With a little tease here and a dab of color here, Charlotte Sonterre gets a new hair style courtesy of Amanda Moen (left) and Amber Moen.

Having fun at school

By Tammy Sakry on April 3, 2013 at 3:38 pm

Kids and their families came to have fun at the annual St. Francis Elementary School carnival March 23.

Easter bunny visits snow-covered George Green Park

By Sue Austreng on March 28, 2013 at 10:57 am

The Anoka Women of Today hosted its annual Easter egg hunt and party March 23 at George Green Park.

Mite-leve players spent time between games playing pick-up games on a third rink during the Andover Winter Classic Jan. 19. Among those pictured were, from left: Weston Knox, Ben Boll, Kenny Grandell and Mason Gilmore.

Hockey Day in Andover

By Jason Olson on January 24, 2013 at 7:05 am

Now in its third year, the Andover Huskies Youth Hockey Association gave its mite-level players a taste of outdoor hockey in the annual Winter Classic on Hockey Day in Minnesota.

As whipped cream drips down Savannah Larson’s chin, fellow student council member Madison Rothbauer laughs as more of their fellow students descend on other student council members.

Taking a ‘pie’ for a cause

By Tammy Sakry on December 26, 2012 at 4:10 pm

Sixty-one cans of whipped cream stood at the ready and the plates were prepared, but it was no waiting for dessert.

Folleeez fun at District 16

By ABC Newspapers on November 23, 2012 at 7:00 am

The eighth annual Spring Lake Park School District 16 Staff Folleeez and Variety Show took place Nov. 16 and seven acts entertained to a nearly sold out crowd.

Emily Kallis crowned Miss Coon Rapids

By Peter Bodley on November 22, 2012 at 7:00 am

Emily Kallis is the new Miss Coon Rapids.

Pint-sized ghosts and ghouls and costumed kids of all sorts parade down Main Street during the Oct. 26 Big Parade of Little People. Photo by Sue Austreng

Little People Parade down Main Street

By Sue Austreng on October 31, 2012 at 4:22 pm

Some 7,000 spectators bundled up and beat the wind, eager to witness the annual Big Parade of Little People making its way down Main Street, Anoka, the afternoon of Oct. 26.

Pumpkin carving along the Rum River

By Mandy Moran Froemming on October 25, 2012 at 7:00 am

Anoka Halloween hosted its annual pumpkin carving event at Akin Riverside Park Saturday afternoon.

Ghosts and goblins light up the night at Anoka parade

By Mandy Moran Froemming on October 22, 2012 at 9:55 am

A newly constructed Main Street debuted in downtown Anoka for the annual Light up the Night Parade on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Capt. Mark Seaton, Coon Rapids Fire Department, cuts away the front windshield of a car in a vehicle extrication demonstration.

Open houses cap Fire Prevention Week activities

By Peter Bodley on October 17, 2012 at 3:13 pm

The Coon Rapids Fire Department capped Fire Prevention Week activities Saturday with open houses at its three fire stations.

Fire department invites public to explore local stations

By Tammy Sakry on October 11, 2012 at 10:45 am

The Spring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds View (SBM) Fire Station 3 had a very busy weekend.

Norma Paulson (left) samples some creamy Minnesota wild rice soup with oven-roasted duck served by Gordy Novotny, Taher chef.

Prairie Home Delights scholarships fund-raiser

By Peter Bodley on October 4, 2012 at 7:01 am

Prairie Home Delights, Anoka-Ramsey Community College Foundation’s annual scholarships fund-raiser, returned to the college campus Sept. 28.

The Kraus-Hartig VFW Post 6587 Color Guard from Spring Lake Park in the processional.

Salute to heroes

By Bill Jones on September 27, 2012 at 7:00 am

It was a special salute to the military, veterans, firefighters and emergency medical services personnel in Spring Lake Park.

John Kramer, Becker, demonstrates hatchet throwing.

Rendezvous takes people back to 1800s in Nowthen

By Bill Jones on September 27, 2012 at 7:00 am

It was a date with history over the weekend in Nowthen.

Detention Deputy Tom Pacholl of the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office demonstrates how a SWAT Team member could use their shield to corner a person.

Anoka County Sheriff’s Office holds open house

By Eric Hagen on September 20, 2012 at 7:11 am

The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office held an open house at its facility in Andover Sept. 12.

he Bengals’ performance featured salsa dancing music and the Latin sounds of Santana. Photo by Bill Jones

Marching bands share talent at preview show

By ABC Newspapers on September 19, 2012 at 3:37 pm

Marching bands from all five Anoka-Hennepin High Schools performed their field shows at the District 11 Marching Band Preview Show at Coon Rapids High School on Saturday.

Dan Janish (left) and Bryan Robertson, both Coon Rapids Lions Club members, preparing the pig roast for serving. Janish, who owns UP NORTh BBQ, started roasting 120 pounds of pork butts at 2 a.m. Saturday morning so that they were ready to eat when the Lions club’s open house started at 11 a.m. at Lions Coon Creek Park.

Lions club showcases projects at open house

By Peter Bodley on September 13, 2012 at 10:25 am

Coon Rapids Lions Club’s third annual open house and pig roast at Lions Coon Creek Park Saturday had a two-fold purpose.

Four-year-old Gabe Olson, Isanti, tries his hand at the football toss.

A weekend of fun at St. Tim’s Carnival

By Bill Jones on September 12, 2012 at 5:02 pm

Blaine’s Church of St. Timothy hosted its annual carnival over the weekend.

Ramsey celebration makes for Happy Days

By Tammy Sakry on September 11, 2012 at 9:18 am

Ramsey Happy Days offers something for everyone during the two-day celebration.

Anoka County Public Health Nurse Nancy Bauer talks with a family about the importance of getting immunized against pertussis, also known as whooping cough. Anoka County is currently an epidemic area for pertussis.

Anoka church brings community together

By Mandy Moran Froemming on September 6, 2012 at 7:00 am

With an eye on filling a need, the United Methodist Church of Anoka held United for the Community Aug. 30, a first-time event just in time for the back to school rush.