🌱 How Anoka County juries closed the Coon Rapids triple-murder case

Good morning Anoka! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How Anoka County juries closed the Coon Rapids triple-murder case
• Why Anoka-Hennepin is moving four 2026 graduations to U.S. Bank Stadium
• How a new county contract will upgrade Achieve Services’ accessibility

Also on today's calendar: A Very 3rd Elephant Christmas with Laura MacKenzie & Dan Newton and 7 more events.

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Anoka? Post it to Anoka photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Freezing fog in the morning, with a high of 45 and low of 19 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Wednesday: Cloudy; breezy in the p.m., temps: high: 38, low: 28.
• Thursday: Winds becoming strong, with a high of 34 and low of -4 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• All 3 defendants convicted in Coon Rapids triple homicide (hometownsource.com) — A Coon Rapids home-invasion triple homicide case tied to Anoka County has ended with all three defendants convicted, including the latest guilty verdict for Omari Malik Shumpert. Anoka County authorities identified the three victims, and Shumpert now faces a mandatory life sentence when he appears in Anoka County District Court for sentencing in January.
   

• 4 Anoka-Hennepin high schools to hold 2026 commencement at U.S. Bank Stadium (hometownsource.com) — Families in the Anoka-Hennepin district should know that four high schools—Andover, Blaine, Champlin Park and Coon Rapids—will hold their 2026 graduations at U.S. Bank Stadium, while Anoka High School stays at Goodrich Field on June 1. The one-year venue change, driven by the University of Minnesota dropping high school ceremonies, will likely cost the district over $100,000 and affects more than 2,500 students.
   

• Accessibility project contract approved to benefit Achieve Services (hometownsource.com) — Anoka County has approved a $198,400 construction contract to upgrade accessibility in the Achieve Services space at the county’s Blaine Human Services Center, funded by a $400,000 state grant. Work beginning in January will improve restrooms, common areas, and program spaces while Achieve, which the county founded in 1964, continues serving 180 adults with developmental disabilities.
   

📸 Around Anoka

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Anoka

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Tuesday December 16

• Basketball: B/V
  West Lutheran High School
  7:00 pm
• Basketball: G/V
  PACT Charter School | Secondary Campus Secondary Campus | Gymnasium (B146)
  7:00 pm
• Girls' Basketball vs. Como Park
  Andover High School Anoka, MN 55303
  7:00 pm

Wednesday December 17

• A Very 3rd Elephant Christmas with Laura MacKenzie & Dan Newton
  Heart of the City Music Factory , 2665 4th Ave , Anoka
  7:00 pm

Thursday December 18

• Kandiyohi County Law Library Legal Advice Clinic
  Kandiyohi County Law Library , 505 Becker Ave SW , Willmar
  12:00 pm
• Basketball: B/5-6 Black
  PACT Charter School - Elementary Campus
  4:00 pm
• Basketball: B/C
  Spectrum High School Gym (Full)
  4:15 pm
• Basketball: B/7/8 Black
  PACT Charter School - Elementary Campus
  5:00 pm
• Basketball: B/JV
  Spectrum High School Gym (Full)
  5:30 pm

Friday December 19

• An Evening of Christmas Carols
  Heart of the City Music Factory , 2665 4th Ave , Anoka
  7:00 pm

📣 Anoka Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday December 16

• Family Storytime
  Maple Grove Library , 8001 Main Street , Maple Grove
  9:30 am
• Coons Rapid, MN FREE 5- Day Event
  Country Inn & Suites by Radisson , Coon Rapids , Coon Rapids
  10:00 am
• Mystery Book Club
  Champlin Library , 12154 Ensign Avenue North , Champlin
  1:00 pm
• Warming houses OPEN! (tentatively due to weather)
  Andover, MN Calendar Andover, MN 55304
  4:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Masterson Staffing posted a job opening for Machine Operator- 1st Shift in Anoka. Apply here.
• Aerotek posted a job opening for Metal Finisher in Anoka. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Anoka here.

🗞 Nearby News

Andover

• UMD's Dehnicke ranks among top transfers in the country (wdio.com)

Coon Rapids

• Coon Rapids Debuts New Pedestrian Bridge; Spring Opening Anticipated Following Delay (hoodline.com)
• Coon Rapids Police Department Enhances Community Trust with Social Media Updates on Service Calls (hoodline.com)

Ramsey

Ok Anoka! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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