🌱 Patch AM: How did crews stop the Maple Grove packaging plant fire so fast?

Good morning Maple Grove! 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 did crews stop the Maple Grove packaging plant fire so fast?
• How the new rink opens while bigger Community Center closures loom
• What Maple Grove homeowners should expect from the new assessment system

Today's riddle: I got fired from the M&M factory. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Saturday: Mostly cloudy and not as cold, with a high of 21 and low of 2 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Sunday: P.M. freezing drizzle; cloudy, temps: high: 30, low: 24.
• Monday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 34 and low of 28 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Fire breaks out at packaging plant in Maple Grove (bringmethenews.com) — Firefighters quickly contained a machinery fire Wednesday morning at the Smurfit WestRock packaging plant on Valley Forge Lane in Maple Grove, with sprinklers helping knock down heavy smoke and flames. All employees evacuated safely, no injuries were reported, and nearby Brooklyn Park and Osseo crews assisted while officials continue investigating the cause.
   

2. Maple Grove Community Center's Third Ice Rink Now Open (ccxmedia.org) — Maple Grove skaters now have a third ice rink open at the Community Center, but major construction and full-building closures are coming over the next few years. Spectator areas should open by January 9, and Phase Two will eventually shut down aquatics, gyms, and the entire building through 2027–28 as the center and former Lifetime space are rebuilt in stages.
   

3. Maple Grove Changing The Way City Assesses Home Values (ccxmedia.org) — Maple Grove homeowners will see Hennepin County, not city staff, handling property value assessments starting in 2026, with staff available at the Government Center for open-book meetings. City assessing employees are transitioning into county roles, and levy dollars once used for the assessing division may be redirected to needs like street reconstruction, with officials expecting service levels to remain steady.
   

4. Top 10 read Press online articles for 2025 (hometownsource.com) — Maple Grove residents can look back at 2025’s biggest local stories, from finalized designs for the Highway 169/Elm Creek bridge interchange to a costly Weaver Lake Road overhaul and a new Life Time facility. The roundup also revisits a house fire that displaced a family, a longtime teacher’s criminal case, and the naming of a new Maple Grove elementary school.
   

5. Treasurer is accused of stealing $110K from Twin Cities youth softball association (startribune.com) — A Maple Grove woman who served as treasurer for the Plymouth Wayzata Youth Softball Association is accused of swindling $110,000 over several years, according to a felony complaint. Prosecutors say the volunteer-led group lost tax-exempt status and struggled to pay coaches and vendors before she was removed; her first court appearance is set for January 21.
   

📸 Around Maple Grove

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 Maple Grove

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Sunday January 4

• Drop-in Tech Help
  Maple Grove Library , 8001 Main Street , Maple Grove
  12:30 pm

Monday January 5

• City Council meeting
  Maple Grove, MN Calendar , 12800 Arbor Lakes Parkway N , Maple Grove
  7:30 pm

Wednesday January 7

• Community of Crafters: Beaded Earrings
  Maple Grove Library , 8001 Main Street , Maple Grove
  2:30 pm

Thursday January 8

• Genealogy Discussion Group
  Maple Grove Library , 8001 Main Street , Maple Grove
  2:00 pm
• Drop-in Tech Help
  Maple Grove Library , 8001 Main Street , Maple Grove
  4:00 pm
• Arbor Committee meeting
  Maple Grove, MN Calendar Maple Grove, MN 55369
  7:00 pm

📣 Maple Grove 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

Saturday January 3

• Drop-in Tech Help
  Maple Grove Library , 8001 Main Street , Maple Grove
  1:30 pm

Sunday January 4

• Computer and Tech Help
  Plymouth Library , 15700 36th Avenue North , Plymouth
  1:00 pm

Monday January 5

• Baby Storytime
  Plymouth Library , 15700 36th Avenue North , Plymouth
  10:00 am
• English Conversation Circle
  Plymouth Library , 15700 36th Avenue North , Plymouth
  10:00 am
• French Club
  Plymouth Library , 15700 36th Avenue North , Plymouth
  1:00 pm

Tuesday January 6

• Book Club: Bring Your Own Book
  Plymouth Library , 15700 36th Avenue North , Plymouth
  6:00 pm

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

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Maple Grove PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
• AnnapurnaBlue Heath and Wellness — (952) 405-0342
  You Are The Sun ~ Costa Rica Women's Retreat ages 35 - 70+

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Osseo Area Schools posted a job opening for Student and Parking Monitor in Maple Grove. Apply here.
• Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. posted a job opening for Retail Sales Associate in Maple Grove. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Maple Grove here.

Ok Maple Grove! 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 kept throwing out all the W’s.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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