Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How investigators say a Fridley care facility fire turned into an arrest
Make time for Mad Mike's Funhouse on the Fridley Patch calendar
Hello again Fridley! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How investigators say a Fridley care facility fire turned into an arrest
- How will Fridley’s 2026 levy hike hit your property taxes?
- Why are districts statewide touring Fridley’s innovative VISTA special ed program?
Also on today's calendar: Holiday Concert: Sing and Dance! and 6 more events.
Find out what's happening in Fridleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Fridleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Wednesday: Colder with a few snowflakes, with a high of 23 and low of 3 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
- Thursday: Snow and flurries at times, temps: high: 15, low: 12.
- Friday: Cloudy and cold, with a high of 17 and low of -8 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Resident arrested after early morning fire at Fridley care facility (hometownsource.com) — An early-morning fire at a Fridley care facility on East River Road led to a partial evacuation and one resident being hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Police say another resident was located nearby and taken into custody on suspicion of arson, with multiple agencies still investigating and local residents urged to share any tips with authorities. 
• Fridley holds hearing for 2026 budget, levy at Council meeting (hometownsource.com) — Fridley homeowners are looking at a 5.92% city levy increase for 2026, which could raise taxes on a median-value home by about $139 a year. City staff explained how rising personnel and health insurance costs, a shrinking tax base, and the regional fiscal disparities program are shifting more of the burden onto homestead properties. Residents at the hearing voiced concerns about steep individual tax jumps and affordability.
• This School District Opted To Serve Its Highest Needs Special Education Students In-House (disabilityscoop.com) — Fridley Public Schools is running an in-house VISTA Education Center at Fridley High School to serve some of Minnesota’s highest-needs special education students in a calmer, more inclusive setting. The program, now expanding to more grades, emphasizes de-escalation, community-building, and avoiding restraints or suspensions while keeping students close to general education peers. Its success has drawn interest from districts statewide but depends heavily on international teacher recruitment and stable funding.
📸 Around Fridley
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 Fridley
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Mad Mike’s Funhouse
Route 47 Pub & Grub, 7820 University Ave NE, Fridley
7:00 pm
Thursday December 11
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Central Avenue NE and Rice Creek Bridge Project Open House
Anoka County, MN Calendar , 5890 Central Ave NE , Fridley
5:00 pm - Evening Storytime In-Person
Columbia Heights Public Library Community Room (Room 100),
5:30 pm - Family Storytime In-Person
Mississippi Branch Library Mississippi Meeting Room 1 & 2, Mississippi Library
10:15 am - Read to a Dog In-Person
Mississippi Branch Library Mississippi Meeting Room 1 & 2, Mississippi Library
3:00 pm - Meat Raffle — Fridley American Legion Post 303
Fridley American Legion , 7365 Central Ave NE , Fridley
5:00 pm - Cash Bingo at Forgotten Star Brewing
Forgotten Star Brewing Co. , 38 Northern Stacks Dr , Fridley
5:30 pm - EO Minnesota Holiday Party
Northern Stacks Events , 38 Northern Stacks Dr , Fridley
6:00 pm - Holiday Concert: Sing and Dance!
Fridley High School , 6000 W Moore Lake Dr NE , Minneapolis
4:00 pm
Thursday December 11
Friday December 12
Sunday December 14
📣 Fridley 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
- Recurring Community Wellness Walks
Silverwood Park Cafe , 2500 County Rd E , St Anthony
10:00 am - Connect and Play
Brookdale Library , 6125 Shingle Creek Parkway , Brooklyn Center
10:00 am - Family Storytime
Mounds View Library , 2576 County Road 10 , Mounds View
10:30 am - Play and Learn – Hmong Edition
Brooklyn Park Library , 8600 Zane Avenue North , Brooklyn Park
11:30 am
Wednesday December 10
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
- I would like to shout out to thus hard working woman betty Jane or some people may know her as bj.
She has such a big heart and has gone thru so much thus past year.struggling to get by she still makes everyone's day. And manages to make it to work… (Nextdoor Springbrook) - Does anyone know whose kitty this belongs too?
He’s/she has been coming around for the past few days. This is the best video I have. Bennett Dr. I can live trap and get him/her spayed/neutered if… (Nextdoor Christie)
🗞 Nearby News
Spring Lake Park
- Ilhan Omar's Friend Blows Whistle, Confirms She Did Marry Her Brother to 'Get Him Papers' (slaynews.com)
Brooklyn Park
- New Brooklyn Park lounge aims to embody African culture (hometownsource.com)
- Clearfield launches Tribal Broadband Training Initiative (bbcmag.com)
- Power outages possible during Tuesday's snowstorm (inforum.com)
Minneapolis
Ok Fridley! 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 come in peace. You come in pieces.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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