a records request. The report was subsequently obtained by the Star Tribune.

"We have all heard the saying, 'What's predictable is preventable.' Listen to the study and do our part to prevent further loss of life and crashes on this busy stretch of road, and fix it properly," the mayor said.

The Highway 12 Safety Coalition seeks improvements between County Road 90 and County Line Road.

© OpenStreetMap contributors

There have been seven fatal crashes within the study area since 2009, including four head-on wrecks and one rear-end collision. The crashes along with a slew of others over the years on Hwy. 12 from Wayzata all the way through Wright County led to the road being dubbed the "Corridor of Death" by the Highway 12 Safety Coalition.

Maas-Kusske belongs to the coalition of city leaders and law enforcement in communities along Hwy. 12 that has been meeting since 2014 to push for upgrades to the unforgiving two-lane road, largely untouched since it was built in the 1930s.

The coalition succeeded in getting MnDOT to build a concrete median barrier to separate oncoming traffic between Wayzata and Orono. Plastic lane delineators and rumble strips were installed to the west of Baker Park Road. Last year, a new overpass and roundabout opened at the dangerous County Road 92 intersection.

MnDOT

But other than patchwork fixes, nothing has been done to improve Hwy. 12 west of County Road 92 in more than 90 years, said Phil Kern, a coalition member who also is Delano's city administrator.

"We are advocating for MnDOT to address this corridor," Kern said. "When they are looking at using federal and state funds for highway improvement, make this a priority. The corridor is safety and mobility deficient."

The MnDOT report identified four ways to improve the highway, which carries between 14,300 and 19,100 vehicles a day. The concepts include keeping Hwy. 12 a two-lane road, but placing a median barrier to separate traffic between County Line Road and Lake Haughey Road with depressed center median east to County Road 92.

Two concepts calling for a third lane would also feature a median barrier from County Line Road to just west of Lake Haughey Road and a depressed median east of it. Both concepts would feature two lanes running in one direction and one lane in the opposite direction.

A four-lane concept with a depressed median would have two lanes running in each direction.

"I believe the coalition and residents want to see a four-lane highway," Maas-Kusske said.

The report identified safety as the most significant problem and should be the focus of any improvements, MnDOT said in a statement.

MnDOT is looking to carry out a paving project in the study area in 2028 and advance plans for a roundabout at County Line Road. Beyond that, the next action won't come until spring when the agency will begin the selection process for the two-lane, three-lane or four-lane alternatives.

The agency said it would need to conduct an in-depth environmental investigation on impacts of each alternative. And project funding would have to be secured, meaning any improvements would be many years away.

"MnDOT is examining various grant opportunities that may fit for future funding, but has not identified funding for this major improvement," the agency said.

Maas-Kusske said she is grateful for the improvements that have been made. But, she said, "the work is not done, and we cannot quit advocating. The rest of the corridor still has issues with sight lines, safety zones, ditch slopes and overall capacity."

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