QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

About your local community newspapers

What areas do the ABC Newspapers cover?

The Anoka County Union has been your source for community news in Anoka County for over 143 years. Our features are all local to you and include news, sports, events, arts & entertainment, classifieds, coupons and more. The Anoka County Union is the official newspaper for the cities of Andover, Anoka, Bethel, East Bethel, Ham Lake, Nowthen, Oak Grove, Ramsey and St. Francis; School Districts 11 and 15; and Anoka County.

The Blaine/Spring Lake Park Life has been serving the communities of Blaine, Spring Lake Park and surrounding areas for 46 years. We cover your local news, sports, events and arts & entertainment. Our advertisers are local - your friends and neighbors. The Blaine/Spring Lake Park Life is the official newspaper for the cities of Blaine and Spring Lake Park and School Districts 11 and 16.

The Coon Rapids Herald is the source for community information in Coon Rapids. We have been covering news, sports, events and arts and entertainment in your community for 131 years. The Coon Rapids Herald is the official newspaper for the city of Coon Rapids and School District 11.

Your town, your paper, delivered every Friday in your mailbox.

If you would like to subscribe, please CLICK HERE.

What is the Anoka County Shopper?

The Anoka County Shopper is a weekly publication delivered free every Wednesday to over 70,000 homes in Anoka County.

If you would like to learn more about the Anoka County Shopper, please CLICK HERE.

What if I have a delivery problem?

If you have a delivery problem with your ABC Newspaper, contact our newspaper circulation department at (763) 421-4444 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

If you have a delivery problem with your Anoka County Shopper, please contact our distribution division at (763) 241-8146 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

How can I get copies of the paper or reprints of photos?

Additional or back copies of ABC Newspapers are available for three previous years. Copies are $1.00.

Reprints of photos can be order online. CLICK HERE to be taken to our community photo gallery.

How do I report a news tip or suggest an idea for a story?

We appreciate your news tips and story ideas, please CLICK HERE to submit your idea online or feel free to call us at (763) 421-4444 and ask to speak with an editor. For events you wish to have covered, we request at least a one week notice.

How to I get a Letter to the Editor published?

ABC Newspapers encourages its readers to write letters on subjects of public interest. Letters that are brief and to the point are preferred. Letters should be kept to one page in length, either double-spaced, typewritten, or in legible handwriting. All letters will be subject to editing. For verification purposes, letters must include the writer’s signature, name, residential address and telephone number. The writer’s name and community of residence will be printed with all published letters.

Letters without a handwritten signature of those that are submitted anonymously will not be published. Letters which contain undocumented charges will not be run, nor will letters that are considered to be libelous in nature.

You may mail your letter or drop your letter off at ABC Newspapers, 4101 Coon Rapids Blvd, Coon Rapids, MN 55433. Letters must reach ABC Newspapers by Monday, noon, to be considered for publication in the Friday issue. All Letters to the Editor are submitted to Peter Bodley, Managing Editor.

How do I get an obituary published?

Obituaries are published free of charge and do not include a photo. No obituaries will be taken by phone. Gearheart Chapels in Anoka and Coon Rapids, Methven-Taylor Funeral Chapels in Anoka and Blaine, Washburn-McReavy & Seman Funeral Home, Coon Rapids and Thurston-Lindberg Funeral Home in Anoka automatically send obituaries to ABC Newspapers. You may also submit obituaries for past or present county residents if other funeral homes are providing the arrangements. All obituaries can be mailed or dropped off at ABC Newspapers, 4101 Coon Rapids Blvd, Coon Rapids, MN 55433 or faxed to (763) 712-3519. All obituaries must reach ABC Newspapers by Monday, 5:00 PM, to be published in the Friday issue. All obituaries are submitted to Peter Bodley, Managing Editor.

How do I announce an engagement, wedding, anniversary, birthday, birth or retirement?

All announcements must be submitted by Monday, 5:00 PM, to be published in the Friday issue. There is not charge for this service. Please CLICK HERE to submit online. If you would like to drop-off the information and photo, please CLICK HERE to print the necessary form and drop off or mail to ABC Newspapers, 4101 Coon Rapids Blvd, Coon Rapids, MN 55433.

How do I get a community announcement in the paper?

As a public service to our community, ABC Newspapers runs brief announcements of upcoming events. All items submitted must include a contact name and phone number. Items are subject to editing and the newspaper cannot guarantee placement or a publication date. There is no charge for this service.

Items for a specific community should be submitted to the following editors:

Items for Andover, Anoka, Bethel, Burns Township, East Bethel, Ham Lake, Oak Grove, Ramsey and St. Francis; School Districts 11 and 15; and Anoka County may be submitted to editor. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ,

Items for Blaine and Spring Lake Park and School Districts 11 and 16 may be submitted to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Items for Coon Rapids and School District 11 may be submitted to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

All church related events as well as special events and ongoing groups of countywide interest, should be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

All community announcements must be submitted by Monday, 5:00 PM, to be considered for the Friday issue.

How do I get a team picture published?

Team photos are published in the sports section. Photos and payment can be dropped off or mailed to ABC Newspapers, 4101 Coon Rapids Blvd, Coon Rapids, MN 55433. There is a $15 charge for publication of these photos.

How do I place a classified ad?

There are several ways to place a classified or display classified ad:

Place your ad online CLICK HERE 7 days a week/24 hours a day

Call us at (763) 712-3550 and have your Visa, Mastercard or Discover Card number ready.

Fax it to (763) 712-3539 and we will call you for payment information.

Mail it or drop by our office: ABC Newspapers/Anoka County Shopper, 4101 Coon Rapids Blvd, Coon Rapids, MN 55433

The deadline to place a classified ad in the Anoka County Shopper is 6:00 PM on Mondays for the Wednesday issue. The deadline to place a classified ad in ABC Newspapers is 10:30 Wednesdays for the Friday issue.

How do I place a display ad or find out how to run an insert in your publications?

Please give us a call at (763) 712-3520 and one of our Advertising Representatives will assist you in determining how best to meet your advertising needs and answer any questions.

What are your hours?

Our office is open on Mondays from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Tuesdays – Fridays 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

What other services are available?

We have a commercial printing division that can help you with all of your printing needs. Some examples include inserts, graduation invitations, wedding invitations, business cards, stationary, forms, etc. Our printing division can be reached at (763) 712-3501 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

We also can assist you with photocopies and faxes.

How does your organization give back to the communities it serves?

We have a very active Community Affairs Councils that grants a portion of our pre-tax income back to the communities we serve. Our associates are encouraged to volunteer in the community and participate in community organizations.